National Hoopfest Senior Standouts (Part 1)
For the past 10 years, the National Hoopfest has brought together some of the best teams from across the country to compete with each other, and giving the opportunity for big time DC area teams to see how they stack…
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Continue ReadingFor the past 10 years, the National Hoopfest has brought together some of the best teams from across the country to compete with each other, and giving the opportunity for big time DC area teams to see how they stack up nationally. This year was no different, and while we were only able to attend the first day of the stacked two day set, there was still plenty of talent from all over the country in attendance. Here’s a look at part two of the senior standouts from Saturday.
Mark Williams | 7’1” C | IMG (FL)
The Norfolk native was back in the area for IMG who was playing their first game without Jalen Johnson, and despite losing a close one to local Paul VI, Williams was arguably the best player on the floor from a two way standpoint. The 7’1” giant was dominant in the paint on both ends, as he protected the rim blocking and altering shots on both ends, he finished efficiently in the paint and he dominated the glass when he was in the game. He simply can do things most humans can’t do on the basketball court with his length, and he had a great showing in front of his future coaching staff at Duke. He finished with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 6 blocks, dominating in every way in the paint.
Jaden Springer | 6’5” WG | IMG (FL)
A Tennessee commit and one of a number of top ranked players on the IMG team, Springer has a mix of toughness and athleticism that allows him to get pretty much whatever he wants on the court. He was supposedly phenomenal in day two, but he wasn’t bad on day one either finishing with a team high 18 points and pitching in 6 rebounds, but it was the way he was able to get to the rim at will and to the line often that makes him so tough to guard. He can play on or off the basketball, he’s a terrific defender both on the ball and in help side and his toughness is something that feeds through the rest of the team as well.
DeLonnie Hunt | 6’1” PG | Rock Creek Christian (MD)
One of the best available guards in the area, Hunt got off to somewhat of a slow start in their matchup against First Love out of PA, although he did do a great job getting others involved early. With Rock Creek needing a nudge on the offensive end, he ran off 8 straight toward the end of the first half, showing his ability to create and make shots off the bounce. He continued his stellar play as he finished with 14 points and 5 assists in the win over First Love.
Milton Matthews | 6’3” WG | Rock Creek Christian (MD)
An available senior who exploded onto the scene toward the end of the summer, Matthews had a nice showing for RCC in their win over First Love. A lefty wing that can knock down shots from deep and get to the cup, he stayed aggressive from the jump and he rebounded well on both ends. He finished with 20 points and 8 rebounds in the win.
Malik Carson | 6’6” F | Rock Creek Christian (MD)
I had never seen much of Carson before this, but I have to say that he impressed as one of the best available players in the event for the 2020 class. A 6’6” forward that can play inside-out, Carson has a great frame and an intriguing skill set to go along with it as he showed the ability to make shots from deep and guard multiple positions. He finished with 13 points on just seven shots, going 3-for-3 from deep as well.
Dimingus Stevens | 6’5” WG | Bishop Walsh (MD)
The Seton Hall commit wasted no time in their game against Word of God, as he got it going early and showed he can fill it up in bunches quickly as he knocked down shots at a high clip from the beginning. In the first half, he scored almost half of his team’s points as he was 5-for-6 from the field and 4-for-5 from deep with 14 points, and he was a big reason they were tied at half. They ended up losing the game, but it was evident that Stevens will be an immediate impact with his shooting ability at Seton Hall.
Terrance Williams | 6’5” F | Gonzaga (DC)
The recent Georgetown decommit was one of the most talked about guys in the entire event as I’m sure some of the many coaches in attendance were there for Williams and he did not disappoint. The 6’5” hybrid forward used his big frame and good skill set to get where he wanted to on the floor and make shots in traffic, and he showed a lot of toughness and a high motor against one of the best teams in the country. He finished with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds in a close loss to nationally ranked Sunrise Christian.
Chuck Harris | 6’3” PG | Gonzaga (DC)
The Butler commit had flashes of brilliance but there’s no doubt to me that Harris possesses all of the intangibles and skill set to play in the Big East after watching him against one of the top programs in the country. He’s a strong guard with a quick first step who gets in the lane at will, sets the tone on both ends of the floor and is efficient as a shotmaker while also setting other guys up to be successful. He finished with 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting and was a great leader for them in their close loss.
Jeremy Roach | 6’0” PG | Paul VI (VA)
Jeremy Roach (right)In his first national appearance since coming back from his knee injury, Roach showed out in front of his future Duke coaching staff, and had the whole gym going crazy in the first half. With IMG looking like they were going to dominate with their size and athleticism, Roach rang off about 9 straight, hitting tough shots from deep and getting the whole crowd involved. While other guys stepped up in the second half, it was Roach who kept them in the game in the fist half as he went for 14 of his 16 in the first half and was as tough as they come. He looked like one of the top point guards in the country even after missing all of last season.