Festival Preview: “Nine or Ten Deep” Riverdale Baptist Preparing for Season

Ron Bailey, Publisher

November 26, 2007 – “We’re nine or ten deep” confidently replied Riverdale Baptist (MD) coach, Louis Wilson, when asked if he was worried about his team’s National High School Hoops Festival match up with fellow Upper Marlboro, MD institution, Wise High School. “We’ll be ready”.

Early scrimmage returns confirm that, as according to Wilson, the Crusaders, who went 24-12 last year have competed favorably with Baltimore-based high schools Mt. Carmel and Towson Catholic, along with DC area squads Flint Hill (VA) and Georgetown Prep (MD).

Thomas Robinson (33), who played with Squash All Beef last spring/summer, has transfered to Riverdale Baptist from Eastern High School (DC).

Nevertheless, Wilson noted “We have a lot of work to do”, given his team’s daunting schedule, particularly for an independent, non conference aligned program.

“We start out with the Lone Star Invitational in San Antonio” shared the coach. That tourney boasts greater than 30 teams – of which only Riverdale Baptist and a school from Arizona are the only ones not hailing from Texas – and will showcase a slew of talented players headed for college’s Division I level next year.

Then there are the Michael J. Gilbert Christmas Tournament in DC, along with the annual Basketball Academy at Morgan State University, the latter pitting DC and Baltimore area teams at Morgan State University. Resultantly, both Dunbars (DC and B’More), and Lake Clifton (MD), are on the schedule. Poly (MD), Suitland (MD), Jericho Christian (MD), Suitland (MD) and a host of other talented teams also populate their 35-plus game schedule.

And of course there is Festival foe Dr. Henry J. Wise, a school Wilson his happy to play on December 8th. “We just love to compete in national and local events” said the competitive Wilson of participating in the Festival’s inaugural year. “It will be fantastic; great exposure and players, plus it’s great to play another Upper Marlboro team. Actually, I hope we can play them every year”.

Chad Wilson (in Gold DC Assault silks), is a floor leader who can pressure the ball and run fastbreaks.

This season, the Crusaders have a number of standouts, many returning, some new to the program.

From a holdover perspective, senior 6’6” swingman Matt Graves, a 4.4 GPA student last period, leads the way, providing inside/out scoring, while fellow juniors, 5’10” guard Chad Wilson and his cousin, 6’3”+ swingman Brian Wilson will furnish floor generalship/transition impact and good shooting, respectively. Seniors Phillip Brooks, a 6’6” forward known for scoring and rebounding, along with 6’1”, multifaceted guard Mathew Jackson are also returning performers to watch out for.

When assessing Riverdale’s varsity newcomers, 6’7” junior forward Thomas Robinson, a player Wilson labeled “a double-double man” and athletic senior point guard Charles Bason will be impact players.

Schools such as George Washington (Robinson), Robert Morris (C. Wilson) and St. Francis of PA (B. Wilson) have all shown interest in Riverdale Baptist’s players, with more schools surely following suit. Add the team’s collective first quarter GPA – 10 of 12 student athletes on the roster earned greater than a 3.0, with three, Graves, Brian Wilson and Brooks receiving at least a 4.0 – to their talent, and there is no doubt many of Riverdale Baptist’s players will play college basketball.