Teams To Watch This Season (Super Scrimmage Part 3)

On Saturday we got a chance to watch about 20 teams compete in a round robin type scrimmage fest.  It was a nice format with each team playing two quarter rotations in front of about 30 college coaches that were in attendance.  It was also a good opportunity to get a first look at some of the area's top programs and their current rosters.  The scores reset after each quarter and each team used their bench a little more than they would have in a regular season game, therefore we weren't concerned with who actually won the games.  In this part we will discuss teams that appear to be in midseason for that have a good shot at a championship. <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>NATIONAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY</strong></span> NCA's addition of <strong>Anissa Rivera</strong>, transfer from Rock Creek Christian Academy, who recently committed to UNC Central is a huge acquisition.  She is on of the country's most athletic players at 6'2" and guarded multiple positions perimeter and post during the day.  Her ability to knock down three pointers could mean trouble to everyone they face if it stays consistent.  <strong>Sonia Smith</strong> (Sacred Heart Signee), another RCCA transfer may be the key to their success this season.  She has the ability to control the game if she chooses to but, may defer being new to the team.  <strong>Promise Cunningham</strong> returns and is finally healthy adding a solid slasher that can get to the basket.  There isn't a lot of height in the post but <strong>Daria Douglas</strong> at 6'3" and long showed that she is ready to hold things down <span style="color: #800000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE</strong></span> St. John's is storing a weapon of mass destruction in <strong>Azzi Fudd</strong> and there is nothing that anyone in the league can do about it.  With all of her greatness she is only one player and SJC will need others to rally around her.  <strong>Caramina Tanedo</strong> is a deep shooting threat and <strong>Carly Rivera</strong> will be handling most of the point guard duties for the Cadets.  Much of the post duties will be handled by 6'4" <strong>Malu Tshitenge-Mutumb</strong>o (UNC signee) who is one of the best in the league.  The key for St. John's will be to stay healthy and keep out of foul trouble as they lack a lot of depth. <span style="text-decoration: underline;color: #800000"><strong><span>RIVERDALE BAPTIST SCHOOL</span></strong></span> Riverdale Baptist looks like one of the strongest programs in the region this year.  They have a lot of new faces as sophomore <strong>Kaylah Ivey</strong> is practically the only player that has started her career there.  Kaylah and senior transfer <strong>Paris McBride</strong> will hold down the point guard position.  The Crusaders, however, are deep with guards that can score starting with senior <strong>Yanni Hendley</strong> is very good at scoring off the dribble.  Transfer junior <strong>Synia Johnson</strong> can pressure defenses by attacking the basket.  The Crusaders also add transfer senior <strong>Rayne Tucker</strong> (JMU signee) who will be leaned on a lot as they are thin at the post. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #800000"><strong>SIDWELL FRIENDS</strong></span></span> Sidwell returns senior <strong>Nalani Lyde</strong> and junior <strong>Olivia Pickens</strong> to their lineup this season.  The Quakers add some much needed balance with freshman guard <strong>KiKi Rice</strong>.  The addition of Rice makes the Quakers a formidable opponent as opponents won't be able to continually trap the guards.  We can expect her to make the entire team better this year. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #800000"><strong>BISHOP IRETON</strong></span></span> Bishop Ireton has relied on senior <strong>Akunna Konkwo</strong> (Boston College signee) to stay relevant in the WCAC.  Adding freshman <strong>Kennedy Clifton</strong> to the roster makes the Cardinal a contender.  Kennedy's addition will open the floor up for Konkwo.  Senior <strong>Symantha Shackleford</strong> and sophomore <strong>Laila Jewett</strong> will also benefit as they will see fewer double teams.  Junior forward <strong>Kylah Franklin</strong> should add some rebounding and another scoring option inside.