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2022 DMV Live Session I Notebook

By Marcus Helton, 06/23/22, 10:00AM EDT

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Session I of DMV Live at DeMatha was loaded as usual.

HYATTSVILLE - Session I of the 2022 DMV Live At DeMatha was a star-studded affair, with many of the area’s top players taking advantage of the chance to perform in front of college coaches alongside their high school teammates.

“It means a lot,” Glenelg Country (MD) star Drew McKenna said of the opportunity. “I go to school with these guys, so we have really good chemistry. So I just love being out here with my high school team and showcasing our talents in front of the coaches, and they make me look better because they know my strengths too.”

McKenna was one of several area standouts who had big weekends at DeMatha, which also saw some talented newcomers make their high school debuts.

Here’s a look at some of the top performers I saw at this year’s first session. (Just a heads up: I stayed all day Saturday and only saw part of Sunday, so this won’t be a fully- comprehensive list of every player who played well at the event - just the ones I saw.)

JAMIE KAISER, BISHOP IRETON (VA) 2023 WING

There’s been no hotter/faster-rising prospect than Kaiser over the past two months, and he showed why with a dominating display at DeMatha over the weekend.

Kaiser averaged 25.8 points per game - good for second in the event - including outings of 33 and 31 in the two games I saw on Saturday against Flint Hill and St. James, respectively. Overall, the Cardinals went a perfect 4-0 on the weekend.

The 6-foot-6 Kaiser has seen his recruitment explode this spring and summer, with scholarship offers rolling in seemingly every other day. He named a Top 9 of Boston College, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Miami, Virginia, Wake Forest, West Virginia and Wisconsin in early June, but has picked up recent offers from Stanford and UCLA.

“It’s been really exciting,” Kaiser said of his recruitment, “because I mean I was optimistic, but I didn’t really know what was going to happen, to be honest with you. I was sniffing a single Power 5 [offer], a big school, just to reassure myself that I was good enough. But then I stayed confident, trusted my work and things just blew up. I’m so excited, and it's just glory to God.”

Kaiser put together a pretty extensive highlight reel at DeMatha as he sprinted the floor for dunks, hit 3’s and overpowered defenders on his way to the basket. I pointed out that he looked to be playing more loose and free since the last time I saw him with New World AAU, and he agreed.

“It's not like there was ever pressure,” he said, “but I just feel a little bit more relaxed, especially with the team we’ve got this year as opposed to the team we had in the winter. We’re a lot better and we play faster. I just feel like my game plays better with these guys; I like to run the floor and get out and get dunks, spot up for 3’s, get rebounds and chuck it up the court. That’s real fun, and I’m playing relaxed and having fun.”

Kaiser’s recruitment started to pick up after he announced in April that he’d be giving up football - a sport he also had Power 5 offers in as a quarterback - to focus on basketball. The shift has led to physical changes as well, as he said he’s slimmed down from 215 pounds to the 195-200 range under a revamped training regimen.

“Instead of more olympic lifts like squats, deadlifts, cleans, it’s more like isometrics,” he said. “Pushups, situps, pull-ups, some trap bar stuff and a lot more running.”

When it comes to his recruitment, Kaiser is taking time to consider all options, and he knows exactly what he’s looking for.

“I really want to play right away,” he said. “I’m just one of those guys that likes to compete and I just can’t sit there, so I want to go to a place where I’m going to be able to play right away and contribute to a winner. And I just want to have a really good relationship with the coaches because some of them, they stack talent and they’ll feed you a line, so I just really try to weed that out.”

SILAS DEVONISH, BISHOP IRETON (VA) 2026 GUARD

I’d seen a lot of Devonish on the travel circuit, and was eager to see how he’d look at the varsity level. I didn’t have to wait long.

Devonish was solid in two games Saturday, scoring 11 and 12, respectively, with a combined 5 assists to two turnovers. But he absolutely went off on Sunday, pouring in 31 points on 12-of-18 shooting - including 5-of-9 from 3-point range - as the Cardinals closed Session I with an 83-77 win over Bishop Walsh. He averaged 16.3 points per game for the weekend.


The younger brother of former Bladensburg & Wise standout and Morgan State guard Sherwyn Devonish, the 5-foot-9 Ireton guard is quick, tough and absolutely fearless. He’s going to be a fun one to watch develop in the next few years.

QUINT BOOKER, BISHOP IRETON (VA) 2023 GUARD

Booker was solid and productive all weekend, averaging 13.5 points per game to help the Cardinals go undefeated. He made an even bigger impact on the defensive end, finishing fifth among all players in steals at 3 per game.

The 6-foot-3 guard does a little bit of everything - he added 4.8 rebounds and 2 assists per game - and is the quintessential glue guy.

JADEN JOHNSON, BISHOP MCNAMARA (MD) 2023 GUARD

Johnson was having a great junior season before suffering a broken foot in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference playoffs that forced him to miss the team’s title game appearance.

Now back fully healthy, he’s eager to pick up where he left off.

“I’ve officially been cleared for the last two weeks,” he said after a win over Landon Saturday, “but prior to that I’ve probably been in therapy for about a month or so, just rehabbing and making sure I’m coming back for this live period. It felt amazing to be back out. I didn’t have anything wrong; it felt great getting up and down the court and it just felt amazing being back out there with my guys.”

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Johnson averaged 12 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game as the Mustangs went 3-1 at Session I, showing they still have the talent to be a contender despite the graduation of star big man Favour Aire (Miami).

“The expectations are very high, especially coming off that championship run,” Johnson said. “We expect nothing less this year. We expect to come back with that same intensity, and we are looking to make it back to the championship, truth be told.”

MARTIN SOMERVILLE, BISHOP MCNAMARA (MD) 2024 GUARD

Somerville arrived at McNamara last year from Georgetown Prep and carved out a role as a key contributor as the season progressed.

“When I came, Coach [Marty Keithline] was, like, super adamant that if you're a hard worker, you're going to play,” Somerville recalled. “So, show him the little things and he’ll give you a chance to play on the floor and you’ll get more minutes. So I came in and I knew a couple of guys but I didn’t really know anybody, but within a couple of weeks I felt like I could contribute to the team. It was just a month in and slowly my time increased and I knew in practice that I could really help the team out.”

This year he’ll be looking to expand his role even further, and he got off to a good start at DeMatha, averaging 12.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game. He had 17 and went 5-of-8 from 3-point range in a 75-64 win over Landon on Saturday, adding 8 rebounds as well.

“I think we're the best team in the area, just off of chemistry,” Somerville said. “Everybody says we lose Favour [Aire] and we’re down, but I still feel like our core guys - even last year - we jell together and we play really well together. So our expectations are to win the WCAC. We didn’t do what it takes last year, but now we have a taste, so we’re going to come back this year. My role is just to play defense and help the other guys and build confidence that we can score the ball together and win as a team.”

JEREMIAH QUIGLEY, BISHOP MCNAMARA (MD) 2023 GUARD

Quigley enjoyed a breakout junior campaign after transferring to McNamara from DeMatha last year, and was a key piece in the Mustangs’ runner-up finish in the WCAC.

“I love being back out here,” he said of being back on the floor with his McNamara teammates Saturday. “I love the team, I love the culture, and I just love McNamara and how we play.”

Quigley averaged 14.5 points per game in Session I. For his final season, he’s hoping to leave a lasting mark on the McNamara program, which fell agonizingly short of its first WCAC title since 1995.

“I think [getting there]  was very big because this year we’ve got a ceiling for ourselves,” Quigley said. “Since we made it last year, I think we can do better things this year.”

Quigley has offers from NJIT, Radford and UMBC, along with interest from several other mid and low major programs. He said he’s aiming to commit after Peach Jam.

ADAM OUMIDDOCH, BISHOP O’CONNELL (VA) 2026 GUARD

JASIAH CANNADY, BISHOP O’CONNELL (VA) 2026 GUARD


O’Connell coach Joe Wootten told me Saturday this may be the best freshman class he’s ever had, and it’s easy to see why with Oumiddoch and Cannady leading the way.

Oumiddoch averaged 16 points per game and displayed the ability to score in a multitude of ways, and also showed he could contribute on the boards and defensively when his shot wasn’t falling.

The 6-foot Cannady showed great feel for the game for a player so young, finishing with 13 points per game to help the Knights go 4-0 for the weekend.

The future is definitely bright in Arlington.

PATRICK O’BRIEN, BISHOP O’CONNELL (VA) 2023 FORWARD

The 6-foot-9 O’Brien was among the exodus leaving Highland School after the departure of coach Brian Hooker. Their loss is O’Connell’s gain, and he looks like he’ll be an immediate impact player for the Knights.

O’Brien averaged 9 points and 9 rebounds per game in Session I, and sealed a 50-48 win over DeMatha on Sunday with the go-ahead dunk in the final seconds.

KHANI ROOTHS, BISHOP WALSH (MD) 2024 WING

One of the area’s top 2024 prospects made his Bishop Walsh debut at DeMatha, and the former Georgetown Prep (MD) standout didn’t disappoint.

Rooths went for 16.3 points per game in Session I and showed improving touch from deep, going 7-of-14 from 3-point range. He led the Spartans in rebounds (9.3) and blocks (2.25) per game, and was active and engaged on both ends of the floor for his shorthanded squad, which only had seven players.

Norfolk State and South Florida were the latest schools to offer Rooths, joining an ever-growing list of suitors.

TJ ROBINSON, BISHOP WALSH (MD) 2024 GUARD

Saturday was my first time seeing Robinson since the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament, and I like him more and more with each viewing.

The 6-foot-2 Robinson excels at controlling a game and creating for both himself and others. He posted a team-high 17.3 points and 4.3 assists per game for the Spartans, highlighted by a 23-point, 7-assist effort in a 73-70 win over Bullis. He went for 28 and 5 in a loss to Bishop Ireton on Sunday.

The New Jersey native is one of the top floor generals in the 2024 class, and his recruitment should begin to reflect that soon.

DESHAWN HARRIS-SMITH, PAUL VI (VA) 2023 GUARD

One of the area’s top returning players has a bit of a new role this year as the primary ball handler, and so far it’s looking good.

The 6-foot-5 Harris-Smith averaged 14.3 points and 6.5 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game per game while running the point, using his size and strength to overwhelm defenders.

“I mean with [Michigan-bound] Dug [McDaniel] leaving, I had to step up and take more of a point guard role, because he was, like, more ball dominant last year,” Harris-Smith said. “So me just stepping up and taking more of that point guard role, I feel like it wasn’t a big adjustment to me - I feel like I was always an unselfish player looking for my teammates. So being on the ball and running point guard, I feel like that came natural to me. I’m always trying to get my teammates involved and find Darren his shot, Ben his shot, so it hasn’t been that much of an adjustment to me.”

PVI coach Glenn Farello has previously called Harris-Smith the team’s emotional leader, and this year he’ll be the veteran senior leader of the area’s most loaded team. The Panthers only graduated one starter - McDaniel - from last year’s WCAC Champion, Virginia Independent Schools Champion and Alhambra Catholic Invitational Runner-Up squads, and have added former Highland School 2024 standouts Isaiah Abraham and Pat Ngongba, along with a very talented freshman class.

“I feel like we’ve got one of the most talented PVI teams ever, but we’ve got to live up to our expectations,” Harris-Smith said. “We’ve got to be able to play together and bring all the talent together and play as one team. … As our chemistry gets better and as we start playing together, that’s just going to come with time.”

On the recruiting front, Harris-Smith said he’s been hearing from a variety of schools, including Butler, Penn State, Villanova, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Xavier. He said he plans to wait until after the second live period to set up some more visits and trim his list.

“I’m trying to have a great relationship with the coach like I do with Coach Farello,” he said. “I feel like me and him - I look to him as kind of a father figure, and I need that at the next level because that’s going to help me get to the NBA and that’s my ultimate dream. Player development is huge for me, because like I said, I want to get to the highest level and I know I have to be way more skilled than I am right now to get there. And also I don’t want to go too far away from home. I feel like my mom, my aunt and my sisters are my biggest supporters, so I want them at the game like they are right now. I feel like everybody can hear them screaming right now, so I want that at the next level. As long as I’m playing basketball, I want my family in there watching me.”

DARREN HARRIS, PAUL VI (VA) 2024 GUARD

Now healthy after a hand injury that ended his season in last year’s WCAC Playoffs, Harris is back to serve as the perimeter sniper that gives this loaded PVI squad yet another dimension.

He averaged 9.8 points per game for the weekend, highlighted by 17 points and four 3-pointers in a big win over St. Frances.

ISAIAH ABRAHAM, PAUL VI (VA) 2024 WING

Abraham didn’t put up big numbers (6.3 points, 2.5 rebounds) in his PVI debut, but it’ll honestly be tough for anyone to put up big numbers on a squad so talented. The Panthers have multiple players capable of dominating on a given night, and Abraham is one of the most intriguing.

The explosive 6-foot-6 Abraham is a highlight waiting to happen in the open court, and gives the Panthers a level of athleticism on the wing that few can match. Look for him to make a big impact as he gets more comfortable, and adds to a list of scholarship offers that currently includes George Mason, Georgetown, Kansas State, Maryland and Virginia Tech.

GIBRALTAR COLEMAN, FLINT HILL (VA) 2023 FORWARD

The 6-foot-6, 215 pound Coleman presents matchup problems for defenders all over the court, with his blend of size and outside shooting touch.

“I think I’m a good attacker and I can get to the rim,” he said. “I can play with my back to the basket and then once I do that, my defenders will give me a little space and once they give me that spaceI can knock it down.”

Coleman had that on display in Session I, averaging 20 points per game for the Huskies. It was the kind of production that has become common for him this spring and summer, as he’s also put together a pair of 40-point games in the Capitol Hoops Summer League at DeMatha.

Now heading into his second season with Flint Hill after starting his career at West Springfield (Va.), Coleman is embracing an expanded role as a scorer and a team leader.

“Going into this new year I’ve got to step up and be the leader and be the voice,” Coleman said. “I’ve got to fill that position and everybody sees me as a leader, but I’ve still got to do a better job of stepping into that role being a bigger voice. It feels great because I feel like I’ve been putting in the work for it.”

Coleman picked up his first Division I scholarship offer on Wednesday, from South Carolina-Upstate.

DREW MCKENNA, GLENELG COUNTRY (MD) 2024 WING

Few players made scoring look more effortless than McKenna, who averaged 19.8 points per game while shooting an absurd 75 percent (30-of-40) from the field as the Dragons went a perfect 4-0.

“[I’m just] Getting to my spots and just keeping it simple,” he said Saturday. “But Coach [Garrett] O’Donnell does a really good job with making it simple for me. He’s been really emphasizing me running the floor. Last weekend I didn’t shoot too efficiently, actually - less efficient than I usually shoot - and he just told me to run the floor and my guards would get me the ball in easy spots. So it’s been a lot easier this weekend.”

The 6-foot-8, 193 pound McKenna picked up offers from DePaul, East Carolina, Maryland and Rutgers in the past week, joining a list that includes Georgetown, Illinois and Virginia Tech. He said Butler, Florida State and Xavier have also been in contact.

“[I’m looking for] Just if it’s a home, because I’m about to be there more than I’m home,” he said of his college choice. “So, I’m just looking for a good place that fits me.”

KAMAL FRANCIS, GLENELG COUNTRY (MD) 2023 GUARD

Francis may not garner a ton of attention and his stats from the weekend won’t leap off the page at you, but he’s the kind of player who contributes to winning basketball games.

One of the 6-foot-1, 165-pound guard’s biggest contributions of the weekend came on the defensive end, as he stepped in to draw the game-deciding charge in the final seconds of a 57-56 win over Mount Zion on Saturday.

“I was supposed to be guarding [MZP guard Logan Suber] and he had cut to the basket,” Francis recalled. “I saw the other defender blow past my man and I was already in the middle, so I took the charge [from Mt. Zion’s 6-8 Lynn King], and I knew it was going to be a charge because I was in there for about 3 or 4 seconds. So I took it and instead of an And 1 we got the ball back and we ended up winning the game.”

The play was one that has become a specialty of sorts for Francis.

“I have the most charges taken on the team, it’s something I’ve been doing for a long time,” he said. “My Dad has taught me to take charges, and  charges are a big swing in momentum and a skill that can really change the game.”

Francis has good vision and consistently puts his teammates in good scoring positions. In addition to his work on the floor, he’s also embraced his role as a team leader.

“It’s a lot of responsibility,” he said, “but I’ve been here for four years and I’ve seen the leaders come and go, and I’ve learned from them. It’s not about saying what to do, it's explaining how to do it; you shouldn’t be yelling at everybody and you’ve got to tell people things in different ways. That’s what a leader does - a leader leads by example, not by demanding.”

CADEN DIGGS, BULLIS (MD) 2024 WING

A transfer from St. Albans (DC), Diggs is already looking comfortable with his new squad, posting 11 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the weekend as the Bulldogs earned a 2-2 split.

“It’s been great, getting used to the new concepts with our offense and defense,” Diggs said Saturday. “I feel like I fit in really well.”

Diggs definitely took advantage of the chance to perform in front of college coaches, picking up offers from Fairfield, George Washington and South Florida in the past week.

“It’s been really good,” he said of the experience. “I never experienced the [High school] Live before, and it's unreal.”

JADEN WINSTON, DEMATHA (MD) 2023 GUARD

Following the graduations of stars Rodney Rice (Virginia Tech) and Tyrell Ward (LSU) and the transfer of promising 2024 AJ Swinton (Oak Hill), Winston is the top returning player in the Stags backcourt, and looks ready to leave a stamp with his toughness and leadership.

Winston had 9 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists, and came up with some big defensive plays late in a 48-45 win over Archbishop Spalding on Saturday. He averaged 12.5 points, 2.75 assists and 1.5 steals per game for the weekend.

The 5-foot-11 Winston is quick, smart and sees the whole floor well. He’s definitely undervalued in the local 2023 class, and should  see his recruitment start to pick up soon.

KADE SEBASTIAN, DEMATHA (MD) 2025 WING

A transfer from Champe (Va.), Sebastian has been an immediate rotation player for the Stags, making an impact with his shooting ability. 

“It’s good,” he said of the transition. “My teammates are welcoming me in and they’re really good guys and good to play with.”

The 6-foot-3, 165 pounder had 11 points and went 3-of-5 from 3-point range in a 48-45 win over Archbishop Spalding Saturday in his first high school live period game.

“It’s really good,” he said. “There’s tons of college coaches - I mean, there’s a lot more than [in events] I’ve been too before, but I’ve just got to go out and do my thing.”

MASON SO, DEMATHA (MD) 2023 GUARD

Another DeMatha newcomer, So arrived from St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes along with former Saints coach Mike Jones.

“It’s been going pretty smooth,” he said of his acclimation. “It's some adjusting to get used to the players and stuff, but it's been going pretty smooth overall. [Knowing Coach Jones] helped a lot. I already know most of the plays and all that, so I can help the other guys learn them too, so that’s been good.”

The 6-foot-2 So didn’t shoot up to his usual level over the weekend, but still managed 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Towson offered on Monday, joining a list that includes Binghamton, George Mason, Lehigh, Loyola, Mount St. Mary’s and UMBC, among others.

“I’m going to start narrowing it down after the high school live period, so that’s pretty soon,” he said. “We’ll see if I get anything coming out of it - hopefully I do - and then I’ll narrow it down. … I just want to go somewhere where I feel wanted, and I have a great relationship with the coaching staff.”

TYLER PERKINS, LANDON (MD) 2023 GUARD

The Bears ended with three tough losses after an opening victory that saw Perkins drop an event-high 37 points, but he spent the weekend doing a little bit of everything to try and help them pull out a win.

The versatile 6-foot-4 Perkins averaged a Session I-leading 26.3 points per game, but he wasn’t all about just scoring, adding 9.8 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.3 assists per game.

Brown, Cornell, Loyola, Navy, Towson and UMass Lowell have all extended scholarship offers since last Friday, and that list is certain to keep growing.

CONNOR DUBSKY, PUTNAM SCIENCE (CT) 2023 GUARD

DMV Live Session I proved to be Dubsky’s area swan song, as he announced on Monday that he’d be transferring from St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.) to Putnam Science for his senior season.

He went out with a bang in his final games as a Saint, averaging 19 points per game while helping the team go 3-1.

Dubsky has seen his recruitment pick up steam following a breakout junior season and strong play with Prospect U AAU. George Mason, George Washington, Kansas State, Rice, Rhode Island, Towson and Wichita State are among his offers in the past week, and Putnam Science has a good track record with DMV products, so he’s sure to add to that list.

LUKE BAMGBOYE, MOUNT CARMEL (MD) 2024 CENTER

The 6-foot-10 Bamgboye is athletic with good feel in the paint, whether he’s finishing on offense or blocking shots on the other end.

I watched him put up 23 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks in a 65-50 win over Fairfax Christian on Saturday, and it felt like that block number may have been low. Overall, he finished with 15 points, 5.5 rebounds and a Session-leading 4.5 blocked shots per game.

Arizona State and VCU offered Bamgboye after his performance at DMV Live, joining previous offers from Houston, Kansas State, Marquette and Maryland.

AMANI HANSBERRY, MOUNT ST. JOSEPH (MD) 2023 FORWARD

The 6-foot-7 Hansberry is a walking double-double, and stayed true to form while averaging 15.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.75 assists per game at Session I.

I saw him post 18 points and 10 rebounds to keep the Gaels in it against PVI, and watched him follow up with another 18 and 10 in a win over Georgetown Prep.

Hansberry’s combo of size, offensive skill, rebounding prowess and passing ability is tantalizing, and Xavier is the latest program to offer.

LYNN KING III, MOUNT ZION PREP (MD) 2024 FORWARD

The 6-foot-8 King impressed me in a tough 57-56 loss to Glenelg Country on Saturday, finishing with a team-high 15 points. He’s got nice size and athleticism, and looked good attacking the basket. He picked up an offer from Bethune-Cookman (FL) on Monday.

CARLTON CARRINGTON, ST. FRANCES (MD) 2023 GUARD

I only saw one of St. Frances' four games for the weekend, seeing the Panthers fall 58-51 to DeMatha on Sunday. 

A recent Pitt commit,  Carrington finished with a team-high 18 to lead St. Frances, while also grabbing 6 rebounds and blocking 4 shots.  His range and versatility are his biggest assets, and he showed them in that game.

AIDAN HARRIS, ST. MARY’S ANNAPOLIS (MD) 2023 WING

Harris was extremely productive, finishing as Session I’s third-highest scorer at 23 points per game and the event’s leading rebounder at 13.3 per game.

The 6-foot-7 Harris opened with 24 points and 14 boards in a win over John Carroll and closed with a monster 24-point, 20-rebound performance in a 78-46 win over McDonogh on Sunday.

Division II Millersville (Pa.) offered Harris, who would only see his stock continue to rise.

CAMERON COLE, ST. JAMES (MD) 2023 GUARD

After a breakout junior season at Highland School (VA), Cole is on the move along with several other Hawk standouts - Isaiah Abraham (PVI), Pat Ngongba (PVI) and Pat O’Brien -  (O’Connell) following the departure of their coach.

“Coach [Brian] Hooker at Highland, he gave me the keys to and let me run the ship, basically,” Cole said of his junior campaign. “So I was playing with a lot of good players: Isaiah Abraham, Pat Ngongba, Pat O’Brien. I had a lot of good players around me, so he definitely gave me the tools, and a Division I school, basically, is what it felt like to play with them.”

The 6-foot-2, 165 pound Cole looked good in his St. James debut - he’s a longtime friend and former Osbourn Park (Va.) teammate of St. James star wing Jayden Ross -  averaging 10 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2 assists per game. I watched him go for 15 points in a loss to Bishop Ireton, using his shiftiness to keep defenders off balance.

“I like to push the ball,” he said. “I think my speed is definitely the strength of my game, but also another thing is my defense. I’ve got a little sneaky athleticism to me and I can use that to guard multiple positions. That’s something I definitely think I can be valuable for.”

JAYDEN ROSS, ST. JAMES (MD) 2023 WING

I first saw Ross when he was a 6-foot freshman guard at Osbourn Park (Va.), and have watched him develop into one of the more intriguing prospects in the 2023 class, with his blend of size (6-foot-7, 183 pounds), athleticism and scoring ability.

Ross hasn’t even scratched the surface of his potential, and holds offers from Connecticut, George Mason, Penn State, Temple and Virginia Tech, among others.

“It's a great opportunity to be in the position I’m in,” he said. “I probably have about six or seven schools recruiting me real hard right now. I’m at about 10 offers right now - hopefully I can maybe pick up a few more this weekend, but we’ll see how that goes. But it's been going pretty well, just to see where I was, like, a year or two ago, I’m nowhere near it.”

Ross averaged 13.3 points and  5.3 rebounds per game for the weekend, and had a team-high 18 points in a loss to Bishop Ireton on Saturday. He’ll be the focus of even more defensive attention this year following the transfer of the team’s other top prospect Solomon Ball to Brewster Academy (CT).

Ross hasn’t set a timetable for his commitment, but knows what he’s looking for in a program.

“Just coaches that believe in me and see my potential,” he said. “Development is definitely a key thing, and then also [the chance] to play at a pretty high level. And then being close to the coaches and the players.  I feel like the connection to the head coach - not just the assistant coach who is normally recruiting you - is a great thing as well.”

MALIK WASHINGTON, ARCHBISHOP SPALDING (MD) 2025 WING

Washington immediately caught my eye with his athleticism and production in a tough loss to DeMatha on Saturday.

I quickly learned he was a bonafide D-I football prospect with offers to play quarterback from Maryland, Penn State and Virginia Tech, so I honestly debated whether or not to talk to him about his potential on the hardwood. After what he did to the Stags, though, I had to.

The 6-foot-5, 200-pound Washington went for 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting with several emphatic dunks, knocked down a 3 and had 3 steals as the Cavaliers fell late, 48-45.

“Football’s really my main sport,” Washington said. “I just come out here for fun and to stay in shape, for real”

Washington was a freshman on Spalding’s senior-laden squad last year, and should play a big role this year as one of the few returnees.  He averaged 8 points and 4 rebounds per game in Session I.

“I definitely talk to my team - that leadership quality that I’ve got, I think is pretty good,” he said of his strengths. “And I attack the basket pretty well. I feel like nobody can really stop me when I try and get to the basket.”

ADDITIONAL STANDOUTS I SAW SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Austin Abrams, Mount St. Joseph (MD) 2023 Guard
Zane Adnan, Bullis (MD) 2023 Guard
Dionte Alexander, St. Maria Goretti (MD) 2023 Guard
David Amoakohene, Takoma Academy (MD) 2023 Forward
Joe Baldwin, Fairfax Christian (VA) 2023 Wing
Marcus Banks, Riverdale Baptist (MD) 2023 Guard
Jeannot Basima, John Carroll (MD) 2023 Guard
Doyle Brown, Flint Hill (VA) 2024 Guard
Lee Bruner, Georgetown Prep (MD) 2024 Guard
Corey Chesley, Good Counsel (MD) 2023 Guard
Dorian Credle, Takoma Academy (MD) 2023 Guard
Patrick Curtin, Glenelg Country (MD) 2025 Guard
Andrew Dixon, Mount Carmel (MD) 2024 Guard
Jeff Exinor, McDonogh (MD) 2025 Wing
O’ Marion Ferguson, Episcopal (VA) 2024 Wing
Anthony Fontaine, The Heights (MD) 2024 Guard
Jovani Galarza, Fairfax Christian (VA) 2023 Guard
ReJuan Gray, Takoma Academy (MD) 2023 Forward
Christian Gurdak, Paul VI (VA) 2025 Center
Jamari Hadnet, Bishop Ireton (VA) 2024 Guard
Ben Hammond, Paul VI (VA) 2024 Guard
James Hans, Rock Creek Green (MD) 2024 Guard
Corwin Holland, Rock Creek Green (MD) 2024 Guard
Tyler Jackson, St. Frances (MD) 2025 Guard
CJ Johnson, Episcopal (VA) 2023 Guard
Jhace Johnson, Takoma Academy (MD) 2023 Guard
Makhi Johnson, Bishop Ireton (VA) 2024 Guard
Ashton Kendall, McDonogh (MD) 2024 Guard
Goap Kodi, Georgetown Prep (MD) 2024 Forward
Jahnathan Lamothe, St. Frances (MD) 2023 Guard
Carter Lawrence, Potomac School (VA) 2023 Forward
Chase Lawton, Bishop McNamara (MD) 2023 Guard
Ajanoi Lomax, St. Mary’s Annapolis (MD) 2023 Guard
Frankie Mannino, Landon (MD) 2025 Guard
Kris Mickens, Fairfax Christian (VA) 2023 Guard
TJ Moultrie, Archbishop Spalding (MD) 2026 Guard
Blake Neal,St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (VA) 2024 Wing
Patrick Ngongba, Paul VI (VA) 2024 Forward
Nate Pabis, Flint Hill (VA) 2023 Guard
Noah Rogers, St. Mary’s Ryken (MD) 2024 Guard
Rex Romain, John Carroll (MD) 2023 Guard
Jacob Ross, St. James (MD) 2025 Guard
Reece Samuels, Riverdale Baptist (MD) 2023 Guard
Logan Suber, Mt. Zion Prep (MD) 2024 Guard
Garrett Sundra, Paul VI (VA) 2024 Forward
Andre Thomas, St. Mary’s Ryken (MD) 2024 Guard
Ace Valentine, Mount St. Joseph (MD) 2023 Guard
Connor Venable, The Heights (MD) 2023 Guard
Nick Viqueira, Bullis (MD) 2023 Guard
Khalil Williams, Potomac School (VA) 2023 Guard
Mike Williams, Bishop Walsh (MD) 2023 Guard
Wesley Williams, Fairfax Christian (VA) 2024 Guard
Bryson Wilson, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (VA) 2023 Guard
Grady Wolfe, St. Mary’s Annapolis (MD) 2023 Guard

NEWS

Commitments: Class of 2024

By Marcus Helton 03/28/2024, 11:15am EDT

The talented senior class is confirming plans for the next level.

Maryland Private School State Tourney Quarterfinals

By Marcus Helton 03/06/2024, 4:00pm EST

Four winners advanced to the semifinals.

Maryland Private School Tourney Second Round

By Marcus Helton 03/03/2024, 9:15am EST

St. Andrews, Mt. Zion Prep, Rock Creek Christian (White) and DeMatha moved on.

Maryland Private School Tourney Opening Round

By Marcus Helton 02/28/2024, 11:15pm EST

Lanham Christian, Severn and Riverdale Baptist picked up wins to advance.

Maryland Boys and Girls Private School Tourneys Set

By Marcus Helton 02/27/2024, 2:00pm EST

The second edition of the event tips off with an expanded boys field and an inaugural girls tournament.