MABC 2023 Standouts (Part 2)
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The Mid-Atlantic Basketball Classic, which holds events all over the DMV and VA area, came to Atlantic Shores this past weekend with a big event featuring some of the top teams from across the state. There were 7 games featuring…
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Continue ReadingThe Mid-Atlantic Basketball Classic, which holds events all over the DMV and VA area, came to Atlantic Shores this past weekend with a big event featuring some of the top teams from across the state. There were 7 games featuring teams from the 757, Richmond and NOVA area, and there was tons of talent in all classes and a lot of very good basketball games.
Here’s a look at part two of the many 2023 standouts from the event.
MJ Smith MJ Smith 6'2" | SG Manor | 2023 VA | 6’2” WG | Manor
Smith got off to a slow start for Manor, but he was big time down the stretch for them as they had an impressive come from behind win over Bethel. The 6’2” two guard just knows how to score the ball as he can put it on the deck and is shifty off the bounce, he is very good at finding contact and getting to the free throw line and he has very deep range and knows how to create space to get his shot. He was named MVP as he finished with 16 points, scoring 13 of them in the second half
Ryan Smith | 5’10” PG | Manor
Smith is the floor general for this Manor group, and he was fantastic running the show for them and sparking runs while also keeping them poised during the bad times as well. The 5’10” guard is shifty off the bounce and gets in the lane at will, he has good feel and instincts on both ends of the floor and he can make shots from multiple levels. He’s a winning type of guard who simply finds ways to make his team better.
Joe Baldwin Joe Baldwin 6'7" | SF Fairfax Christian | 2023 State VA | 6’5” WF | Fairfax Christian
Baldwin continues to improve and impress as a prospect moving forward, and he was very good in their win over Cape Henry on both ends of the floor. He’s a big and strong wing that’s athletic and uses it on both ends of the floor as he can play above the rim and he’s a good shot blocker who usually blocks shots with authority, he’s a good shooter from deep off the catch and he can use his size to defend multiple positions. He finished with 14 points in their win.
Corey Caulker Corey Caulker 6'1" | PG Bishop O'Connell | 2023 State VA | 5’11” PG | Fairfax Christian
Caulker is a guy who sometimes doesn’t get the love that he deserves because FCS has so many talented guards, but he was fantastic in his decision making throughout the game. He picked his spots and scored it from multiple spots on the floor and was very efficient, he made great reads in transition and when he got in the paint and he plays with great poise and feel on both ends of the floor. He finished with 12 points in their win over Cape Henry.
Ralph Martino | 6’5” WF | John Champe
Martino is part of a young Champe group that has a lot of talent, he was huge for them in their win over Norview on both ends of the floor. The 6’5” wing is long and uses his length defensively and to rebound, he showed he can get hot quickly and make shots from deep as he hit three straight three’s to give them momentum in the fourth quarter and he’s an excellent athlete who can attack and finish in transition and when he gets downhill. He was named MVP with 16 points, scoring the majority in the second half.
Ethan Ward Ethan Ward 6'7" | SF Landstown | 2023 State VA | 6’6” PF | Landstown
While Ward didn’t put up huge numbers before he fouled out in the fourth quarter, his endless effort and athleticism in the paint makes him a big impact in a number of ways. He runs the floor extremely hard and fights for every rebound and loose ball, he’s slimmed up and it’s made him athletic enough to play above the rim and his endless hustle makes teams foul him and he’s a good free throw shooter as well. As he continues to improve he’ll become one of the top sleepers in the 757 area.