Diaper Dandies In Baltimore From The 2018-19 Season
With the high school season officially over, it’s time to analyze some of the players from each respective class who made some waves as AAU approaches. For this article, we’ll be looking at the freshmen from this past season who…
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Continue ReadingWith the high school season officially over, it’s time to analyze some of the players from each respective class who made some waves as AAU approaches. For this article, we’ll be looking at the freshmen from this past season who not only came in and made a varsity roster, but made an impact for their teams throughout the season.
Tyson Commander | 6’2 | John Carroll
Although John Carroll struggled as a team with their young roster, Commander put his name on the map. The 6-foot-2 lefty plays extremely smooth with ball making plays off the dribble. At this point, he certainly has a ‘score first’ mentality and considering the way he was producing, he needed to in order for the Patriots to have a chance to win. Commander is lethal from beyond the arc off the catch. He’s also a crafty scorer off the dribble and getting to the rim. Commander had multiple impressive scoring outings, but his best performance came in upset fashion against Annapolis Area when he dropped 38 points.
Here’s a sample of Tyson Commander’s nearly 400 points in his freshman season. @overtime @2kcarl0s @teammeloeybl @2022_team_melo @houseofhighlights @marsreel @MarcusHelton @AyalewAdam @ColbyGHoops pic.twitter.com/cuVbL2Gi1I
— John Carroll Boys Basketball (@JCPatriotsHoops) March 11, 2019
Antonio Hamlin | 6’1 | Mt. St. Joseph
One thing we knew about Hamlin coming into this season was that it wouldn’t take him long to adjust to the physicality of the varsity level. In fact, head coach Pat Clatchey often times had Hamlin guarding bigger players because he was strong enough to keep them out of the paint and off the glass. It took a month or so for Hamlin to adjust to the offensive end and the overall speed of the game, but by the playoffs, you really got to see his growth. He began playing with much improved balance off the dribble when rising for mid-range jumpers. He made better decision with the ball within the offensive system and as a result, saw his playing time increase throughout the year.
Carlos Alexander | 5’10
Alexander made his splash early on this season with St. Frances being the back-up to Ace Baldwin. The 5-foot-10 point guard plays the game with immense craft and is extremely shifty with the ball. Where he proved to be most effective was breaking his man down off the dribble and getting into the paint, forcing the defense to make rotations. He could finish if no one stepped up to stop the ball, or make the right read to find the open teammate. For undisclosed reasons, Alexander was no longer on the team once the regular season winded down. It’s unsure where he’ll end up next year, but in terms of talents, he’ll be one to keep an eye on going forward.
Everett Cooper | 5’11 | McDonogh
Besides Commander, Cooper was arguably the next most impressive freshmen you could find. He had his fair share of ups and downs, but the way he improved over the course of the schedule playing the hardest position was quite impressive. Cooper ended the season on an extremely high note with big performances in the playoffs for the Eagles. He is a knockdown three-point shooter, a hard working defender on the ball and a good facilitator. McDonogh is known for having a ton of plays, so putting the resposibility was put on Cooper’s shoulders. It forced him to grow up quickly and like I mentioned earlier he had his fair share of mistakes, but with the experience, it ensures him to be well prepared for the years ahead.
Deon Perry | 5’8 | Mt. Carmel
Perry took on a lot of responsibility as a freshmen for a young Mt. Carmel team. The 5-foot-8 guard responded well by being one of the two freshmen to be named honorable mention All-BCL (with the other being Tyson Commander). At a young age, it’s good to see the willingness of being a pass-first point guard. Perry is a quick, shifty guard that uses his speed to create open shots for others. He also has ability to shoot it from deep, though with a quick release. He scored at a decent clip from three and also finished well around the rim particularly in transition. His quickness came into play on the defensive side, allowing him to anticipate passes and spark fast break opportunities.
Cesar Tchilombo | 6’8 | John Carroll
Tchilombo asserted himself as a defensive presence immediately as a freshman. At 6-foot-8 and very long arms, Tchilombo has good timing when going up for blocks and does a nice job of avoiding body contact with the shooter. He still has a ways to go as an offensive threat, but Tchilombo did make progress throughout the season. He finishes well around the rim and is a good pick-and-roll option for John Carroll’s quick, crafty guards.
Bryce Lindsay | 5’11 | Poly
Lindsay is one of the most dangerous outside shooters you’ll find in the area regardless of class. Lindsay can pull the trigger well beyond the three-point line with great efficiency. You won’t see him do a bunch off the dribble as a scorer, but he can create for others and is able to step in to run an offense. Lindsay didn’t see as much action as the freshmen listed above, but he’ll without a doubt be one of the top scorers out of this bunch when it’s all said and done.