Boys’ basketball Top 20: DeMatha reclaims No. 1 spot; Episcopal, Gwynn Park, Wakefield crack top 10

 

 

 Boys’ basketball Top 20: Gonzaga takes over at No. 1, surging Westfield rejoins rankings

 

 1. Gonzaga (10-1) LW: 3

The Eagles take over the top spot after winning the Junior Orange Bowl Basketball Classic and rallying to beat Neumann-Goretti (Pa.) for their fifth straight victory.

2. St. John’s (12-1) LW: 2
The Cadets upended nationally ranked Mater Dei (Calif.) at the Beach Ball Classic in South Carolina before falling to another nationally ranked foe, Montverde (Fla.), in the final.

3. DeMatha (10-2) LW: 1

Led by Markelle Fultz’s 20 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, the Stags beat Seattle power Garfield at the Les Schwab Invitational in Oregon but lost their next two games to nationally ranked Oak Hill and Montverde.

4. H.D. Woodson (15-0) LW: 4

The Warriors needed a last-second free throw in overtime by sophomore Kiyon Boyd to escape with a 63-62 win against Bishop Ireton Saturday at the Uptown Hoopfest.

5. National Christian (10-1) LW: 5

All-Met Christian Matthews had 34 points as the Eagles capped off a 3-0 showing at the Governor’s Challenge with a 72-64 win over Legacy Charter (S.C.) last Wednesday.

6. Douglass (6-0) LW: 6

Senior Cameron Hayes had 26 points when the Eagles beat rival Largo, 88-75, on Dec. 21. They haven’t played since after their holiday tournament was cancelled.

7. Paul VI (9-2) LW: 7

Led by VJ King and Corey Manigault, the Panthers ran their win streak to six games, including victories against Roselle Catholic (N.J.) and Neumann-Goretti (Pa.).

8. Westfield (7-2) LW: NR

For the second straight year, host Westfield won the Bulldog Bash, this time defeating Landstown in overtime behind Tyler Scanlon’s 33 points.

9. McNamara (8-4) LW: 9

Ernest Jenkins twice scored 19 points during the Mustangs’ three-game win streak before a one-point loss to Oxbridge (Fla.) in the Mustang Invitational final.

10. Riverdale Baptist (15-4) LW: 10

Forward Cyril Ogbuagu had 21 points as the Crusaders defeated Coolidge, 100-74, for their fifth-straight win since a loss to Middleburg Academy on Dec. 23.

11. Episcopal (8-2) LW: 13

Following a two-week break, the Maroon return to action this week with games against John Paul the Great, The Heights and Maret.

12. Gwynn Park (8-0) LW: 18

The Yellow Jackets are off to their best start since 2007-08 after wins over Magruder and Urbana last week.

13. Wakefield (10-0) LW: 19

The Warriors extended their undefeated start by riding Halil Parks’ 22 points in a 65-63 win over Robinson in the George Long Holiday Tournament.

14. Eleanor Roosevelt (6-2) LW: 20

Forward Trent Bishop had 17 points as the Raiders knocked off defending Maryland 4A state champion Meade, 62-54, in the Rt. 175 Classic final last week.

15. West Springfield (8-1) LW: 12

The Spartans saw a 14-point lead evaporate in a Dec. 29 loss to Landstown but they rebounded to beat St. Albans the next day to earn third place at the Bulldog Bash.

16. Potomac (Va.) (10-1) LW: 8

Without point guard Elyjah Camp in the lineup, the Panthers fell to St. Albans 51-35 in the first round of the Bulldog Bash but rebounded with wins over Patriot and Forest Park.

17. Champe (6-1) LW: NR

Senior forward Kuony Deng had 32 points and six blocks as the Knights knocked off then-No. 11 Lake Braddock to win the Glory Days Grill Tournament of Champions.

18. Lake Braddock (8-1) LW: 11

Despite a 35-point effort from James Butler, the host Bruins fell 85-75 to Champe in the Glory Days Grill Tournament of Champions final for their first loss.

19. Theodore Roosevelt (11-1) LW: NR

The Rough Riders put up 35 points in the second quarter of their 85-75 win against IDEA Saturday night at the Uptown Hoopfest.

20. Tuscarora (11-1) LW: NR

Swingman Kyle Copeland became the first player in school history to score 1,000 points as the Huskies won both their games at the Park View Holiday Tournament.

Dropped out: No. 14 St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes (8-3), No. 15 Glenelg Country (9-3), No. 16 O’Connell (8-5), No. 17 Meade (6-2)

On the bubble: Oakland Mills (8-1), Patuxent (8-1), St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes, Middleburg Academy (11-3)

By Mark Giannotto December 21 at 6:00 PM

One mid-major men’s college basketball assistant sat down courtside Saturday afternoon at North Point, looked at a roster and surveyed the court. He did not come to see the leading scorer for No. 6 Douglass. Instead, he’d been tipped off about the Eagles’ point guard.

Junior Donald Carey went from a scrawny 6-foot-1 to a long and strong 6-foot-3 this past offseason, and might be an emerging force for Douglass, a state championship contender that brought back much of the nucleus from last year’s 2A South region finalist team. Carey has averaged more than 10 points, five rebounds and five assists through five games.

“This year, he’s just on a whole new level,” said leading scorer Cameron Hayes, who had a game-high 25 points when the Eagles beat Clinton Christian, 82-56, Saturday afternoon.

Carey played significant minutes a year ago, when Douglass lost in overtime to eventual 2A state champion Oakland Mills, and “we talk about how we were one play away,” Coach Tyrone Massenburg said.

But another year spent in the weight room, another inch or two on his frame and a summer spent playing for The District on the AAU circuit paid off for Carey.

“Before, I was non-chalant,” he said. “Now, I’m attacking more, and choosing when to attack, and what situations.”

Carey is now a nightly matchup problem, with length to bother opposing point guards and finish at the rim on offense. Along with senior Zion Cousins, who had 22 points and 10 rebounds Saturday, senior Dalton Smith and Hayes, the Eagles’ core will be as experienced as any in the state this year.

But the most important piece could the player scouts are only just learning about. When the college coach left Waldorf Saturday, once Carey had scored 12 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out five assists, he made sure to say hi to all of Carey’s coaches on the way out.

“He’s been one of the major reasons we’ve had success so far,” Massenburg said. “He’s been the leader of our team.”

Gwynn Park football star Aaron Parker recalled his first few games back on the basketball court this past month with a smile, and without hesitation: “I got a lot of traveling calls. Still thought I was on the football field.”

But Parker is making the transition to the hardwood look much easier after leading No. 18 Gwynn Park (5-0) in scoring during its past two wins over Eastern and Northwestern. The Eastern Michigan linebacker recruit is part of a balanced and experienced roster that has set its sights on a state championship this winter to make up for the one that didn’t materialize this fall. Last week, senior guard Marlon White scored a season-high 35 points in a win over Broadneck. Gwynn Park returned six of its seven leading scorers from last’s year team.

“We have all the pieces,” said Parker, a second-team All-Met selection in football. “We got scorers, passers, shot blockers.”

WALDORF – Gwynn Park defeated Northwestern 57-44 on Dec. 19. Gwynn Park senior guard Aaron Parker led his team in scoring with 17 points and also pulled down eight rebounds to boot. Another player who shined was Gwynn Park senior guard Marlon White. White scored 14 points, grabbed four rebounds, and tallied one assist to help lead his team to victory. Westlake took down Potomac 71-55 on Dec. 19. Despite falling in the contest, Potomac showcased two solid talents at the DMW Tipoff at North Point High School. Gary Robertson led his squad in scoring with 19 points and accounted for four assists and two rebounds. Andre Dixon also had an impressive performance with 15 points, four rebounds, and an assist. Douglass defeated Clinton Christian 82-56 on Dec. 19. Douglass senior Cameron Hayes was a scoring machine with 25 points. Teammate Zion Cousins also scored in double-figures with 22 points to help lead the Eagles to victory. Eleanor Roosevelt squeaked out a tight 53-51 win against St. Mary’s Ryken on Dec. 19. Eleanor Roosevelt senior guard Naji Marshall had a masterful performance. Marshall led the Raiders in scoring with 16 points. Eleanor Roosevelt senior forward Trent Bishop scored in double-figures as well with 12 points. Riverdale Baptist dominated Wise 49-28 on Dec. 19. Baptist senior point guard Jamal Wright led his team in scoring with 13 points and also accounted for five rebounds and four assists. Baptist senior guard Curtis Williams also put together a strong performance with 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists. In college football news, No. 21 Navy accepted its bid to play against the University of Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl at Navy-Marine Memorial Stadium Annapolis on Dec. 28 at 2:30 p.m.

Big third quarter secures GP win in DC

Ron Bailey, Publisher   Defense turned the tide.   December 17, 2015 - Teams from the DCIAA and PG 2A/3A leagues rarely matchup, but tonight was different, as Maryland's Gwynn Park traveled to Capitol Hill extended, where Eastern was waiting to host them. The visitors prevailed in an exciting, 73-67 win. Things picked up after a 30-30, intermission score. Gwynn Park head coach Mike Glick revealed the game's seminal strategy move wasn't his choice, as "Assistant coach Spencer Way made the call of the game by suggesting changing to a 1-2-2 3/4 press. I thought this changed the flow of the game, propelled us to the decisive run". Interestingly enough GP deployed multiple presses/traps in the first half, including full court man and trap, trap at half court, and 2-1-2, though they were not as effective. Justin Faison, during first half action. Glick's guys used that 1-2-2 to spur a 17-2 spurt by the quarter's 3:05 mark; Gwynn Park was able to get stops/steals, converting them on the other side of the floor not only just on fast breaks, but half court three pointers and drives to the rim also. "They're guards were super aggressive" said Eastern's senior forward, Jamarko Pickett (13 points), also noting secondary Gwynn Park defenders attacked the ball as well. Closing the third quarter and into the fourth, Eastern started picking up their pressure, face guarding GP junior point guard Justin Faison (12 points, three assists). The result was the home team coming within one point, 53-52, after senior guard Derrick Porter's layup. He would end up leading the game in scoring with 18 points, and along with sophomore guard Devin Thomas spearheaded their team's attack on both ends of the floor. Glick's crew is a veteran one - four of his double figure scorers were seniors - and consequently knows how to respond. His did, led by football standout and forward Aaron Parker, who scored six of the squad's next 12 points, finishing with a team high 14. GP held on for victory. Joining Faison, the junior, and Parker in scoring over nine points for Gwynn Park (4-0) were Isaiah Miles (10 points, 10 rebounds), Marlon White (12 points) and Kollin Mitchell (10 points), a forward, guard and guard, respectively. Senior forward Ike Dickerson had 12 points for Eastern (0-5), joining Porter and Pickett in the double figure scoring club. Both teams have short turnarounds, as Gwynn Park next plays Saturday at North Point HS's DMV Tip-Off Classic . PG 4A league Northwestern is the foe, while the two teams tip at 10:30a. Eastern hosts neighborhood rival Phelps tomorrow, an 8p start. To it's credit, the team has not practiced in over a week, and is getting its proverbial sea legs back. Recruiting Notes: Justin Faison - 5'9", 145 pound junior point guard, Gwynn Park (MD) - A transfer from McNamara, Faison has made a splash at Gwynn Park, directing the squad. Glick is happy to have him. "Junior Justin Faison has been an impact player in directing the team and being a floor general for us" said Glick, who believes Faison "definitely has the potential to be a scholarship player", one who may be able to ascend to the Division I level "if he can develop his outside shooting and strength". An accurate assessment based on tonight. His shooting seems to be improving already - the point man canned a pair of three pointers. Jamarko Pickett - 6'7", 178 pound senior forward, Eastern (DC) - An enigma of sorts, many have heard of Pickett, but due to not playing high level travel team ball and the DCIAA being constantly overlooked for other leagues, recruiters and scouts haven't really seen him play much. Pickett is a long forward with great passing skills, a deft shooting touch, long arms and overall fluidity. He has both some tools and skills. Where Jamarko needs to improve is strength -wise; he doesn't bang much, and can get knocked off his line dribbling. Speaking of ball handling, Pickett can pat the rock, but despite leaning over his center of gravity is too high and doesn't bull by people, including in open floor situations. Both can be improved by more strength and practice. He's clearly got the chops to play college ball. Where and what level depends on his focus and willingness to improve. Could very well attend prep school next year.