Sharp Shooters: 757 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 shooters in the Hampton Roads area of the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1117676' first='Josiah' last='Rickards'] | 6'3” CG | Catholic 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1918808,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Rickards-Josiah-17.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Rickards-Josiah-17.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1918808" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rickards is perhaps the most under recruited available senior in the 757, as he's had a fantastic high school career and can do a little bit of everything including knock down shots at a high clip. The 6'3” combo has an effortless game in which he makes it look easy with his ability to create space off the bounce, he can make shots both off the bounce and off the catch and he has good looking form and deep range when he lets it go.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489096' first='Ellis' last='Wright'] | 6'5” WF | Western Branch 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wright is another under the radar available senior who not only is impressive in how well he shoots it but his size at 6'5” with long arms gives him an advantage in getting his shot off. He doesn't need much space and has a quick release when he catches it, he's deadly from deep particularly from the corners and he isn't a liability defensively as he can challenge shots and has good instincts too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494110' first='Sebastian' last='Whitfield'] | 6'5” WF | Cape Henry 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1423679,"width":959,"height":20,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Whitfield-Sebastian.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/04/Whitfield-Sebastian.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1423679" style="width:959px;height:20px" width="959" height="20" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whitfield is one of the more dynamic all-around scorers in the 757, as he has good size and athleticism to get downhill and he can score the ball from multiple levels when he gets it going. He shoots it very well from deep with effortless range and good footwork to get into his shot on the move, he can get to spots in the midrange where he can rise up and make contested shots and he gets to the line often where he converts at a high percentage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494111' first='Masiah' last='Stevens'] | 5'10” PG | Woodside 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stevens may not be the biggest guy on this list, but the lightning quick guard is an absolute bucket who can score it in bunches and is a big time shot maker and creator from deep as well. He has the ability to stop on a dime or get into the step back to create space and get into his shot from deep, he has in the gym range and a lot of confidence to let it fly from deep and if you press up or close out hard on him he has blow by speed and good finishing ability too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1956079' first='Alex' last='Etheridge'] | 6'2” WG | Kellam 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Etheridge is the next in line of a long list of talented guards and wings that have come from Kellam, and he's widely considered one of the top shooters in the Beach District heading into his junior season. He's a high IQ two guard who understands spacing and relocates well to get open, he has great form from the feet up and a consistent release with good rotation and he can create his own shot on the ball as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1963391' first='Deshawn' last='Spellman'] | 6'7” WF | Landstown 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2086987,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/Screen-Shot-2023-07-17-at-9.59.56-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/Screen-Shot-2023-07-17-at-9.59.56-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2086987" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Spellman might have the highest upside of anyone on this list as a next level prospect, as he already has a great frame with good length and athleticism coupled with his ability to torch nets from deep. The lefty wing has the ability to size up defenders and get into his shot with little to no room, he runs the floor and is confident enough to let it fly in transition and he shoots it at a very high clip in the half court as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->