All-Met Watch

[hoyajmw]

Thought it might be of general interest here to keep an eye on the All-Met watch in the Washington Post -- second week list published this AM, with Hoya potentials Beejay Anya on second team (called area's best big man) for now No. 1 locally DeMatha, and Josh Hart/Sidwell honorable mention (weak competition doubtless has/will hurt his ability to move up -- plus the area is just loaded with quality guards). List and nice summary of top ten players on below link (and I can't help but mention/of some interest for those engaged in the Episcopal's Kethan Savage discussion last week -- committed to GW/not really on-topic here -- he moves onto first team/essentially swapping places with his teammate Adala-Moto after scoring 35 of EHS's 64 points in win over Bullis Sunday to win that holiday tourney (named MVP as well).


www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/highschools/2011-12/all-met-watch/basketball/week-2/index.html

[Problem of Dog]

Don't see how competition can hurt Hart but not hurt Savage.

[guru]

Dec 20, 2011 15:01:24 GMT -5 Problem of Dog said:

Don't see how competition can hurt Hart but not hurt Savage.

Not sure about Sidwell, but Episcopal has played a pretty tough schedule so far, including a pretty tight loss to Paul VI

[hoyajmw]

Episcopal's schedule has been materially harder than Sidwell's: EHS wins incl. Benedictine/defending Viriginia Independent state champs, Westtown PA/Villanova recruit 6"10" Daniel Ochefu, Bullis/No. 9 in area and Good Counsel/solid WCAC team -- and as noted played area No. 2 Paul VI very tough/up 14 in 3Q until just got worn out by deeper team, whereas Sidwell has some decent wins over IAC bottom tier (Prep and St. Albans) but losses to a down Landon and Palotti (which Good Counsel beat handily). But my real point is more that, on a going forward basis especially given the relatively quality of the MAC and the number of guards already in front of him, it will be hard for Hart to get much traction in the rankings. Nonetheless, I'll be pulling for him to do so, and wins and numbers at some point just can't be ignored (see, e.g., last year's out of nowhere All-Met Player of the Year Greg Whittington).

[Problem of Dog]

Episcopal has definitely played a tough schedule, and Sidwell was miserable at the start of the year (blew a double digit lead to Landon, blew a 21-0 lead to Wilson, etc.).

Since then, however, Sidwell has played a tough schedule, not much different from Episcopal's. They beat Maret by 34 (when Maret was ranked #19 by the Post), the #5 team in Chicago by 20, played Neumann Goretti tough until fading down the stretch (the #1 team in Philly and 21st team in the country, whereas Westtown PA isn't even ranked in the ESPNHS PA Top 10), and then beat the #2 3A team in Florida (and defending state champs) by 11 in the Gonzaga DC Classic.

Bullis is looking good, and Benedictine was a nice win, but beyond that, EHS hasn't had any real marquee wins either. Not a real difference between the two in terms of schedule quality so far.

[hoyajmw]

Good info on the out of town teams; definitely a closer question than I thought. Still think EHS has faced the tougher schedule, esp. when you go head to head on the local match-up/results that we know best (e.g. EHS beat Good Counsel; Sidwell loses to Palotti; EHS beats Bullis; Sidwell loses to Landon), BUT Sidwell has been on a roll of late (and four more games under their belt than EHS) so don't at all mean to be critical of what has been a VERY strong year for the Friends and one in which they clearly looked to challenge their team/play a tough non-conference slate. Plus, other than you and me, Dog, I doubt anybody else cares. I do know I'm going to catch a few Sidwell games when I can to see Hart in action (the noon game against TC Williams/MLK Day looks very appetizing for starters) and show him some Hilltop rooting support . . .

[Problem of Dog]

Dec 21, 2011 9:43:11 GMT -5 hoyajmw said:

Good info on the out of town teams; definitely a closer question than I thought. Still think EHS has faced the tougher schedule, esp. when you go head to head on the local match-up/results that we know best (e.g. EHS beat Good Counsel; Sidwell loses to Palotti; EHS beats Bullis; Sidwell loses to Landon), BUT Sidwell has been on a roll of late (and four more games under their belt than EHS) so don't at all mean to be critical of what has been a VERY strong year for the Friends and one in which they clearly looked to challenge their team/play a tough non-conference slate. Plus, other than you and me, Dog, I doubt anybody else cares. I do know I'm going to catch a few Sidwell games when I can to see Hart in action (the noon game against TC Williams/MLK Day looks very appetizing for starters) and show him some Hilltop rooting support . . .

I don't think there's any question Episcopal should be ranked higher, I just don't think they've had a tougher schedule. If Sidwell hadn't laid an egg to start the year, I think there might be a debate. But if you're taking schedule AND who they lost to into account, clearly Episcopal comes out on top.

The TC Williams should be a good one, probably their only real tough game left this year outside of their holiday tournament. In all the games I've seen, there's been someone with Hoya gear sitting right behind the Sidwell bench, so someone's already getting in his ear clearly.

[hoyajmw]

Week 4 All-Met just out, with potential Hoya Beejay Anya (DeMatha) moving into first team, swapping places from "honorable mention" with his teammate/Syracuse committ Jerami Grant. Nice blurbs on various locals accompany first/second team (none of others in play for us i think). Josh Hart remains honoorable mention (Sidwell inactive last ten days, returning against TC Williams on Monday).

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/highschools/2011-12/all-met-watch/basketball/week-4/

[idhoya]

Robinson, Peters and Jenkins are all trending upward.

[Problem of Dog]

Jan 10, 2012 10:01:39 GMT -5 hoyajmw said:

Week 4 All-Met just out, with potential Hoya Beejay Anya (DeMatha) moving into first team, swapping places from "honorable mention" with his teammate/Syracuse committ Jerami Grant. Nice blurbs on various locals accompany first/second team (none of others in play for us i think). Josh Hart remains honoorable mention (Sidwell inactive last ten days, returning against TC Williams on Monday).

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/highschools/2011-12/all-met-watch/basketball/week-4/

I read this on DCSportsFan and had to agree with it, but jmw, don't you think Episcopal is undermining their academic reputation by their basketball recruiting lately? I guess there's a justification for the African imports via whatever program they use to legitimize their recruitment, but what I don't agree with is Episcopal reclassifying their non-African recruits. Savage was a reclass, and there are rumors that there will be another reclass transfer next year.

I know of other IAC programs that recruit, but they don't reclass their recruits. Not to mention the abundant internet rumors of age discrepancies with their African recruits (although that is something I'd have to see SOME evidence to give an credence to).

[hoyas big supporter]

Jan 11, 2012 14:34:48 GMT -5 Problem of Dog said:

Jan 10, 2012 10:01:39 GMT -5 hoyajmw said:

Week 4 All-Met just out, with potential Hoya Beejay Anya (DeMatha) moving into first team, swapping places from "honorable mention" with his teammate/Syracuse committ Jerami Grant. Nice blurbs on various locals accompany first/second team (none of others in play for us i think). Josh Hart remains honoorable mention (Sidwell inactive last ten days, returning against TC Williams on Monday).

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/highschools/2011-12/all-met-watch/basketball/week-4/

I read this on DCSportsFan and had to agree with it, but jmw, don't you think Episcopal is undermining their academic reputation by their basketball recruiting lately? I guess there's a justification for the African imports via whatever program they use to legitimize their recruitment, but what I don't agree with is Episcopal reclassifying their non-African recruits. Savage was a reclass, and there are rumors that there will be another reclass transfer next year.

I know of other IAC programs that recruit, but they don't reclass their recruits. Not to mention the abundant internet rumors of age discrepancies with their African recruits (although that is something I'd have to see SOME evidence to give an credence to).

I understand your concern, but plenty of regular students at Episcopal re-classify just for academics so you never know.

I know ALL but one of the premier African athletes at Episcopal over the past 4-5 years personally, be it soccer of basketball players, and only one of them is older than they should be. And even he will be graduating at 19 (or just 20), which isn't even bad. In the case of AAM, he is almost young for his class, you can even tell when you talk to him that he is not near being fully matured yet.

[swhoya]

Jan 11, 2012 18:44:39 GMT -5 hoyas big supporter said:

Jan 11, 2012 14:34:48 GMT -5 Problem of Dog said:

I read this on DCSportsFan and had to agree with it, but jmw, don't you think Episcopal is undermining their academic reputation by their basketball recruiting lately? I guess there's a justification for the African imports via whatever program they use to legitimize their recruitment, but what I don't agree with is Episcopal reclassifying their non-African recruits. Savage was a reclass, and there are rumors that there will be another reclass transfer next year.

I know of other IAC programs that recruit, but they don't reclass their recruits. Not to mention the abundant internet rumors of age discrepancies with their African recruits (although that is something I'd have to see SOME evidence to give an credence to).

I understand your concern, but plenty of regular students at Episcopal re-classify just for academics so you never know.

I know ALL but one of the premier African athletes at Episcopal over the past 4-5 years personally, be it soccer of basketball players, and only one of them is older than they should be. And even he will be graduating at 19 (or just 20), which isn't even bad. In the case of AAM, he is almost young for his class, you can even tell when you talk to him that he is not near being fully matured yet.

I know nothing of whats common for re-classifying in prep basketball, but I'm actually an EHS alum (long, long time ago) so I thought I'd throw in my two cents. I actually transferred to EHS as a junior and had to jump through hoops to graduate on time. And that was coming from another private school (albeit one without quite the same academic standards). I'm sure someone coming in from even further outside the system would have a harder time meeting the requirements. My guess is that academics play a bigger role than anything sports related.

As to the age discrepancy rumors...that I don't buy for a minute. It's not a perfect place, but it's hardly a sports mill.

[hoya73]

What do we know about:

G Brad Gilson
Woodgrove, 6-5, Sr.

One day after scoring career-high 43 points vs. Handley, scored 55 points -- most by an area player this season -- vs. Park View.

Heard Ivy League. Any chance he's a higher level sleeper recruit?

[Problem of Dog]

No.

[hoyajmw]

Dog re: the reclass issue -- I see a few others have responded already, but I'll just add that the driver behind any reclass is to be sure the student is at the same academic load/classes taken level as his peers. A student can need that whether they are from another country or just a very different/less rigorous local school coming in. And the the player that I know has drawn this attention this year of course played on the 18 and under Team Takeover squad this summer with fellow now seniors in the IAC (and WCAC) -- he is comparable in age to his class (and by all accounts has benefitted tremendously in every way from the opportunity he has gotten at EHS).

[Problem of Dog]

Jan 12, 2012 9:09:20 GMT -5 hoyajmw said:

Dog re: the reclass issue -- I see a few others have responded already, but I'll just add that the driver behind any reclass is to be sure the student is at the same academic load/classes taken level as his peers. A student can need that whether they are from another country or just a very different/less rigorous local school coming in. And the the player that I know has drawn this attention this year of course played on the 18 and under Team Takeover squad this summer with fellow now seniors in the IAC (and WCAC) -- he is comparable in age to his class (and by all accounts has benefitted tremendously in every way from the opportunity he has gotten at EHS).

Sorry, just not buying the company line there on that being the reason for local reclassing kids. Landon didn't reclass Darion Atkins when he transferred from SURRATTSVILLE of all places. Sidwell didn't reclass Josh Hart when he came from Wheaton. NoVa publics are significantly more well regarded than those two schools, and Landon and Sidwell both have at least as high academic standards as EHS. Bullis took a kid from Canada and didn't reclass him. They also took a 6'10 kid from Clarksburg and had him sit out the year to catch up academically.

It just seems that EHS is trying to get a leg up on their competition by reclassing kids under the guise of helping their academics, when no one else in their league does the same thing.

[hoyajmw]

Believe what you want to believe; I do think it is a very dangerous thing to generalize about a kid (or a school) and what happens to them while they are there/how much rigor goes into their actual performance in the classroom or what background they had before going to the school. (P.S. the link below, which I was going to include when I felt like providing a more robust argument but forgot to remove when I decided the whole conversation is rather irrelevant to anything anyone on the board needs to care about anyway, is a nice item from Voice of America last year about one of the EHS African players (Sadiq Abubakar), now at Hamilton/playing for them. The EHS alums above may appreciate it (even if the Tigers below don't!)

www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/west/From-Nigeria-to-the-US-A-Basketball-Success-Story-116912903.html

[dungeon ball]

All this talk about EHS is making my head hurt...

GO WOODBERRY! BEAT THE GOONS!

[swhoya]

Jan 12, 2012 13:05:15 GMT -5 dungeon ball said:

All this talk about EHS is making my head hurt...

GO WOODBERRY! BEAT THE GOONS!

Oh HELL no. Now you've done it.

Woodberry colors are orange. What else do you really need to know about the depravity of that place?

[rpn6]

All this talk about EHS is making my head hurt...

GO WOODBERRY! BEAT THE GOONS!


Ha Woodberry.....what a douchy school