By Cardell Dudley
With the 2014-2015 college season upon us, it's only right to give our two cents on who you should keep an eye on throughout the college hoops landscape in the DMV. With the rise of so many local programs such as Towson and George Washington to go along with traditional powers like Georgetown and Maryland, college basketball throughout the DMV may be the deepest its ever been. Let us begin........
Kethan Savage
George Washington
Junior 6'3 Guard
I was in the stands for the stands for the National High School Hoops Festival which was held at DeMatha in December of 2011. I was checking out Episcopal vs Benedictine action and especially Episcopal explosive star guard Kethan Savage. Savage who had just commited to George Washington caught my eye with his all aroud play and of course his athleticism....and then it happened. Savage caught the ball moving up the sidelines, a Benedictine defender met him in an attempt to keep him out the lane, Savage gave the defender a hesitation in and out crossover, the defender fell to the floor all I saw next was Savage ferociously flushing the basketball....the entire DeMatha gym went CRAZY. Savage had just attracted a new fan. Oh and yes Episcopal won the game 44-38 with Savage scoring 22 points. Fast forward three years, Savage is one of the top guards in the competitive A-10 despite coming off a injury (fractured foot) that cut short a breakout season where he averaged 12.7 points (on 51.8 percent shooting), 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assist and 1.9 steals per game. Savage helped lead GW to a 24-9 record (matching the second most wins in the programs 100 years) and a at large bid to the NCAA Tournament where they fell in the second round to Memphis 71-66. With the graduation of Maurice Creek and Isaiah Armwood, GW coach Mike Lonergan will look to his junior class of Savage, outstanding wing Patricio Garino, steady point guard Joe McDonald and big man Kevin Larsen to raise their game to counter for the loss. Ultimately, Savage is the key, he a is match-up nightmare for any team and with him in a leadership role adding to his ability to impact the game in so many ways, expect GW to be making another appearance in the NCAA Tournament come next spring.