After a year spent on the road, Chris Chaney is back in his home state with a new basketball venture.
Chaney, a Southern High graduate who led two prep powerhouses (Patterson and Laurinburg) in North Carolina, has teamed with Rich Marcucci to start a post-grad basketball program at Princeton Day Academy. The Lanham school already features a nationally renowned high school program coached by Baltimore native Van Whitfield. Chaney has big plans for his squad as well.
"It's not really a prep school – it's more of a training academy," Chaney said. "There are really only three in the U.S. – IMG [in Florida], Impact Academy in Las Vegas and us. Our competition, especially in the D.C., Maryland, Virginia area, is really nobody."
While Princeton Day's post-grad team focuses on individual skill development, strength and conditioning and film study, there are also plenty of opportunities for game competition. This weekend Chaney will take his team to New Haven, Conn., for the National Prep Showcase. The Storm will feature three Maryland players in their rotation: former Annapolis forward Delmore Howard, former Towson Catholic point guard Kareem Storey, and former Surrattsville guard Richard Harris -- the nephew of Terps legend Len Bias. Howard, a second-team Baltimore Sun All-Metro selection last season, is transitioning from the power forward spot he played at Annapolis to the wing – a position he'll likely play in college. Chaney said the 6-foot-4½ Howard is being recruited by several mid-major schools, including Iona and Northeastern.
"He's a kid that's improving on a daily basis, he wants to work hard and he's got athletic ability," Chaney said. "His shot has gotten a lot better. I think he'll have some good options playing this year. He does all the little things. With him being an inside player at Annapolis, I think that's a plus. He's already a good rebounder and he comes from a great program. … But he's a really good kid off the court with good grades. On the court, he's becoming a really tough, hard-nosed player that plays every possession like it's his last."
Storey, a 6-foot point guard, spent his senior year at KIMA – a Washington-based charter school – after Towson Catholic closed its doors over the summer of 2009. A mid- to high-major prospect with interest from Central Florida and Nebraska, Storey has been tasked with running the show for the Storm.
"Kareem's been our point guard. He's led by example," Chaney said. "He's a really good kid off the court and a tough kid on the court. I think he's got a big upside. He's developing into a true point guard and learning a lot this year. … If he keeps doing what he's doing, improves what he's doing, I think he's going to have a lot of options."
Harris, who Chaney said looks "just like" his famous uncle, is getting looks from low-major Division I schools and several DII programs. He was the Hornets' leading scorer a year ago.
"He's another one who's kind of like Delmore. He's 6-3 and played inside in high school," Chaney said. "He's coming off the bench for us and doing a good job. … He's the best shooter out of the three. He's got a good feel for the game, and obviously great bloodlines. I think he's going to have some good options at the end of the year. Our kids know it's not how high you go; it's about finding the right situation for you."
It's early in the season, but Chaney said he's enjoying working with his inaugural post-grad group at Princeton Day. The 17-man roster includes players from seven different countries.
"It's been great because we've been fortunate enough to bring in a lot of international players to the school," Chaney said. "And the kids are doing what they need to do on the court and off the court. They're very respectful kids. … It's a situation where I think a lot of good things could happen."
Baltimore Sun photo of Delmore Howard by Lloyd Fox / Feb. 13, 2010