High Flyers in Central/Western VA (Part 2)

<!-- 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 two of some of the most athletic players and finishers in the Central and Western areas of Virginia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999654' first='Kameron' last='Roberts'] | 6'6” F | Hargrave 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1421258,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Roberts-Kam-TBT.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Roberts-Kam-TBT-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1421258"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Roberts has been known as one of the most explosive athletes in the state of Virginia over the past few years, and it's easy to tell just by looking at him as he has a very impressive frame that just looks athletic. He has a strong upper body and strong legs that makes him very powerful when he gets downhill, he's quick and super explosive off his feet and when he gets around the rim he can make plays others can't with his ability to go to the top floor and leave others in the dust.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999644' first='Stark' last='Jones'] | 6'3” CG | Cave Spring 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1364071,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Jones-Stark-Cave-Spring.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Jones-Stark-Cave-Spring-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1364071"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is one of the best players in the Roanoke area and was key to Cave Spring's run to the Class 3 state championship, and when I say that he hunts bodies and dunks with high energy it's an understatement. The 6'3” combo gets downhill aggressively and at every chance he can, he uses his length and pop to rise up and challenge help side defenders and if he has his eyes on the rim he's going to attack it with aggression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403959' first='Josiah' last='Banks'] | 6'4” WF | Roanoke Catholic 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1423621,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Banks-Josiah-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Banks-Josiah-CBG-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1423621"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Banks has really come along since transferring to Roanoke Catholic and reclassifying to the 2023 class, and this summer he showed how he's grown into his body and become very bouncy over the past couple years. He has a long and wiry frame that allows him to get deflections and steals and get out in transition where he can finish above the rim, he gets well above the rim to finish and rebound and he's become much more confident in his athleticism and finishing ability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1127313' first='AJ' last='Swinton'] | 6'7” WF | Oak Hill Academy 2023</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1344040,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/Swinton-AJ.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/Swinton-AJ-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1344040"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swinton showed over the past two seasons at DeMatha he was one of the most athletic young players in the DMV, and now he heads to the NIBC where he'll put his athleticism on display against a national schedule of the best of the best. He has fantastic size on the wing already which makes him a mismatch, he attacks downhill with aggression and doesn't shy away from contests at the rim and he's an excellent lob and put-back threat when he's off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1340929' first='Austin' last='Williford'] | 6'6” WF | STAB 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1501142,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Williford-Austin.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/Williford-Austin-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1501142"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williford is quickly becoming one of the top young prospects in the entire state in the class of 2025, and one of the things that separates him is his high motor and pogo stick like bounce he has. He works on the defensive end to get steals for transition opportunities and coming help side to block shots, he crashes the glass hard on the offensive end for put-backs and shows the ability to put it on the deck and get to the rim where he can finish, and as he continues to get stronger he should have even more highlight reel plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->