VA Showcase: Top Underclassmen Performers
The Vantage Hoops Virginia High School Showcase proved to be a competitive event which featured a talented crop of young prospects. Below is a breakdown of the top 8 freshmen and sophomore performers from the event, organized in alphabetical order…
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Continue ReadingThe Vantage Hoops Virginia High School Showcase proved to be a competitive event which featured a talented crop of young prospects. Below is a breakdown of the top 8 freshmen and sophomore performers from the event, organized in alphabetical order by last name.
Jamon Battle – 6’4″ frosh guard – Meadowbrook
Jamon owns a terrific frame, standing 6-foot-4 as a freshman. He owns a nice blend of size and athleticism, and does well to finish in transition around the basket. He’s a tenacious defender, and demonstrates a confident shooting stroke out to three point range. He’s definitely one for division one coaches to keep an eye on moving forward.
Aaron Cash – 6’6″ Soph. forward – Millwood
Already carrying two division one offers from Penn State and Richmond, many knew what to expect from Aaron Cash on Saturday. He did not disappoint, catching an early tip slam which displayed his great athleticism, coordination, and reactions. He ran the floor very well, and also displayed the ability to play out of the triple threat. He made some very nice plays with the ball in his hands, illustrating a great feel for the game. He shot a very efficient 5/7 from the floor on his way to 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Michael Christmas – 6’5″ frosh wing – Landstown
Michael owns a rare blend of size, athleticism, and fundamental skills. He scored 16 points on Saturday, good enough for second on his team. He was forced to play out of the post, but still managed to be highly productive. He exhibited the ability to score from three levels, and has an excellent work rate only means he’ll continue to improve.
Brayden Gault – 6’4″ Soph. guard – Battlefield
Brayden is a blue- collar guard who owns great size and versatility. He demonstrates a tight handle, but is comfortable on the wing or the low block as well. He often posted up smaller defenders, and rebounded very well out of his position. Despite a slight hitch in his shooting form, he is a confident and efficient shooter from beyond the arc. He totaled 16 points and 5 rebounds, while hitting all 6 of his foul shot attempts.
Malik Jefferson – 6’8″ Soph. PF – Hopewell
Despite being a bit raw at this point, there are a lot of things to like about Malik Jefferson. He’s already a very good rebounder and rim protector as a sophomore, but also has a surprisingly soft touch. He cashed in two elbow jumpers from about 15 feet out, showing there are other pieces to his game. He showed a great deal of upside on Saturday, finishing up with 10 points and 8 rebounds.
Dominique Johnson – 6’6″ Soph. PF – Kecougthan
Owning a wide base which he used to carve out space on the low block, Dominique was very effective in the post for his team. Totaling 14 points and 5 rebounds, he exhibited solid footwork and established position around the basket where he used his soft touch to finish plays. He’s remarkably nimble for his size, and has a really nice touch.
Tim Montgomery – 5’10” frosh PG – Princess Anne
Not the biggest guard, but Tim is a strong guard who showed poise under pressure. His mid-range pull up jumper with under a minute to play sealed the victory for his team. He has a high IQ and feel for a freshman, and his middle game is already developed, which is key for a point guard. He’ll have to grow, but his frame shows that he’ll be a strong player for a while.
Tommie Pope – 5’10 Soph PG – Norcom
Tommie is without question Norcom’s top perimeter defender, and was assigned to Skyhawks standout Mario Haskett to start the game. He moved his feet well to try and keep his opponents in front of him, and did well to try and contest every shot. He showed toughness and a fearless edge which will fare him well down the road. He’ll need to become more of a threat offensively, but he’s great at his current role as a lock down perimeter defender.