Early Season Wing Standouts (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season is in full swing and the Holiday tournament time is right around the corner, so we decided to take a look at some of the top performers we've seen so far this season. Here's a look at part one of the top wing performers we've seen in VA so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='992528' first='Dennis' last='Parker'] Jr. | 6'6” WF | John Marshall '23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1694452,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Parker-Dennis-MVP.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Parker-Dennis-MVP.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1694452" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parker Jr. has been one of the top players in the state over the last few years, and he's currently playing his best basketball of his career and has John Marshall sitting in national rankings as they've already played one of the toughest schedules in the state and still have a lot of big time games coming up. The NC State commit has consistently produced on both ends of the floor, and has put up big numbers including 26 points in a win over Landstown, 22 points in a win over Holly Springs (NC), 26 points 5 assists 5 rebounds in a win over Hopewell and 26 points in a win over Dematha.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jason Rivera | 6'5” WF | John Marshall '23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1694453,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Rivera-Jason.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Rivera-Jason.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1694453" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rivera may look familiar when you see him if you've seen the hit show Swagger where he's a star on the show, but don't get it twisted he can flat out hoop and has been a huge addition to John Marshall this season. The 6'5” wing has brought toughness and an impact on both ends of the floor, and has had some impressive performances including 14 points 13 rebounds in a win over Dematha, 23 points 5 rebounds 5 steals in a win over Landstown 23 points in their win over Millbrook (NC).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='999619' first='Yuri' last='Manns'] | 6'3” WG | LC Bird '23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1302372,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Manns-Yuri-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/Manns-Yuri-CBG.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1302372" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manns was an All State performer as a junior for the Skyhawks, and this year he's even more of a go-to guy who will likely be one of the top scorers in the state when it's all said and done. He's a three level scoring machine who stays aggressive and knows how to score the ball in different ways, and he's shown that with games of 24 points in a win over Prince George, 40 points in a win over Monacan, 21 points in a win over George Wythe and 29 points in a win over Huguenot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='977592' first='Austin' last='Ball'] | 6'6” WF | Miller School '23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1581505,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Ball-Austin-CBG-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Ball-Austin-CBG-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1581505" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The George Mason commit is widely considered to be one of the top wings in the state and the favorite to win the VISAA D2 Player of the Year, and he's gotten off to a great start so far this season. He's stepped into more of a leadership role and has been very aggressive on both ends of the floor, and he's had some big performances including 24 points 5 rebounds in a win over Rosedale Catholic (MD), 19 points in a loss to STAB, 16 points 13 rebounds in a win over Highland School, 21 points in a win over Hargrave and 11 points 9 rebounds in a loss to Millbrook (NC).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Curtis Blair | 6'5” WF | Steward School '23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1582217,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Blair-Curtis-CBG-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Blair-Curtis-CBG-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1582217" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Liberty commit came into this season with something to prove and that is that he's one of the best scorers in Richmond, and so far he's been showing that as he's been a tear for the Spartans to open the season. The 6'5” wing is a natural scorer who can create and make shots from multiple levels, and he's had some impressive games including 22 points in a loss to Benedictine, 21 points in a win over Norfolk Collegiate, 23 points in a win over Varina, 30 points in a win over Cristo Rey and 34 points in a win over Douglas Freeman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1573495' first='Toa' last='Hollenbeck'] | 6'2” WG | Grassfield '23</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Grassfield hasn't had the best start to the season and have dropped some very close games, Hollenbeck has been proving why he's one of the most underrated players in the 757. The CNU commit has showed he's a knock down shooter and can be the go-to guy offensively, as he's had games of 23 points and the game winner against Thomas Dale, and he's scored in double figures every game this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->