3A Patriot League POY Candidates

We’re almost there as the end of the season is upon us with most schools already having had senior night. There are some tight races with conference winners and some that teams that already have the league won. With that, we focus on who we believe has the chance to be the conference MVP. For the 3A Patriot League, this is one of the most interesting leagues in the entire conference. It contains the four of the two teams in 3A basketball with some very interesting candidates that has a chance to win the conference POY. Let’s check out who has stood out so far. The Favorite: <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/reece-johnson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/reece-johnson/">Reece Johnson</a></a> – Resurrection Christian Resurrection Christian is a perfect 9-0 in the conference and is also 18-0 to begin the season as they look like they will head into the state tournament with the No.1 seed and plenty of momentum. They are the favorites this season and a huge reason for that is they have a very good senior class and are led by one of the best-unsigned seniors in the entire state. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/reece-johnson/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/reece-johnson/">Reece Johnson</a></a> is an ultimate competitor that is putting up 17.9 points and 5.4 rebounds a game. The 6’3 combo-guard plays well off of the ball as he can shoot the ball well, get to the rim and finish and also is an unselfish leader that gets others involved. He also can put the ball on the floor and can create for himself. He’s a two-way player that steps up in big games and right now I have him as the favorite to win it all this season. The Second Favorite: <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/axel-henry/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/axel-henry/">Axel Henry</a></a> – Sterling Sterling is having a very good season as they have one of the most balanced teams in the entire class and a big reason for their success is their senior point guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/axel-henry/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/axel-henry/">Axel Henry</a></a>. Henry has helped lead the Tigers to a 16-3 overall record and they are the No.3 team in 3A. They have multiple players averaging in double figures and play an unselfish brand of basketball that keeps everyone happy and getting easy baskets with their rotations and belief in one another but when times get rough and they need a player to make the right play, they rely on Henry. Henry is averaging 17.7 points a game on one of the fastest-paced teams in the class. He is a great outside shooter but also makes sure that he is wheeling and dealing when the ball is in his hands and he is finding the open man. Players run harder when he has the ball as they know he will find them and he is also a perimeter defender that takes pride on that side of the ball. The Third Favorite: Isaac Jessup – Resurrection Christian Jessup right now is the third favorite to win the conference player of the year but it is honestly tough, he has a legitimate chance at being crowned the conference player of the year. The stats are certainly there. He is putting up 17.0 points a game while also leading the team in rebounding from the guard spot at 5.6 rebounds a game. He is a willing passer that players seem to love playing with and he is a coach's dream as he takes pride in his defense which is seen with his 4.7 steals a game which leads the conference by a wide margin and also is a sniper from deep. His versatility separates him from the rest of the pack and he is one of the best seniors in the entire class that colleges should be swarming around right now. Love what I have seen from Jessup this season. The Longshot: Ryan Ure – Eaton Eaton has truly turned things around in just a year. They bounced back from a 10-11 season and now are 15-3 on the year and are currently the No. 8 team in 3A. What is really good about their class is they are set up for sustained success as they have some really good seniors but the bulk of their production comes from the underclassmen. Amongst those underclassmen is one of the best big men in the entire conference, Ryan Ure. Ure is having a sensational season. He is averaging a double-double of 13.7 points and a conference-leading 12.5 rebounds a game. He is also averaging 2.7 blocks a game and is patrolling the paint and making things difficult on the opposing team the entire time. He cannot be moved down low, he moves well and also has a soft touch around the rim with the ability to step out and shoot the ball as well. He has put together his best two games of the season and will look to close out the season with another big-game. Solid season overall for him. Won’t win, but still a great season: <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tayt-chacon/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tayt-chacon/">Tayt Chacon</a></a> – University <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tayt-chacon/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tayt-chacon/">Tayt Chacon</a></a> is a name that you need to know. He is a sophomore with his upside and a high ceiling that is a multi-sport athlete with promise. This season the 6’5 small forward is putting up 17.9 points a game which is amongst the top of the class and one of the best for all sophomores and also at 3.5 steals a game as well. He uses his size to take advantage of smaller defenders, creates mismatches and makes smart-reads on the defensive end. He plays off of instincts and is progressing with each passing game. He has had some explosive games this year, like the game where he went for 40 points in only three quarters including the win and is a player to watch moving forward that hopefully plays basketball this summer with a club team to see just how good he could really be. I do not think he wins it this year but has a real chance to next season.