DMV Tip-Off Classic: Bladensburg vs. Good Counsel
Maryland's PG 4A league gets a chance to take on the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference this Saturday, at the 5th annual DMV Tip-Off Classic.
A look at the two teams, Bladensburg and Good Counsel, follow. For general event information, scroll below.
Bladensburg (MD)
A MD PG 4A program , Bladensburg High School has a long history of DMV hoops excellence. Unfortunately for the Mustangs history has not charted in that direction lately. It looks like that last trend is bending back towards success.
Head coach Antonio Williams labeled his team “the dark horses”, when asked to characterize it. He also feels that oversight can change with simply exposure. He has a point.
Regarding players, this Mustang crew is led by Daniel Oladapo; a 6’6”, 190 pound Class of 2018 forward, Oladapo is a strong finisher who runs the floor, rebounds, rim protects and provides his team with an interior presence. Though he can pop out and shoot at times, his best work is in and around the lane.
Williams shared Oladapo, who is “a double-double (points, rebounds)” contributor, has "James Madison, Canisius giving him soft interest". Oladapo recently had 28 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in a stirring 66-62 win over PG 2A opponent Douglass.
If Oladapo is leading the Mustang herd, Amin Sanya is not far behind, as a 6’2”, senior 170 pound backcourt guy capable of playing all three perimeter positions. St. Mary's and other DIII schools are looking at Sanya.
Add Jevonte Sterling as a Mustang x-factor, one who at 6’2”, 175 pounds is a senior frontcourt jack of all trades is someone to currently track. Williams indicated he can handle the ball, provide some point guard relief and “rebound if he chooses to”. In beating the Eagles, Sterling logged 13 points. Virginia Union has expressed interest.
How do Williams’s guys approach the game?
Offensively, the coach noted “A lot of ball screens, screen the screener stuff, a lot of box sets…two man game”. He and his staff “Run a lot of different stuff” with the goal being to prepare his kids for college ball.
Stopping people “We run about six or seven defenses the whole game” said Williams, its aim being “to keep them off balance” and address whatever strong points an opposing offense may have.
Case in point was the Douglass game when the Mustangs, trailing at halftime, deployed a 1-3-1 zone not previously used in that contest to help stifle the homestanding Eagles.
Bladensburg is poised to earn the respect it deserves.
VS
Good Counsel
After several rough years, G.J. Kissal has taken the reigns of Good Counsel Basketball. An alum and former Falcon coach, Kissal’s task is not a small one, yet it’s one he’s tackling with baby steps. “I would say being my first year, we’re in the process of getting comfortable in a new system” he shared, “new players, new coach where we’re transitioning right now”.
Aiding that transition are three performers, two being gridiron stars, that are making it easier.
“We’ve got two interior guys that are returners, Tyler Baylor and Ayinde Eley . Both of them are football/basketball guys; they’re athletic, they play hard, are big strong kids” shared Kissal. “So they certainly impact the game”.
Per Kissal, Eley, a senior 6’5”, 230 pound forward has signed to play linebacker for the University of Maryland. Baylor, a junior, also plays forward on the hardwood and is a gridiron LB/DE, stands 6’5”, 240 pounds and boasts football offers from “Pitt, Kentucky, Louisville, etc”.
Add a public school transfer to Good Counsel players of note.
“Another guy that we that’s one of our wings, is a 6’6” transfer that we got from Springbrook, Deson Flood” said the coach. He’s got a high athleticism and skill package. So he impacts the game certainly, on both ends of the floor. You see when you see him his best basketball is in front of him". Flood, a junior, weights around 200 pounds.
How does Kissal deploy this trio and six to seven others who regularly get minutes for Good Counsel?
“Long term, we’d like to pressure more. Right now we kind of play with what we have, so we try and guard in the half court, play man, pepper some zone in there when we have to” revealed the lead Falcon of his defensive plan.
Offensively, Kissal likes “five man motion with some continuity”, while also encouraging “Players to drive close outs…make plays for themselves or teammates”.
Returning to the macro task of resurrecting Good Counsel’s program, Kissal shared “It’s very challenging. It’s something I’m very passionate about; it’s my alma mater and I started my coaching career there. It’s exciting for me to be back home”, but a change in approach, top to bottom, is afoot.
“So transition for people is challenging” he continued. “You’ve got good days and bad days. We’re just trying to reinforce our new-found culture and making sure that we’re being good teammates, that we’re approaching it with our focus each game, appropriately with each practice, appropriately making sure that we’re paying attention to the details that you have to be to be successful in the toughest league in the country (WCAC)".
The journey to that destination has started.
