Hagerstown’s Mency Representing

Ron Bailey, Publisher

January 11, 2007 – When hoops hotspots in Maryland are discussed, the Washington, DC./Baltimore area first and foremost enters the conversation, and for good measure: When adjusted for population, the two cities loosely connected by the Baltimore Washington Parkway and I-95 probably produce as many college basketball players as any in America .

If the topic is explored further, Maryland’s Eastern Shore would surely be mentioned, with names like Albert Mouring (Connecticut/Pro) and Andre Collins (Maryland/Loyola) immediately come to mind.

But few would probably present the part of the Free State northwest of D.C, though true basketball buffs will note Rodney Monroe (NC State/NBA’s Atlanta Hawks/Pro) went to Hagerstown’s Saint Maria Goretti High School. Add the name Dee Mency to the list of Hagerstown’s finest.

Mency, a 6’2”, 190 pound senior shooting guard previously attended Hagerstown High School, where Dee’s present coach, Silas Cheung, first came into contact with him. “Nobody knew about him” despite averaging 20 points a game as a sophomore, and 25 as a junior”, said Cheung. “As soon as I got the job at St. John’s (Catholic Prep, Frederick, MD), I knew I had to get him some exposure”.

St. John's Catholic Prep coach Silas Cheung on Dee Mency's (above) on his program: "The same effect he has on a game, he has on practice". That would mean an ability to light a scoreboard, and work hard doing it.

Coming to St. John’s from Urbana High School this year, Cheung has seen Mency, a senior, average “about 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists” per game. That mark leads the 10-7 Vikings.

Cheung’s desire to provide Dee exposure seems to have worked, as Dee shared “New Hampshire, Mount St. Mary’s, Niagara, and Jacksonville” have all expressed significant interest, with New Hampshire having offered.

He continued “I don’t have a leader”, wants to explore as many options as possible, and distance from home is “no issue”.

Cheung feels Mency will be “a two guard in college” since “He’s got that scorer’s mentality”. This includes an ability to score in transition, scatter court, and half court settings, shoot the three ball, convert stop and pop jumpers, or attack the rim.

Off the court, Dee’s coach couldn’t ask for a better young man to work with. “He’s a great kid that comes from a great family” said Cheung. “He’s very competitive, works hard, and has the talent”.

St. John’s coach feels “Hagerstown is a sleeping giant” in terms of roundball players. “It’s talent there” he said.

Dee Mency certainly fits the bill.