Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Drew McKenna Is the Hottest Prospect in the Country in the Class of 2024

 


Drew Mckenna, 2024, 6-foot-8 scoring wing from Laurel (MD) who competes on the NIKE EYBL circuit with Team Melo (Baltimore, MD.) and attends Glenelg Country School  will be making an unofficial visit to Villanova University on Mar. 1, 2022.


This is just days after Mckenna received an offer from one of the top 20 teams in the country, the Illinois Fighting Illini and Associate Head Coach Chester Frazier.


It is anticipated that Drew Mckenna will be exploding onto the national scene with his recruitment to sky-rocket after a stellar sophomore season in which he posted some eye-popping numbers:

Points 23.5
Rebs 7.25
Asst 3 
FG 53% 
3Pt 44%
FT 81%

Highlighted by a season highs 38-pt vs Flint Hill (Va) where he shot a jaw-dropping 11-17 (6-9 from 3 /10-11 FT) while snatching 7-rebounds. 

He also had an instant classic in the much anticipated match up with Archbishop Spalding's McDonald's All-American  Cam Whitmore where he pumped in an impressive 29-points.

In addition to Mckenna's multiple Division I and Power 5 offers he is also currently receiving interest from:

Duke, Marquette, Cincinnati, Georgetown, Louisville, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Pittsburgh, Pepperdine, George Washington, George Mason and several HBCU's  




Not only is Mckenna the areas top 2024 prospect; he is a clear top 50 talent nationally - the young man is the quintessential "can't miss" - whose talent can’t be denied.  

Drew and his family are looking to establish strong relationships early-on as this is will play a pivotal roll in their final decision for the next level.  


ANALYSIS/SKILL SET:

Drew Mckenna is a walking bucket ~ one of the best pure scoring wings to come out of the DMV in over a decade and that's saying a mouthful.  He flat out has a gift for scoring the ball.  A solid shooter off both the catch and possibly even more lethal from distance off the deck ~ with the size/skill combination Mckenna projects as a big 2G who can play/guard 2-4.  At 6'8/195lbs the options are endless on both ends of the floor.    

"Big Smooth"/ "Baby Melo" has a solid mid-range package including some impressive footwork working out of the mid-post with the ability to slash and finish at or over a defender with either hand.  Due to his varied skill set his passing is often overlooked, but not only is he a willing passer who enjoys this aspect of the game - his vision and passing acumen makes him a very intriguing long-term prospect as a point forward type.

As a scoring wing the combination of great size and killer instinct is only bested by what may be his most exciting traits - his winning attitude.  After a year of continued development Drew Mckenna is now an elite level prospect.  With his continued development the sky's the limit.  His willingness to defend especially when challenged where he utilizes his 7-1+ wing span reminds you on the defensive end of a Scottie Barns but with the ability to score in very similar ways as a Johnny Juzang.  Think Sadiq Bay and Mikal Bridges.


McKenna Explodes for 38


McKenna & Whitmore Go Head-to-Head




Sunday, April 26, 2020

The Hunted to the Hunter: Saxby Sunderland is Offically On the Rader





Generally when a high school basketball player is scoring at will against defenders, possesses a silky smooth jumper, athleticism and has his team at the top of his conference, you hear about him.

Usually when a guy drops 22+ point per game, people start to take notice.

That player ascends up the national ranking board, gets the attention of national ranking services and is tossed around in college and university conversations. And generally, it's well-deserved. Usually they get noticed.

But not always.

Saxby Sunderland is a prime example of a truly remarkable talent simply floating under the radar, firmly attached to his small school identity, not getting the luxury of a big stage spotlight.

Sunderland isn't the next flavor of the month Hype. He's the next impact player at the high school level – that is just looking for a chance to prove it to those who doubt or simply don’t know any better.

Let's face it: Saxby plays for Flint Hill. Flint Hill doesn't get great exposure and is not overly well respected as a national high school basketball program. In fact, if it weren't for Saxby, we wouldn’t be discussing or mentioning Flint Hill right now.

So, needless to say like it or not, Saxby Sunderland is one of the best guards in the area and in term should be on the radar, being in this marker, of many of the top NCAA programs as of today – Saxby without question is an elite shooter who can get his teammates involved.

Specifically, he is true points that possesses length, skills, and feel for the game. As we said, he can get others involved and score as much as needed and in a variety of ways. Sunderland is a long, athletic playmaking combination guard that is a high major prospect with tremendous upside.

Long and quick with an excellent first step - he slashes in between defenders; his rhythm dribble three point shot is fluid and often get’s him in a scoring flow leading to multiple dominating possessions in transition and in the half-court.

On the other side of the ball Saxby is capable of defending both guard positions. He’s at his best and most confident when he plays to his strengths and plays position less basketball.



Wednesday, April 8, 2020

DMV 2022 PLAYER RANKINGS




Name  Height High School AAU Team
1. Cam Whitmore  6'7 Archbishop Spalding Team Melo
2. Favour Aire  6'10 McNamara New World 
3. Rodney Rice  6'4 Bullis  Team Durant 
4. Darren Buchanan Jr.  6'5 Wilson Team Durant 
5. Knasir "Dug" McDaniel 5'10 Paul VI Team Takeover
6. Tyrell Ward 6'6 DeMatha New World 
7. Trey Thomas  6'2 Wise Team Loaded
8. Judah Mintz 6'5 Gonzaga Team Takeover
9. Tyson Commander 6'3 John Carroll Team Melo
10. CJ Scott 6'4 Archbishoop Spalding Team Melo
11. Noah Batchelor 6'7 Glenelg Country Team Thrill 
12. Yann Ferrell 6'8 West Nottingham PSA Cardinals
13. Christian Watson  6'5 St. Johns  Team Takeover
14. Christian Winborne  6'2 Gilman Team Thrill 
15. David Solomon 6'6 Lake Braddock TBD
16. Cesar Tchilombo 6'9 John Carroll Global Squad
17. Stepaun Walker 6'8 Coolidge Team Takeover
18. Kevin Kalu  6'9 City Team Melo
19. Devin Dinkins 5'10 Gonzaga Team Takeover
20. George Perkins 6'8 Sidwell Friends  Team Takeover
21. Shane Lancaster 6'5 St. Johns  Boo Williams
22. Zach Bolgert 6'8 Fairfax Christian  TBD
23. Byrce Lindsay 6'1 Poly Team Melo
24. Dylan Williamson  6'1 Good Counsel Team Durant 
25. Antonio Hamlin 6'1 Combine Academy (NC) Team Thrill 
26. Adam Angwafo  6'8 Severn School Team Takeover
27. Stefan Marcelle 6'7 Georgetown Prep TBD
28. Deon Perry 5'8 Mt. Carmel  Team Melo
29. Tobi Nnadozie 6'4 Mt. Carmel  Team Melo
30. Kyle Gaskins  6'0 Coolidge Team Takeover
31. Jared Turner  6'5 Gonzaga  Team Takeover
32. Hassan Massenburg 6'6 New Hope  TBD
33. Quinn Clark  6'7 Gonzaga Team Loaded 
34. Dylan Bronner  6'4 Georgetown Day TBD
35. Gideon Sahlen 6'10 Bullis  TBD
36. Jerell Robinson 6'9 DeMatha Team Takeover
37. Preston Howard 6'7 McDoungh Team Melo
38. Brock Davis  6'4 Georgetown Prep Oklahoma Run
39. Tyheil Peterson 6'0 Spalding Team Durant 
40. Alex Cadet  6'7 Takoma Academy TBD
41. Jordan Green 6'6 St. Maria Goretti TBD
42. Dani Dennis-Sutton 6'6 McDoungh Team Melo
43. Chris Gamble 6'1 Sidwell Friends  6th Man Warriors 
44. Dut Koul 6'10 National Christian TBD
45. Carlos Alexander  5'10 Mervo Team Thrill
46. Tyree Davis  6'5 Dematha Team Durant 
47. Evert Cooper 5'10 McDoungh Team Melo
48. Adam Walden  6'10 Poly Team Thrill 
49. Joel Turay 6'7 John Carroll TBD
50. Gavin Sween Jr. 6'8 Glenelg Country New World 
51. Willie Rivera 6'1 Rock Creek Christian Team Takeover 
52. Noah Jones 6'8 Mt. St. Joe TBD
53. Logan Blair  6'4 St. Johns  Team Durant 
54. Amir Dade 6'0 St. Charles New World 
55. Warren Mouganda 6'2 Pallotti TBD
56. Delante Raynor 6'4 Fairmount Heights TBD
57. Wisdom Rogers  6'6 St. Mary Ryken TBD
58. Derrick Key 6'5 Fairmount Heights
59. John Thomas 6'4 Patterson Team Thrill
60. Amare Wimbush  6'6 Wise TBD
61. Sammy Scott 5'8 Milford Mill Team Thrill
62. Tre' Green 6'2 Boys Latin Team Choo
63. Andrew Rheubottom 6'3 Milford Mill Team Thrill
64. AJ Thomas  6'4 Georgetown Prep The District 
65. Sam Ejindu 6'0 Glenelg Country Mid-Atlantic 
66. Jacory Wilkes 6'7 Thomas Stone TBD
67. Mahkai Arnold 6'0 Frederick Douglas TBD
68. Gavin Walsh 6'6 Loyola Blakefield  Team Loaded
69. Darus Dorsey 6'3 Riverdale Baptist  TBD
70. Masia Troutman  6'4 St. Johns Catholic Prep TBD

Enter the Dragon - GCS Introduces Lethal Weapon 3

23' Franklin Ayissi-Etoh, 22' Noah Batchelor, 23' Kamal Francis where all selected to the Triple Threat 2020 All-Star Game


Picking the right high school transfers centers around properly evaluating the calculated risk.  While many programs take on these ricks as a complementary process to roster building; Glenelg Country School may have mastered the art. For the second year in a row the Dragons out of Ellicott City secured another talented  Top 100 prospect; this time in the class of 2023.

Franklin Ayissi-Etoh, the 6’3 combo guard from Montgomery County who appears on multiple national boards announced that he will be taking his talents to GCS.  Etoh will join class of 2022 USA Basketball /Top 60 National Prospect 6’7 SF Noah Batchelor on a roster that also includes  the MIAAs top JV scorer 2023 6’2 Kamal Francis.  Francis got valuable experience throughout the season practicing with the varsity squad and competing in the team’s non-conference and post-season schedule.

The Dragons went into last season with a senior laden team that many expected to vie for the conference championship.  Losing 4-seniors for a lot of programs might be cause for a rebuild, but in this instance the GCS program; it’s simply a reload.  The 20-21 will look vastly different in appearance and in style.  Look for Head Coach Garrett O’Donnell in employ a more up-tempo attacking approach on both ends.  With the combination of skill, talent and athleticism they will look to learn on the job; and produce a similar result to another young team from this past season – Archbishop Spalding. Spalding after gaining experience used their talent to make a late season run; making it to the conference’s final 4 before bowing out to eventual champion Mt. St. Joe.

What they lack in experience they will look to make up in talent starting with Noah Batchelor; who currently holds offers from Georgetown, Memphis, Maryland, Florida, Virginia Tech, Clemson and George Washington.  Batchelor who reminds you of former FSU sharp shooter Bob Sura; is a confident shooter himself that possesses great size and length. He has a big time stroke, quick trigger and deep range. His size and length allow him to shoot over smaller opponents with ease. Every shot he takes looks to have a chance to go in. Noah will take some tough contested shots but when his feet are set he can knock down many jumpers in a row.

Batchelor sprints the floor in transition looking to spot up on the side of dribble penetration. He also has great shot preparation when the ball is reversed to him. Noah comes off screens well and also does a good job of setting up his defender in order to obtain separation. If Batchelor adds a mid range game and develops a “Plan B” when opponents make him dribble in addition to working on passing/handling the ball under pressure he will be a All-Met consideration. Noah goes to the offensive glass but has the ability and athleticism to be productive in this area and average double figures on a nightly basis. He is a great in O’Donnell’s system of set plays which will find ways to get him open.

Add a second top national prospect in “The Artist’ Franklin Ayissi-Etoh - Etoh makes plays from either guard spot with a plethora of tools in his arsenal. Known for his shiftiness and moves-on-moves in the open floor he also displays a high level skill set that allows him to operate effectively in the half court as well. He keeps the ball on a string with his handle, showing a high IQ in ball-screen situations - while able to knock down shots of the catch and the dribble.

A machine when it comes to creating offense for himself and others and plays an unselfish brand of basketball – with such an advance offensive repertoire with the ball is in his hand; his defensive  acumen may be just as elite as he is an active communicator who is excellent with trapping, helping and rotating.

Etoh’s backcourt running mate will be 6’2 sophomore Kamal Francis, this fearless guard will play both guard positions and has shown promise at  running the team, making good decisions and taking care of the basketball . Francis pushes the ball and attacks the lane when in transition and the defense falls asleep.

He is athletic and strong enough to score through contact having put on 15lbs since the end of the season. He has a strong middle game that includes elbow and dribble pull ups showing good elevation on both. He is a streaky three point shooter but makes enough to make the defense respect him.  He has a excellent basketball IQ and the confidence and scoring ability to put up big numbers. He can drive, draw and kick when he draws multiple defenders. Francis should be an x-facotr player for the Dragons next season because of not only his talent but his energy, effort, toughness and willingness to compete on both ends of the floor.

Put those together with a front-line containing a 3-player rotation over 6’7/6’8 and they should be in the conversation when all the chips fall.

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

ALL DMV PREP 2020

Roach's Resume includes McDonald's All-American, USA Basketball, All-Met & a Duke Commitment
ALL DMV PREP 2020

2020 DMV PREPS MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYERS
Jeremy Roach, SR, G - Paul VI - DUKE

FIRST TEAM
Hunter Dickinson, SR, C - DeMatha - MICHIGAN
Adrian Baldwin, SR, G - St. Frances - VCU
Terrance Williams, SR, F - Gonzaga - MICHIGAN 
Justin Lewis, SR, F - Poly - MARQUETTE
Earl Timberlaks - SR, G - DeMatha - MIAMI 
Cam Whitmore - SO, F, Spalding - UNDECIDED
Trevor Keels, JR, G, Paul VI - UNDECIDED
Brandon Murray, SR, G, Poly - UNDECIDED 
Ishmael Leggett, SR, G, St. Johns - Rhode Island
Ryan Conway, JR, G, Delaney - UNDECIDED 

SECOND TEAM
Favour Aire, SO, F, McNamara - UNDECIDED
Jamal West, SR, F, St. Frances - S. Alabama
Trey Thomas, JR, G, Wise - UNDECIDED
Jason Edokpayi, SR, F, Mt. St. Joe - Fairfield 
Corey Dyches, SR, G, Potomac - UMD Football
Tyson Commander, SO, G, John Carroll - UNDECIDED 
Tyler Brelsford, SR, G, Mt. St. Joe - George Washington
Rodney Rice, SO, G, Bullis - UNDECIDED 

THIRD TEAM
Avery Ford, JR, F, Centeville - UNDECIDED 
Dominick Carrington, SR, G, City - UNDECIDED 
Ronald Polite, SR, G, Oxon Hill - GEORGE MASON
Mitchell Fischer, SR, F, Loyola Blakefield - UNDECIDED 
Benny Williams, JR, F. St. Andrews  - UNDECIDED 
Chris Winborne , SO, G, Gilman - UNDECIDED
Xaviar Lipscomb, SR, G, St. Stephen/St. Agnes - Radford
Delonnie Hunt, SR,G, Rock Creek Christain - WAGNER 

FORTH TEAM
Will Thomas, SR, F, Marvo  - UNDECIDED 
Mike Gray, SR, G, Lake Clifton - UNDECIDED 
CJ Scott, SO, G, Spalding - UNDECIDED 
Martez Robinson, SR, G, New Town - DELAWARE
Knasir "Dug" McDaniel, SO, G, Paul VI - UNDECIDED 
Myles Stute, SR, G, Gonzaga - Vandibuilt 
Chuck Harris, SR., G, Gonzaga - BUTLER 
Zach Blackwell, SR, G, Lake Clifton - UNDECIDED 

HONERABLE MENTION 
Rahiem Ali, SR, G, Poly/Noah Batchalor, SO, F, Gleneg Country, Cam Gullis, FR, G, Sidwell
Jaylin Albury, SR,G, Newbury, Deon Perry, SO, G, Mt. Carmel
Rasheed Dupree, JR, G, KIPP/Darren Buchanan,SO, G, Wilson/Landon Hawes, G, SR, Potomac Falls 
Max Brooks, SR, G, St. Charles/Darius Johnson, JR, G, Episcopal/Jakia Robinson, JR, G, National Christian 
Saveon Jackson, JR, G, KIPP/Lorenzo Donadio, SR, G, Boys Latin/Caleb Johnson,SR, G, Curley
Corey Barns, SR, G, Archbishop  Carroll, Adam Angwofu, SO, F,Severn, Julian Reese, JR, PF, St.Frances,
Khyee Staten, JR, G, St. Frances/Wes Patterson, G, JR., O'Connell/ Amani Handsberry, FR, F, St. Johns
Juhda Mintz, SO, G, Gonzaga/Barry Evans, JR, G, Oakland Mills/ Devin Dinkins, SO, G, Gonzaga, 
Paul Lewis, SO, G, Bishop O'Connell/Erick Reynolds, JR, G, Bullis/John Godinez, SR, G, Pikesville
Caleb Bowers, SR, G, Williamsport/Andrew Mills, SR,F, New Town/Jao Ituka, JR, G, Gaithersburg
Bez Mbeng,JR,G, Good Counsel/Ty Bishop, JR, G, Ireton