MD/DC Roundtable: The Summit
Over the weekend we were in Manheim, Pa for Zero Gravity’s ‘The Summit’ event that featured teams from throughout the northeast. For this week’s roundtable, we address some questions based on our findings from the action. 1. Who was the…
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Continue ReadingOver the weekend we were in Manheim, Pa for Zero Gravity’s ‘The Summit’ event that featured teams from throughout the northeast. For this week’s roundtable, we address some questions based on our findings from the action.
1. Who was the best new find for you this weekend?
Giacubeno: Josh Morissette from Middlesex Magic left a lasting impression on me with how effective he was on both ends of the floor. You could tell that the 6-foot-3 guard brings a presence to the floor that calms the rest of his teammates down when games get tight. Morissette was especially impressive in a win over Thrill where he scored efficiently from all three levels, made sound decisions as a playmaker and got after it on the defensive side of the ball.
Ayalew: Having never seen Carlton Carrington Carlton Carrington 6'4" | CG St. Frances | 2023 State #84 Nation MD play in person prior to Saturday, I would consider him the best new find of the weekend. He’s a versatile guard with size and a budding skill set. He is already a difference-maker on both ends of the court, but I can see his influence growing even more moving forward as his overall game continues to develop.
Wilson: Malachia Marable. Marable is a 6’7 prospect from the class of 2024 that is currently playing with the DC Premier 15 and under team and is a rising sophomore at Maret in D.C. Marable is still very new to the sport of basketball but has a lot of potential because of his size. Marable has good hands and was active all over the boards this past weekend at the “The Summit” presented by Zero Gravity. Marable stands out right away because of his size going up against other players in his age group and showed good signs of being able to score the basketball around the rim.
Giacubeno: 2023 WeR1 guard Elmarko Jackson blew me away with the progressions that he’s made. I haven’t seen Jackson live in over a year and what first caught my eye is the fact that he stands at a legitimate 6-foot-3 with a frame that continues to fill out. His explosiveness off the bounce was evident on his finishes around or above the rim. He routinely created space from his defender in isolation scenarios to free himself up for mid-range shots and defensively he defended either guard position competently. Considering Jackson recently reclassed to 2023, don’t be surprised if his recruitment explodes as this spring and summer progresses.
Ayalew: Jaden French Jaden French 6'2" | PG Maranatha | 2023 CA-S (We R1/National Christian ’23) is a true point guard who defends his position, controls the tempo, and keeps his teammates involved. He can get into the paint consistently because of his tight handle and quick first step. French is a good finisher at the rim and has the ability to score when he needs to, but it’s his feel for the game that sets him apart.
Wilson: It has been over a year since I have seen Carlton Carrington Carlton Carrington 6'4" | CG St. Frances | 2023 State #84 Nation MD of Team Melo and McDonogh and I was very impressed with the strides he has taken over the last year. Carrington has a skilled handle for the guard position and showcased a promising offensive skillset with his ability to pass the ball and his decision making. Carrington also showed that he has the ability to knock down shots from different areas on the floor.
Giacubeno: A couple of under the radar D2/D3 prospects include Aidan Mess Aidan Mess 6'7" | C Mount St. Joseph | 2022 State MD , Jordan Stiemke and DJ Leak. Mess plays with Mid Atlantic Select 17U and was dominant in a win finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks. The 6-foot-7 forward seems to be coming into his own and playing with confidence, which should catch the attention of high academic D3 programs as well as D2’s looking for a dependable big. Stiemke was a new find for me this weekend also playing with Mid Atlantic Select. The 6-foot-5 guard has a strong frame and plus athleticism that was displayed on a handful of rim-rocking dunks. Stiemke had arguably the dunk of the weekend when he caught the ball on the right baseline, took two dribbles and threw down a one-handed tomahawk over two defenders. DJ Leak is a point guard for Team Choo that has grown significantly for a point guard since his freshman season. He now stands 6-foot-1 and has improved his athleticism in a way that he can play around the rim with the occasional dunk in open space. Leak is a dependable shooter from range and understands how to get others involved after getting into the paint. He’s a competitor on the defensive end who moves well laterally and has active hands.
Ayalew: Trey Seigle Trey Seigle 5'11" | CG Lake Braddock | 2022 VA (NOVA Cavaliers/Lake Braddock ’22) is very underrated. He is skilled enough to play the 1, but shoots and moves so well to get open that it makes sense to let him play off the ball at times. Seigle is a quick and thoughtful decision-maker. He can run pick and roll, or isolate and drive left or right to get past his opponents. If you sag off, he will light you up from behind the arc, and if you’re not careful with the ball he’ll pick your pocket or step up and take a charge. Seigle is simply tough as nails. He is a complete basketball player who is primed for a big year at Lake Braddock given the departure of last year’s top scorer, Jamie Kaiser Jamie Kaiser 6'6" | SF IMG Academy | 2023 State #67 Nation FL , to Bishop Ireton.
Wilson: I don’t think enough people talk about Dylan Williamson Dylan Williamson 6'0" | CG Good Counsel | 2022 State MD of Team Takeover and Good Counsel. Williamson received his second offer last week from Mississippi Valley State and once coaches are allowed to get back on the road in June and evaluate, I fully expect his offer list to grow. Williamson has stepped up this spring for Team Takeover and has shown he can run a team at a high level.