Myrtle Chaffin Classic Sunday Rundown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the weekend the annual Myrtle Chaffin Classic took place on the campus of Mt. Zion Prep. Featured were a mixture of high school and prep programs and each year it's always a great opportunity to get an early looks at some of the top talent from the region. For this article, I'll look at a quick rundown of what unfolded from the four games that I watched.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1662714,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/IMG-0720-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/IMG-0720-300x225.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1662714"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Massanutten vs Covenant College Prep</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a great first game to start my day with. It featured Mississippi State commit [player_tooltip player_id='1241885' first='Adrian' last='Myers'], who wasted no time in asserting himself as a scorer. The 6'7 wing scored a game-high 33 points that included four triples. He connected on three of those early on where he hit his defender with a variety of step-backs or sidesteps to create the necessary space. Myers also had a few nice finishes above the rim in transition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1662715,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/IMG-0721-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/IMG-0721-300x225.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1662715"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>His counterpart 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='1403917' first='Troy' last='McKoy'] joined on the scoring clinic by pouring in 31 points of his own. The 6'5 combo guard is build like a linebacker, but possesses effective burst and a soft touch on his pull up. If he gets to the cup, he's able to embrace and finish through contact. 2023 guard Michael Gray was also instrumental in the win for Massanutten. The former Landon standout scored 17 points and was extremely efficient in his approach as a scorer or as a decision-maker. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Covenant College Prep was led by 2023 Jaden Kempson, who followed up his 37-point performance from Saturday night with 29 points in this loss to Massanutten. The 6'3 lead guard is a natural bucket-getter and did so from multiple levels. He breaks his man down with an array of crossovers, hesitations or spins to create space for himself. He can finish with either hand around the basket and has the utmost confidence in his jumper from three or midrange.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1662712,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/IMG-0726-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/IMG-0726-300x225.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1662712"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Mt. Zion Prep vs RockTop Academy</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 guard [player_tooltip player_id='1117694' first='MJ' last='Smith'] has no problems with his confidence as a scorer and when his shot is dropping like it was in the early goings of this game, it makes this Mt. Zion team a well-oiled machine. The 6'2 guard scored 15 of his 16 points from beyond the arc and provided floor-spacing for the Warriors out of the gate. The No. 1 player in our 2024 rankings, [player_tooltip player_id='1579092' first='Malachi' last='Palmer'], scored 12 of his 15 points in the second half to provide the breathing space his team needed in order to churn out a win. 2024 Dominic Stewart is going to emerge as a key piece for Mt. Zion this season. The 6'6 wing has a pure stroke off the catch from deep and poured in 14 points to follow Smith and Palmer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RockTop was led by 2023 win Earle Greer's 27 points. His versatility at both ends was evident as the 6'7 wing took advantage of open looks from three time and time again. He ran the lanes hard and used his length at the rim to deter any contests. I was a fan of Greer when I saw him last spring, but he's added plenty to his game since then.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1662713,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/IMG-0725-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/IMG-0725-300x225.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1662713"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 Ryan Archey picked up where he left off from last season when he ran the show for Gwynn Park. The 6'1 point guard was a surgeon in ball-screen situations as he got to his spots in the midrange or painted area for jumpers and floaters. He put constant pressure on the defense thanks to his ability to expose driving lanes as rotations occurred and made the opposition pay for slow rotations to the tune of 25 points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1662711,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/IMG-0734-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/IMG-0734-300x225.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1662711"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>St. Frances vs Shabach Academy</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pittsburgh commit [player_tooltip player_id='1114066' first='Carlton' last='Carrington'] got off to a strong start to the 2022-23 season as he led the Panthers past a tough Shabach Academy squad with 27 points. Carrington has the ultimate green light and when his shot is falling it looks as if he's in the gym alone going through routine drills. The elevation he gets on his jumper off the bounce almost makes the defender who is contesting irrelevant. 2025 point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1370503' first='Tyler' last='Jackson'] gave an early glimpse as to why he'll be one of the most feared players in a loaded class. The 6'2 sophomore scored 20 points on 9-of-14 from the field and always provides plenty of flash in his ability to she his defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was my first chance to get eyes on St. Frances freshman big man Gage Howard. I walked away very pleased as the 6'7 big showcased mobility, skill and a great motor that all contributed to his 13 points and eight rebounds</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shabach was led by 2024 wing [player_tooltip player_id='1403922' first='Ralph' last='Martino']. I hadn't seen Martino in action for some time prior to this weekend and since he has polished several areas. He's also grown naturally to stand about 6'7. Martino led his team with 20 points and seemed like an automatic bucket when shooting off the catch. He's also extremely bouncy and always a lob threat when he's in the vicinity of the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 [player_tooltip player_id='957108' first='Farrell' last='Crowell'] used his bruising frame on drives to force the defense in a tough spot. If he wasn't finishing through contact, he was visiting the charity stripe and taking advantage. The 6'3 combo guard tallied 16 points in the loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1662710,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/IMG-0741-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/IMG-0741-300x225.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1662710"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Mt. Zion Prep Academy vs TPLS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This short game write-up starts emphatically with the play of 2023 [player_tooltip player_id='1482975' first='Fallou' last='Koite']. Obviously it's the very beginning of the season, but Koite is heavily in the running for my favorite find for the month of November. At 6'6 he possesses great size and broad shoulders that will fill out over time, but it was his fun-natured approach blended with a competitive edge that drew me to him immediately. It also didn't hurt that he scored 26 points to lead the Warriors in a dominant win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 Isaiah Alexander chipped in with 12 points and looks as if he'll provide some nice balance as a combo guard. His knack for knocking down open looks from three and pushing the tempo in the open floor will keep the defense's attention. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->