“We are very excited, but we’re also being very realistic,” Russell said. “It’s our first year, but we did play summer league at Woodlawn and got some bump against some pretty good varsity teams. We’re in Division 2. The teams to beat are Northwestern and Forest Park, [which] is loaded with transfers. That will be a battle. … Those are the teams we’ll focus on. [We’re just] lifting, conditioning and getting ready.”

Leading the way for Masonville Cove in its inaugural varsity season will be Marcus Harvell, a 6-foot-5 junior forward with serious junior-college interest. Russell said other city coaches have told him that Harvell is one of “the most athletic big men in the city.”

“What I like about Marcus at 6-5 is that he can take players inside and out, and take them to the basket,” Russell said. “He has a developing, nice wing game. His shot isn’t what it should be yet, but the way he takes players off the dribble [is impressive].”

Russell also expects big things from DaQuan Caver, a 6-foot junior who transferred to Masonville Cove from Archbishop Curley.

“Caver just brings great leadership and athleticism on the wing for us,” Russell said. “And I think he should really see a lot of minutes right away with his abilities. He’s a great defensive guy, too.”

Running the point for Masonville Cove will be Jesse Barr, a 5-foot-7 junior, who -- along with shooting guard Leon Fleming -- reportedly fared well at Navy’s elite camp over the summer.

“Jesse Barr is a scholar-athlete with a 3.6 GPA,” Russell said. “He’s a leader and our defensive stopper. … We took Jesse Barr, DaQuan Caver and [6-foot-4 sophomore forward] Kevin Thompson to the Keystone State Shootout. Quite a few coaches up there said Jesse was probably one of the best point guards there.”

Russell said he was pleased with his squad’s performance this summer, and he’s cautiously optimistic for this season. Conyers, meanwhile, is currently preparing for a tryout camp with the Erie Bayhawks of the NBA Developmental League. He has one small piece of advice for his former coach as he embarks on his first season of varsity play.

“I know [Russell] had the opportunity to go to a high level in his coaching career, but … he loves where he’s at,” Conyers said. “He wants to stay there and help kids. In Baltimore, that’s a good thing. If I would say anything, I’d say keep doing what you’re doing. He helps get kids like me out of my neighborhood, which is not that good. [He will] just keep giving kids an opportunity.”

Photo of Masonville Cove Academy team courtesy of William Russell.