DMV Stags' Barry Evans flies to the rim against Team Olney. [KENT EDWARDS]
CAPITOL HEIGHTS, MD - The second week of the DMVelite Varsity League took place last Saturday and Sunday (January 23-24) at The Campus (1000 Hampton Park Blvd, Capitol Heights, MD).
Here’s a look at the standouts from an action-packed Week 2:
ANTWAN SMALLWOOD JR., ALLENTOWN PRESSURE 2021 GUARD
Smallwood, Jr. had the biggest offensive game of Week 2, pouring in 26 points to help carry the Pressure back from a 15-point second half deficit to edge Team Vito Black 52-51 on Saturday.
“I was just trusting my teammates, man,” Smallwood said. “They were getting me open and we were communicating. It was hard, but we worked it out with communication and it helped us get the victory.”
A 6-foot-1, 165-pound lefty from Friendly (Md.), Smallwood scored 15 of his points in the second half, and displayed a nice arsenal of jumpers, knocking down tough shots off the dribble and the catch. He was particularly lethal from mid-range.
“I’ve worked on it all summer,” Smallwood said of his offensive touch. “My Coach just tells me to keep shooting and it’ll go in sooner or later.”
Smallwood said Division III Stevenson (Md.) has been recruiting him the hardest so far.
KENTON KING, DC EAGLES 2021 WING
The Archbishop Carroll (DC) 2021 wing had another stellar week, averaging 18.5 points per game in a pair of blowout victories over We R1 and Chevy Chase Cougars. His blend of size, speed and strength has been a nightmare for opposing defenders.
KRIS KING, DC EAGLES 2021 WING
King averaged 13 points per game in easy victories over We R1 and Chevy Chase Cougars. He sees the entire floor well and did an excellent job of distributing.
GALVIN WALSH, DMV STAGS ELITE 2022 FORWARD
The 6-foot-7, 220-pound Walsh has an intriguing blend of size, strength and athleticism, which was on display as he posted 10 points and 8 rebounds in a 52-35 win over Team Olney.
“I think my versatility [is my biggest strength],” Walsh said. “I’m pretty tall and lengthy, and I can rebound and play down low but I can also shoot the ball. So I think my versatility helps.”
Walsh - who also carried a 3.8 grade point average - said he’s been hearing mostly from Princeton and Lehigh.
BARRY EVANS, DMV STAGS ELITE 2021 WING
Evans’ progression and improvement continues, and he’s looked more and more effective in a point forward role. He posted 10 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds in a 52-35 win over Team Olney on Sunday.
At 6-foot-7 and 190 pound he has great size on the perimeter. He makes his teammates better, and is effective scoring in the paint and in transition. He’s still improving as a shooter, but is an intriguing player who has gradually improved. D1 schools looking for a versatile player should take a long look.
Evans said he’s recently heard from Marist, New Mexico State, Towson and Division II Slippery Rock.
BANKEYS OMARI, DMV STAGS 2022 GUARD
A consistent performer in our events over the last 5 months, Omari has proven to be a reliable scorer in the paint and a capable outside shooter. Somewhat undersized to be a full time shooting guard, he will need to further develop his floor general skills to reach his potential.
SHAQ SAMUELS, UNKNOWN TALENT 2022 WING
Shaq has a smooth game and had several acrobatic finishes at the rim in a 38-32 Saturday morning win over Brothers United. He finished with a game-high 14 points.
REIS JONES, WDBA 2022 FORWARD
Jones was active early on both ends of the floor while tallying 12 points in a 40-23 win over Edge Bulldogs. The 6-foot-8, 210-pounder has great size and moves very well while displaying a soft touch. His face up game is improving, and he’s on track to be one of the best post prospects in the area 2022 class.
MATTHEW GRAY, WDBA 2022 GUARD
Gray turned in another strong performance, posting 16 points in a 40-23 Sunday evening win against Edge Bulldogs. Gray makes good use of his size and speed on the perimeter, and does a nice job of attacking and finishing.
MIKE AIKEN, ACE 2021 GUARD
Following an impressive Week 1 performance, Aiken continued his stellar play, posting 19 points in a 49-40 win over Team MD Stars on Saturday morning. The dynamic guard scores it, makes his teammates better, defends at a high level and hits shots from the perimeter. The Thurgood Marshall (DC) star should be mentioned with the top guards in the DMV.
JASIR TREMBLE, ACE 2021 GUARD
Tremble broke out as a junior at Theodore Roosevelt (DC) last season, leading the Rough Riders in scoring as they won the DCIAA championship.
His scoring prowess was on display in his ACE debut Saturday, as he posted 19 points, tying Aiken for game-high honors. 12 of those points came after halftime to help secure the victory.
JAYLEN HALL, NEW HOPE 2022 GUARD
Hall started slow but exploded for 17 of his game-high 19 points in the second half of a loss to Lanham Christian on Saturday. He added 18 points in a win over Germantown Basketball Club on Sunday.
AIDEN HARRIS, RUNNIN MAVERICKS 2023 WING
Harris showed more of his playmaking ability and also some hit some very tough shots out of isolation situations.
JACK WEISS & MATT WINTER, M.A.D.E. HOOPS
It was hard to give individual standouts to any of the MADE players as the whole team was more than deserving. Jack and Matt ran the Princeton offense to perfection. MADE plays a beautiful brand of basketball, with everyone participating in the action.
BRIAN AYAFOR, DMV SPORTS ACADEMY 2021 FORWARD
The 6-foot-4, 200-pound Ayafor is athletic and relentless going to the basket. He had several above the rim finishes and a highlight windmill dunk in a 33-27 win over the Runnin’ Mavs.
Ayafor transferred from Blake (Md.) to Rock Creek Christian (Md.) in the fall, and has enjoyed several strong outings with his new team.
“It was a good opportunity to get some playing in, because Montgomery County schools weren’t going to get to play,” he said. “After that happened, I realized I’d have to transfer into a private school to get some playing time, so that’s what I did. I met some players at a workout and Coach Marcus [Chester] helped me get in touch with Coach Laf [Dublin] and then we made the transfer happen.”
So far, so good for Ayafor, who is hoping his production will help attract the attention of college recruiters.
“I think I play good defense, and I consider myself a good shooter,” Ayafor said. “I can take it to the rack, and I can play whatever position the coach needs me to play.”
MACHI CHESTER, DMV SPORTS ACADEMY 2024 GUARD
A young guard with a very confident approach to the game. Chester is able to get to where he wants to get, and has a good understanding of how to operate out of the screen and roll.
JAMAL UKAEGBU, TEAM VITO BLACK 2021 WING
Ukaegbu was electrifying in a Saturday afternoon game vs Allentown Pressure. Super athletic and gets to the rim with ease. If it weren’t for the pandemic cancelling the season in Montgomery County, he would have been primed for a breakout season.
AMIR GRAY, DC TIGERS GUARD
Gray is a high energy guard who plays hard on both sides of the ball. He scores it well off the dribble and is very active on defense. What was most impressive about him may have been how much he encouraged his teammates. He’s a high leadership guy who impacts winning in many ways.
ADDITIONAL BOYS STANDOUTS
Nasir Best, DC Evolution 2021 Guard
Elisha Brown, Lanham Christian 2021 Forward
Zay Brown, DC Evolution 2021 Guard
Darren Buchanan, DC Evolution 2022 Wing
Alex Clarke, Germantown Basketball Club 2022 Guard
Kevon Corley, DMV Sports Academy 2021 Wing
Mondahle Daniels, Allentown Pressure 2021 Forward
Brock Davis, Team Olney
Devon Hill, Brothers United 2021 Forward
Jeff Jennings, Allentown Pressure 2021 Guard
Kris King, DC Eagles 2021 Wing
Serigne Koite 3Di Athletics 2022
Maurice Johnson, DMV T-Wolves 2021 Guard
Ralph Martino, Jr., New Hope 2022 Wing
PJ Moise, Germantown Basketball Club 2022 Guard
Dalmar Payne DC Pirates 2021 Guard
Abdou Samb, ECA Warriors 2021 Forward
Marcos Simms, Team Vito Black 2022 Guard
Yaquin Stanton, DC Eagles 2021 Wing
Michael Teal, Lanham Christian 2021 Guard
Daouda Traore, 3Di Athletics 2023
Cortez Whitney, Team Vito Black 2022 Wing
GIRLS STANDOUTS
MILAN BROWN, TEAM THRILL
In Week 2, Brown's high energy and defensive ability were on full display. She ran the floor, disrupted her opponents on defense and ran down loose balls. She tallied 26 points in two games - including 17 in a 37-29 win over Game Time Elite - and is currently averaging 15.5 per game.
TAYLOR ALLEN, TEAM THRILL
Allen is a patient and poised guard that makes smart plays on the offensive end. She totaled 10 points in 2 games.
GAME TIME ELITE MAKES STRIDES
This team has made tremendous progress just after one week. In Week 2, the team was led by Aliyah Peeples, London Gray and Beulah Odiong. Peeples, just a 9th grader, likes to attack the basket and rebound, tallying 16 points and 11 boards in three games. Gray is a strong post player that defends and rebounds. She gets it done on the offensive end, too, collecting 27 points in 3 games. Last but not least, Odiong is a long 6-foot-3 post player who likes to play with her back to the basket but will also pop to the high post and shoot a 15-footer.
MADISYN MOORE, TEAM EXCEL
A 9th grade guard with impressive handle. She shoots the ball well from anywhere and attacks the basket. Moore had a quiet 10 points this weekend against Game Time.
CALY CAGE, TEAM EXCEL
Versatile point guard that can shoot the 3, get to the rim and finish. Cage sees the floor and handles the ball well under pressure. Currently averaging 10pints.
ADDITIONAL GIRLS STANDOUTS
Amaya Durrett, Team Thrill Red
Nasia Hart, Team Thrill Red
Jenesis Massenburg, Team Excel
