Southern Jamfest Standouts (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoop Group Southern Jamfest took place last weekend at Boo Williams and the Virginia Beach Sportscenter, and as always it was one of the most talent filled events in the country. The field included shoe company teams from all three major circuits from all over the east coast, as well as some of the top independent teams in the country as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part one of some of the standouts from the Virginia teams in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lewis Walker | 6'6” F | Team Loaded VA 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1969795,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Walker-Lewis.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Walker-Lewis.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1969795" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker has been one of Loaded's most consistent players throughout the spring, and he was a big reason for them being co-champions of Southern after their championship game against SE Elite was canceled. The 6'6” forward is a big and physical presence who is quicker than he looks and gets downhill where he can finish through contact, he makes shots from all three levels and he competes on the glass and on the defensive end too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1231823' first='AJ' last='Wills'] | 6'2” PG | Team Loaded VA 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wills is part of a deep backcourt for Loaded, and he was fantastic on Sunday for them on their run to the championship against high level competition. Wills is a shifty guard who changes speeds well and has good burst to get in the lane and get downhill, he has excellent body control and when he finds contact he's able to contort his body and finish through contact and he can score the ball in many ways. He's also a good playmaker and defender as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Quaintance | 6'9” F | Team Loaded VA 17U '25</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1969796,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Quaintance-Jayden.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Quaintance-Jayden.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1969796" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Quaintance is one of the top prospects in the 2025 class, and it's easy to see why as he has a bag full of tricks and is as productive as anyone you'll run into at his age. He's still young for his grade but you wouldn't be able to tell, as he's already one of the strongest and most athletic players on the floor, he is well-rounded with the ability to do a little bit of everything on the offensive end and he's efficiently productive and makes it all look very easy while he's dominating the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mykel Jenkins | 6'6” WF | Dream Warriors 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1969797,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Jenkins-Mykel.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Jenkins-Mykel.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1969797" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenkins was originally with Boo Williams to start the spring and this tournament he played with Dream Warriors, where he put up unreal numbers against both independent and shoe company teams and showed why he's one of the most intriguing prospects in VA. The 6'6” wing showed his ability to play with the ball in his hands and create for himself off the bounce, he's a three level scorer who fills it up in bunches and is able to score the ball in so many different ways and with his size and athleticism he can impact the game a lot of ways on both ends.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paul Jones | 6'3” WG | Team Loaded 757 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1905515,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Jones-Paul-CBG.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Jones-Paul-CBG.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1905515" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones has been one of the top players on the HGSL and in the state of VA so far this year, and playing in the area he's from he did not disappoint with a few very good showings against some very talented teams. The 6'3” wing showed his impressive shot making ability knocking down contested looks from multiple levels, he showed good vision and feel as a playmaker and he used his athleticism to finish and rebound as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaron Walker | 6'3” WG | Twin Hoops 17U</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While this Twin Hoops squad out of Roanoke didn't play in the top division, Walker still showed he's one of the top scorers in the state putting up big numbers in multiple games, including a 40 point game where he hit 12, yes TWELVE, threes in the game. The William Fleming wing is a good athlete with a strong frame and can play on the ball and create space, he works well off the ball to get open and sets his feet quickly and he has good range from deep as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->