Updated 2021 Player Rankings: Baltimore Guards (51-100)
It’s that time of year for a refreshing of our player rankings here at Prep Hoops Maryland. The 2021 class is filled with talent that will be fun to watch further develop as they embark on the most important summer…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIt’s that time of year for a refreshing of our player rankings here at Prep Hoops Maryland. The 2021 class is filled with talent that will be fun to watch further develop as they embark on the most important summer of their high school careers. As usual, I’ll handle the prospects located primarily in the Baltimore and immediate surrounding areas for my breakdowns. We now move to breaking down the guards that were featured in the 51-100 range.
Ahmad Harrison Ahmad Harrison 6'1" | PG National Christian | 2022 MD | 6’1 | City
Current ranking: 55
City put together an impressive season throughout conference play and even outside the Baltimore area. They were led by a couple of lead guards, one being Harrison who is a crafty scoring left-handed guard that also provides toughness on the defensive end. Harrison was effective in transition where he finished consistently through contact. His jumper is efficient from 17 feet and in. Defensively, he can guard either guard spot and extend out to the wing in some situations. He’s one of those players that are much stronger than he appears and competes at a high level.
Trae English Trae English 5'11" | PG Baltimore Poly | 2021 State MD | 5’10 | Poly
Current ranking: 72
English found his role for a nationally ranked Poly team as a sixth man who came into games, moved 2020 guard Rahim Ali Rahim Ali 5'11" | PG Baltimore Poly | 2020 State MD to the two-guard and provided a facilitator who focused on impacting the game defensively. English, who has been known for his ability to score in bunches, clearly bought in to what the team needed him to be and it showed. His relentless ball pressure, decision making with the ball both in half court play or transition and his natural scoring ability made the Engineers an even tougher team to contain.
Malik Scipio Malik Scipio 6'3" | SF Parkville | 2021 State MD | 6’2 | Parkville
Current ranking:81
Scipio is one of the under-the-radar guards in this class. At 6-foot-2 provides solid size and toughness for either guard position and was the most consistent scoring presence for a Parkville team that finished the season in the Class 4A Final Four with an overall record of 22-3. Scipio is at his best playing downhill attacking the rim where he can use his brute strength around the basket to finish shots through contact. Also a capable shot maker, Scipio knows how to create separation from his defender and can get his shot off quickly. As a defender, he’s effective matching up against two-guards and with his strength can maintain position on threes and sometimes fours in Baltimore County play.
Dinari Boykin Dinari Boykin 6'4" | SF Archbishop Curley | 2021 State MD | 6’4 | Curley
Current ranking: 83
It was good to see Boykin’s continued development as a guard. Throughout his sophomore season, he was featured more as an undersized forward, but has now smoothly transitioned to making his impact felt out on the perimeter. Boykin can beat his man off the bounce and finish around the rim in many ways. In transition, he’s a lob threat and knows how to finish above the rim as the ball handler as well. He has the tools to be a dynamite defender, he just has to lock in for a full 32 minutes consistently to be considered one. Boykin was a crucial contributor the Curley’s MIAA B Conference title run, their first in almost two decades.
Darrius Tilghman Darrius Tilghman 6'3" | PG Parkville | 2021 State MD | 6’3 | Parkville
Current ranking: 87
Tilghman had a pleasant season after a very underwhelming sophomore campaign at City. The 6-foot-3 combo guard shared ball-handling duties alongside 2020 John Godinez John Godinez 5'10" | PG Parkville | 2020 State MD and the two formed a dynamic backcourt that could distribute and score at a high rate. Tilghman still struggled with tendinitis in his knee that impacted his aggressiveness early on in the season. As the season progressed, you began to see the southpaw’s confidence bleed through in his finishes around the rim and his shooting off the dribble.