Oakland Mills senior scoring machine Will Robinson Jr was unstoppable all tournament long averaging 24 points and 9.5 rebounds per game
First things first, lets congratulate all of the 2015 Maryland Boys Basketball Champions: New Town 1A, Oakland Mills 2A, Centennial 3A and Meade 4A. Yes, another great high school season is in the books. One of the things about the Maryland state tourney I love is the number of players who stand above the rest, using every ounce of ability that they have to try and will their teams to that elusive state championship. A number of times, the player carrying the load for their respective team is a player not many is aware of and at other times, the player leading the charge is someone we are all too familiar with, thats the beauty of the state championships. With that being said, it's time to highlight the 2015 group of players who left their mark with the Finest Magazine Maryland State All Tournament Team.
FIRST TEAM
Will Robinson Jr/ 6'5 guard/forward/ Oakland Mills/ Senior- If there would be a consensus MVP of the tournament, Robinson would be that. He was a man amongst boys all tourney long. Led Oakland Mills to the 2A Championship after averaging 24 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
Isaiah White/ 6'4 guard/Centennial/ Senior - Surprised everyone with a 19 point 6 rebound and 3 assist performance in the semi-finals against C.M. Wright and followed that up with a great performance in the championship against Westlake with 18 points and 4 blocks. White entered the tourney with just mostly D-III interest. Expect D-I and D-II schools to start calling soon
Matthew Johnson/ 6'3 point guard/ New Town/ Junior- Impressed me with his poise all tourney long. A pass first poimt guard who loves to defend but if needed can score points in bunches. In the semi-final win against Joppatowne, Johnson took a back seat and let explosive teammate Devin Smith score at will while he focused on running the team, the result, a 57-53 win. In the championship game against Lake Clifton and with Smith struggling, Johnson stepped up big time, scoring 16 points on 4-5 shooting (3-4 3FG) and was perfect from the free throw line which included the two championship sealing free throws. A kid to keep an eye on moving forward.
Devin Smith/ 5'10/ combo guard/ New Town/ Sophomore - If you like "Get the ball to him and get out of the way" players, this is the kid to see!!! Whenever New Town needed a bucket, they simply gave the ball to Smith and gave him room and he delivered enough to help lead New Town to a State Championship. Just a sophomore, the sky is the limit for Smith.
Dereck Oliver/ 5'7/ point guard/ Patterson/ Senior - The latest of the small but deadly Baltimore bred point guards that seem to come along every 5-10 years and make noise. Although Patterson didn't walk away a champion, Oliver played at a high level throughout the tourney including a 17 point, 5 assist and 2 steal semi-final performance against Wicomico and a 22 point outing in the championship game. Oliver should make an impact at the next level as well.
New Town's lethal scorer sophomore Devin Smith
SECOND TEAM
Daniel Kelly/ 6'1/ point guard/ Oakland Mills/ Junior - This flashy point guard can do it all. One of the best passers in the area all the while being an efficient scorer. Added 11 points (4-8 FG) 5 rebounds, 5 assist and 2 steals in the semi-finals and followed that up with a 10 point (4-7 FG), 7 rebounds, 5 assist and 2 steal performance in the championship game against Patterson.
Kevin Holston/ 6'0/point guard/ Bethesda-CC/ Junior - Torched Duval in the semi's with 21 points (8-16 FG/4-7 3FG) however plagued by foul trouble against Meade in the championship game scored only 8 points in 11 minutes of play. A deadly player regardless and one to watch closely moving forward.
Mamadou Ndiaye/ 6'7/ forward/ Oakland Mills/ Senior - Posted 15 points and 6 rebounds in the semi-finals against Oakdale and followed that up with 15 points and 5 rebounds in the championship game against Patterson. Will be a walking double double at the college level.
Derrick Green/ 6'4/ guard/Lake Clifton/Senior - Posted 18 points and 4 rebounds for the 1A runner-ups
Chad Strothers/ 6'1 /point guard/ Centennial/ Senior- Finished with 19 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assist in the semi's followed that up with 12 points and 6 rebounds in the 3A championship win.
Patterson High School BIG little man point guard Dereck Oliver
THIRD TEAM
Garry Jefferson/ 6'2/ guard/ Lake Clifton/ Senior
Tristan Easton/ 6'3/ guard/ Meade/ Junior
Josh Qualls/6'0/ guard/Meade/ Junior
Gary Blackston/ 6'2/ guard/ Patterson/ Senior
Dominic Espeleta/ 6'0/ point guard/ Westlake/ Senior
Westlake senior point guard Dominic Espeleta