Previously a part of the Maryland rankings in a similar range, Mota slides over to the PA side upon coming back home after a productive freshman year in the Baltimore Catholic League at John Carroll. A poised lead guard with a mature skillset, he’ll look to run a Susquehanna Township team that has high hopes amid a combination of returning frontcourt talent and multiple transfers on the perimeter. Mota was understandably turnover-prone at times last year as a freshman but managed to make a consistent impact as the only freshman in the Patriots’ varsity rotation. He’ll face lesser competition on a nightly basis in the Mid-Penn but will be tasked with a bigger, more consistent role as a sophomore as a sophomore. His ability to answer the bell could go a long way toward determining the success of the Indians’ season.

Another freshman that continues to demand attention is John Carroll guard David Mota. The first thing you notice with Mota is his fearlessness as a defender. He’s willing to pressure the ball handler with full court pressure throughout the course of a game and embraces the challenge when matched up against high-level upperclassmen. Even if Mota gets shook with a crossover or his man converts a tough shot over his contested hand, it doesn’t shake his approach the ensuing defensive possession. That speaks loudly for a freshman. Offensively he’s valuable as a game manager who shows early instincts of dictating pace effectively. He can get into the paint with consistency and make the primary read with precision. He’ll knock down a jumper with time and space off the catch, but his strength in scoring at this stage of his development is putting the ball on the deck and attacking the rim. Mota does a nice job of getting his within the flow.