By Josh Barr
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Summer basketball season is upon us, and for area players this is a crucial time not only to sharpen skills but also to enhance scholarship possibilities. It also allows fans to satisfy their basketball jones through the dog days. A look at the area's top leagues that involve county teams:
BOYS
The Rock Summer League
Where: High Point.
Teams: DeMatha, High Point, Laurel, Bishop McNamara, Oxon Hill, Pallotti, Riverdale Baptist, Eleanor Roosevelt, Blake, Boys' Latin, Bullis, Carroll, Einstein, Georgetown Prep, Cardinal Gibbons, Gonzaga, KIMA, Long Reach, Mount St. Joseph's, O'Connell, Paint Branch, Paul VI Catholic, Spalding, Springbrook and St. John's.
Games: Monday through Friday.
Admission: Free.
Kee p an eye on: a terrific mix of public and private school teams from throughout the Washington area, and even a few from Baltimore, in this traditionally strong league. It is an opportunity to see how the top teams from various leagues measure up against one another.
Among the county's public schools, watch rising seniors Sean Hawkins of Eleanor Roosevelt and Milade Lola-Charles of Laurel. The two post players are being recruited by several Division I colleges. Another potential top inside player is O'Connell 7-footer Zack Crimmins . Of course, DeMatha's Jerai Grant already is a proven commodity inside. Georgetown Prep guard Garvey Young , a rising junior, at times this past season seemed poised to emerging as a top prospect.
Scholastic Scout League
Where: St. Albans.
Teams: C.H. Flowers, Gwynn Park, Laurel, Anacostia, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Coolidge, Hayfield, Lake Braddock, Langley, Notre Dame, Potomac School, Quince Orchard, Robinson, St. Albans, St. Mary's Ryken, Sidwell Friends, Westfield, Whitman, Wilson and W.T. Woodson.
Games: Saturday and Sunday.
Admission: Free.
Keep an eye on: C.H. Flowers and Gwynn Park, who met in the Prince George's County championship game this past season but will both have to do major rebuilding to be ready for next season. Flowers returns only two varsity players from the best season in school history, guard Jordan Brooks and reserve forward Daniel Thompson . Gwynn Park must replace its entire starting lineup, including second-team All-Met guard Corey Allmond, guard Eric Vann, center Kelvin Jackson and forward Maurice Stallion. Though he cannot begin this summer, the Yellow Jackets also have a new coach, Mike Glick.
Summer league "is important, but you can only do so much because we're limited how much we can coach," Gwynn Park Coach George McClure said. "But it's more important this year than it was last year, I'll say that."
High Flight Summer League
Where: Bladensburg.
Teams: Bladensburg, Bowie, Crossland, DuVal, Fairmont Heights, Parkdale, Progressive Christian, Surrattsville, Anacostia and Lackey.
Games: Monday through Thursday.
Admission: $5.25.
Keep an eye on: Several teams that must find new leaders, and a new team that has burst onto the scene. Bowie, Crossland, Fairmont Heights and DuVal all must replace key players from winning seasons this past winter, and Progressive Christian in Temple Hills has emerged as a contender despite never having played a varsity game.
Progressive Christian is in the process of hiring Van Whitfield, the former coach at Southern Maryland Christian, who hopes to bring several players with him. The Conquerors won the Hoop Group HBC Regional Championship this past weekend, posting victories over Eleanor Roosevelt, Paul VI Catholic and Bishop McNamara.
Also watch out for host Bladensburg and guards John Kamara and Gerald Williams .
Falconers League
Where: Riverdale Baptist.
Teams: Central, Crossland, Fairmont Heights, Friendly, Gwynn Park, Largo, Northwestern, Riverdale Baptist, Dunbar, Theodore Roosevelt, Southern and H.D. Woodson.
Games: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Admission: Free.
Keep an eye on: The host team, Riverdale Baptist. The Crusaders have posted six consecutive seasons with at least 20 victories under Coach Lou Wilson, who hopes the past season's youthful team will develop in 2006-07 into one of the area's best. Riverdale expects four of its top five scorers to return: sophomore guard Chad Wilson , junior forward Matthew Graves , senior guard Aaron DeVane and senior forward Reggie Williams .
"We're going to continue to work on their skill development," said Coach Wilson, who is Chad's uncle. "Hopefully, they'll get better with their individual skills. We have a consistent program that we follow, and it's been working for us."
Riverdale entered this week 3-0 in the league. It has beaten St. John's and Georgetown Prep at the Rock Summer League.
Nike Pro City League
Where: McDonough Arena, Georgetown University.
Teams: DeMatha, Douglass, Largo, Bishop McNamara, National Christian, Blake, Carroll, Edison, Bishop Ireton, Flint Hill, Georgetown Prep, Gonzaga, O'Connell, Paul VI Catholic, Severna Park, Springbrook, St. Mary's Ryken, Thomas Stone, Westfield and T.C. Williams.
Games: Friday through Sunday.
Admission: Free.
Keep an eye on: The area's deepest league, with teams from all over the regional map. With Nike's sponsorship, the league attracted several top teams. DeMatha All-Met guard Austin Freeman gets an early glimpse of his future home, having already committed to play for Georgetown. Another top rising senior, National Christian center Anthony McClain , could also be bound for the Hoyas.
But the best player in the league might be Edison center Kene Obi , a 7-foot-2 Nigerian who arrived in the United States over the winter but did not play for the Eagles this past season. Edison beat DeMatha in overtime this past weekend.
GIRLS
Elite Girls Summer League
Where: Bishop McNamara.
Teams: Bowie, Bishop McNamara, C.H. Flowers, Friendly, Largo, National Christian, Oxon Hill, Potomac, Anacostia, Ballou, Carroll, Holy Cross, O'Connell, Wilson and H.D. Woodson.
Games: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Admission: Free.
Keep an eye on: Bishop McNamara. The Mustangs advanced to the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship game this past season but must replace their top three scorers: Paulisha Kellum, Jori Nwachukwu and Ashley Spriggs. The summer will be important for the team's rising juniors as they prepare to be leaders. As for known commodities, check out Largo's rising seniors: guards Brittany Hollins and Rachel Barnes and forward Ashleigh Lee . The three combined to average 40 points per game this past season.
Maryland-National Capital
Park & Planning Commission League
Where: Northwestern.
Teams: Bladensburg, C.H. Flowers, DuVal, High Point, Northwestern, Eleanor Roosevelt, Arundel, Broadneck, Paint Branch and Springbrook.
Games: Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Admission: Free.
Keep an eye on: Northwestern. Although Maryland 4A two-time defending champion Eleanor Roosevelt clearly has the star power even as it tries to replace All-Met center Selena Nwude, Northwestern could be on the verge of something good. In two seasons, Coach Walter Clark has built a contending team, and rising senior guards Kendall Shepard and Michelle Dearing give Northwestern a top-notch backcourt.
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