MOCO 4A TEAM & Player PREVIEW: Part 2
Freshmen to watch Jao Ituka who we rank as top 6 player
*Jao Ituku, 6’1″, CG, 2021. Gaithersburg Trojans.
Based on what we saw this summer, Jao’s performance in MD Elite event 2 weeks ago, & several MOCO 4A coach assessments we are placing Jao in the top 5 category or top 6 players for MOCO 4A. Jao is an incoming freshmen, but he is that good. He is an explosive athlete who can guard & play multiple positions. Jao is very advanced in his skills for a freshmen. He can score from all 3 levels & possesses an excellent handle. He has a very high IQ, great court vision & is a fierce competitor with a very high motor. We already rate Jao as a D1 recruit & have interviewed him for his Recruiting Report coming out this weekend.
TOP Players in MOCO 4A, 6 thru 20 in alphabetical order, 6 thru 10:
Daryn Alexander, 6’1.5″, CG, 2018. Richard Montgomery Rockets.
We know Daryn very well & wrote his Recruiting Report in the link below. He is a 3 sport star for the Rockets & is a standout WR in football. Additionally Daryn performs several events for RM track team. On the hardwood he is a superb CG, a winner, intense competitor who is leader & plays with a high motor & IQ. Every Coach we talk to loves his game & we share the same evaluation. Daryn possesses an excellent skill-set & can play on or off the ball. He can score from anywhere & owns a very nice handle. Daryn can make any pass & will perform the intangibles. He leads verbally & by example & is a potential top 10 player this season. We believe he can become a scholarship player in 2017/18.
https://prephoops.com/2017/08/recruiting-report-2018-daryn-alexander/
Stephen Armstrong, 6’5″, WF/PF, 2018. Clarksburg Coyotes, Grassroots Team: MOCO Heat/Team Vito
Stephen is one of the best sleepers in MOOC 4A. He is a very versatile combo forward who in our opinion is a scholarship player. Last season Stephen averaged 18 points & 10 rebounds per game for Clarksburg. He can score from 3 levels & guard multiple positions. Stephen will play the 3 in college & he is working on his ball handling for the next level. We wrote a Recruiting Report for Stephen this summer & plan on attending Clarksburgs opening game vs powerful Wilson HS of the DCIAA on 11-12-17 at Wilson.
https://prephoops.com/2017/07/recruiting-report-2018-stephen-armstrong/
Norval Black, 6’2″ PG, 2018. Northhwest Jaguars.
Norval thrives on breaking down the defense off the dribble & getting in the paint. He possesses a great handle, can score from all 3 levels & defend. His only weakness is his 3 point shot, which has potential. Norval is a top 10 MOCO level player & a superb 3 sport athlete who plays football & runs track. Last season he averaged double figures and 6 plus assist per game. The Jaguars will start 3 excellent guards in Norval, Kolbey Woodard & Adrian Thomas who are top 30 MOCO players. In our opinion Norval is a scholarship level whose playing style is similar to Wise HS PG Sherwyn Devonish who could be a D1 mid major.
https://prephoops.com/2017/09/recruiting-report-2018-norval-black/
Daniel Dorsey, 6’3″, WG, 2018. Quince Orchard Cougars.
Last season Daniel played out of position due to the Cougars lack of height. He is very skilled & very strong at a lean 200. Daniel can score from all 3 levels, plays tough defense and a very IQ. Currently Daniel is getting looks/offers from 4 plus D3 schools. However, we believe Daniel could receive D2 offers this season. He will be the go to player this season for QO, but could receive double teams & gimmick defenses such as box in ones. If this occurs Daniel will know how to adjust with his excellent facilitation skills.
https://prephoops.com/2017/08/recruiting-report-2018-daniel-dorsey/
Richard Dudley, 6’0″, PG. 2019. Paint Branch Panthers. Grassroots Team: Team Takeover Orange
Richard is a tremendous PG & averaged 12 ppg & 6 assists per game for the Panthers in his sophomore season. Playing for the prestigious Team Takeover Orange this summer he averaged 15 ppg. Richard can shoot the 3 ball at a very high level & get in the paint to dish or score with his excellent handle. In our opinion Richard is not only one of the best kept secrets in MOCO basketball, but the entire DMV. We rate Richard as D2 & up, and this December he could prove to be a D1 mid major recruit. Richard will run the show for the Panthers who could be the team beat in MOCO 4A & advance to the MD 4A state semifinals at the University of Maryland.
https://prephoops.com/2017/08/recruiting-report-2019-richard-dudley-iii/
The following players will be covered in Part 3 & are top 20 MOCO players or better
Kevin Ayissi Etoh, 6’3″ WG/CG, 2019. Wootton HS Patriots. We will write Kevin’s Recruiting Report in the very near future. He is almost back from ACL surgery & a D1 player. When he gets back to form Kevin is a top 5 player in MOCO.
Gordan Gibson, 6’8″, C, 2018. BCC Barons. We will be interviewing Gordan next week for his article. He is a top 10 MOCO caliber player.
Delaino Jessup, 6’01/2″, PG, 2018. Springbrook Blue Devils. Delaino will run the Springbrook offense this season & is top 10 MOCO Player. He had a great summer.
Cameron Rucker, 6’7″, WF, 2018. Springbrook Blue Devils. Cameron has huge upside with D1 talent. He is a top 10 caliber MOCO player.
*****TJ Williams, 6’4, combo forward, 2018. Northwest Jaguars. TJ is out for the season with a torn ACL & we send our players to him for a 110% recovery. TJ is a top 20 player or higher.
Rounding out our Top 20 will be 6’1″ 2018 PG Kevin Neal (Gaithersburg HS), Xavier Reeves (Paint Branch), 6’5″ 2019 WG True Johnson of Wootton, 6’5″ 2019 WF Papito Kalabu, from Watkins Mill, & 6’9″ 2019 PF Miles Gally from Richard Montgomery & 6’4″ point forward Kevin Nannen from Wootton & possibly 5’9″ 2019 PG Cameron Ashby of Einstein.
Players we need to scout who could be top 20 top 20 or better include: 6’2′ Jason Nyamey & 6’5″ Habaccuc Reginnis from John F Kennedy HS, 6’5″ Djordje Oliver from Richard Montgomery, 6’3′ SG Justin Graves from BCC , freshmen Jordan Hawkins & Julio Tamakloe from Gaithersburg & 6’4″ 2020 Jordan Alphonso Paint Branch
TIER I TEAMS continued :
Walt Whitman Vikings (18-7, 8-4) 7100 Whittier Road, Bethesda, MD. 20817. Head Coach : Chris Lun.
Head Coach Chris Lun is one of the best & specializes in getting the most out of his players abilities & forming a very cohesive team. Despite losing several key players the cupboard is far from bare. The Vikings return 6’1″ senior CG Alex Sanson who we rate as a top 5 MOCO player who led Whitman in scoring last season at 14.1 ppg. He will once again form a potent back-court with 6’3″ senior WG Joey Squeri who was the Vikings 2nd leading scorer at 11ppg. Michael Bass is a 6’6″, 2020 WF who should start & one of the top sophomores in MOCO. Rapidly developing 6’9″senior center Abdou Diouf, 6’9″could see significant playing time & possibly start. Other key players include: Erik Jensen, 6’2″, F, 2018. Erik is very athletic & a very good defender who is a probable starter. Adam Smith, 6’3″, C/PF, 2018, will most likely start. Adam can score in the post & rebound. Kai Holloway, 5’11”, PG, 2020 & Phillip Diby, 6’2″, G, 2019 will be in the rotation to start the season.
Wootton Patriots (10-14, 5-4) 2100 Wootton Parkway, Rockville, MD. 20850 Head Coach: Erik Graves
Head Coach Erick Graves is an excellent young Head Coach in the DC DMV. Under his leadership Wootton is poised for a turnaround season. The Patriots could become a major threat this season if 6’3″ junior CG Kevin Ayissi Etoh can make a full recovery from his ACL surgery last December. Kevin averaged 15.3 ppg as freshmen & was on a tear for the 1st 8 games last season before his injury. 6’4″ senior Zach Nannen can handle the ball, facilitate & plays with a high IQ & motor. Zach can score from all 3 levels & play the role as point forward. 6’6″ senior Sam Alborta averaged 12ppg & is a lock to start. 6’5″ junior True Johnson will become one of the top players in MOCO 4A this season. 6’0″ junior PG Garrett Koch has been very impressive this fall & shown the ability to knock down shots & run the Patriots offense. 5’9″ senior PG Ryan Warshaw is a potential starter & can play together Garrett. 6’0″ senior Mason Romm will be top reserve for the Patriots. Wootton is a very cohesive & fundamentally sound team who have the upside to advance very far in the MOCO 4A Regionals.
TIER 2 TEAMS
Clarksburg Coyotes (11-12, 4-5) 22500 Wims Road, Clarksburg, MD. 21216. Head Coach: Steve Watson
This summer we got a very good look at Clarksburg in the MD Elite Summer League & the Coyotes will be a sleeper team this year. D1 prospect, 6’3″ WG Ian Krishnan is playing a year of Prep School at Proctor Academy where he has received several D1 offers. 5’8″ senior PG Stephan Hamilton is one of the best in MOCO, but we are not sure of his status. 6’0″ senior PG Alex Behzadi will play at St. Marys College of Maryland next season & will be a key player for the Coyotes. 6’4″ Forward Stephen Armstrong is a top MOCO player & Cornell Hanna is a 6’4″ very athletic do it all forward who will play in college next season who is a top 30 player. 5’9″ senior guard Diven Wallington will see major minutes & 6’3″ senior guard Raemond Thompson will be a key player. 6’6″ senior C/F Kyle Kiser could give the Coyotes a big boost, but Kyle is an an excellent volleyball & has not decided if he will play basketball in his senior year. If all the players mentioned suit up, Clarksburg is very capable of being a top tier team.
Northwest Jaguars (7-15, 2-3) 13501 Richter Farm Road, Germantown, MD. 20874 Head Coach: Rob Smith
This summer Northwest was one of the best teams & most talented teams in the MD Elite Summer League. I rated the Jaguars as a top tier team going into the fall. However, 6’4″ senior point forward TJ Williams suffered a torn ACL this September playing WR for the Jaguars football team. TJ was one of the best & most versatile players in summer league. While TJ’s loss is a major one, the Jaqs will start 4 excellent seniors. 6’1.5″ PG Norval Black was highly considered as a top 5 preseason player, but Norval might get a late start due to football. 6’1″ CG Kolbey Woodard averaged 11 ppg & over 5 assists per game last season 6’2″ senior CG Adrian Thomas averaged 10 ppg &5.6 rpg last season, but upped his game in the payoffs to average 13.6 ppg in the playoffs. Kolbey & Adrian are very complete players will be in our top 30 player rankings this preseason. 6’4″ senior Lameek Lumsden is a perfect glue player for the Jaguars & lock to start. Lameek can rebound, block shots, score inside and hit perimeter jumpers. Junior guard Anthony Fuentes or 6’2″ senior James Assiongbon could be the 5th starter. Despite the loss of TJ Williams, the Jags have the potential to knock off any team in MOCO 4A.
Quince Orchard Cougars, (24-3, 10-1) 15800 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, MD. 20876. Head Coach: Paul Foringer
We must send our condolences to the family of David Griffin & Quince Orchard. Longtime QO basketball Coach, David Griffin passed away last season & he will always be missed. Last season the Cougars advanced to the MD 4A State Finals where they lost to Perry Hall in OT. In the semis QO upset Wise HS in one of the best coached & played games of the season. Coach Foringer is a superb HC & any team with him at the helm will be a factor. The Cougars must replace MD 4A All State players John Fierstein (Salisbury U) & Matthew Kelly (Assumption). Daniel Dorsey is the lone returning starter & he is a top 10 MOCO player this season who averaged 10 ppg last season. 6’2″ senior Jack Faroane is a probable starter & 6’5″ senior Mike Fierstein gives QO an inside force. Nathan Dorsey is an impact transfer who is the brother of Daniel who we expect to start. We do not know what to expect from QO this year, but we do know the Cougars will be very fundamentally sound, very cohesive & extremely well coached. Please view the excellent video below for Coach Foringer produced by our friend Marc Stern of Capitol Hoops.
Habaccuc