BASKETBALL ACADEMY READY TO TAKE FLIGHT FOR 2008

by Derek Toney

Morgan State University’s Hill Field House will be the center of the local basketball universe as the 12th annual Basketball Academy takes place Thursday thru Saturday. The three-day mixer will bring together some of the best girls’ and boys’ teams from Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Prince George’s County and the District.

Fourteen teams ranked in the Digital Top 20 (boys and girls) will be on display. Tickets are $10 each day (children under five years old are admitted free), and can be purchased at the Hill Field House ticket office.

Thursday’s games
No. 13 Dulaney girls vs. No. 4 Western
When: 2 p.m.
Outlook: It’s a matchup of champions as reigning Baltimore City champ Western faces off with Dulaney, Baltimore County’s best last season. Both teams are again the best in the respective locales so far this season. The Doves are spearheaded by junior guard Akeema Richards, the top player in the City league. The Lions have had little problem in league play behind guard/forward Danielle Parker, but haven’t face a team the caliber of Western or St. Frances, which they will get Saturday.

No. 17 Catonsville girls vs. No. 5 City College
When: 3:30 p.m.
Outlook: After crossing paths last postseason, the Comets and Knights meet again. Catonsville possess one of the area’s best players in senior point guard Shamika Williams, and senior guard Jessica Nonn is a four-year varsity starter. LaShay Taft and Carissa Williams lead the unbeaten Knights, who defeated Catonsville, 67-58, in the Class 3A North Region semifinals last season.

Parkville vs. No. 4 Digital Harbor
When: 5 p.m.
Outlook: Arguably the biggest story in the City league so far, Digital Harbor gets an opportunity to show itself on the huge Hill Field House court. The brother backcourt duo of George and Justin Jackson have been the spark behind the Rams’ surge. Parkville graduated its entire starting lineup from a 20-4 regional, but coach Rod Norris has the Knights back in the mix in the Baltimore County 3A/4A league because of a Jackson, senior forward Jordan.

Largo vs. No. 6 Douglass
When: 6:30 p.m.
Outlook: The Ducks get one of the state’s top teams in defending Prince George’s County champ Largo. The Lions, winners of 32 of their last 33 decisions, bring a high-powered fast-paced assault with four double-digits scorers in Klevin Pollard (25.2 points a game), 6-foot-10 center Maurice Sutton (21.9), Aaron Martin (18) and Darren Clark (17.1). Douglass has a strong transition attack with senior guards Omar Strong, Justin Berry and Brandon Simms. Expect a lot of points.

No. 12 City College vs. No. 3 St. Frances Academy
When: 8 p.m.
Outlook: Though a matchup between a city public and Baltimore Catholic League team, there’s some familiarity. City coach Mike Daniel regularly battled St. Frances when he guided Towson Catholic for nearly two decades. The game will feature the area’s top senior in University of Maryland-bound Sean Mosley from St. Frances against arguably the best sophomore, Knights’ 6-foot-7 swingman C.J. Fair.

Riverdale Baptist vs. No. 20 Dunbar
When: 9:30 p.m.
Outlook: Another battle between Baltimore City and Prince George’s County caps the opening night. The Poets have been up-and-down, but junior forward Sean Farr has been arguably their most consistent performer. Riverdale Baptist (14-2), ranked 17th in the Washington metro area, has guard Brian Wilson and 6-7 forward Thomas Robinson. The Upper Marlboro school isn’t a stranger to Baltimore, having beaten Poly Tuesday.