MIAA Week 1 Standouts
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We are now a week into the MIAA A Conference shortened schedule and teams have completed three games. With just a few weeks of the season remaining, we will be breaking down as much action as possible. For this article,…
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Continue ReadingWe are now a week into the MIAA A Conference shortened schedule and teams have completed three games. With just a few weeks of the season remaining, we will be breaking down as much action as possible. For this article, we’ll take a look at the standouts from the first week.
Christian Winborne Christian Winborne 6'2" | CG Gilman | 2022 State #199 Nation MD | 6’2 | Gilman ’22
Winborne has taken his game to another level and is showcasing it early. He has Gilman at the top of the standings with a 3-0 record and leads the league in scoring at 28.3 points per game while dishing out four assists per contest. The 6-foot-2 lead guard has put his team on his back as he did late last season as Gilman attempts to make another push to finish atop of the MIAA standings.
Cameron Whitmore Cameron Whitmore 6'7" | PF Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State #30 Nation MD | 6’7 | Archbishop Spalding ’22
Whitmore has already supplied up with a great amount of highlight tape plays. The 6-foot-7 wing is an elite athlete who plays well above the rim on both ends. Whitmore ranks second in scoring at 25.6 points per game as the Cavaliers took on a three-headed monster to start their season in St. Frances, Mount St. Joseph and John Carroll. Spalding finished 2-1 through this stretch and Whitmore has been key to their success.
Kevin Kalu Kevin Kalu 6'10" | C Mt. Carmel | 2021 State MD | 6’8 | Mount Carmel ’21
Kalu has been a force for the Cougars this season and have them off to a 3-0 start. His ability to be an enforcer in the paint on both ends clearly adds a wrinkle to this Mount Carmel team that they didn’t have last season. With every finish above the rim, Kalu is going through defenders with intention of ripping the rim down. He’s running the floor with consistency, rebounding at a high rate and distorting shots around the basket with regularity.
Toby Nnadozie | 6’3 | Mount Carmel ’22
Nnadozie is making his case for Most Improved Player of the Year thus far with his steady production. He’s showcased a much improved outside jumper along the way, which was the missing piece to pair with his effective slashing mindset and elite athleticism. He’s becoming more comfortable operating off the bounce and making plays for others when getting into the paint.
Khyrie Staten Khyrie Staten 6'2" | CG St. Frances | 2021 State MD | 6’2 | St. Frances ’21
Staten got off to a hot start with his 31-point performance in a win against Spalding. While he hasn’t posted another crooked scoring number like that, he’s been efficient and made high-level shots for the Panthers as he usually does. He was already a stout defender, but his anticipation on the ball has improved and because of this, his deflections are up. Staten’s worth comes to light when big games occur.
Derik Queen Derik Queen 6'9" | PF Montverde Academy | 2024 State #18 Nation FL | 6’8 | St. Frances ’24
Queen has been a stat-sheet stuffer as expected. He’s been extremely effective in pick-and-pop scenarios and his three-point shot continues to improve as time goes on. Queen is rebounding at a good rate and racks assists off those rebounds with long passes down the floor to streaking teammates for lay ups. His growth and improvement have been fun to watch.
Jordan Pennick Jordan Pennick 6'1" | CG Archbishop Spalding | 2022 State MD | 6’0 | Archbishop Spalding
Pennick has emerged as a legitimate playmaker in the MIAA. It all starts with his ability to score the ball. He’s developed into a deadly three-point threat, but has no problem attacking closeouts, getting into his rhythm and knocking down mid-range jumpers. Pennicks adds to his value by being a lockdown defender when needed as we saw in the win over John Carroll when he made 2022 guard Tyson Commander Tyson Commander 6'4" | SG The John Carroll School | 2022 State #203 Nation MD work for all 11 points that he scored.
Gavin Walsh Gavin Walsh 6'7" | PF Loyola Blakefield | 2022 State MD | 6’7 | Loyola ’22
Walsh has kicked off his junior season with solid outings despite Loyola sporting a 1-2 record. After scoring 15 points against Mount Carmel, the 6-foot-7 forward led his team with 20 points against St. Frances where the Dons were within striking distance until late in the fourth. Walsh has showcased improved versatility on both ends as well as athleticism that allows him to make plays at the rim.