Standouts From The MPSSAA Finals
Yesterday wrapped up what has been a tremendous year of high school basketball for the state of Maryland. After an entertaining two days of semifinals for the class 1A-4A teams, it was finally time to see who would walk away with the trophy that team longs for. Here were the results from yesterday’s slate:
1A: Dunbar defeats Fairmont Heights 58-49
2A: Lake Clifton defeats North Caroline 63-55
3A: Poly defeats Milford Mill 49-47
4A: Perry Hall defeats Bladensburg 56-52
1A Standouts
Dashawn Phillip | 6’4 | Dunbar ’18
Phillip topped off what was an extremely productive weekend with a state championship and a dominant performance. The unsigned senior scored 27 points, pulled down 13 rebounds and had three steals in the Poets’ victory. He shot 11-of-19 (57.8 percent) from the field, knocked down his only three-point attempt and converted on four of his six free-throws. As you can tell by his shooting numbers, Phillip wasn’t settling for outside shots. He attacked his man off the dribble into the mid-range or painted area and finished with efficiency.
Jamal West | 6’7 | Dunbar ’20
West wreaked havoc in the semifinals on the glass as he finished with 19 rebounds. In the final, the 6-foot-7 sophomore did more of the same, but also had a better scoring performance as well. He recorded 15 points (7-of-14 from the field), 14 rebounds and three blocks. West displayed his endless motor, effective communication and great activity on offense and defense throughout the weekend.
Darren Lucas-White | 6’1 | Fairmont Heights ’18
Lucas-White did all that he could to keep his team in striking distance, but came up short. He finished with 19 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. While he had more than a handful of strong takes to the basket, he missed a few shots that are usually automatic for the athletic guard.
2A Standouts
Ben Carter | 6’1 | Lake Clifton ’18
Carter was another player who had an all-around solid showing this weekend. In the final, he finished with a team-high 15 points (4-for-13) and eight rebounds in the 63-55 win. Even though he did knock down a three in the final, much of Carter’s baskets came off of strong takes to the basket. The senior guard makes his impact felt more than what can be shown on a stat sheet. His leadership and communication keeps everyone on the same page even when adversity strikes.
Ronald Lucas | 6’6 | Lake Clifton ’18
Lucas had a very pedestrian game in the semifinal as he recorded five points and seven rebounds. But in the finals, Lucas made his presence felt after throwing down a poster dunk in the first half that helped give the Lakers life. The paint in this game belonged to Lucas as he shot 6-for-7 from the field on his way to 14 points. The 6-foot-6 forward also had 13 rebounds and three blocks while playing with great energy and physicality throughout.
Joey Adams | 5’9 | North Caroline ’18
A night after netting 31 points, senior guard Joey Adams finished once again with a game-high 26 points including five three-pointers. Despite his lack of size, Adams also is scrappy and finds his way to collect rebounds as well. He finished with six in the loss. While his 26 points wasn’t enough to lead his team to victory, Adams proved that he can score in a variety of ways.
3A Standouts
Justin Lewis | 6’7 | Poly ’20
Lewis imposed his will from the opening tip in the final against Milford Mill. The sophomore forward had two impressive putbacks after a miss from his teammate. Lewis finished with a game-high in both points (20) and rebounds (12). Poly is difficult to score against as is, but when Lewis is locked in like he was yesterday, it’s almost impossible. He was an enforcer inside, blocking two shot and forcing Milford players to contort their shot to avoid being blocked again.
https://twitter.com/AyalewAdam/status/972604269269602304
Demetrius Mims | 6’6 | Poly ’18
After a 30-point explosion in the semifinal games Thursday, Mims recorded 17 points, four rebounds, a block and an assist as Poly won their second-straight title. He struggled to find the mark with his jumpshot, but adjusted well by attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line where he converted on 9 of his 10 attempts.
Jordan Goodwin | 6’1 | Milford Mill ’18
After being held scoreless in the first half, Goodwin found his rhythm as he scored all 15 of his points in the final 16 minutes. There was a point in which Milford was on the ropes of being run out of the gym when they trailed by 12, but Goodwin’s efforts helped them storm back and have a chance to tie the game with seconds remaining. Unfortunately for them, a pass that deflected off a Milford player’s foot concluded the match up.
4A Standouts
LaQuill Hardnett | 6’9 | Perry Hall ’18
What Hardnett did last night can be summed up in one word: legendary. The Gators trailed by 10 in the fourth quarter before Hardnett completely took over scoring 12 of his game-high 31 points to help lead his team to their second-straight 4A title. There was simply nothing Bladensburg could do to stop Hardnett from scoring inside. The 6-foot-9 Cincinnati commit attacked seams off the dribble from the perimeter and finish floaters, pull up jumpers and creative reverse lay ups. Hardnett also recorded 12 rebounds, two blocks, a steal and an assist in the win.
https://twitter.com/HoopMajor/status/972694913400950784
Daniel Oladapo | 6’7 | Bladensburg ’18
If this weekend was the first time seeing Oladapo for you, then you now realize he lives up to the hype around his name. The athletic, versatile 6-foot-7 forward finished with a solid stat line of 18 points, 14 rebounds, an assist and a steal. In the early goings of this contest, Oladapo was scoring from wherever he wanted against Perry Hall’s zone. He finished the game shooting 6-of-13 from the field and 2-of-5 from deep.
Joshua Williamson | 6’1 | Bladensburg ’18
Williamson was the ultimate difference maker in the Mustangs building a lead against Perry Hall. While Oladapo is a consistent performer, when the Mustangs get a big performance like Williamson did, they usually pull it out. The senior guard finished the game with 16 points including four three’s. He was also active in the passing lanes, collecting three steals to help Bladensburg create transition opportunities early on.