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Here is what Gazette staff members saw last week at summer basketball games.

Monday, June 22

Boys: Churchill, Magruder, Richard Montgomery, Quince Orchard

Either Magruder's defense is back to its stifling best of a few seasons ago, or Churchill will really, really miss recent graduates Chase Hicks and Elijah Gore. Most likely, the answer lies somewhere in between.

Either way, Churchill scores only eight first-half points and 25 in the game. Will Lewis looks like a shooter, but no go-to scorer, a la Hicks, was in evidence in this game. Balance will be key.

Meanwhile, the Colonels can shoot again. Four different players hit 3-pointers: Tim Harwood, Joe Emerusabe, Dan Ruland and Arthur Doe. That doesn't even include trifecta specialist Spencer Datt.

A wide-eyed sophomore last year, Emerusabe looks like this team's closest player to the Donald Robinson/Brian Henderson mold: a tallish (about 6-foot-2) wing that can score off jump shots and dribble-drives.

Quince Orchard, regulars in the 4A West Region finals over the past several years, will be a real handful in Class 3A next winter. These Cougars bear all the hallmarks of a Paul Foringer team. They also have plenty of height, lots of experience returning, and leading scorer Mac Kennedy is legit.

Their opponent, Richard Montgomery, is also a nicely balanced team. The Rockets could stand to find a little more depth, but their starting five covers all the bases. Nick Brown runs the point, Shawn Stephens covers the post, Dominique Hansberry does the scoring, T.J. Fitzgerald is the 3-point threat and Jonathan Mensah makes the hustle plays.

Tuesday, June 23

Boys: Watkins Mill, Damascus, Gaithersburg

There is an old adage that good players make clutch plays in key situations. Damascus guard Marzel Graham might be in that category soon.

During Tuesday's summer league game at Clarksburg, Graham found his team trailing by two with just under a minute remaining. But the rising senior didn't panic, as he calmly stroked a 3-pointer to sting Watkins Mill, 44-43, in a back-and-forth contest.

After emerging as the Swarmin' Hornets' go-to player with a 33-point outburst against South Carroll last season, Graham completed the 2008-09 campaign as an unpredictable threat. But he must be a constant this winter for the Hornets to have any success, as head coach Rick Riley lacks any other player with significant varsity experience.

The Wolverines must find a way to replace eight seniors. Rising junior Darnell Henson and senior Derrick Hall will be counted on to carry the load.

In the nightcap, Gaithersburg blitzed Walkersville with a fast-breaking offensive attack and full-court press for nearly all 28 minutes. The Trojans are young and need to develop some depth, but the lean and athletic front court of Malcolm Miller and Horial Poggy will provide an inside scoring presence while sophomore Trevor Reed develops at the point.

Wednesday, June 24

Girls: Good Counsel, Damascus, Poolesville

On paper, there are three reasons why reigning Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champion Good Counsel could be depleted: graduated guards Symone Lyles, reigning All-Gazette first-teamer Syrian Snyder and Gazette Player of the Year Katie Sheahin. Head coach Tom Splaine called them "probably the best trio of defenders I have ever had."

But there are at least that many reasons why they won't be.

A slew of fresh faces looked impressive in a Montgomery County Summer League matchup with Glenelg, many of whom are experienced. Senior guard Kelsey Murphy — a returning starter — shot the ball well, but the story was the youngsters.

Pivot Amanda Fioravanti is just a freshman, and looks like a star in the making. Meanwhile, physical rising junior Gillian Abshire showcased not only impressive touch but disruptive size at guard.

Damascus and Poolesville also showcased some precocious talent in their matchups, several of whom were impact players last winter.

Though the Hornets lost their second game of the summer, they should be better than they were a year ago, with a player to watch being rising sophomore sharpshooter Michelle Mahon. The Falcons have a dead-eye rising sophomore marksman of their own, Lindsay Poss (Poolesville's leading scorer a year ago), while rising juniors Holly Chittenden and Katelyn Keese are also back.

Thursday, June 25

Boys: Sandy Spring Friends

Sandy Spring Friends rising senior swingman Sean Juman scored a team-high 11 points in a 43-36 loss to Spencerville at Magruder.

Only three players will return to the Wildebeest varsity next season, but coach Joe Limarzi said the nine players he has on the summer league team could be the most dedicated group he has had in years.