HoopLife Against Violence 2018 vs 2019 Standouts
Yesterday, St. Frances Academy hosted its second annual HoopLife Against Violence event that features some of the top high school basketball talent in the state of Maryland. Not only does it give folks the chance to take a look at great, young basketball players, it also brings this idea that sports can counteract all of the senseless violence that occurs in the city of Baltimore every single day.
As the clock hit zero, the class of 2018 defeated the 2019 team 106-100 in what was a very entertaining game. We’ll now take a look at the standouts from last night’s main event.
Demetrius Mims | 6-5 Guard | Poly | 2018
Mims always seems to standout in every game he plays, but specifically in these types of all-star exhibitions, he separates himself from the pack with the energy he plays with. Often times players are relaxed or looking to get out and go hard for a few possessions, but Mims plays every minute like he wants to win the game. After his team made a basket, he was always looking to catch the inbounder sleeping so he could get a steal for an easy bucket. Mims did this multiple times. He displayed his versatility to score the ball from three, mid-range, and around the rim with a few dunks as well.
Nate Roberts | 6’10 Forward | Brewster Academy | 2018
Roberts came out with more of a relaxed mindset at first. That was until the 2019 class and the crowd started pumping up a match up between him and Donnell Loud. Roberts ultimately won the match up with a number of jumpers off the dribble, blocks on the defensive end and the play of the night that nearly shut down the gym:
'18 @BrewsterHoops F Nate Roberts (@nateupnext) putting dudes on posters out here. 😧😩😫 @PrepHoopsMD pic.twitter.com/SUTQQ4Jomx
— Colby Giacubeno (@ColbyGHoops) August 19, 2017
Brendan Adams | 6’4 Guard | Calvert Hall | 2018
Adams added some excitement to the game with his ability to play above the rim as well. A few of his dunks came in traffic in the lane that made the crowd stand up. The duo of he and Mims were fun to watch for the simple fact they were always looking to get out in transition. In the halfcourt, Adams is one of the shiftiest guards in the state, so getting into the paint wasn’t an issue.
One of '18 @BAuno0's flushes off a Mims' assist from yesterday's games. Adams put on a well-balanced scoring performance. pic.twitter.com/4njHLvWw5c
— Colby Giacubeno (@ColbyGHoops) August 20, 2017
Will Miller | 6’0 Guard | Mount Carmel | 2018
Miller put on a shooting clinic. He got into a one-on-one battle with 2019’s Gerard Mungo that included a handful of three’s between the two. Because it wasn’t a very intense game for the 40 minutes, Miller feasted off of slow close-outs by sniping from everywhere around the perimeter.
Rasheed Brown | 6’2 Guard | Mount Carmel | 2018
Brown will join an already impressive core at Mount Carmel after transferring from Lake Clifton. He had the chance to get on the court with his teammates last night and didn’t disappoint. Brown displayed his usual efficient clip from deep but also had a few solid one and two-dribble pull ups from 15-17 feet that helped 2018 extend their lead.
Marvin Price | 6’5 Wing | Huntington Prep | 2019
Price recently announced that he will be transferring from Patterson to Huntington Prep (W.V.) for his final two years of high school. This game was the ‘going out’ party and Price ended strongly. Price had a flurry of dunks that came after blowing by his match up. At Huntington Prep he’ll be featured more on the perimeter and yesterday, he showcased his ability to play with the ball and take his man off the dribble.
Gerard Mungo | 6’0 Guard | Patterson | 2019
With Price’s departure, Mungo will be the go-to man for the Clippers this season. As stated earlier, he got into a battle with Miller and ultimately came out on top by hitting a couple of three’s and crafty lay ups. Mungo’s scoring output was consistent throughout the exhibition. He even gave a sneak peak as to what to expect this season when he is in the open floor:
'19 @PattersonBBall G Gerard Mungo (@Gmungo5) connected on a handful of 3s in tonight's game and had a throwdown of his own. pic.twitter.com/kFgnIcjCGY
— Colby Giacubeno (@ColbyGHoops) August 20, 2017
Will Thomas | 6’5 Wing | Mount Carmel | 2019
Thomas is always an entertaining player to watch not only because of his athleticism, but his skill and creativity with the ball. He got started warm ups when he was putting on a dunk contest of his own. Thomas carried it over into the game and though he struggled to knock down jumpers consistently, he finished well around the rim and was active on the glass.
'19 @olmchoops wing Will Thomas (@Wthomas___) got things started in the '18 v '19 game. pic.twitter.com/yXMKDQjWLo
— Colby Giacubeno (@ColbyGHoops) August 19, 2017
TJ Thomas | 6’2 Guard | Patterson | 2019
Thomas will be Mungo’s backcourt mate this season as they protect their 2A championship that Patterson won last season. With Thomas being a transfer, there will be some adjustments that need to be made, but his scoring ability and high basketball IQ should make that transition rather simple. Yesterday, Thomas had a solid showing taking his man off the dribble and finishing amongst the bigs. He does a nice job contorting his body to avoid being blocked and uses his soft touch to finish the shots.
Rajeir Jones | 6-3 Guard | St. Frances Academy | 2019
Other than Roberts’ poster dunk, Jones had the play of the game on an alley-oop from Price. Price lofted the ball from halfcourt and Jones went up with two hands to collect the ball and slam it home. Other than his couple of dunks, Jones also knocked down multiple three’s to help keep his team in the game as time winded down. Jones recently received an offer from Norfolk State after an impressive showing at their team camp.