
Posted On: 03/17/21 5:00 PM












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
5'10" | PG
Sidwell Friends | 2023
State
#302
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
Mount St. Joseph | 2023
State
#68
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
5'10" | PG
Sidwell Friends | 2023
State
#302
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
Mount St. Joseph | 2023
State
#68
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" | SF
St. John's | 2022
State
#121
Nation
MD
continue to play well and share the ball with their younger teammates.
Raymond Watts
Raymond
Watts
6'4" | SG
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
6'9" | PF
St. John's | 2024
State
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.