Colby’s Weekly Evaluations (MPSSAA Playoff Edition)
The Maryland Public School state tournament wraps up this Saturday as the state championship games will commence at the Xfinity Center. Getting to this point has given me plenty of opportunities to see players in high-pressure situations. The best players…
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Continue ReadingThe Maryland Public School state tournament wraps up this Saturday as the state championship games will commence at the Xfinity Center. Getting to this point has given me plenty of opportunities to see players in high-pressure situations. The best players seem to rise to the top this time of year. It’s also a platform that allows others to begin making a name for their futures.
Here are some evaluations I gathered after attending the three following games:
Dulaney vs Mervo (42-78)
Poly vs City (90-62)
Parkville vs Churchill (74-64 2OT)
Will Thomas Will Thomas 6'6" | SF Mervo | 2020 State MD | 6’5 | Mervo ’20
Thomas turned in an efficient performance in their regional semifinal game against Dulaney. The Lions simply didn’t have anyone that could match up with the 6-foot-5 dynamic guard. Thomas operated effectively in the high-post area, given that Dulaney played 2-3 zone for majority of the game. He showcased good feel when he caught the ball and made the most of when the Lions didn’t have anyone to contest his mid-range shots. In the few possessions that Dulaney was in man, Thomas beat his man off the dribble and attacked the rim with patience, finishing with craft. Thomas also had an impressive throw down in the open floor to help put the exclamation point on the victory. He finished with 20 points, shooting an efficient clip from the paint and mid-range.
Cameron Byers Cameron Byers 6'6" | PF Dulaney | 2020 State MD | 6’5 | Dulaney ’20
Byers had a heavy load to carry against Mervo considering 2021 guard Ryan Conway Ryan Conway 6'0" | PG Dulaney | 2021 State #111 Nation MD was sidelined with a foot injury. The 6-foot-5 forward has made it evident that he is an improved outside shooter, but having Conway to get into the heart of the defense helps create those open shots. Against Mervo he had to rely on quick catch-and-shoot opportunities and did so efficiently. Prior to the score getting out of hand, Byers found comfort shooting in the corners. He did a nice job of banging down low and being a physical presence on both ends. Byers still needs to get more agile, improve his body and become a better ball handler for the collegiate level, but developing an outside shot certainly has added some value to his stock.
Demonee Carter Demonee Carter 5'11" | PG Mervo | 2020 State MD | 5’11 | Mervo ’20
Carter helped pace Mervo’s offensive attack in the first half by hitting a couple of triples off catch-and-shoot scenarios. I wouldn’t categorize Carter as a shooter, but he is capable when left open. From then on, Carter attacked the basket and was effective in seeking contact for visits to the free-throw line. Defensively Carter showcased active hands especially once Mervo applied their full court press. If he wasn’t getting deflections on passes when guarding the ball, he was stepping in front of passes acting as a safety does in football for quick scores.
Justin Lewis Justin Lewis 6'8" | PF Baltimore Poly | 2020 State #49 Nation MD | 6’8 | Poly ’20
Lewis had his arsenal on full display against City in the regional championship game. The Marquette signee dominated on both ends as indicated by his 34 points, 18 rebounds and five blocked shots. Although City had the size to match up against Lewis, his skill set was simply too much. He was scoring from all three levels and converted on two three’s out of isolation situations. Once he got his shot going early, it was over for the opposition. In the second half, Lewis buried three more triples and started making an impact on the offensive glass for put backs. City aggressively attacked the basket in the early goings, but quickly adjusted to Lewis’ paint presence after swatting multiple lay ups.
Brandon Murray Brandon Murray 6'5" | SG IMG Academy | 2021 #220 Nation FL | 6’5 | Poly ’20
Over a half a dozen Division I programs were in attendance for Murray. The 6-foot-5 guard’s stock has exploded in the past two months to becoming a nationally known prospect. While he got off to a slow start in the first half, the coaches still saw what they liked because of his activity without the ball and his attitude towards winning despite shots not falling. In the second half it was a different story. Murray scored 18 of his 20 points, all of which came within offensive sets or Murray just bullying his opponents for offensive rebounds and easy put backs. His size, versatility, athleticism, efficiency and motor are all characteristics that draw in high major programs.
Dominick Carrington Dominick Carrington 5'10" | PG City | 2020 State MD | 5’10 | City ’20
Carrington led the Knights as he did the last time these two teams met. The 5-foot-10 guard is a sniper from deep with a quick trigger and gets great lift on his shot to make up for his lack of height. While he’s still developing as a threat off the bounce against high competition, Carrington had a couple of nice takes to the basket after breaking his man down off the dribble. His elite ability to shoot the long ball forces defenders to sprint on close outs whenever he catches the ball beyond the arc. Carrington is an unsigned senior gaining interest from all levels.
Clarence Obiajulu Clarence Obiajulu 6'7" | C National Christian | 2021 State MD | 6’6 | City ’21
Obiajulu is one of the most intriguing prospects in the Baltimore area for the 2021 class in my opinion. His combination of size, strength and sneaky athleticism are the type to catch college coach’s eyes. He doesn’t look like he would be athletic as he is, but the 6-foot-6 forward gets off the ground quick on his first and second jump. He had his hands full against Poly’s size, but his physicality fared well and he was a consistent presence on the glass for the Knights. Obiajulu leverages his body effectively and makes early contact with his man on box-outs. After corralling a rebound, he quickly locates the outlet and uses his impressive motor to run the floor. Obiajulu’s jumper is still very much a work in progress.
John Godinez John Godinez 5'10" | PG Parkville | 2020 State MD | 5’9 | Parkville ’20
Godinez put on an absolute show in the Class 4A state quarterfinal against Churchill. He finished with a game-high 35 points, three of which came in dramatic fashion as time expired in the first overtime as Godinez hoisted a 26-footer that banked in. There’s a short list of point guards in the area that can offer a better overall package than Godinez. The 5-foot-9 guard is extremely difficult to stay in front of with his array of moves and ability to change direction with his low center of gravity. He was operating in high ball screens for much of this game and was extremely effective in attacked the soft show by the big. Godinez would keep his man on his back hip and dissect whatever rotation the defense threw his way. On multiple occasions, Godinez would stop on a dime and pull up in the mid-range before his defender could get a clean contest as he was recovering. If no one stepped up as Godinez got downhill at the three-point line, he’d slither his way to the rim and draw fouls. The 5-foot-9 guard is one of the best I’ve seen operating in said situations. His patience, IQ and ability to anticipate rotations are all characteristics that translate to the next level.
Khalil Dukes Khalil Dukes 6'2" | SG Parkville | 2020 State MD | 6’2 | Parkville ’20
Dukes was crucial in the second half with his play defensively. Churchill’s best player, Jomo Goings Jomo Goings 6'4" | CG Churchill | 2020 State MD , got busy in the first half scoring 14 points, but Dukes made adjustments in the second half by taking one step higher in his denial off the ball and limited the 6-foot-4 guard to just 10 points in the next 24 minutes of play. Dukes stays low in his defensive stance and has decent length for his size that helps disrupt shooter’s vision. He has underrated athleticism that allows him to recover and jump rim level to block lay up attempts. While his offense still needs improvement, Dukes knows what he does well and how he can greatly impact a game on the defensive end. He sticks to his role.
Jomo Goings Jomo Goings 6'4" | CG Churchill | 2020 State MD | 6’4 | Churchill ’20
As stated above, Goings had an impressive first half scoring in every fashion. Churchill runs a ton of sets in the half court consisting of a number of pin downs, flex cuts and back screens. Goings was patient in waiting for screens so he could effectively run his man off them and create space on the catch. Although his release is a bit different, Goings seems confident as a shooter off the bounce from 18 feet and in. His most impressive play came after catching the ball at the top of the key, quickly sweeping to his right hand and proceeded to take one or two dribbles before rising up for a one-handed slam. His size, length and ability to score within an offense all provide the confidence that he will produce consistently at the collegiate level.