Team Workout Series: National Christian
Ron Bailey, Publisher
A young NCA team will turn heads as the season progresses.
November 9, 2009 - National Christian Academy (MD), when analyzed, has been one of the most prodigious producers of talent in the Washington-Baltimore region - over the past 10 years literally dozens of Eagles have gone off to play college ball at some level.
After going 22-6 and having a player, Dante Taylor, receive McDonald All-American status, the Eagles are largely a younger team. It's coach, Trevor Brown, anticipates a solid season.
"I think were going to have a good year" he said during a recent junior college game, one in which NCA graduate and future Robert Morris student-athlete, Wilbur O'Neal, was competing for Harcum Junior College. This was said despite acknowledging "we'll have a pretty touch schedule, as usual".
Deji Egbeyemi (passing) as the lone senior will have to shoulder a heavy leadership burden.
Who do this group of young Eagles play?
"Life Center (NJ), with the kid going to Syracuse, Dion Waiters" rattled off Brown. "Mt. Zion (NC) twice, Quality Education (NC) with Quincy Miller. We play Ballou (the DCIAA favorite and one of the most dangerous squads in the DMV) twice"'.
Brown continued the thread, noting "We play in the Prince George's County (Christmas) tourney, the DTLR (National High School Hoops Showcase) on the 12th of December. The Bull City Classic in Durham, and then the NCA Classic in February". Of course other games are sprinkled throughout those events.
How will Brown deploy his team, one that has only a single senior in the rotation?
"We usually play a 2-3 Syracuse zone" he said of season's past defensive focus. "We are going to play a lot of man this year" as NCA has "athletic wings and guards" capable of pressing.
Jordan 'O' is developing into a force to be reckoned with.
Offensively expect an adjustment also, where due to having Jordan Omogbuhin, a 7'2" center, Brown first said "Pretty much" when asked if dumping the rock to his center will be a priority, before elaborating "We will run four around one motion stuff".
Now, on to some of the players; most are not well known to fans and colleges alike. Brown believes that to be only temporary: "Most of these guys are young to the circuit (AAU/travel team), so their recruitment will pick up this year. We have a lot of (future) mid-major players". Several are destined for high major ball.
Jordan Omogbuhin - 7'2", 285 pound junior center - Omogbuhin transferred into NCA this year and in doing so continued the development he showed during the spring/summer; he has demonstrated a spark for the game and confidence in it. "What's helped his confidence is he he lost 12-15 pounds said Brown of his pivot man. "He's running better and getting up and down the floor". During a recent team workout Jordan did just that, including finishing on breaks and diving for loose balls. Georgetown, Pitt, Memphis, Mississippi State, DePaul and Xavier have shown interest.
Dakota Hindly - 6'7", 215 pound junior forward - A transfer from LaPlata High School (MD), Dakota is a power forward that can shoot and rebound.
Hindly should give NCA a multifaceted, frontcourt threat.
Ayodeji 'Deji' Egbeyemi - 6'4", 200 pound senior guard forward - The lone senior in NCA's rotation, Deji, who is also team captain, can slash and shoot with surprising touch for a player of his athletic caliber. Increasingly, he can pat the rock as well. Charlotte, Marquette, and Loyola Marymount have offered him, while Providence and UConn are monitoring him.
Jerell Briggs - 6'1", 180 pound junior point guard - Hyper-athletic, Briggs can finish and dish. Charlotte, Rider and James Madison have expressed interest.
Dariante Moore - 6'4", 190 pound sophomore swingman - Moore is a young scorer of note.
DeAndre Thomas - 6'4", 190 pound sophomore swingman - Thomas is a "really athletic shooter" according to Brown.
Zacharie Douglas - 6'7", 170 pound freshman guard - Capable of handling the pill and shooting, Douglas has a high ceiling.