We told a couple of coaches last week we were mildly surprised when Teddy Morgan of Edison was voted National District Player of the Year over Andy Ramirez of district-undefeated Hayfield.
Still, it’s very hard to argue too strenuously with the choice of Morgan. The 6’5″ senior was just a walking bucket for the Eagles this year, dropping, 20, 30, even 40 points on occasion this season. Offensively, his length, and his ability to score everywhere on the court made him almost impossible to guard. Teams had defensive gameplans going into every Edison game to contain him, and it rarely mattered much.
These teams were announced before the National District Tournament, however. In the tournament Ramirez dropped a career-high 30 points versus Mount Vernon, then had 15 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter as Hayfield beat Edison in the National District Championship Game. The nails-tough guard is also a staunch defender, and was perhaps the biggest reason Coach Poindexter was able to maintain his district dominance despite losing all his starters.
Joining those two on the first team were two Thomas Jefferson players that are major reasons the Colonials have already won their first regional tournament game since 1992. Sahil Kapadia, the school’s all-time career blocks and rebounding leader, was a strong inside presence for Mark Gray-Mendes this season. Santiago Criado, meanwhile, was perhaps one of the most underrated performers in Northern Virginia this season. He consistently scored, no matter the opposition or defensive focus.
Those two are seniors, as is JR Nelson of Annandale. If you didn’t see Nelson play this season you missed a treat–he’s kind of guard-forward hybrid who is one of the best passers in the area. The First Team non-seniors on the list–Anthony Saunders of Edison, Parker Cage of Hayfield, and sophomore Eric Clark of Lewis–are very solid players as well. Saunders is a tall guard who should play an even bigger role next season, while Cage is a very good shooter/scorer who isn’t afraid to take a charge.
As you look down the list, you see Hayfield isn’t going anywhere soon. They will miss Ramirez and also big man Owen Pottenburgh, but they return four players that made first or second team all-district this season. Falls Church, Lewis, and Justice gave the keys to extremely young players this season but return good talent next season and figure to improve. Plus, you know coaches Tre Ford, Mark Gray-Mendes, and Jerry Mac at Annandale aren’t going anywhere as their squads, and the district, continue to improve.
–Chris Jollay
Teddy was a joy to watch one of the best pure scorers I’ve seen
Agree!!!!!