If there was a team I was interested in seeing this summer, it was Bishop O’Connell.
With the addition of Corey Dixon (6’3″ Guard) to Division 1 prospect Darius Bivins (6’2″ Guard), the Knights now sport one of the most dangerous backcourts in the WCAC. But, for O’Connell to have the season they are capable of, there will need to be more than the Dixon-Bivins combination.
Outlook:
Bivins’ IQ enables him to set up moves and snake his way to his spots. Add that to his ability to knock down open threes, along with creating space.
It will take some repetitions, but once Bivins and Dixon find each other’s spots and strengths, they will be perfect partners. Bivins will create open shots for others.
Offensively, Dixon had a better shooting weekend in Session 1 than in Session 2, but his efficiency should resemble Session 1 during the regular season once the offense has been installed.
Where they can give most (not all) WCAC problems is if they lock in defensively. Both players can be defensive menaces if the decide that’s what they want to be, along with their offensive ability. It will also allow the Knights to play a high percentage of possessions in transition and secondary transition.
Justin Edwards (6’6″ Guard) is one of the best finishers on the team and is a primary weapon of choice in transition. Edwards is also a threat off of penetration when he’s opposite of the ball.
Perhaps the player who can be the biggest difference-maker is Tristan Franklin (6’5″ Guard). Franklin is the type of player who touches every part of a box score, as well as game-winning plays that don’t show up in the box scores.
On most nights, Franklin can switch one through four even though against the top of the WCAC, he’s a strong one-through-three switchable defender.
On the boards he’s an out-of-area rebounder on both the offensive and defensive boards. It’s why his rebound numbers are always higher than expected.
His offensive ability should shine at O’Connell. He’s a reliable and efficient shooter from three-point range (he shot 41.6% during both sessions) and the mid-range. Even more important is he can make a scoring impact on limited touches.
His high IQ enables him to cut to the basket on time and reach the correct spots off penetration.
Whether in the starting lineup or coming off the bench, he will play a pivotal role in O’Connell’s chase for the WCAC title.
Other Players Who Stood Out on Saturday:
Spire Trifecta:
Collin Ross (6’10” Forward), Greg Howard (6’2” Guard), and Miles Clanton (6’5” Wing/Guard) all showed why they have Division 1 offers.
Ross’ athletic ability allows him to finish in the paint and on the wing.
Howard is a legitimate three-point threat from the high school line with the mechanics that could extend further. He shot 36.9% (17-46) which is impressive considering that it’s the summer where a lot of attempts are organically created not structurally created.
Clanton’s all-around offensive game was on full display against O’Connell where he shot 10-14 including 5-6 from three.
True Big:
Gillion Academy’s Marcis Ponder pounds the paint like an old-school big. There were several times during the weekend where he ducked in, sealed and finished with a thunderous dunk.
Ponder posted double-doubles in six of the nine DMV Live games across both sessions.
He’s a four-foot and in offensive player so he has a lot of room to grow but he has great footwork and that should help him expand his game out.
Bullis Reload:
Xavier Skipworth (6’6” Guard) showed why he’s so coveted by college coaches. His length and ability to get to his spots in an efficient manner makes him hard to guard.
At the next level, it’s easy to envision him being able to see over defenders and either hit shots and/or be a high assist player. If committed, he can also be a lockdown defender.
Finley Billy (6’8” Forward) is a footwork wizard that finds a way to get his shot off while staying on balance. That makes him a tough cover below the free throw with his back to the basket or in face-up situations. He also has a dependable jumper that he can rely on that can also stretch out to the free throw line.
28 Strength:
Spalding boasted a couple of 2028 prospects that had the college coaches’ heads turning.
Braxton Bogard (6’8” Forward) and Nash Avery (6’9” Forward) solicited a ton of plays that brought the fans to their feet.
Like Billy, Bogard’s footwork keeps him on balance and allows him to efficiently make moves around the basket. It also makes him a superior screen and roll player because he opens up off the screen and there’s no wasted movement on the cut. This was on full display in the blowout win over O’Connell where his thunderous dunk and offensive prowess turned coaches’ heads.
Speaking of thunderous dunks, I don’t know if anyone had more athletic dunks off fast breaks and alley-oops than Avery.
The uber-athletic wing literally sored over defenders all weekend. His next step is to improve at the other parts of the game and use his athleticism to be a switchable wing. If he does that, watch out!
