2022 class: 5 prospects I expect to have a great ending

<p>Starting now until the start of the season, I will be highlighting prospects from three different classes.</p> <p>So, I’m getting things started with the 2022 class. This is the last lap for this class. Some prospects in the class have already committed to a college program. Some are still picking up offers. Some are on the verge of picking up that first offer.</p> <p>Whatever the situation may be, each prospect in the class should still come and perform each week. There are no days off in basketball.</p> <p>This class has been solid, so slowing down shouldn’t be an option.</p> <p>Here are 5 prospects I expect to have a great ending.</p> <p><strong>D</strong>.<strong>J</strong>. <strong>Richmond</strong>, Harding Academy: The 6-foot-0 point guard made a huge difference for the Lions last season. Harding Academy was in need of a guard that could create his own offense. Richmond provided it. In his first season with the Lions, Richmond averaged 17.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game. He was rewarded all-district honors, and made Harding Academy a force in league play. Richmond should put up similar, if not better, numbers in 2021.</p> <p><strong>Daniel</strong> <strong>Egbuniwe</strong>, FACS: The 6-7 wing has one more thing to do at the high school level: lead the Crusaders to a Division II-A state title. Egbuniwe came close as a sophomore. He’s coming off a junior season averaging 17.8 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.1 blocks per game. Egbuniwe will be the most talented wing in the league this upcoming season. He has the ability to shoot efficiently from the perimeter, take his defender off the dribble, and alter a lot of shots at the rim. With [player_tooltip player_id="537221" first="Alex" last="Anderson"] graduating from Tipton-Rosemark Academy, there are no excuses for Egbuniwe, who should easily be a walking 20-10-5 guy every night.</p> <p><strong>Braeden</strong> <strong>Moore</strong>, CPA: Moore ended his recruitment during the summer by committing to Rutgers. Now he can focus on helping the Lions have a successful season. Moore was a Division II-A Mr. Basketball finalist last season and had the program in the state title game. CPA will be in Division II-AA this upcoming season, so the competition is going to be tougher, but Moore has faced tough competition before. His floor spacing, ability to shoot from 3, and move well without the basketball will have Moore in position to be one of the best seniors on the floor this season. If his teammates are prepared, which they will be under Drew Maddux, the Lions should make a deep playoff run.</p> <p><strong>Hayden</strong> <strong>Ledbetter</strong>, Lausanne: The lane is open for Ledbetter to be the best point guard in the league this season. He went from being a great passer to being a balanced floor general. It was always there. Ledbetter just needed to get from underneath the shadows of the senior class from the 2019-20 season to showcase his scoring ability. Ledbetter, who averaged 17.3 points and 7.6 assists a season ago, made big shots for the Lynx in 2020. He even led the team in scoring during important stretches of the season. It was needed, and it will be needed again since he’s a senior with a lot of postseason experience under his belt.</p> <p><strong>Jaxon</strong> <strong>Toney</strong>, Harding Academy: The 6-6 forward had a breakout junior season for the Lions by bringing energy on both ends of the floor. Toney provided scoring, rebounding, and aggressive defense. He will need to do the same in 2021 if Harding Academy wants to have postseason success. Toney can make shots from the perimeter, and occasionally will put the basketball on the floor. He can play with his back to the basket, and causes matchup problems due to his size and upper body strength.</p>