High Flyers in Central/Western VA (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the high school season just around the corner we're going to take a look at some of the top performers in certain aspects of the game in different areas of the state. Here, we take a look at part one of some of the most athletic players and finishers in the Central and Western parts of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999628' first='Desmond' last='Roberts'] | 6'5” WF | STAB 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1498678,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/Roberts-Desmond-STAB.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/Roberts-Desmond-STAB-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1498678"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roberts is the type of player that you have to love the long term potential of, as he is a superb athlete with a great frame and a budding skillset that is easy to love moving forward. He is an absolute menace in transition as he can get way above the rim and throws it down with major authority, he can rebound and protect the rim defensively and when he gets a head of steam going downhill you might as well get out of the way or problems could arise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1241885' first='Adrian' last='Myers'] | 6'7” F | Massanutten 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Myers, who recently decommitted from Rhode Island, is a player we have seen improve immensely over the past few years and he's a hybrid forward who projects as a 3 and d guy at the next level with his athleticism and ability to knock down shots. He's super dynamic in transition as he can rise up and throw it down, he can catch lobs on plays called for him within the flow of the offense and in out of bounds plays and he attacks the glass hard for put-backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='977592' first='Austin' last='Ball'] | 6'6” WF | Miller School 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1497782,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/Ball-Austin-Miller.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/Ball-Austin-Miller-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1497782"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ball is one of the most sought after prospects in the state of Virginia, and while his shooting is what he's known for he's also a big time athlete who can play above the rim and brings great energy with the way he does it. At 6'6” he has long arms and is explosive off of two feet allowing him to catch in the dunkers spot and elevate to throw it down, he can handle in transition and get downhill for big time throw downs and tack on the fact he's a knock down shooter makes him very good on the offensive end of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1483034' first='Diarmid' last='Stewart'] | 6'5” WF | Blue Ridge 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewart is a two sport star that also thrives on the football field so it's no surprise that he's an explosive athlete with good speed and strength as well. The 6'5” wing from Pennsylvania is the type of player who gets downhill aggressively, throws it down with both one and two hands often and he can use his athleticism on the defensive end to make plays both on the perimeter and coming help side.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1241884' first='Elijah' last='Mitchell'] | 6'5” F | Oak Hill Academy 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1174858,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Mitchell-Elijah.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Mitchell-Elijah-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1174858"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mitchell was a standout at William Fleming the last few years and is heading to Oak Hill this year, and he'll bring a lot of dog and explosiveness to their team. The 6'5” hybrid forward plays much bigger than he is with his strength and explosion, he gets downhill and when he gets his eyes on the rim he's always looking to throw it down and he can crash the glass for put-backs as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->