Gov. Challenge Session I – December 26 & 28
Gov. Challenge Session I Dec. 26th & 28th
Boy’s Bracket #1
LARGO – Despite graduating superstar forward Abdulai Bundu, the Lions return a few key pieces from last year’s 21-win team. Most notable is high-flying senior guard Isiah Boggs, a talented scorer and emphatic dunker.
ST. JOES BY THE SEA (NY) – Last year, St. Joe’s was one of the surprises of the tournament, coming from Staten Island as a relative unknown and leaving with two wins and a bracket championship. The Vikings return this year, eager to do the same.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT (DC) – A yearly contender in the DCIAA, the Roughriders are typically one of the most athletic teams in the region, but will have a lot of question marks surrounding their roster coming into the season after graduating several key contributors.
PARKSIDE- The Rams graduated 4 of their 5 starters, including 1,000 point scorer Dajour Diggs. Parkside is expected to lead heavily on junior guard Gary Briddle, as well as transfer Paul Morgan. Parkside also will be helped by two surprise athletic bigs that move up to varsity this year.
Boy’s Bracket #2
JM BENNETT – The Clippers lose key starters from last year including arguably the Bayside’s best player in Jorden Duffy, as well as All-Conference players in Micheal Jean-Charles and Barry Gaines Jr. On top of that, former assistant head coach Dustin Mills will take over as head coach this season. The Clippers are expected to be young this year, leaning on players Matt Chrysostome.
THURGOOD MARSHALL (DC) – Thurgood Marshall captured a bracket championship in their Governor’s Challenge debut this year with a young team. Now in his second year as head coach, Lafayette Dublin will have his squad well-prepared and primed to challenge for another bracket title.
THOMAS EDISON (VA) – After losing a huge chunk of their scoring from last year’s 20-win squad, Edison will lean on a relatively inexperienced roster this year, but could have the talent to contend at Governor’s Challenge. Senior guard Eric Martin is one to watch after showing flashes last season.
EASTON – The Warriors will enter this season with Dionte Hynson taking over the head coaching job for Marty Bailey Jr. Easton graduates two key players in Leon Flournoy and Tay’Von Emory. The Warriors will now look to their big man Ryan Hall to control the paint and set the tempo.
Boy’s Bracket #3
INDIAN CREEK – A perennial power in the MIAA C Conference, Indian Creek makes their Governor’s Challenge debut this year. Senior swingman Derron Morgan can do a bit of everything on the floor and should be one of the tournament’s standout players.
HARFORD Tech – Darius Dangerfield is one of the state’s more underrated playmakers and will lead an upstart Harford Tech team in Bracket 3.
ABERDEEN – Aberdeen comes into the season looking for a new identity, as star guard Jaleel Gibson graduated and Jayden Saddler transferred. Another team that won their bracket at last year’s event, the Eagles will have decent size and a year of Governor’s Challenge experience under their belts.
QUEEN ANNE’S – The Lions are coming off a big year in which they made it to the 3rd round of the state playoffs before eventually falling to Wi-Hi. The Lions will have some big shoes to fill this year, after graduating Brendan Cavanagh, a 1,000 point scorer. They also lose a couple athletic wings and a solid point guard. Queen Anne’s Ahmad Gray is expected to now increase his role and be a focal point in QA’s attack.
Boy’s Bracket #4
DELMAR – The Wildcats took a big hit in graduation after losing 1,000 point scorer Larry Ennis, as well as athletic off guard Shane Leatherbury. The team looks to be squarely on Kavon Trader, who will be entering his 3rd season starting on varsity. Beyond Trader, the ‘Cats will need a few role players to emerge for Delmar to have a strong year.
CAMBRIDGE SD – The Vikings are looking to a better season in 2015 in the 2ndyear under Vic Burns. Last year Cambridge was young and went through some growing pains as they adapted to a new system. With a year under their belt, the Vikings look to be ready to take the next step, led by Naail Thompson at point guard.
HARFORD CHRISTIAN – Harford Christian debuted at last year’s event, and lost in a tightly contested bracket championship game. With point guard Moe Epps returning this year, the Eagles and their high-pressure defense will fight for a bracket championship yet again.
THE SALISBURY SCHOOL – The the school is now under the direction of new athletic director Mike Silverman. Silverman was state titles at Milford Mill as a head coach, and looks to have the background to help create a basketball winning program. The team looks to be still possibly a year away from really turning the corner, but the Dragons will still be much improved this season.
Boy’s Bracket #5
MARDELA – The Warriors graduated their top player from a year ago in Nate McCoy. The team will be searching for play makers this year, but expect to see good things out of Caleb Corbin.
KEMPSVILLE (VA) – Coming from Virginia Beach, Kempsville brings a young team, led by longtime high school coach Taft Hickman, who won two Maryland state championships with Potomac in the 1980s and then went on to coach at Bowie State.
KINGS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY – A small school in the Southern MD area, Kings Christian put together a respectable season last year, largely playing against small private and charter schools.
WORCESTER PREP -The Mallards were contenders for the EASIC title a year ago, featuring several juniors or underclassmen. With the core of their group back, the team looks to be even better this season and a strong contender to come out of their bracket.
