Virginia Open Gym Notebook: Middleburg Academy
MIDDLEBURG, VA — Middleburg Academy will play arguably one of the toughest schedules of any team in the state this year. With a large majority of their games taking place away from home this year, the new-look Dragons will be tested…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingMIDDLEBURG, VA — Middleburg Academy will play arguably one of the toughest schedules of any team in the state this year. With a large majority of their games taking place away from home this year, the new-look Dragons will be tested early and often. Below are some notes from last Friday’s open gym.
Foster accepting leadership role
Incoming senior Tyler Foster, a highly talented 6-foot-5 guard out of Baltimore, will be the centerpiece for Dragons Head Coach Jaye Haggler offensively this season. The former Georgetown commit, who is drawing current interest from a handful of mid-division one programs, demonstrated impressive leadership intangibles along with a high level of talent during workouts. Expect Foster, who showed signs of what he can bring to this program in fall league, to be a barometer of the team’s form.
Okoye the x-factor?
The Capital Beltway League, considered one of the toughest basketball conferences in the DMV, is known for it’s sterling play inside. 6-foot-8 junior Henry Okoye, a broad-shouldered and athletic forward, is expected to step in and give the Dragons a forceful paint presence this season. Okoye is a hard-worker on the glass and will be asked to help his team control the boards and guard multiple positions.
Can Gilkerson run the show?
Since gaining valuable experience as an impact player for VA Academy during their state title run last season, junior point guard Shyheim Gilkerson has shown significant signs of improvement and is poised for a breakout season at Middleburg. A lockdown on-ball defender with improved touch from the perimeter, Gilkerson will be asked to handle pressure and collapse the defense in an effort to consistently create easy looks for his team.
Future building blocks coming together
With the addition of juniors Mike Cunningham and Ayush Mayur, along with sophomores Josh Perea and Peter Chuma, the Dragons are bringing up a nice group of young prospects in their program. Mayur, a 6-foot-6 sharpshooter for the District Basketball Club, is considered to have in the gym range from the catch. Cunningham is another strong shooter who will help stretch the defense and add depth on the wing. Chuma, a 6-foot-10 defensive specialist, will be asked to fortify the interior by rebounding and altering shots. Expect Perea to see some valuable minutes in the back court as a primary ball-handler.
’17 David Haggler showed the attributes to be a high level rim protector. Owning solid footwork and impressive leaping ability at 6-foot-9, Haggler is a competitive and aggressive defender with solid timing and instincts.
One of the most consistent shooters on the roster, ’18 Ian Pugh is another junior who could make a valuable impact with his ability to stretch the floor.