three game observations below:
Higher Level 67 Premier Athletics 65
Grayson Carter – 6’9”, 220 pound freshman forward, Georgetown, Higher Level – Had a respectable 18 points, including three, second half three pointers. Had several rebounds, though was not a force inside. Worked pick and pop a lot, his likely offensive utilization this season.
Denmark Slay – 6’0”, 180 pound sophomore point guard, High Point, Higher Level – Scored 10 points, the last two being huge; with the clock ticking under 10 seconds, Slay drove baseline, stopped, stepped back and smoothly sank the game winning basket. Slay is a battler.
Mezi Offurum – 6’7”, 220 pound freshman forward, GW, Higher Level – A newbie Colonial, Offurum looks like he will bring slashing, finishing and effort to GW’s attack this year. Can also sink spot up shots. Dropped 12 points. Must continue to let the game come to him, i.e. driving when available, shooting when an option, not forcing things. Also more rebounds would help what Offurum brings to table.
Antwan Walker – 6’8”, 220 pound sophomore forward, Georgetown, Premier Athletics – Again Walker is showing more hustle and impact, attacking the rim for boards, defending the paint and running the floor. Finished with 11 points, eight in a first half that included a few nice dimes, one being a spectacular half court helper.
Anthony Tate – 6’2”, 170 pound junior guard, Livingstone, Premier Athletics – Had just six points, yet still impacted the game via defense, hustle and ball handling. Increased strength would be a boon for Tate.
Clydes 81 Tombs 79
Josh LeBlanc – 6’6”, 225 pound freshman forward, Georgetown, Clydes – Again showed he impacts game on both ends of floor, as LeBlanc scored around the rim/finished, drove, defended, shared the game and competed, including going against and getting into a little incident with fellow Hoya frosh Akingo. Logged 12 points. It’s important LeBlanc continues to work on dribbling and shooting.
Will Jenkins – 6’7”, 215 pound junior forward, Virginia Union, Tombs – A tough and versatile player, Jenkins scored 15 points in the lane and from mid-range. Is willing to defend anyone of the court. Finishes hard. Jenkins’ handle could improve.
James Akinjo – 6’0”, 175 pound freshman point guard, Georgetown, Tombs – Scored 15 points, logged multiple dimes and led Tombs. Is proving himself a tough player willing to be a lead guard. Has to minimize his dribbles and accept coaching better, both will likely be achieved. Locked horns with LeBlanc.
McClinton All Stars 106 AWash 88
Anthony Cowan – 5’11”, 160 pound junior point guard, Maryland, McClinton All Stars – In a 23 point performance, Cowan scored, dished and led his team. Played both guard positions, sharing backcourt with likes of NBA guard Malcolm Brogdon and staying on the floor for virtually the entire game. A floater is still necessary for Cowan.
Darion Atkins – 6’8”, 220 pound forward, McClinton All Stars – Returning to the DMV after playing at Strausbourg in France, Atkins revealed himself a lean, mean frontcourt machine. Can shoot out to deep midrange well, rebounds, finishes, defends. Is a classy pro, one that will return overseas this season.
Malcom Brogdon – 6’4”, 210 pound guard, McClinton All Stars – Playing a secondary role didn’t mean Brogdon wasn’t impressive; the strong, smart and skilled NBA Milwuakee Buck did what he wanted to. Was on another level. Has clearly been pumping iron. Logged around 10 points.
Jamorko Pickett – 6’9”, 210 pound forward, AWash – Put up eight points, in what was not one of his best days. Seemed disinterested at times.
Bryant Crawford – 6’3”, 205 pound guard, AWash – Had a monster first half, eventually finishing with 20 points. A strong driver, Crawford must be more of a lead guard as opposed to a combo guy, one who could be a better shooter. Indicated he’s mulling/awaiting opportunities overseas or with the G-League.
Herard Schnider – 6’10”, 260 pound sophomore center, Maryland, AWash – Again Schnider, a Miss. State transfer that will be available to Maryland in January, finished around the rim, rebounded, blocked shots and was an interior presence. Scored six points. Has shown good footwork going over left shoulder, should develop a counter and mid-range shooting skill. Could shock many in the Terpdom.
Extras:
Day of injuries and absences
Missing from Saturday’s action was a quartet of future Hoyas, as seniors Kaleb Johnson and Trey Mourning, along with sophomore Jahvon Blair and freshman Mac McClung were all absent. Each is believed to be in good health.
That might not be the case for two former Hoyas; Jerome Williams left his Tombs game after scoring seven points after hurting his shoulder, while Rodney Pryor left in Clydes silks early, via a leg injury.
Team talk
After falling Sunday, a two loss that followed getting blasted 111-77 a day before, Premier Athletics had a team meeting, one in which coaches and players honestly dialogued. The 15 minute session had a number of themes, including “defense”, related “rotations” and the need to “play hard”.
What is the defending Kenner League champions’ team ethos?
That would be “playoff mode”. With the league ending regular season play this Saturday, it’s defending champion, Premier Athletics must secure wins and momentum if a repeat will occur.
Higher Level 67 Premier Athletics 65
Grayson Carter – 6’9”, 220 pound freshman forward, Georgetown, Higher Level – Had a respectable 18 points, including three, second half three pointers. Had several rebounds, though was not a force inside. Worked pick and pop a lot, his likely offensive utilization this season.
Denmark Slay – 6’0”, 180 pound sophomore point guard, High Point, Higher Level – Scored 10 points, the last two being huge; with the clock ticking under 10 seconds, Slay drove baseline, stopped, stepped back and smoothly sank the game winning basket. Slay is a battler.
Mezi Offurum – 6’7”, 220 pound freshman forward, GW, Higher Level – A newbie Colonial, Offurum looks like he will bring slashing, finishing and effort to GW’s attack this year. Can also sink spot up shots. Dropped 12 points. Must continue to let the game come to him, i.e. driving when available, shooting when an option, not forcing things. Also more rebounds would help what Offurum brings to table.
Antwan Walker – 6’8”, 220 pound sophomore forward, Georgetown, Premier Athletics – Again Walker is showing more hustle and impact, attacking the rim for boards, defending the paint and running the floor. Finished with 11 points, eight in a first half that included a few nice dimes, one being a spectacular half court helper.
Anthony Tate – 6’2”, 170 pound junior guard, Livingstone, Premier Athletics – Had just six points, yet still impacted the game via defense, hustle and ball handling. Increased strength would be a boon for Tate.
Clydes 81 Tombs 79
Josh LeBlanc – 6’6”, 225 pound freshman forward, Georgetown, Clydes – Again showed he impacts game on both ends of floor, as LeBlanc scored around the rim/finished, drove, defended, shared the game and competed, including going against and getting into a little incident with fellow Hoya frosh Akingo. Logged 12 points. It’s important LeBlanc continues to work on dribbling and shooting.
Will Jenkins – 6’7”, 215 pound junior forward, Virginia Union, Tombs – A tough and versatile player, Jenkins scored 15 points in the lane and from mid-range. Is willing to defend anyone of the court. Finishes hard. Jenkins’ handle could improve.
James Akinjo – 6’0”, 175 pound freshman point guard, Georgetown, Tombs – Scored 15 points, logged multiple dimes and led Tombs. Is proving himself a tough player willing to be a lead guard. Has to minimize his dribbles and accept coaching better, both will likely be achieved. Locked horns with LeBlanc.
McClinton All Stars 106 AWash 88
Anthony Cowan – 5’11”, 160 pound junior point guard, Maryland, McClinton All Stars – In a 23 point performance, Cowan scored, dished and led his team. Played both guard positions, sharing backcourt with likes of NBA guard Malcolm Brogdon and staying on the floor for virtually the entire game. A floater is still necessary for Cowan.
Darion Atkins – 6’8”, 220 pound forward, McClinton All Stars – Returning to the DMV after playing at Strausbourg in France, Atkins revealed himself a lean, mean frontcourt machine. Can shoot out to deep midrange well, rebounds, finishes, defends. Is a classy pro, one that will return overseas this season.
Malcom Brogdon – 6’4”, 210 pound guard, McClinton All Stars – Playing a secondary role didn’t mean Brogdon wasn’t impressive; the strong, smart and skilled NBA Milwuakee Buck did what he wanted to. Was on another level. Has clearly been pumping iron. Logged around 10 points.
Jamorko Pickett – 6’9”, 210 pound forward, AWash – Put up eight points, in what was not one of his best days. Seemed disinterested at times.
Bryant Crawford – 6’3”, 205 pound guard, AWash – Had a monster first half, eventually finishing with 20 points. A strong driver, Crawford must be more of a lead guard as opposed to a combo guy, one who could be a better shooter. Indicated he’s mulling/awaiting opportunities overseas or with the G-League.
Herard Schnider – 6’10”, 260 pound sophomore center, Maryland, AWash – Again Schnider, a Miss. State transfer that will be available to Maryland in January, finished around the rim, rebounded, blocked shots and was an interior presence. Scored six points. Has shown good footwork going over left shoulder, should develop a counter and mid-range shooting skill. Could shock many in the Terpdom.
Extras:
Day of injuries and absences
Missing from Saturday’s action was a quartet of future Hoyas, as seniors Kaleb Johnson and Trey Mourning, along with sophomore Jahvon Blair and freshman Mac McClung were all absent. Each is believed to be in good health.
That might not be the case for two former Hoyas; Jerome Williams left his Tombs game after scoring seven points after hurting his shoulder, while Rodney Pryor left in Clydes silks early, via a leg injury.
Team talk
After falling Sunday, a two loss that followed getting blasted 111-77 a day before, Premier Athletics had a team meeting, one in which coaches and players honestly dialogued. The 15 minute session had a number of themes, including “defense”, related “rotations” and the need to “play hard”.
What is the defending Kenner League champions’ team ethos?
That would be “playoff mode”. With the league ending regular season play this Saturday, it’s defending champion, Premier Athletics must secure wins and momentum if a repeat will occur.
