2013-2014 HIGH SCHOOL
B BASKETBALL ASKPREVIEW ET BA LL
Page B-1
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
GIRLS BASKETBALL
4A West Region up for grabs
Montgomery Blair ready to compete for regional title n
BY
ERIC GOLDWEIN STAFF WRITER
PHOTOS BY RAPHAEL TALISMAN/FOR THE GAZETTE
Riverdale Baptist junior guard JeDon Young drives to the basket during a game on Saturday evening at the Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro.
FACTORY
SCHOOLS THAT SPECIALIZE IN DEVELOPING TOP BASKETBALL PLAYERS BECOMING MORE COMMON IN THE REGION
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EXPANSION BY TRAVIS MEWHIRTER STAFF WRITER
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Riverdale Baptist junior guard DaJuan Abroms attempts a three-point-shot Saturday.
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hen Bryan Bartley officially took over the storied Montrose Christian basketball program last summer, he inherited a roster that was 100 percent vacant — he literally didn’t have a single player. Those who hadn’t graduated in 2013 bolted to other schools when longtime coach Stu Vetter announced his resignation. But a Montrose Christian roster doesn’t stay empty for long. The name sells itself. Within months, Bartley hauled in eight different transfers from six different states — Missouri, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Washington, Illinois — needing very little persuasion other than the use of two names: Montrose Christian, and his own, names prestigious enough that when they come calling, it’s difficult to decline. And so, Patrick McCaw (from
Montgomery Blair High School’s girls basketball team started to turn around its season at the midpoint last season and now it wants to reap the rewards. The Blazers finished the season strong after a slow start, closing with a 46-43 4A West Region quarterfinal loss to Walt Whitman, the reigning region champions. “We thought we played well and did compete well, but we also saw we have the potential to go further,” Blair senior Erica Adarkwa said. Like many 4A teams, Blair players say they have a shot to take the title in a region coaches are saying is up for grabs. “It really is wide open,” Adarkwa said. “Anyone who is willing to go for it, they definitely have a chance.” Adarkwa is one of Blair’s four returning starters and five seniors. Joining her in the backcourt is senior Maggie McLain, a sharpshooter who missed last season due to injury. Senior Shannon Healy, a top-scorer, will start at power forward. Senior Debbie Olawuyi will play in the middle and help the team on the boards. “We have a significant amount of leadership returning, which is great,” said seventhyear coach Erin Conley. Blair entered last season coming off a 20-5 year, but lost several key seniors and had a new starting lineup. The team’s inexperience showed at the beginning of the season, Adarkwa said.
BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE
Montgomery Blair High School’s Shannon Healy practices Nov. 25.
“IT REALLY IS WIDE OPEN. ANYONE WHO IS WILLING TO GO FOR IT, THEY DEFINITELY HAVE A CHANCE.” ERICA ADARKWA,
MONTGOMERY BLAIR SENIOR “I think we were trying to find out what type of team we were becoming,” Adarkwa said. Gradually, the Blazers picked up their play before peaking in the postseason. The three-
See 4A WEST, Page B-9
St. Louis), Jarrell Brantley (South Carolina) Allonzo Trier (Seattle) and Raymond Doby (Illinois) left behind their families, prior teammates, coaches — everything familiar — to play a season or two in a Montrose uniform. “Our kids are all different,” said Bartley, whose two sons, Justice and Jaylen, followed him to Montrose. “They’re from all different places in life.” This practice, hauling in players from all over the country, most for no more than two seasons, has brought on a variety of monikers for the Rockville private school — and several others in the surrounding area and country — from mercenary program to basketball factory. “The name definitely says a lot when it comes to getting recruits in the area,” said first-year assistant coach Calvin Seldon, who came via Grace Brethren Clinton and brought with him senior A.J. Cabbagestalk. “The foundation starts with a good coaching staff from the ground up.” Barely an hour down the road in Upper Marlboro is a similarly struc
See FACTORY, Page B-9
BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE
Montgomery Blair High School’s Debbie Olawuyi practices on Nov. 25.