Wednesday Wrap-Up

The Wednesday Wrap-Up is back with a rundown of current events in the local prep hoops scene. Here are a few noteworthy storylines that have manifested during the past week.

The St. James Winter League Final Four Field Determined

Friends knocked off top-seeded DMV Sports Academy in the quarterfinals on Tuesday night. Dartmouth-bound guard Ryan Cornish Ryan Cornish 6'3" | CG Sidwell Friends | 2021 State MD led the team with a spectacular all-around effort. Promising sophomore floor general Cam Gillus Cam Gillus 5'9" | PG Sidwell Friends | 2023 State #134 Nation MD also had an efficient performance. 

UCF commit Darius Johnson Darius Johnson 6'0" | PG Episcopal | 2021 State #159 Nation VA propelled EHS Elite into the final four with a hard-fought win over DC Evolution. The explosive guard played above the rim on both ends and attacked the glass with aggression. Johnson was impossible to stay in front of but also made multiple shots from long range. He will have his work cut out for him on Thursday against the defensive-minded DC Cadets. 

The DC Cadets won two games on Tuesday night, defeating AKT and Rockets. Sophomore Amani Hansberry Amani Hansberry 6'7" | C St. John's | 2023 State #16 Nation MD has been a difference-maker in the paint on both ends of the floor. He’s doing a bit of everything. Blocking shots, rebounding, consistently establishing deep post position, and either scoring or facilitating. Juniors Ryan Cornish Ryan Cornish 6'3" | CG Sidwell Friends | 2021 State MD led the team with a spectacular all-around effort. Promising sophomore floor general Cam Gillus Cam Gillus 5'9" | PG Sidwell Friends | 2023 State #134 Nation MD also had an efficient performance.  UCF commit Darius Johnson Darius Johnson 6'0" | PG Episcopal | 2021 State #159 Nation VA propelled EHS Elite into the final four with a hard-fought win over DC Evolution. The explosive guard played above the rim on both ends and attacked the glass with aggression. Johnson was impossible to stay in front of but also made multiple shots from long range. He will have his work cut out for him on Thursday against the defensive-minded DC Cadets.  The DC Cadets won two games on Tuesday night, defeating AKT and Rockets. Sophomore Amani Hansberry Amani Hansberry 6'7" | C St. John's | 2023 State #16 Nation MD has been a difference-maker in the paint on both ends of the floor. He’s doing a bit of everything. Blocking shots, rebounding, consistently establishing deep post position, and either scoring or facilitating. Juniors Shane Lancaster Shane Lancaster 6'4" | CG St. John's | 2022 State MD and Christian Watson Christian Watson 6'6" | PF St. John's | 2022 State #216 Nation MD continue to play well and share the ball with their younger teammates. Raymond Watts Raymond Watts 6'4" | CG St. John's | 2023 State MD is standing out as a defensive-minded wing who lets the game come to him on offense. The trio of freshman on this team, Donavan Freeman Donavan Freeman 6'8" | PF St. John's | 2024 MD , Nate Guerengomba, and Acaden Lewis, have been consistent rotation players who are gaining confidence while producing. Junior Logan Blair Logan Blair 6'3" | SF St. John's | 2022 State MD deserves mention as well. He is a physical wing who plays hard and defends. Team S.T.A.T. comprehensively defeated the DC Frogs, who were without Colorado-bound Quincy Allen Quincy Allen 6'7" | SF Maret | 2021 State #125 Nation MD , to punch their ticket to Thursday’s festivities. Jao Ituka Jao Ituka 6'2" | SG Gaithersburg | 2021 MD has been a marvel. It’s remarkable to see him lead with both his words and actions. Ituka and S.T.A.T will match up with Friends in the final four. Elijah Hawkins Elijah Hawkins 5'9" | PG DeMatha | 2021 State MD picks Howard To no surprise, DeMatha lead guard Elijah Hawkins Elijah Hawkins 5'9" | PG DeMatha | 2021 State MD committed to Howard on Friday. Coach Blakeney is getting a resilient winner who will set the tone with his tenacious defense, control the tempo, and be efficient. Now that Hawkins is off the board, only three top-20 prospects remain in Maryland.