Junior forward John Hemsley has gone from the fall guy to the go-to guy for the sixth-ranked Southern-B Bulldogs.
"It was kind of frustrating because if there was a mistake involving me and a veteran, they would get looked over and I was given the blame," said Hemsley, who played on the varsity as a freshman.
"Sometimes, I felt like quitting. Then came the bench situation [last season] where I realized that there were other key people that had key roles."
One of two returning players that played considerable minutes off the bench for the area's No. 1 and nation's No. 2 last season, the 6-foot-5 Hemsley is averaging 16.7 points and 13.7 rebounds.
Last weekend at the Tidewater Classic, Hemsley scored 25 points and had 12 rebounds against one of the country's top recruits, 6-foot-9 Luther Clay, in a 92-68 loss to Maine Central Prep.
"He has made the transition very smoothly," said Southern coach Meredith Smith. "He understands that we don't expect him to be a savior. We expect the same thing that he expects of himself."
Though looked upon to carry most of the scoring -- and leadership -- for the two-time defending state champion Bulldogs (1-2), Hemsley wants to help bring along a team that is dominated by underclassmen.
"I want to be an all-around player," said Hemsley. "I know that I will be looked upon to do a lot of scoring, but if I can get the whole team into the flow of the game it will give everybody confidence."
Hemsley's confidence was boosted during the summer, playing at various camps and tournaments, including the L.A. Gear Slam-n-Jam Invitational in Long Beach, Calif., the War in the Woods Tournament in New Jersey and the Five-Star camp in Honsdale, Pa.
At the Slam-n-Jam, Hemsley played on a team representing Baltimore, along with Shawnta Rogers and Reggie Frazier (Lake Clifton) and Blanchard Hurd (Milford Mill). Hemsley was a key contributor off the bench as Baltimore reached the semifinals despite being seeded 22nd.
"I saw him during the summer and he's very talented," said Dunbar coach Paul Smith, whose team faces Southern Saturday night at UMBC in the Fuel Fund Classic. "He's not overly powerful, but his height to go along with his skills makes him tough."
Comparisons between Hemsley and Kevin Simpson already have begun. Simpson, who is attending Dixie Junior College in Utah, was the Baltimore Sun's Player of the Year and a third-team All-American selection by USA Today last season.
"Johnny has the same extraordinary athletic abilities as Kevin," said Smith. "I think that Kevin, the great player that he was, played with more experienced players. Johnny doesn't have that luxury, but he understands the value of knowing the game."
Hemsley knows that there will be comparisons to Simpson because of their similar height and abilities. He wears uniform No. 31 -- the same number Simpson wore in his junior and senior seasons -- in tribute to last season's team.
Hemsley's continuing progress will be a key if Southern is to win a third consecutive state championship.
"Playing with guys like Kevin Simpson, Damon Cason and Dante Williams, your game can't help but get better," said Hemsley. "I never got a chance to thank those guys for all the hard work and effort they put forth."