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.

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.

The Mitchell's Have Landed - 6'9 Twins Commit to URI Joining SJCHS G Ishmael Leggett

Former DC Premier & USA National Select studs Makhi and Makhel Mitchell committed to Rhode Island University on March 30, 2020 on Instagram.  Their arrival creates a heavy local feel with St. Johns Cadet guards Ishmael Leggett already committed.  Rhode Island games will certainly have great viewership in the DMV.

The Mitchells who were each rated as four-star recruits coming out of Woodrow Wilson High after spending the prior season at national powerhouse Montverde Academy (Fla.). This pass season for the Terps Makhi Mitchell played in 12 games making five starts. Producing  3.0 ppg and 3.3 rebs while shooting 54.5% from the field. Makhel Mitchell appeared in 10 games providing support of the bench contributing 1.0 ppg and 2.3 rebs.

At this juncture sources close to the situation who wish to remain anonymous have advised DMV Preps that it’s still to be determined if the Mitchell twins will be eligible immediately.  Both are currently awaiting on a ruling on the “one time transfer exception” for student athletes.  If successful this would remove the two-semester waiting period currently in place prior to gaining eligibility.   

How did Rhode Island get into the mix?; this too has roots back here to the DMV as Head Coach David Cox has frequented this area often, living in proximity not long ago to what is considered the nations hotbed for basketball.  He followed DC Premier closely as they competed on the UA Circuit.

Prior to committing the twins visited Patrick Ewing and Georgetown and well Providence University fueling speculation that a commitment was forthcoming.  Yet URI outlasted them all in landing the DC natives.  They are part of a recruiting class currently consisting of six solid guys with upside.  Information as the time of this publication leads DMV Preps to belevie URI will be seeking to add additional depth via the grad transfer option or juco ranks. 

SPECIAL NOTE:  Mahki Long a fellow DC native who played his freshman campaign at URI has entered the transfer portal.  Stay tuned for updates on his destination.

Congrats to the Mitchells and Leggett can’t wait to see them all on the floor together.

Watch Out - THESE GUYS RUN DURANT 2023

Dwayne Wise, Recruiting Coordinator for Team Durant has an embarrassment of riches in the backcourt – Wise stated “we want to be two deep at every position” and he has certainly put that together with the group of guards they have in the stable.   Now his challenge becomes somehow finding meaningful minutes to keep these guys developing and happy.

PG, Cam Gillus:  Cam is one of the purest point guard in the area already garnering attention from Division I schools. He has a wiry frame with long arms and is sneaky athletic. Gillus has tremendous speed and quickness with the ball and can finish with creativity over defenders. Cam can score from the point guard position, however, he also does a great job setting up his teammates. On the break he gets rid of the ball quickly instead of over handling it like many other guards have a tendency of doing. In the half-court set he is able to breakdown defenders off the bounce - has a pretty lethal crossover - and will either set up a teammate for the score or finish it himself. 

PG, “Ace” Valentine:  “Ace” he is very quick and athletic while being a true leader, and has the proper mentality to play the point and run a team. He can really push the ball down the court and he gets wherever he wants with it - his ability to get into the paint and find people its uncanny. Valentine has great vision and is a very good passer. He can also score spacing the floor for his teammates with his perimeter jumper and extend his range out to the 3-point line so defenders can not back off him at all.

SG, Mason So:  So has unbelievable range on his jumper. He frequently connects from well beyond the 3-point line. He has a nice, quick release on his jumper and expends very little wasted energy on getting the shot off. He ranks as one of the best shooter in the class of 2023 in the area - He does a great job of staying within the team concept and not disrupting the offense in lieu of getting his own shots. Given his consistent jumper, Rosario should find a number of opportunities to score this upcoming season.

SG, Shawn Simmons:  Clearly the best of the bunch – Simmons will get heavy minutes at both wing positions but is slated ot start at the 2-Guard.   At 6’6 Simmons can be one of the best players in the Class of 2023. He is strong and quick. He understands how to play. He can score in a variety of ways, from three-point land, driving to the basket and finishing with either hand, posting up a smaller defender or getting to the free throw line by creating contact. He is difficult to guard in the half court and impossible to guard in the full court when he has a head of steam. 

A big-time scorer. Who scores with ease over and around defenders. Does it all with the ball in his hands. He can post-up with his size/strength. Drives to basket and has an uncanny ability to finish with either hand. In transition, he can handle the break and score or fill the lane and finish. He can shoot it well from mid-range 15', his 3pt shot needs work. At the present time, he is not a great shooter but certainly makes shots. A dynamic scorer with the ball in his hands, he must learn how to play off the ball. (Spacing the floor, screening, and cutting).  He has great size and length for a guard (strong with long arms). Not explosive going to the basket but an extremely effective first step. He changes speeds/direction well with the ball and puts the defender off balance. 

With these four horsemen in the stable and big-time wing KJ Evans (6’7) the perimeter is on lock – they will be the one’s carrying the water, getting the headlines and taking the shots.