High Flying Athletes from the Easter Classic

<p>[player_tooltip player_id="970126" first="Omarion" last="Layssard"] - Cenla Dynasty 2023 - Northwood - 2023<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-4292-rotated-e1650581145302.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1436375 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-4292-rotated-e1650581145302-300x266.jpg" alt="" width="182" height="161" /></a></p> <p>Layssard had to be the best if not one of the three best vertical athletes at this event. While standing at 6’2, the shooting guard was untouchable as a scorer around the paint. When coming off two feet he not only elevated higher than just about anyone but doubled down with his mid-air body coordination. He caught my eye with his initial layup lines, where he threw down a few windmills. Defensively, Layssard does well contesting shots without fouling when in help-side. An area of improvement would be his lateral quickness against quick guards.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-4282-rotated-e1650581203885.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1436376 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-4282-rotated-e1650581203885-300x283.jpg" alt="" width="192" height="181" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1076705" first="Cedarius" last="Yates"] - New Mexico D1 - La Cueva - 2023</p> <p>Yates was a powerful athlete in transition, where was effective in a variety of ways ranging from finishing, passing, and defensive ability. At roughly 6’3, 170 lbs Yates demonstrated a knack for disrupting the passing lanes and making the most of those subsequent fast break situations. While he was excellent driving and finishing around contact, an area of improvement will be his jump-shot volume.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="970140" first="Kevin" last="Jones"] Jr. - Cenla Storm 2023 - Peabody Magnet - 2023<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-4338-rotated-e1650581267831.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1436377 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-4338-rotated-e1650581267831-300x242.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="161" /></a></p> <p>At 6’5, Jones was everywhere on the offensive glass this past weekend thanks to his exceptional motor. Although not a big body, Jones possesses a wiry strong frame, allowing him to stay up with contests around the rim while being mobile while navigating screens. On multiple occasions, both teams got chippy with each-other, in these moments Jones brought that extra bit of energy needed to keep his team in games. Yates was easily one of the most aware off-ball defenders this past weekend.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-4311-1-rotated-e1650581333448.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1436378 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-4311-1-rotated-e1650581333448-300x193.jpg" alt="" width="208" height="134" /></a>Nikk Williams - Top Achievers Elite 2023 - Plano Senior - 2023</p> <p>Williams posed as the frontcourt antithesis of teammate Jackson Seale, by maneuvering around screens and playing excellent help defense. Standing at roughly 6’6 along with long arms, Williams used his length well to disrupt shots around the rim either through contests or blocks. He was also committed to both ends of the glass, although he was especially quick on the break when needed. Another strength of Williams has been his ability to attack closeouts and make the right read once pressure comes.</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1051642" first="Desmond" last="Duncan"] - WBBP Rush 2023 - Winnfield - 2022<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-4391-1-rotated-e1650582267644.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1436381 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-4391-1-rotated-e1650582267644-300x215.jpg" alt="" width="232" height="166" /></a></p> <p>Duncan was one of the most powerful rim finishers this tournament, thanks to his assertiveness as a cutter and attacking closeouts. Standing right around 6’4, Duncan caught eyes all weekend thanks to his off-ball decisiveness paired with his uncanny vertical leap. In a fullcourt setting, Duncan is an absolute blur thanks to his ballhandling confidence and long strides. The combo guard’s size should allow him to be a dependable on-ball defender at the next level, although continuing to work on consistent off-ball awareness will be influential.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-4371-rotated-e1650582334242.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1436382 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG-4371-rotated-e1650582334242-300x267.jpg" alt="" width="218" height="194" /></a>Jayson Demcher - Team Devoted 2024 - Argyle - 2024</p> <p>Demcher was a surprising shooting guard prospect, while he did not rise up often, when he did there was significant damage done. Standing at 6’3, the sophomore was excellent in the traditional role as a floor spacer. The added layer to his game came in full-court situations, where he showed no mercy for those attempting to block him. As Demcher’s ballhandling opportunities grow, I would imagine he will be a common name in the Texas hoops scene.</p>