Myrtle Chaffin Classic Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual Myrtle Chaffin Classic took place at Mt Zion this past weekend, which in the DMV is the official kick off of the high school season. The event featured some of the best post grad and high school teams from all up and down the east coast, and had tons of talent in the building. Here's a look at some of the standouts from the two Mt. Zion teams in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1579092' first='Malachi' last='Palmer'] | 6'6” CG | Mt. Zion Prep 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1618012,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Plamer-Malachi-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/Plamer-Malachi-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1618012" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Palmer is the one of two returners on this MZP team that is looking to make a run for a national championship this year, and while he's dealing with some injuries he still stepped up big in their win over EPL foe Perkiomen. The 6'6” combo has the frame of a college junior, and he knows how to use that to bump defenders and create space and on the defensive end to stay in front. He stepped up and made big shots when his team needed him to the most, getting to spots at all three levels off the bounce and knocking down shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Brave Rustindura | 6'11” C | Mt. Zion Prep 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rustindura is the other returner on this MZP team, and while he showed flashes last year of his potential he looks much more comfortable now and made a number of big plays for his team. He's moving with purpose and looks more explosive as a finisher and a shot blocker, and he was more aggressive looking for his shot as well. He did a great job in the paint fighting for rebounds and getting extra opportunities, he finished well with both hands and he made energy plays for his team too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1579104' first='Bobby' last='Montgomery'] | 6'5” WF | Mt. Zion Prep 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2272397,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Montgomery-Bobby.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Montgomery-Bobby.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2272397" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Montgomery is going to be an x-factor for this MZP team, because when he plays well they have another level with his ability to make plays on both ends of the floor. The 6'5” wing is perhaps their best defender and has the frame and length to guard multiple positions while challenging shots. He played hard and got out in transition where he finished above the rim, he made shots from deep when he was open and even when things aren't being ran for him he's always bringing great energy and willing to do the dirty work.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2549771' first='Christian' last='Jeffrey'] | 6'4” PG | Mt. Zion Prep 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2272398,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Jeffrey-Christian.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/11/Jeffrey-Christian.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2272398" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jeffrey was simply outstanding for MZP this weekend and a big reason they went 3-0, as he was unguardable off the bounce and made plays across the board for his team. The Brooklyn native has a textbook NYC guard's game, as he is super shifty off the bounce with a mix of flair and purpose as a playmaker and a scorer. He's strong when he gets downhill and understands angles as a finisher, he thrives in the pick-and-roll where he's a good decision maker and he brings it defensively with his toughness and athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1494076' first='Francis' last='Folefac'] | 6'7” PF | Mt. Zion National 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2220827,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Folefac-Francis.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Folefac-Francis.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2220827" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Folefac is one of the most consistently productive players you'll find in the DMV, as he just shows up and does his job every time he's on the floor and his versatility makes him very intriguing. He's a big body with a good IQ and all-around skill set, as he showed his ability to both play on the blocks and make shots and good passes at the elbow as well. His motor never stops whether it's running the floor or hitting the glass, he was efficient as a scorer and he was always in the right place at the right time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1370507' first='Shane' last='Pendergrass'] | 6'8” PF | Mt. Zion National 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1576345,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/IMG-9904-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/IMG-9904-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1576345" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pendergrass is a new addition to this Mt. Zion team that won the private school state championship last year, and he looks like one of their best prospects early in the season. He was outstanding this weekend, as he showed his versatility and mismatch ability as he shot the ball well from deep and showed how he can guard multiple positions with his mobility and length. He is such a tough matchup with his ball skills at his size, and he is a guy who will only get better with time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kemari Pointer | 5'10” PG | Mt. Zion National 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pointer sometimes gets forgot on this Mt. Zion team with their big wings and versatile bigs, but he's the one who runs the show and he does a great job in doing so. He sets the tone defensively as a great point of attack defender who will turn ball handlers, and he controls the tempo and makes good decisions when he gets out in transition. He shot the ball well from multiple levels picking his spots and scoring it efficiently, and he was electric off the bounce touching the paint and making plays for others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->