2020-2021 Season Preview: Mark Morris Monarchs

<p>Senior leadership will be a big emphasis for the Mark Morris Monarchs this upcoming season. Combine that with the rest of their loaded roster, expectations should be very high. Here’s a look at some of the players to keep an eye on from the Monarchs this season.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/nate-millspaugh/">[player_tooltip player_id="843775" first="Nate" last="Millspaugh"]</a> | 5’11 PG | 2021</strong><br /> Millspaugh is new to the squad this year and will be a big edition. He played alongside Gonzaga-commit, [player_tooltip player_id="611183" first="Kaden" last="Perry"], last season but now it’s his turn to be the guy and lead a squad. Nate is a lights-out shooter and has the range to go with it. As soon as he steps over half court he becomes a legitimate shooting threat. His tight handle and quick first step keep the defense on their heels. Most importantly, he brings what the Monarchs missed last season— veteran experience at the guard position.</p> <p><strong>Ashton Harvey | 6’8 C | 2021</strong><br /> The other senior the Monarchs will be leaning on is the big fella down low, Ashton Harvey. Harvey is one of the best-kept secrets for his position in the state of Washington. He is tough to guard on the block. He is strong, persistent, and has good footwork. He embraces contact and will finish through it. He also has range out to 18 ft, which I hope he showcases a lot more this season. Basketball is a guard’s game, but this Monarch team will need Ashton at his best to reach the level of expectations set on this squad.</p> <p><strong>Deacon Dietz | 6’3 SG | 2023</strong><br /> Dietz will be a key piece for this Monarch squad. As a freshman last year, he started varsity and proved time and time again that he belonged. Getting that early varsity experience will be huge for him going into his sophomore season. Deacon has that unique ability to make momentum-shifting plays on both ends of the floor. If you’re a real hoop fan you know the plays I’m talking about too. Chase down blocks, poster dunks, the list goes on. His athleticism is off the charts and he is starting to understand how to use it. Look for Dietz to have a breakout season this year for the Monarchs and be one of the best young 2-way players in Washington.</p> <p><strong>Jamison Watson | 6’4 F | 2022</strong><br /> Watson is the x-factor for the Monarchs. He will be used a lot at the 4-position, but that could be dangerous for other teams to match up with. He has the length and athleticism to guard bigger players, and then offensively, he has the IQ and quickness to blow by them. What I love most about Jamison’s game is his motor and will to win. He competes every possession and is willing to do whatever it takes to win. He is the type of player that doesn’t need plays drawn up for him; just put him on the floor and good things will happen. If Jamison gives the Monarchs just a little bit of offense, they will be tough to beat.</p> <p><strong>Kobe Parlin | 6’1 CG | 2023</strong><br /> Last season Kobe started varsity at the 1-position as a freshman. He had his ups and downs, as all freshman varsity players do, but he showed flashes of his potential. Playing alongside Nate will allow Kobe to play off the ball more which could be scary for opposing teams. Kobe is a strong left-hand driver that can finish through contact. Combine that with his improved 3pt shooting, defenses will have to pick their poison. His IQ has increased as well and he has gotten better at creating shots for his teammates. Kobe’s biggest jump this year will come on the defensive end. He has hit the weight room hard this off-season and has started to buy in on that side of the ball. Big sleeper in the 2023 class.</p> <p><strong>Rome Hendrickson | 6’1 SG | 2022</strong><br /> Rome is a pure shooter. He had a solid season last year for the Monarchs serving as a reliable 3pt threat for them. He has had a lot of time to get reps up so I expect that reliability will remain the same this upcoming season. He has gotten better at attacking closeouts too, which is great because teams will most likely try to run him off the 3pt line based on his reputation from last season.</p>