Assault’s 16 and Under Crew Learning and Teaching
Ron Bailey, Publisher
Page 2
Roster Breakdown:
Wallace Judge – A 6’8” rising junior, Judge has rocketed onto the national stage after a standout sophomore season at Bladensburg High School (MD), receiving offers from Georgetown, Maryland, Kansas State, VCU, and West Virginia. A back to the basket post man last year, Wallace has started to migrate more to the perimeter, where his developing face up skills come into play.
McFarland, acknowledging the shift in offensive focus Judge is effectuating, thinks the young guy must continue to improve “his understanding of the game”, particularly relating to “when to face up, and when to when to take over a game”. Though he likes Wallace’s unselfishness, McFarland also feels there are times Judge “defers too much”.
Wallace Judge (maroon), is here battling for Bladensburg High School. McFarland noted many school "love him".
Kevin “Jo-Jo” Jones – Jones - a player McFarland ranked the much discussed Judge as “probably the second most important player on our team” against - stands around 6’5”, functions as a rugged power forward/frontcourt man, and despite receiving solid mid-major inquiries, has not been tendered an offer. That should change soon.
Why does McFarland hold Jones, a rising junior, in such high regard? “He’s one of those glue kids” stated the coach. “We are not as good without him. He does the little things, and we don’t have to run any plays for him. He gets his off the glass…He has transformed himself into someone who makes other players better”.
After indicating Jones “has made me the proudest I’ve been as a coach” due to his drastic improvement, McFarland stated Kevin must “improve his ball handling, and be more of a face up player” where he can attack defenses there also, instead of his current back to the basket default.
Jones attended Bishop O’Connell (VA) last year, where he played a complimentary role on that team. Via his improvement and player graduations, his minutes should improve this season.
Rashad Whack – Standing around 6’3”, the Bishop McNamara (MD), rising junior shooting guard has a definite ability to put the ball in the cup from the perimeter, leading McFarland to state “He’s the best shooter by far in the area”.
Because of that skill, Whack has been able not to get by without patting the rock, and still be successful. Consequently, “he needs to attack the basket more” which requires improved ball handling, including work with his “left and right hand” according to McFarland.
In doing so, Rashad will further prepare himself for the shooting guard role in college. George Mason has offered the young guy, while schools from mid to high major have expressed interest, including William and Mary.
McGruder prepares for lay up lines this summer. McFarland believes he's "the poster child" for players building upon, and not abandoning, their strengths.
Rodney McGruder – A 6’5” rising junior swingman, McGruder to McFarland is “the most athletic 2009 kind in the area”. A high riser at Archbishop Carroll (DC), McGruder has long been known to punish rims and get up and down the floor, but has added a mid range game McFarland labeled “unbelievable” this spring/summer.
McFarland likes that McGruder “does what he does well (attack the rim from face up or post) and has expanded on that”, but desires still more improvement, including advancing his ball handling skills, as well as defending off ball and in space.
George Mason and Pittsburgh have offered Rodney, who also has received strong attention from Kansas State and other high major institutions.
Michael Phillips – Playing both power forward and center in a reserve capacity, the 6’6” Riverbend High School rising junior has proven a heart warming story, as his path to Assault was unique on the team. “He’s our biggest surprise” said McFarland. “He’s the only kid we didn’t bring in the traditional way; he got here by a tryout”.
McFarland shared Phillips commands a good mid-range shooting game and rebounds well. As the season has progressed, the young guy has shown steady improvement in all phases of the game, while maintaining a strong sense of humility.
The team’s coach would like Michael to continue focusing on maintaining “an aggressive attitude”. No offers have been received yet, though William and Mary, along with Ivy League and other mid and low major schools have expressed interest.
Floor general, Daryl Trayham.
Daryl Trayham – Only a rising sophomore, Trayham was described by McFarland as “the quarterback of it all” and the guy who “orchestrates the concert”. An apt description of the 5’9” point guard who excels in transition, so much so that his coach believes Daryl will “probably be the best transition guard this area has had in awhile”.
The previous knock on Trayham was that the jumper lagged behind penetration and passing in his skill set, a belief McFarland now disputes, believing Daryl’s jump shot has indeed improved. The squad’s coach does think his point guard needs to better “Understand the different speeds of the game and being a half court point guard”: Both skills that will continue being developed with Assault and Archbishop Carroll (as a freshman, Trayham was a standout performer at Maryland’s Henry Wise MD).
At Carroll, expect Daryl’s chemistry with McGruder to continue, as well as schools besides George Mason to offer (many high majors are sniffing).
Jevon Farrell – A 6’4” rising junior slasher from Bishop Ireton (VA), Farrell fits in nicely with his AAU/travel team squad. “He is a compliment to Rodney (McGruder), said McFarland. “He has the ability to slash and get to the basket and creates opportunities for others. He also takes pressure off Daryl”.
McFarland would like Jevon, who has also received high major interest, to work on “his ball handling ability”, and “just being more confident”; qualities that will make his slashing more effective.
Mid and high major schools are checking him out, while George Mason has offered.
Jerald Williams, in Bladensburg High School silks.
Jerald Williams – “He’s improved a lot” said McFarland of the 5’7” point guard, who is receiving attention from Ivy League and other academic-focused low and mid major colleges. “I think with Jerald Williams, many people initially thought he couldn’t play on our level”, opined the coach. “But given the opportunity, Jerald can be successful. He’s being transformed now into how to be an AAU point guard”.
What McFarland means by that is previously, Williams excelled at Bladensburg with his good friend Judge, as a set up point guard, who ran plays and the team, while in AAU/travel team ball, a point guard must also “break people down” as well as be a floor general.
“Some programs in our area are crazy for not being on him early” continued McFarland, who believes they will lament that decision, given Williams having two more years to develop.
Presently, Williams is a quick guard that is crafty with the ball, and uses his quickness to provide good on the ball defense. McFarland would like him to improve the mechanics of his jump shot.