The Ledo’s Game of the Week takes place Wednesday, June 17, at 8:45 p.m., and it is going to be a good one between DC powerhouse Tenley Tigers (Jackson-Reed) (5-2) and VA powerhouse Bethel Academy (6-1) in Week 5’s edition of the Battle of the Ledos.
For Jackson-Reed, their season ended in disappointment, losing the District of Columbia Interstate championship to Theodore Roosevelt 65-74. Then they lost one step away from reaching the District of Columbia State Athletic Association (DCSAA) final, when they were eliminated by Sidwell 46-49 in the semifinals. Reed had a great season last winter, going 22-10 and 14-1 in DCSAA play. They finished first in their league, winning themselves the regular-season title. The Tigers have made statements against some of the better teams in Capitol Hoops Summer League. First, they opened up against Potomac on May 18, beating them 61-37. Then, on May 20, they beat DeMatha 93-78, and then they beat Clinton Grace 71-66. They started off hot with a 3-0 record, but since then, in their last four games, they are 2-2 with back-to-back losses to Bullis and Gonzaga. But in their last two, they are 2-0 with wins over Loyola Blakefield 73-72 and Cavaliers (Carter G. Woodson) 69-42.
The Tigers’ strength is that they have good rotational depth at the guard position, currently carrying 11 of them on their roster. Three standouts for Jackson-Reed have been rising junior guards James Walker and Elijah Hall and their rising senior leader, guard Lane Mahan.
James Walker is 6-foot-3 and plays for DC Assault AAU. James’ strengths offensively are his ability to flat-out shoot the ball and his shot-making ability from 3-point range. Defensively, his strengths are his energy on the court, denying passes and putting heavy pressure on ball handlers. This season, he has been Reed’s best guard, averaging 14.0 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2.2 steals per game. Walker’s best game came in a highlight victory when he went off, putting up 23 points and 3 steals, leading the Tigers to a 93-78 victory over DeMatha.
Elijah Hall is 6-foot-2 and plays for Team Durant on the AAU circuit. Elijah’s strengths offensively are just being a pure shooter that can make it from anywhere on the court. Also, he is a great finisher at the rim if he decides to go that route. Defensively, his strengths are being able to shut down ball handlers, disrupt passes, and force turnovers. His highlight game was also against DeMatha, where he had 16 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. In his first Summer League, the transfer from Theodore Roosevelt is averaging 8.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1 assist.
Lastly, their X-factor, Lane Mahan, who is 6-foot-4 and plays for the Washington Warriors. Lane is a versatile wing player who can play guard or forward. Offensively, his strength is his superior shooting ability. Defensively, his strength is using his height to cause havoc on defenders, getting boards and steals. Lane is averaging 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.7 steals. Mahan is shooting an impressive 53.5% from the field, 50% from three-point range, and 83.3% from the free-throw line. His highlight game came in the win over Grace, where he had 34 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals.
For Bethel Academy, they are trying to use this season to gain national attention. Last winter, their season ended in the Grind Session Elevation Conference Semifinals when they lost 74-81 to Legacy School of Sport Sciences. Coming into the season, they hired former head coach of Sandy Spring and former assistant of St. John’s, Azhar Shamsuden. Azhar is hoping to lead this team to national success and looks to use the end of Summer League to reach those first steps of success. Bethel is largely untested, as their biggest wins are over St. Johns 73-44, Heritage 78-50, and John Handley 105-46. Their only loss came to RM 60-72.
The Flames’ strength is their forwards, as all of their top scorers are their talented big men. Three standouts at the position are rising seniors Quron Sheikh, Joseph McCarthy, and Cam Prosper.
Quron Sheikh is 6-foot-2 and plays for Washington Warriors in AAU. Quron’s strengths offensively are his ability to find his teammates open at such a high rate. Defensively, his strengths are his ability to use his size to disrupt passes and get defensive boards. Sheikh’s highlight game came in June 5’s win over BCC 74-45, where he had 15 points and 1 assist. The rising senior, in his second Summer League campaign, is averaging 7.4 points, 2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.
Joseph McCarthy is 6-foot-4 and plays for CTAB Elite in AAU. Joseph’s strengths offensively are his ability to shoot so efficiently from the mid-range. Defensively, his strengths are his ability to play elite perimeter defense by targeting shooters and ball handlers, forcing them to make a mistake. McCarthy’s highlight game this season came in June 4’s win over Heritage Pride 78-50, where he had 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 block. In his second Summer League, the transfer from Bishop O’Connell is averaging 10.9 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.
Cam Prosper is 6-foot-7 and plays for DC Premier in AAU. Cam’s strengths are offensive, and he has an elite inside-out scoring ability, making shots in the paint, from the mid-range, or from three-point range. By constantly driving into the paint or passing inside, he forces the defense to collapse and help, which opens jump shots on the outside. Defensively, his size and long wingspan allow him to hawk down rebounds off the glass. His highlight game this Summer League came in the win over the Pride, where he had 18 points, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 rebound. Prosper, who transferred from Hayfield, is averaging 11.5 points, 5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.
This will be an interesting matchup between a VA powerhouse and a DC powerhouse for the Battle of the Ledos. Bethel definitely has the height advantage with an abundance of great forwards, while Reed has great rotational depth at the guard position. The deciding factor for the Tigers could come down to their production off the bench, especially outside the big three of Walker, Burtley, and Mahan. For the Flames, the key could be to get off to a hot start, as when they score early, the game tends to go their way. This will be Bethel’s biggest test of the season, and they will certainly look to remain unbeaten. But the Tigers could definitely spoil the party, as they are one of the best teams in Summer League and have some very big wins over top opponents. So this will definitely be an interesting one, as it will be another public vs. private matchup for the Battle of the Ledos.