High Flyers: Central/Western VA Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the preseason for high school basketball, we will take a look at some different categories of players and those that excel in those roles in different areas of the state. Today, we take a look at some of the top rim rockers in the central and western parts of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489071' first='Kolier' last='Pruett'] | 6'4” WG | Narrows 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1934663,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Kolier-Pruett.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Kolier-Pruett.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1934663" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pruett is one of the best players in SWVA and has been an All State selection the past two years, and he has an all-around game including the ability to get to the rim and play above it with ease. While his best attribute is his IQ he can push the ball in transition and when he's not picked up he will go all the way and throw it down, he can catch lobs in the half court and he's able to rebound and defend bigger players with his athleticism too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1948391' first='Dante' last='Kearse'] | 6'5” F | Hargrave 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1595577,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Kearse-Dante-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Kearse-Dante-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1595577" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kearse was a big reason for Hargrave's success last season as they went all the way to the state semifinals, and his versatility and athleticism coupled with his high motor makes him a force in the paint. He is a very good shot blocker who can switch onto guards or come help side to block shots, he runs the floor and finishes above the rim consistently and he is an excellent rebounder on both ends too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1260037' first='Jonavan' last='Coles'] | 6'1” G | Chatham 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coles may play in a smaller market, but he makes exciting plays on the regular with his ability to get downhill and play above the rim effortlessly both in the half court and in transition. He'll attack the paint hard in straight lines and challenge defenders at the rim, he has a mix of power and flair when he gets out in transition and uses his athleticism defensively to make plays too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1340929' first='Austin' last='Williford'] | 6'5” WF | STAB 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1461948,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/05/Williford-Austin-TTO.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/05/Williford-Austin-TTO.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1461948" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williford is one of the top young prospects in the Charlottesville area, and he's also one of the best defenders and most exciting young players in the state too. He's a natural athlete with pogo stick like hops that he uses his to catch put backs and lobs even with players underneath him, he can handle the rock and score from the perimeter but also get downhill where he can use his athleticism to finish and he's a good shot blocker and rebounder for his size too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1782681' first='Odita' last='Aguolu'] | 6'6” WF | Blue Ridge 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1978863,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Aguolo-Odita.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/Aguolo-Odita.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1978863" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aguolu has shown tremendous potential early in his career and he's at a place in Blue Ridge that has had great success developing big time athletes into big time prospects. He has a frame that you would think he's an athlete if you just saw him walking down the street with long limbs, he's explosive off of one or two feet when he gets downhill, he plays with authority above the rim and he is starting to use his athleticism defensively to make plays too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->