Five Thoughts From Week 1 Fall Action
The 695Hoops Fall League jumped off last weekend with a nice set of entertaining games. A mix of public and private schools from all over the state showed up in different stages of preparedness. Every team is using the league…
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Continue ReadingThe 695Hoops Fall League jumped off last weekend with a nice set of entertaining games. A mix of public and private schools from all over the state showed up in different stages of preparedness. Every team is using the league to get ready for the season, and it was clear that some were more game ready than others.
Howard County Beware
The most impressive performance of the day belonged to Howard High School. They played at crisp and energetic pace for most of the game as they held off a tough Archbishop Spalding team 60-43. Howard’s guard play was the difference as seniors Marisa Sanchez-Henry and Anii Harris put their footprints all over this game. They both attacked the lane effectively and knocked down perimeter shots to keep the defense off balance. Junior guard Emily Durkee also played very well in the win, making shots and taking her turn running the offense. Everyone on the team contributed with hustle and defense and looked like they were excited to be on the court again. Howard will be right in the Howard county mix as usual this season.
Sister Act At Spalding
The Sims sisters will be a problem in the IAAM this season. The older sister Koi Sims is a junior who already has some IAAM experience under her belt. This season she has some serious help in her sibling, freshman Kamari Sims, who is one of the best 2023 players in the area. Both are physical players who are always under control and move with a purpose. There is no wasted motion as they attack the rim to score or make plays for their teammates. Koi prefers to do her damage in the paint, while Kamari spends more time breaking defenders down off the dribble. Together they set the tone and raise the energy level of the entire team. Look for Spalding to pull off some upsets in the IAAM this season.
Mt. Carmel is on the Come Up
This team made some noise last season by playing in every major event in the DMV and they even made some road trips to seek out top competition. Coach Rob Long has the team looking organized and excited as they showed up with a full squad ready to roll. Junior sharpshooter Elena Rodriguez looks like she will be a major contributor with her outside shooting and pesky defense. 6’4″ freshman center Hawa Doumbaya will be a force in the paint and will most likely contend for freshman of the year honors this season. Senior Shanysse Alexander is one of my favorite players in the area because of her versatile game and willingness to do all the dirty work it takes to win.
Coppin Academy Wants the Smoke
Coppin Academy has grown their small charter school program into a major factor in Baltimore city. Traditional powers Western and Poly garner most of the attention in the city, but with Dunbar and City in a downward trend, Coppin has emerged as a viable option. This was evident by how the team showed up for week one of the fall league fully loaded and decked out. They were rusty and did not play their best game, but they put away a tough Meade team. Coach Chris Hardy is one of the better program leaders in the area and has a talented roster with a couple of key transfers coming in. Returning starters Ny’Shae Weaver and Kayla Henderson will be the leaders on and off the court as Coppin will be trying to put together another final four run in 1A.
There Are Levels to This...
Teams play in fall leagues to prepare for their upcoming seasons. The teams that show up with full squads and enthusiastic followers are bound to be the ones competing for county, city and state championships in February and March. Teams struggling to find five players to even show up are usually not going anywhere. It’s all about leadership and culture building. Successful programs do not just wait until winter tryouts and start from there. There are levels to girls basketball in the DMV and every other area.