10 Best St. Johns vs WT Woodson
12-6-17. WT Woodson HS. 9525 Main Street, Fairfax VA. 22031
On the cover we show the state line dividing Maryland & Virginia at the American Legion Bridge which is just 1/2 mile stretch going over the Potomac River. This state line has caused many people not to leave their native states & cross over into Virginia, Washington DC or Maryland. This enigma holds true for high school sports as very few teams cross the VA/MD state line to play each other. Last might was an exception when St. Johns from Washington, DC crossed the Potomac River to play WT Woodson from Fairfax, VA.
St Johns College HS Cadets 56 WT Woodson Cavaliers 38
We would like to thank WT Woodson Head Coach Doug Craig & Athletic Director for their great hospitality tonight in the beautiful Warrior Gymnasium. Last season Woodson won the VA State 6A Title in their splendid season finishing @ 29-6. The Warriors graduated 2 key players from last season in 6’2″ G Jason Ainger who is playing at high level D3 Christopher Newport. Jason hit five 3 pointers in a game this season. I awarded Jason game MVP in the Capital Classic when he played for the Virginia All Stars. 2017 Woodson grad & basketball captain 6’2″ PG Simon Mullaa is playing at Slippery Rock U in the PSAC in Pennsylvania, possibly the top D2 conference in the nation. Last season WT Woodson played @ SJC & ran into a buzz-saw losing by a wide margin. Tonight the Warriors were very competitive for 2.5 quarters & played a top tier WCAC team in SJC. We chatted with Coach Craig extensively after the game regarding this Private vs Public showdown. Coach Craig praised SJC & this 2 year home & away series which gave the Cavaliers great experience moving forward. We conversed about the potential of a Maryland vs Virginia Public School Tourney or Showcase which would be a great event. The Potomac River divides MD & VA State borders but the crossing the river has a DMV stigma & stereotypes of each states style of play. Coach Craig pictured right & myself conclude the Potomac Panthers, West Potomac Wolverines, Hayfield Hornets, South Lakes Seawolves, Lake Braddock Wolverines, Loudoun Valley Vikings, up & coming South County Stallions, Madison Warhawks & other NOVA Publics can compete with Montgomery County & Prince Georges County Public HS teams from MD. We had the privilege of meeting longtime & DMV legend, WT Woodson Coach Red Jenkins pictured right. Coach Jenkins sent over 80 players to college in his tenure at Woodson from 1967 -97 & conducted numerous camps, clinics & events. Coach Jenkins led the Cavaliers to 538 wins. He is is the only high school coach to coach in and win all of the major all-star games, including the Capital Classic, East-West All American, Dapper Dan and Derby Festival. This great young man is in fantastic shape & looks great.
Player of the Game : Casey Morsell (#14) 6’3″, 2019, CG. SJC
Casey played stellar defense against Matthew Urbach & the other WT Woodson guards who totaled just 3 points in the contest. Offensively, Casey hit several key shots in the 1st half where SJC struggled mainly due to an outstanding effort by WT Woodson. He scored a loud 11 points & unofficially 1 turnover, several steals, & 2 blocks. This is a repeat award for Casey who won game MVP on Monday vs Pallotti after scoring 31 points. He is rated @ #125 in the nation, which we believe is too low.
Defensive Player of the Game : Richard Njoku (#32) 6’7″, C/F, 2018. SJC. Committed to the US Naval Academy
Richard blocked 5 shots unofficially & in the 2nd half his super high energy & defense was a main contributor which lead SJC from a 4 point halftime lead to a 17 point 3rd quarter lead. He played so well he could have been named of Player of the Game. We do not have his rebound stats, but Richard had a bunch. He scored 6 points tonight in the paint. The US Naval Academy traveled to WT Woodson to watch Richard, & he was elated.
Offensive Player of the Game : Jalin Abbott (#21) 6’6″, F. 2019. SJC
Jalin scored 11 points , but his 7 point 3rd quarter were huge. His picture perfect corner 3 was a momentum changer. Jalin scored several inside baskets this game which should jump start him .The very talented Jalin is a key starter who we rate @ #23 for 2019 in our MD/DC rankings
Best Breakout Player : Cody Mains (#30) 6’8″. C/F, 2019. WT Woodson
Cody scored 16 points & most of his scores will translate to college. He converted a superb jump hook shown in the video below by Marc Stern. Cody rose very high on a quick 1st jump with a very high release. Additionally, Cody scored on excellent ball fakes at the rim & on an excellent up & under move. He blocked several shots & rebounded. Cody runs the floor very well & plays with a high IQ. Cody impressed us this summer for the District Basketball Club where he displayed a great work ethic & at the DeMatha BSN summer league. Tonight Cody impressed us even more. After the game we chatted with WT Woodson Head Coach Doug Craig who said he thinks Cody can play at the D1 level & we agree.
Play of the Game : Tre Wood (#2) 6’01/2″, PG, 2018. SJC Committed to: UMass
Tre made an unbelievable 360 spin move from the key, hung in the air & scored on a finger-roll to end the 1st half. It was a jaw dropper & very few players can make this play. Tre is an elite athlete & we will see some more fantastic & dynamic plays from him this season.
Best Intangibles : Richard Njoku (#32) SJC
Richard played the game with one of the highest energy levels we have seen this season. He dove to the floor, made several great saves going out of bounds, & impacted the game without scoring on so many levels. This is Richard’s MO style of play.
Most Versatile Player : Nate Spurlock (#32), 6’7″, WF, 2018. WT Woodson
Nate scored in every possible manner tonight & totaled 14 points. We really like his shooting mechanics which can seen in the video. Nate scored in the paint on an excellent jump hook & in the mid range. From the wing or key, Nate can take his man off the dribble. He is very long & runs the court very well.. We watched Nate this summer playing for the District Basketball Club & in the DeMatha BSN summer league & were immediately impressed. If a player comes from WT Woodson & the Distrait Basketball Club you will get a hard worker & fundamentally sound player. Nate is always a threat to throw down at tomahawk dunk at any time & we rate him a top DMV dunker. Nate is currently ranked @ # 38 in our VA 2018 rankings. After the game we consulted with Coach Craig to asses his opinion on which level Nate can play & we agreed independently that he can play at the D1 mid major level.
Best Underclassman : Delonnie Hunt (#3) 5’10”, PG, 2020. SJC
Delonnie made a very big impact on the game tonight. He got in the paint splitting the WT Woodson 2-3 & other zone defense finding open teammates. He scored on a beautiful floater. We have nicknamed Delonnie “Slice N Dice” due to his slicing style off the dribble & ability to get into the paint. Coach Behan has been gradually giving Slice more & more PT in this short season & he has earned it. Slice is blazer off the dribble, & very explosive.He plays with a super high motor & Coach Behan will play with Casey Morsell & Tre Wood together at times
Best Floor General : Tre Wood (#2) & Delonnie Hunt (#3) SJC
We award Tre & SliceNDice as co winners. The SJC PG Duo faced a WT Woodson zone defense the entire game. Both players found their open teammates & handled the ball very well. Tre & Delonnie are speed merchants who love to run,did a nice job tonight in the half court & were able to split the zone with dribble penetration.
Best off the Bench : Devon Dunn (#4) 6’0″ , CG, 2019. SJC
Devon scored 5 points which included a big 3 pointer. One 3 just missed & Devon played a very good floor & overall game on both sides of the ball. We have nicknamed Devon Microwave because of his ability to light up the scoreboard with his elite 3 point shooting. Microwave is a complete player with ability to score very well from all 3 levels, play solid defense & run some PG if needed. In the next few weeks we will see a scoring outbursts from Devon who had an excellent game Monday vs Pallotti.
Best Under the Radar Player : Zachary Spooner (#15) 6’3″, CG, 2018. SJC
Zacahery is a very complete player who we like at the next level. he has a very nice shot & can score from all 3 levels & defend. This summer he showed he can play some PG, with a very nice handle, High IQ, & court vision. He is another player in the game who played for The District Basketball Club. Zachary is a great teammate & leader of the bench who rate as a DNV sleeper.
Best PG in the half court : Joey Lee (#40) 6’0″, PG, 2019.
Joey deserves mention for battling the SJC athletic & tough PG/CGs all might. He handled the half court offense very well with his ball handling & passing skills. We were impressed by his play this summer in the DeMatha BSN Summer League.
St Johns Cadets next game will be on 12-10-17. vs The IMG Academy in the DeMatha Hoops Festival held 12-9 & 12-10 @ DeMatha HS.
WT Woodson Warriors, next game is on 12-18 -17 @ Fairfax HS.
Video courtesy of our friend Marc Stern of Capitol Hoops, great work as always.