EPL Championship Standouts (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The inaugural Elite Prep League held it's Conference Championship in Richmond this past week, and there was tons of talent in front of a number of college coaches! Champion Hargrave defeated Massanutten in an absolute classic in the championship game, and tons of players improved their stock heading into the final stretch of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part one of the standouts from the Virginia schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1403917' first='Troy' last='McKoy'] | 6'5” WG | Massanutten ‘24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1785453,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/McKoy-Troy-EPL.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/McKoy-Troy-EPL.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1785453" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McKoy was absolutely fantastic for Massanutten helping lead them to the championship where they fell in a heartbreaker to Hargrave in one of the best games of the season. In their win over Mt. Zion in the semifinals, McKoy absolutely took the game over from the beginning showing his ability to make tough shots from all over the floor, he rebounded and made plays defensively and he showed the dog and competitive chip that separates him from other talented players. He finished with 32 points going 9-for-19 from the floor and 12-for-13 from the line, and he had a double-double with 13 rebounds in their win over Mt. Zion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1241885' first='Adrian' last='Myers'] | 6'7” F | Massanutten</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1785449,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Myers-Adrian-EPL.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Myers-Adrian-EPL.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1785449" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Myers was perhaps the most impressive player in the Championships, as he was dominant and almost single handedly brought them back against Hargrave with an impressive display of shot making in the second half. The Mississippi State commit showed his athleticism with numerous highlight reel finishes above the rim, he shot the ball very well from deep and made tough shots from deep and in the midrange and he put up huge numbers in both of their games. He finished with 30 points and 7 rebounds in their win over Mt. Zion and 40 points on 11-for-17 shooting from the field and 8-for-12 from deep with 6 rebounds in their loss to Hargrave.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mike Gray | 6'1' CG | Massanutten</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1821166,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Gray-Mike-Mass.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Gray-Mike-Mass.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1821166" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray has emerged over the season as a great third option for Massanutten, and he always seems to step up against the most talented teams and in the most important times. He was great as both a scorer and distributor throughout the two games, he got the line and made key free throws down the stretch and he made shots from all over the floor when his team needed him to the most. He finished with 17 points and 4 assists in their win over Mt. Zion and had 16 points and 7 assists in their loss to Hargrave.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1448801' first='Chase' last='Nelson'] | 6'0” PG | Massanutten</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1785452,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Nelson-Chase-EPL-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Nelson-Chase-EPL-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1785452" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson was a big reason that Massanutten turned their season around as he went through a hot shooting stretch in conference play that led him to an All Conference Second Team selection, and while he didn't shoot the cover off it in the tournament he still was very good for them, particularly in the championship game. He did a good job handling the ball and getting them into sets and made plays on both ends of the floor for them. He finished with 15 points and 4 rebounds against Hargrave.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carmelo Pacheco | 6'4” WG | Fork Union</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1785439,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Pacheco-Carmelo-EPL.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/Pacheco-Carmelo-EPL.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1785439" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While FUMA wasn't able to get a win losing to First Love in the first round, Pacheco has been one of the most impressive and improved players in the EPL and showed his knock down shooting ability. The 6'4” wing runs to spots and gets set quickly to let it fly from deep, he has effortless range out past the NBA line and he has consistent form and is very confident in his shooting ability. He finished with 14 points and was 4-for-9 from deep in their loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>James Morrow | 6'7” PF | Fork Union</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1622940,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Morrow-James-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Morrow-James-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1622940" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morrow is an intriguing prospect that division one coaches should be taking a look at with his upside and production level he's had this year. He is a strong forward who is athletic as a rebounder and finisher around the rim, he is active defensively challenging shots and jumping passing lanes and he has good touch out to the midrange and at the free throw line. He finished with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds in their loss to First Love.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Larry Bulluck | 6'2” CG | Fork Union</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bullock continued to get better throughout the season and played his best basketball down the stretch, cultivating in a very good game against First Love. He's an athletic guard with great speed in the open floor and explosive finishing ability, he made shots from deep off the catch and off the bounce and defensively he did a good job on some of the top scorers in the league. He finished with 12 points going 5-for-7 from the field and 2-for-3 from deep and pitched in 4 rebounds too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->