Top Performers: 804 Holiday Tournaments (Monday)
The holiday season can be a hectic time, especially when there’s five tournaments to cover in one area. While it’s impossible to be everywhere at once, Vantage Hoop’s Jack Herron got a jump start on the holiday tournament sessions by…
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Continue ReadingThe holiday season can be a hectic time, especially when there’s five tournaments to cover in one area.
While it’s impossible to be everywhere at once, Vantage Hoop’s Jack Herron got a jump start on the holiday tournament sessions by attending three different events yesterday. Here’s his take on the top performers across the 804 on Monday.
Keaton Simmons; Sr. PG; Stonewall Jackson
Simmons has been red hot this season, averaging close to 30 points a game and has been in the top five all season in the Washington Post scoring for the DMV area. In a close 63-59 win over Highland Springs, Stonewall needed all 35 from him, and he made it look easy the entire game. A lefty with a smooth handle and pull up off the bounce, Simmons paced Stonewall from the tip with 17 in the first half and continued with 18 in the second. One of the most skilled guards in the state, the 5’8 lead guard packs a punch in a lot of different ways.
Cory Hill; Sr. PG; Prince George
It’s safe to say that Prince George usually goes with how well Hill plays, and he stepped up huge in the TriCity Tournament semifinals with 33 points in a 10 point victory over rival Hopewell. A long and lanky 5’8 guard that changes pace well, Hill makes a living getting into the paint and creating plays. When he shoots it consistently from the mid range, he’s a handful to guard because of his explosiveness and ability to get to the line. He’s a playmaking lead guard who gets it done on both ends, especially in big games.
Nick Sherod; Sr. WG; St. Chris
The Richmond commit was everything you expected from an elite scorer yesterday in their 83-72 come from behind win against Hylton. Sherod started the game slow, going 1-for-5 in the opening minutes, but hit his next five shots and never looked back. He finished with a game high 34 points, shooting 12-for-21 from the field and pulled in 16 rebounds. It’s no surprise that he’s been dominant, and despite teams game planning for him his ability to hit contested shots makes him a threat every time he has the ball.
Alex Petrie; Jr. PG; St. Chris
It’s hard not to continue to write about this kid, because he’s been out of this world for a St. Chris team that just keeps winning. While Sherod continues to fill it up as expected, Petrie has been as good a second option as he could be, and made big plays down the stretch when the Saints needed a boost. He shot it efficiently, going 11-for-20 from the floor and 3-for-7 from deep, and had four big steals down the stretch that he converted into points in transition. He’s a big reason for their 10-0 start, and they continue their stretch of tough games against Trinity Episcopal today at Henrico.
DJ Hill; Jr. WF; CD Hylton
In a balanced lineup that includes multiple scorers and playmakers, Hill was impressive as he played both on the wing and in the post, and was effective in many different ways. The 6’4 combo forward was a mismatch problem all day, tallying 18 points and 9 rebounds shooting 8-for-11 from the floor. He can get lost at times in the lineup, but he’ll quickly remind you how productive he can be.
Charles Falden; Sr. WG; L.C. Bird
One of the most underrated all around scorers in the Richmond area, Falden was both efficient and dynamic in their 92-46 win over Freedom. The 6’3 off guard showed his ability to create for himself and work without the basketball, and scored it well from all over the floor. He finished with 19 points and 9 rebounds in just three quarters of action.
Cutch Ellis; Sr. PF; Benedictine
The 6’7 senior had his hands on the ball all game for Benedictine who dropped a heart breaker to Calvert Hall of Maryland 63-57 in overtime. The Cadets didn’t shoot it well at all last night, shooting 30.5% as a team, but they did outrebound Calvert Hall 53 to 27, and Ellis was a big reason. He stuffed the stat sheet going for 18 points, 20 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 assists. Benedictine has played a brutal schedule and lost a few close ones, but Ellis has been a consistent factor for them.
Jeremy Sheppard; Sr. PG; John Marshall
The Central Florida commit showed off his range as usual in their 73-52 win over Kings Fork, but he also surprised some people with his athleticism. The 6’0 Sheppard shut the gym down with not one but two big left handed dunks, and finished with a game high 22 points. He’s been playing high level basketball all season, and will have to continue that with a big matchup with LC Bird scheduled for tonight.
RJ Young; Sr. WF; Highland Springs
Another lefty, the senior wing was in a groove for the Springers despite their loss to Stonewall Jackson. A long and bouncy 6’4 perimeter scorer, Young was consistent from deep both off the catch and the bounce, and showed the ability to score it at all three levels. He’s also able to guard multiple positions and rebounds well for a guard.