5 Breakout Candidates in Central/Western VA

<p>We take a look at some of the up and coming guys in the central and western part of the state, as we look at five underrated guys who should have breakout seasons this year if everything goes the right way. Take a look at these five guys we’re sure that you will hear more of this year.</p> <p><strong>Spencer Hamilton | 6’9” PF | Perry McLeur 2022</strong></p> <p>Hamilton had quite a year last year for McLeur, and with his size and skill set he’s emerging as one of the top prospects in the SWVA area. The 6’9” big is a guy who can play inside out and has range out to the three-point line, he’s mobile and can run the floor and he can protect the rim and rebound in the paint as well. He picked up his first offer from ODU over the summer and he’ll have a chance to be an All State guy if he stays healthy and produces at a high rate this year.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="964450" first="Jacob" last="Rice"] | 6’7” F | Miller School 2022</strong></p> [caption id="attachment_1078498" align="alignnone" width="254"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Rice-Jacob.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1078498" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/11/Rice-Jacob-254x300.jpg" alt="" width="254" height="300" /></a> Photo: Kevin Schneider, <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachHunterHCC/status/1302773209150959616" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Big Shots</a>[/caption] <p>Rice was a guy who played sparingly at Blue Ridge last year during their state championship run, and after announcing he would transfer to cross town rival Miller he had a good summer with Hill City Crash where he showed his production rate and high upside as well. He’s a hybrid forward with good size that plays with a high motor that makes him an impact on both ends in a bunch of ways. He rebounds at a high rate, he can score in a variety of ways and he can defend multiple positions as well.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="815622" first="Trey" last="Gillenwater"] | 6’2” PG | Eastern Mennonite 2022</strong></p> <p>Gillenwater was a big reason for EMHS trip back to the state championship game last year, and with the departure of star [player_tooltip player_id="793105" first="Aviwe" last="Mahlong"] (Millersville) he will take the reigns as the go-to guy and leader for a talented and well coached Mennonite team this year. He’s a traditional point guard who can run the show and make plays for others, but he’s also a guy who can create shots for himself at multiple levels and step off the ball where he can make shots from deep at a high rate. He’s a guy who has the size and skill set to be a scholarship level player at the next level moving forward.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="999635" first="Josh" last="Sime"] | 6’7” PF | Western Albemarle 2023</strong></p> <p>Sime is another in a long line of Western bigs that will go on to be collegiate players, and along with rising junior [player_tooltip player_id="962797" first="Henry" last="Sullivan"] they should have one of the top front courts in all of Class 3 this upcoming season. Sime is a throwback big that you have to love with his high motor and rim protecting ability, he can score in the paint over both shoulders and he can step out and make shots in the midrange as well. He’s fundamentally sound and always around the basketball, and if he continues to improve he’ll have a chance at being a scholarship level player at least.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="999644" first="Stark" last="Jones"] | 6’2” PG | Cave Spring 2023</strong></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Jones-Stark-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1049784" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/09/Jones-Stark-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p> <p>Jones had an impressive freshman campaign at Roanoke Catholic before deciding he’ll transfer to public school this year, and he’s at a great place to show what he can do as the reigning Class 3 state champions lose their entire starting lineup from last year. Jones is a big guard who’s a good athlete and very strong, and he’s a guy who thrives in transition and can get in the lane at will and make plays for himself and others. One of the things that really impressed me with Jones when I saw him was his defensive ability, as he has natural instincts, uses his body well and has quick hands to force turnovers.</p>