Takeaways: Virginia Preps Classic
The 9th Annual Virginia Preps Classic lived up to expectations, with three games that went down to the last shot. In it’s first trip to Richmond, we saw multiple upsets, a team on a 42 game win streak pushed to…
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Continue ReadingThe 9th Annual Virginia Preps Classic lived up to expectations, with three games that went down to the last shot. In it’s first trip to Richmond, we saw multiple upsets, a team on a 42 game win streak pushed to the limit, history made and many memorable moments. Here’s what we took away from the six game event.
Buckingham Makes Henrico History
It was a long time coming in a terrific career, but Richmond commit De’Monte Buckingham became the all-time leading scorer in Henrico County history, surpassing his coach Vance Harmon who scored 1,717 points at Douglass Freeman. Earlier in the week, Buckingham broke former Henrico great Kenny Foster’s school record of 1,688 points in their win over Patrick Henry on Tuesday.
The Warriors needed every one of Buckingham’s 17 points and 12 rebounds to hold off a scrappy Lake Taylor team to win 55-54, their 42nd win in a row dating back to the beginning of last season. After Lake Taylor controlled the game for three and a half quarters, the Warriors’ showed their poise and experience as they stuck to their game plan and continued to attack, getting the Titans into foul trouble and finishing big plays. If the record wasn’t big enough, Buckingham also hit the game winning shot with eight seconds yet, hitting a fall away pull-up jump shot with a hand in his face.
The Warriors improved to 14-0 on the season, and jumped to #5 in the Vantage Hoops Top 30 Power Poll.
Xavier Green has Williamsburg Christian Clicking
Williamsburg Christian has been somewhat of a surprise this season. There’s no doubt that we knew they were going to be a good team, and even compete for a VISAA Division 3 Championship, but they have been even better than expected halfway through the season. The Eagles are sitting at #15 in the Top 30 poll, and have boasted impressive wins over talented teams in Norfolk Collegiate, Atlantic Shores and Benedictine.
It’s no question who the leaders is for WCA, and that’s senior guard and ODU commit Xavier Green. The 6’6 guard was unstoppable in their 79-65 win over James Monroe, finishing with 23 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocks, shooting 9-for-10 from the field. Green was both efficient and exciting, as he didn’t settle and attacked the rim for a variety of highlight worthy dunks. While he’s the biggest player on WCA, which some see as a problem, it allows them to space the floor as they all can dribble, shoot and pass.
If the Eagles, and Green in particular, continue to play this dominant, they will be a tough team to beat.
John Marshall gets the Big Win they Need
After suffering some tough defeats to L.C. Bird and Deep Run over the holiday break, John Marshall got the big win that they needed to quiet the doubters, beating then #2 Blue Ridge 71-70 in an exciting game that was back-and-forth all the way to the wire. Junior forward Isaiah Anderson hit a double clutch layup with less than 15 seconds for the go-ahead basket for the Justices.
John Marshall didn’t have a size advantage, and even lost the rebounding battle 46-37 giving up 28 offensive rebounds. However, Anderson and fellow junior forward Greg Jones were relentless in the paint on both ends, forcing Blue Ridge to take 32 three-pointers on the day. Jones was the most dominant player on the floor, with an efficient 20 points on 6-for-12 shooting, and chipping in 10 rebounds and 6 blocks.
Despite their best player being UCF signee and combo guard Jeremy Sheppard, the Marshall’s strength down the stretch will likely be their inside play. Jones and Anderson, who chipped in 13 points and 8 rebounds, are both skilled enough to step outside and score it on the perimeter, and strong enough to bang inside. When they play well, Marshall (10-2) will be a tough team to match up with in 3A.
Bethel a Bonafide Contender with Dickens
It was big news when 6’11 junior Dajour Dickens announced he was going to transfer from Miller School in Charlottesville back to his original school Bethel, because the Bruins were already one of the hottest teams in all of the VHSL. In their first big game with the big man back, Bethel looked like they were ready to shake up an already stacked 5A South.
The Bruins fought off a furious come back from then #4 L.C. Bird, who were down by 18 at the half. The guard oriented Skyhawks struggled early with the size of Dickens, but it wasn’t their bigs that struggled, it was their guards who couldn’t attack and finish at the rim. Despite shooting it fairly well from mid-range, the Skyhawks guard trio couldn’t get clean looks, and looked confused in the first half when to attack the big man.
Dickens finished with 18 points on 9-for-10 from the field, most of them uncontested dunks at the basket, but his impact for his teammates was even bigger. With the Skyhawks having to focus on him in the middle, it opened up easy shots for knock-down shooter Kyle Foster, who finished with 21 points and 5 three-pointers, and attacking wing Jeremiah Owusu, who finished with 16 points. Owusu was the toughest player on the court, playing with energy on both ends strapping up and keeping plays alive.
Bethel entered the Top 30 Power Poll after the win at #26, and will be tough to beat with their mix of athleticism, and perhaps the best big man in the VHSL back in Hampton.
Katstra Leads Albemarle with Buzzer Beater
It’s not every day that you see a buzzer beater dunk, but it happened in the second game of the day when 2017 Austin Katstra won the game on a slam at the horn to beat a red hot Varina team 54-53. Albemarle improved to 11-3 on the season after the dramatic win.
Katstra, who burst onto the scene with a big summer with Boo Williams, was huge down the stretch, finishing with 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 blocks despite foul trouble in the first half. It was one of the first games back for the 6’6 junior who has been fighting a wrist injury, but with him in Albemarle has a chance to compete with anybody because of their skilled and big front line. Along with Katstra, who consistently shows a high motor and versatility, they also have 6’5 junior Jake Hahn who can shoot it and clog the middle.
With the two in the post, don’t be surprised if Albemarle shocks some good teams when the playoffs come around.
Sleepers Continue to Produce
There have been a few sleeper prospects that we have been monitoring throughout the season that were in the event, and a few others that stepped up in crunch time. Here’s three players who had a huge impact, and could be a great get for college coaches who notice the potential.
- Percy Burt; Sr. F; James Monroe
The 6’5 forward was efficient and didn’t try to do too much for James Monroe. Despite their loss, Burt was a consistent force in the post and on the wing finishing with 22 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks. The 3.5 student showed the ability to move without the ball, rotate well for help side defense and wasn’t afraid to go at Xavier Green despite his name and dominant performance.
- Andre Watkins; Jr. PG; Varina
What makes Watkins so intriguing as a prospect is his 6’2 frame and super long arms. He’s a menace on defense, as his length makes it tough for opposing guards to see over him and make easy passes. He’s also hard to keep out of the lane, and his length and athleticism allow him to finish in the lane. He still has a way to go, but he’s one to keep an eye on going forward for sure.
- Amahd Elliott; Sr. PG; Lake Taylor
An inside-out presence, the 6’5 Elliott was phenomenal in both ways for Lake Taylor, and was as scrappy as they come down the stretch as they almost knocked off Henrico. The senior shot it extremely well finishing with 18 points on 8-of-13 from the field and 2-of-5 from deep, and chipped in 6 rebounds as well in just 17 minutes. His versatility is one that coaches should definitely take a look at.