LBoogie's The Real 411

Halfway through the high school season and I have seen some great basketball from West-East. Evaluating players during the high school season is a little different than the club season because the players have to play within their coach’s system and it is about winning games as a team. Of course is nothing wrong with that because basketball is after all a team sport:)

Players from the 2013 and 2014 class continue to impress and seem like they are growing and learning exponentially from game to game. Nationally both classes are very strong, especially the 2014 class which has special written all over it at each position. The DMV 2010,2011,2012(to some extent) classes have not produced many  players that are in the national conversation like previous DMV classes. It is not specifically about rankings, it is about skill and heart and that is something that I have not seen on a consistent basis from the last 3 classes.  Looking at the younger classes I am seeing some impressive intangibles, obviously the players are talented but I think that parents are learning how to navigate the instant hype, media sites, blogs( guilty) and everything else that comes along with it.

2014

Ona Gilmore Point Guard (Riverdale Baptist) She is the only freshman on the RB varsity roster and she has been on the floor in some big games. She is fearless and full of energy and doesn’t the least bit fazed by all the hype of playing for a nationally ranked team.

Lynee Belton Forward (Bullis) At 6-2 she has all the physical tools to play the game.  Her footwork and athleticism give her the ability to face the basket and her wing span is unreal, something like 6-9.

Mikayla Venson Point Guard (Yorktown) She has already proven herself on the national stage with and against the best talent in the country. She is still growing and is going to get stronger but the her IQ and work ethic are what separate her from the pack. Venson along with her follow 2014 point guards Jordin Canada(Winard High,CA) and Kelsey Mitchell(Princeton High,OH) are making college coaches come to the table with real offers.

Rhamat Alhassan Forward (Holy Cross) Potential, potential, potential! She has come along way from the first time I saw her as a 6th grader. Most impressive so far is her understanding of the game..learning how to move on the court and how to make basketball plays.

Chania Ray Guard (St. John’s) She is fitting nicely into her roll of coming off the bench and giving the starting guards a rest. She is not only holding serve but she is making things happen on her own. She is calm under pressure, knocks down 3s and makes her foul shots.

Cydni Cole (St. Frances) In the crazy sport world of Baltimore there is so much extra-curricular activity that is almost impossible for kids to just focus on basketball. She had a rough start but has begun to show more control and court leadership. The team is young and she is under pressure  but it seems like she is finding her own voice and tuning at the noise.

Sarah Woods (Good Counsel) Terrific athlete who has moments..if she can improve her ball handling and shooting in the off-season she can be a quality shooting guard.

Dyzhanay “Da-Da” Burton (City College) She is tiny but tough as nails with tons of heart and she’s a lefty. Like a lot of young guards it is layup or nothing, she will need add a mid-range game.

Ariana Freeman(Paul IV) I haven’t seen her yet in a real high school game, only fall league. She has the size and physical strength to play on the wing in college, reminds a little of Monica Wright in that sense. Definitely a competitor on both ends of the floor.

Next up the 2013s….

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