After sending a tremendous senior class into the collegiate ranks last year, it would have been easy to conclude that the Maryland Lady Terps might experience a down year this summer. That, however, is not the case.
“We were able to add some great players, so we were basically able to re-load. I think we still have the best team in Maryland,” said head coach Robert Hildreth, who guides the squad along with assistants Joe Dunston and Calvin Missouri. “We lost a lot of talent from last year, but I don’t think we will be taking a step back.”
The Lady Terps will be showcasing their talents in their backyard at the highly competitive DC Nationals from July 6-8. The DC Nationals will be held at the NEW 24 facility in District Heights, MD.
The Lady Terps will be led by Amari Carter, a 5-8 guard who is rated as the No. 31 prospect in the Class of 2015 by the All Star Girls Report.
“We think Amari is one of the top guards in the country,” Hildreth said. “She is a lot like Johnny Dawkins, a smooth left-handed combo guard who can do it all.”
“Carter is a very athletic lefty who can attack the rim, and she has a great mid-range game,” noted ASGR analyst Bret McCormick.
Carter will be joined by an impressive cast on the perimeter, where the Lady Terps will feature two 6-1 daughters of former NFL players — Qalea Ismail and Kayla Robbins — plus two cousins — Lindsey (2015, 5-11) and Danielle Edwards (2015, 5-7, Clemson commitment). Ismail’s father Qadry played with the Baltimore Ravens, and Kevin Robbins had a lengthy career with the Cleveland Browns. Ismail is rated as the No. 76 recruit in the Class of 2015, while is the No. 93 prospect for 2016.
“Qalea is a player who can do it all. She is more of a finesse player who can defend and rebound, and she is a very smart player,” Hildreth said. “Kayla has an excellent outside shot, but her main thing is her defense. She is a lockdown defender who can guard anyone, one through five, at this level. Lindsey plays the two or three, and she is a slasher who is a heck of an athlete. She does a lot of things very well, with a nice jumper and a good three-point shot. Danielle is a point guard who is very fast with the ball, and she has a great basketball IQ. I think she will be a coach one day.”
On the inside, the Lady Terps will rely on 6-2 Sarah Overcash from the Class of 2016. Hildreth is also expecting important contributions from Michala Clay (2015, No. 249, 6-0, PF, St. Joseph’s commitment), Jessica George (2015, 5-8, SG) and Kaila Clark (2015, 6-0, WF).
“Sarah is a blue collar post player similar to Stephanie Dolson at Connecticut,” Hildreth said. “She is a rebounding machine, and she can score in the paint.”
McCormick also added his perspective on the Lady Terps:
Qalea Ismail: “Ismail is a multi-positional player. She has good length, and she is a blue collar type player who does everything well.”
Kayla Robbins: “Robbins is an ultra-athletic player who can rebound and score. She has a nice fall away and she can hit the three.”
Lindsey Edwards: “She is a quick, wiry player who can slash to the basket or hit the three.”
Danielle Edwards: “She is an athletic, true point guard who is solid with the ball. She is fundamentally sound, and she really knows the game.”
Sarah Overcash: “Overcash is a blue collar, high motor type of post who does all the little things and plays hard.”
Michala Clay: “Clay is a good athlete with a strong college ready body. She can score inside, and she can put it on the floor.”
Jessica George: “George is a strong athlete who can put it on the deck. She has a good mid-range game and she hits the three.”
Kaila Clark: “She is an impressive leaper. She is a great rebounder who can score inside with either hand, and she plays hard.”