Standout Junior Prospects from 6A Texas Playoffs (Part 3/3)
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This is my list of prospects who have had some standout games over the first week of the Texas High School Playoffs. (Part 1: https://prephoops.com/2022/02/standout-junior-prospects-from-6a-texas-playoffs-part-1-3/) (Part 2: https://prephoops.com/2022/02/standout-junior-prospects-from-6a-texas-playoffs-part-2-3/) Chris Johnson Chris Johnson 6'6" | CG Montverde Academy | 2023 State…
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Continue ReadingThis is my list of prospects who have had some standout games over the first week of the Texas High School Playoffs.
(Part 1: https://prephoops.com/2022/02/standout-junior-prospects-from-6a-texas-playoffs-part-1-3/)
(Part 2: https://prephoops.com/2022/02/standout-junior-prospects-from-6a-texas-playoffs-part-2-3/)
Chris Johnson
Chris
Johnson
6'6" | CG
Montverde Academy | 2023
State
#27
Nation
FL
2023 6’4 Fort Bend Elkins High School
Chris is one of the most impressive scorers I have seen in a few years. His patience and ability to single handily take over any game makes him an elite weapon. He is a dynamic scorer with great size at the guard position, he can bully defenders off of him in the paint with ease and finish using his athleticism and ability to hang in the air. He has incredible ball control and his ability to get downhill and get his shot off the dribble was incredibly impressive. His constant aggression and willingness to attack the basket ended up putting a ton of pressure on the defense of every team he faced. He lived in the paint and subsequently the free throw line as well. I was blown away by his ability to dominate in the midrange with his back to the basket, he was incredibly tough to defend once the defense was on its heels trying to protect the paint and he rose up for a quick two dribble pull up. In the most recent game I saw him play (highlights below) he was missing his senior big man and took over the game for all four quarters, he showed an ability to dominate the ball and creating every single look for his team. Elkins beat Cinco Ranch in the first round but lost to Cypress Creek in the next round.
Jacolb Cole
Jacolb
Cole
6'8" | SF
Link Academy | 2023
#148
Nation
MO
2023 6’8 Bellaire High School
Jacolb was very impressive in the few games I have seen him play. He was getting to his shot at all three levels, dominating on the block and attacking the basket with a live dribble. His agility and ability to maneuver around defenders in the paint was very impressive. He is a confident spot up shooter from the corners and wings, which forces defenders to run at him hard and allowing him to blow by them with a one to two dribble move. His ability to consistently knock down shots from the midrange really opened up the lane and the arc for him. His size and ability to get around his defenders is incredibly elite. He always puts pressure on the defense by getting into the paint. He consistently makes the right reads to his open shooters, including on the most important play of their season. He has the ability to take over any game he wants to and can do so on both ends of the floor. He defended bigs at a high level and seemed to swallow up smaller guards. Bellaire beat Cypress Ridge and then Seven Lakes on a CRAZY buzzer beater, (created by Cole) and are set to take on Cypress Creek on March 1.
Keanu Dawes Keanu Dawes 6'8" | SF Stratford | 2023 State #186 Nation TX 6’8 2023 Forward Stratford High School
Keanu is a supremely athletic big man who is a paint beast. His ability to dominate coming downhill full speed really put pressure on the defense and made defenders hesitant to jump with him. I really loved watching him operate in the mid post and taking one to two power dribbles and getting to his spot at the rim. His ability to maneuever with the basketball was very impressive for his size, and he should be able to easily translate into a mobile wing or stretch four/ five at the next level. The big man has the ability to dunk everything and really seems to provide a spark with his energy and athleticism on both ends of the floor. I was really impressed with his touch in the midrange and the touch he is able to put on full court outlet passes to jump start a fast break. Dawes is beginning to see some major attention from some high level programs, including Tennessee, Texas A&M and TCU Universities. Stratford beat Westbury High School in the first round and lost to Mayde Creek in the second round. I fully expect Dawes to come back as an even more polished player next year, and I am excited to see him during the AAU period.
Josh Apkovwa 2023 6’7 Seven Lakes High School
Josh is a force in the paint, his ability to rim run and protect the rim allows him to be a real weapon for Seven Lakes High School. His massive frame punishes smaller defenders on the block and he is great at using his length and weight to his advantage with his back to the basket. Apkovwa plays off of his two lead guards very well, and is a great pick and roll punch with the two of them. He rolls hard to the basket for easy opportunities and is good at fronting the post and sealing off his defender. I would like to see him work on his end to end speed and work on becoming a more consistent rim runner. Seven Lakes beat Fort Bend Travis and then lost to Bellaire High School on a tough buzzer beater at one of the best high school games I have been to in some time.
Chase Cain Chase Cain 6'7" | PF Shadow Creek | 2023 State TX 6’6 2023 Shadow Creek High School
Chase is an incredibly lanky and long athlete whose size seemed to fill up the paint and affect opponents on both sides of the floor. He moves very well for his size and showed a real ability to stay in front of quicker guards and hold his own against larger forwards looking to bang down low. He came out and blocked jump shots and turned away shots down low with ease. He ran the floor well and dove without the ball to give his guards an open target to fire passes in down low, which he turned into easy bunny hooks over pretty much anyone. He needs more post moves besides his simple hooks, but he has time and when he does, he will begin to dominate on both sides of the floor. I also believe he needs to focus on the outside in aspect to his game, and work on his pull up jumper as well as his handle and ability to get to the rim. Shadow Creek beat Clear Springs and Summer Creek and are set to take on Dickinson on March 1.