2020-2021 Breakout Candidates: 757

<p>We prepare for the high school season (hopefully) by taking a look at some of the breakout candidates in different areas in the state. Today, we take a look at six players in the 757 area to keep an eye on to make a name for themselves this year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="957897" first="Cam" last="Edmonds"] | 6’1” G | Western Branch 2021</strong></p> <p>Edmonds had a good year for a talented Branch team last year that made it to the state tournament, however after the summer he’s had with Team Push I wouldn’t be surprised if he continues on that tear this year with Branch. While he’s a part of a deep backcourt, Edmonds has shown that he can be an impact guy on both ends of the floor and can both initiate the offense and score the basketball with efficiency as well. He’s a tough minded guy who can set the tone for his team, and he’s able to score in numerous ways and score it in bunches.</p> <p><strong>Elijah Kennedy | 6’3” WG | Green Run 2021</strong></p> <p>How does a guy named First Team All State for a state championship team get on this list as a breakout candidate? Well, Kennedy went from unknown sixth man to one of the best shooters in the 757 last year, and he had a huge summer with BWSL Meech that has seen him draw offers and attention from college programs at multiple levels. He’s no longer a secret as the smooth lefty is a guy who can really shoot it from deep, is an underrated athlete and creator off the bounce and has expanded his game and shown terrific confidence all season long.</p> <p><strong>Pharoah Lassiter | 6’3” G | Bethel 2021</strong></p> <p>Lassiter came on strong last season as a second scoring option for a good Bethel team, and this year he’ll have the green light with the departure of sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id="697107" first="Marcus" last="Banks"] to Fork Union’s postgrad team. Lassiter is a guy I wouldn’t be surprised if he was one of the top scorers in the Peninsula next year, as he’s a smooth combo guard that can create off the bounce, make tough shots from multiple levels and gets hot very quickly. He’s an extremely hard worker and should assert himself as a big time scorer next year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="798704" first="LaSean" last="Lee"] | 6’6” C | Norview 2021</strong></p> <p>Lee is a guy who showed potential his sophomore year, but he has been dealing with injuries the last few years including last season when he didn’t play at all. Even with him on the bench, Norview made a run to the state championship, however they have to replace a lot of scoring with the departure of [player_tooltip player_id="793149" first="Jahn" last="Hines"] and [player_tooltip player_id="793157" first="Jamaal" last="Madison"], both who will head to CNU this year. If he’s healthy, Lee is a guy who can compliment senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="798688" first="Jaylani" last="Darden"] as a paint presence who can score with his back to the basket, stretch the floor out to 18 feet and is a good passer as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="962787" first="Kendon" last="Peebles"] | 6’4” WG | Catholic 2022</strong></p> <p>Peebles had a great year at Hampton Christian last season, and with his move to Catholic this year he’ll have a chance to show the TCIS how much he can impact the game in a number of ways. A long, athletic and high motor wing, Peebles is a guy who can score it on the offensive end at multiple levels but he really thrives as a two way impact guy who can guard the best player on the other team and uses his athleticism to make plays others simply can’t. He’s a stat sheet stuffer that makes winning plays and is easy to play with as he’s unselfish and plays hard all the time.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="999629" first="Sam" last="Brannen"] | 5’11” G | Norfolk Collegiate 2023</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Brannen-Samuel.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1054333" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Brannen-Samuel-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p>Brannen showed flashes of brilliance in his freshman year at Norfolk Collegiate including a good showing in the state semifinals and finals before they lost to Blue Ridge in the championship. With the departure of seniors [player_tooltip player_id="793100" first="Jordan" last="Battle"] and [player_tooltip player_id="798754" first="Tristan" last="How"], NoCo brings back a few guys who will have bigger roles, and that includes Brannen who showed he can score it well for his age in his sixth man role. He is a very high IQ kid who can shoot it from deep and is a good finisher despite his size in traffic.</p>