270 Hoops Proving Ground Week 3 Winners

On Sunday, the 20th of the greatest month ever (September), the best of the senior class took the floor to compete against one another at the Proving Grounds, the event consisting of four teams battling it out to see who can compile six wins the fastest. After the team reaches the target score, the young man who makes the potential game-winner must go to the free throw line and knock one in to end it, if the player misses the free throw the team drops back down a point which is forcing the players to finish games with clutch shots. These ballers had a little more to prove than most during this session, since their season’s were cut short and their summer was compromised, every chance to impress scouts and coaches alike is important. Since this event was so crucial to the futures of these players, they competed at a high level and did not give up anything cheap and easy. The winers of this event showed not only a high level of play, but also a willingness to play hard in this type of setting. Camden Primer- Teays Valley: If you blinked, you missed the impact Primer had on his team, when things got slow offensively for his team, Primer was the one the stopped the drought. Primer made plays for himself as much as he could with tough drives and somehow willing the ball in the basket on a bunch of different occasions over the course of the day. Primer grabbed some tough rebounds in traffic and got the transition offense started for his team numerous times as well. Defensively, he was tenacious, getting into offensive players jerseys and trying as hard as he could on that side of the ball. The MVP of the day “made so many winning plays,” according to Zach Fleer who ran the event. Caleb Conard- Big Walnut: He kept his team in games all day long, even some where they had no reason being in. His three point shooting was dead-on, creating some for himself with the ball in his hand and displaying his craftiness in how to get the shot off. He also got into the rebounding action, finding the ball while it was in the air and attacking in instead of letting it come to him. Connor also let scouts know that he has pretty good athletic ability as well throwing down a monster dunk in transition after flying past two defenders. This young man took over games on Sunday afternoon, putting the team on his back an guided them to early wins in the event. Will Miller- Bishop Hartley: A game finisher and a big shot maker, Miller was able to lead his team to wins by making big plays when the opportunity presented itself. This baller had a two game stretch where he dominated on both sides of the ball, a big time block on a dunk attempt then back-to-back-to-back three point field goals. Played physical all afternoon and made teams pay for not boxing out, gathering offensive rebounds and dropping them back in with ease. A knockdown shooter with the ability to put the ball on the floor and still score, Miller was a force from the time he stepped on the court until the event was over. Javion Williams- Briggs: Williams displayed his athleticism and scoring ability early in the day and then his defense and hustle later in the day. Overall, he put out his entire game on Sunday, giving colleges something to mull over to start the fall season. Offensively, he did not show a flaw, Williams showed the ability to lead the fast break and finish for himself or make plays for others while also getting in his iso bag and breaking down defenders to score on his own. On defense, this young man switched out onto quicker guards and stayed in front of them, even forcing them into turnovers and completely ruining offensive sets for the other team. [player_tooltip player_id="919033" first="Jahki" last="Henderson"]- River Valley: The big man was really impressive on Sunday, being the most dominant low post presence in the building. A wide base and quick feet made him a problem to score against inside if you were on offense because he did not get moved off of his spot easily and his timing was really good on getting his hands up to distract a shot. On offense, he was able to post up (yes, even in this type of environment), and get easy lay-ups over less physical players and he also took his jumper out to about 17 feet and nailed those. Showed some athletic ability, that one would not think he has because of his lower body, by throwing down some big time dunks. Jaylon Jackson- Centennial: He might be a better in classroom student than he is a basketball player, which is saying something because he is a tremendous defender who has the potential to fill a role as a three-and-D type of guard at the next level. His defense is always top notch but Sunday he showed that he can put his head down, drive to the rim and finish with an improved floater package. His passing has gotten better as well, Jackson threw some breathtaking dimes that hit shooters right in their hands and some fastbreak assists that reminded this writer of the better passers in the Columbus City League. He took over the final game, scoring eight straight points to boost his team to the victory on the day.