5 Takeaways Clarksburg (MD) vs. Woodrow Wilson DC
11-21-17, Woodrow Wilson HS, Washington, DC.
Clarksburg Coyotes. (12-11) 22500 Wims Road, Clarksburg, MD. 21216 Head Coach: Steve Watson (Montgomery County 4A)
VS.
Woodrow Wilson Tigers. (29-4) 3950 Chesapeake Street, NW, Washington, DC. Head Coach : Angelo Hernandez (DCIAA)
Woodrow Wilson Tigers poised to make bid for #1 DC DMV & possible National Ranking
We scouted Wilson last season when the Tigers finished @ 29-4 & ranked #3 in the DC DMV. Wilson won the DCIAA & took Gonzaga (ranked #8 nationally) to the ropes in the Washington, DC State Championship semis. Despite the #3 rankings we (I) thought the Tigers were underappreciated & deserved their ranking. Wilson graduated unsung & tough as nails, 6’3″ F Isaiah Jennings (13.3 ppg ) & 6’7″ PF Marquis Copleland. However, 6’3.5″ 2019 PG Jay Heath (#4 in our 2019 DC/MD rankings) & 6’5″ 2020 Wing Dimingus Stevens (#14) )are dynamic skilled players with high major D1 talent. Wilson will start, 5’11” CG Ayinde Hakim pictured left ,6’8″ 2018 F/ C Josiah Marable (pictured right #33), 6’8″ 2018 Wing Ricardo Lindo, 6’3.5″ junior PG Jay Heath & either Dimingus Stevens or 5’10” 2019 sharpshooter Carlos Dunn. Both Dimingus & Carlos can light up the scoreboard & defend & both players will either play a 6th man role or possibly start. Dominik Hogans & Romaro Hutchinson add back-court depth while an unnamed newcomer & a 6’7″ baseball player add front-court depth. The Tigers posses great chemistry, versatility, toughness & talent. Head Coach Angelo Hernandez is a superb Head Coach who preaches fundamentals, aggressive ball movement & team play in addition to being very creative & a hands on teacher. He told us this summer Jay would play PG & Ayinde would be off the ball as a CG. This is the current the Wilson back court starting combination. We really like this tandem & the spacing it provides the Tigers. We have 5 top tier for the DC DMV teams , which are Wilson, DeMatha, Gonzaga, Paul VI & St. Johns. The latter 4 teams play in the WCAC & could knock each other out in the tremendously 6 team deep WCAC with the other 4 teams very dangerous. Wilson has potential to meet up with SJC, & Gonzaga in the DC State Games with a potential national ranking.
Jay Heath, Josiah Marable, Dimingus Stevens poised for breakout seasons for Wilson
Jay Heath (pictured left #5) is ready to break out early this season for Wilson. Tonight he ran the offense very well with very good decision making & played excellent defense showing potential to become a lock down defender . Jay had 3 plus explosive dunks & scored from all 3 levels. Over the summer Jay proved he is a clutch performer playing for Team St8ment. Dimingus Stevens (pictured right #5) can light up the scoreboard & could become a superb defender. Like Jay, Dimingus has great size /length, scored from all 3 levels & threw down some monster thunderous dunks. Josiah Marable has slimmed down & made great strides this off season. He will be a force in the paint as a rim protector & rebounder. Josiah can score well on the blocks & has shown excellent footwork & post moves with the ability to hit shots 16 feet & in. Tonight he received an entry pass then made a quick drop step, then spun & finished with a baby left hook. He runs the floor very for a powerful big & played very well this summer Josiah played very well for DC Premier.
Wilson has great versatility, size, speed, athleticism IQ & toughness
The Tigers have many players who can play & defend multiple positions at a high level. Ayinde Hikim has proved he can play on or of the ball as a PG , wing or CG. He is a very strong & a tough defender who can ball hawk either guard position. In transition or in the half court, Ayinde has elite explosion, speed & quickness. Tonight’s Play of the Game would be awarded to him. Ayinde converted a highlight reel backdoor alley oop dunk with his head a rim level. On the next play Jay Heath scored on a high rising thunder dunk. Ayinde can power his way into the paint for a high rising mid range jumper or facilitate from anywhere . Ricky Lindo (pictured right #23) did not play tonight since he was participating in a Pan American Tournament & where he is playing superbly. Ricky has grown to a very long 6’8″ after averaging 12.8 ppg last season. In the DC State semis last year vs. Gonzaga, Ricky recorded 7 blocks. He has great closeout speed, & timing & is on the brink of becoming an elite defender. Ricky can score from all 3 levels & plays with a very high IQ. He could possibly guard 4 to 5 positions. Currently Ricky has 20 D1 offers, mostly mid majors, We believe Ricky has potential to become high major & will write an article for Ricky when arrives back home in DC this weekend. Carlos Dunn (pictured right #3)is one of the best sharpshooters in the DMV, & can score effectively from all 3 levels. Carlos has excellent speed, quickness & he is a very scrappy defender who can play & guard both positions. As mentioned, Jay Heath & Dimingus Stevens can play & guard 3 positions & each are excellent athletes. Josiah Marable can either overpower & or out-quick his defenders. He can score 15 feet in & possesses an array of post moves & is a very deceptive athlete.
Clarksburg will be very competitive in Montgomery County 4A
Alex Behzadi & Cornell Hanna are Most Improved Player Candidates & MOCO 4A Top 30 Players
The Coyotes are very well Coached by Steve Watson & won the 1st quarter tonight. Stephen Armstrong (bottom left) is a top player in MOCO 4A & tonight the 6’5″ Forward showed why. He played very well inside/out & showed his athleticism & speed in transition with several hard dunks. Stephen plays with a high IQ, can facilitate & really move the ball. He is an excellent all around player & we rate Stephen as a scholarship player at this time. 6’2″ senior PG Alex Behzadi had a breakout summer in the MD Elite Summer League. Last season he averaged 1.9 ppg for Clarksburg, but had a huge hyper-jump this off season & he has committed to St. Marys College of MD. Against Wilson Alex held his own & then some,hitting over three 3 pointers, & scored from the mid range & at the rim. Alex is very scrappy & played tough defense. He possesses a very nice handle, & ran the Coyote offense very well. Tonight Alex proved he is a legitimate collegiate player & will be one of MOCOs best this season. He is on the watch list for Most Improved Player. 6’4″ senior & Keene College commit . Cornell Hanna is a warrior with excellent athleticism. He is an excellent defender & rebounder. He could be MOCO 4As Dennis Rodman. Cornell had an excellent summer & he is on our Most Improved Player Watch in addiction to being a Top 30 MOCO Player. 5’9″ senior guard Diven Wallington will see major minutes & 6’3″ senior guard Raemond Thompson will be a key player. Head Coach Steve Watson is a very underrated & excellent hands on Coach. Despite being over-matched against possibly the #1 ranked team in the DC DMV, Coach Watson showed he is an excellent Coach. Clarksburg showed great heart & skills for the entire game. The Coyotes will be a very tough opponent for MOCO 4 A Teams with the potential of defeating any team.