Springers Holiday Tournament Standouts (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The annual Springers Holiday Tournament took place at Highland Springs High School outside of Richmond, featuring eight teams total and six very good teams from VA. I was there for the final day of the event, and saw a lot of under the radar talent to keep an eye on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at part one of the standouts from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1236440' first='Alex' last='Chaikin'] | 6'5” WG | Trinity Episcopal 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2310846,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Chaikin-Alex-TES.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Chaikin-Alex-TES.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2310846" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chaikin was nothing short of fantastic for TES in their win over Edison in the fifth place game, as he showed why he's one of the top available wings in the Richmond area. He came out aggressive looking for his shot, working off the ball to get open and showing his quick release and deep range, and he sealed it down the stretch at the free throw line in a 56-53 win. He finished with 22 points and 6 rebounds going 4-for-9 from deep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trey Coles | 6'2” WG | Trinity Episcopal 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2310847,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Coles-Trey-TES.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Coles-Trey-TES.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2310847" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coles and Chaikin make for a dangerous combination, as both of them are deadly shooters, but Coles also showed the ability to be the secondary ball handler and he guarded the other team's best player throughout the game. He was a rock as a ball handler only turning it over once, he hit some big shots for them when they needed it the most and he won quite a few 50-50 balls for them as well. He finished with 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Keaton Gregory | 6'10” C | Trinity Episcopal 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2310848,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Gregory-Keaton.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Gregory-Keaton.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2310848" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was my first time seeing Gregory in person, and I was quite impressed with his mix of skill, motor and feel for such a young big man, leading me to believe he has a bright future moving forward. He's already very tall and likely still growing, he attacked the glass and challenged shots, he showed good hands and touch in the paint and he converted at the free throw line. He finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds and had 3 assists as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dallas Chavis | 5'9” PG | Glen Allen 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chavis was the engine for Glen Allen throughout the game in their tough loss to Highland Springs, as he played with great energy and stayed in attack mode with his ability to push the ball in transition and touch the paint. He set the tone defensively guarding the deep Springs backcourt very tough, and he showed his motor and instincts as he rebounded well for his position too. He finished with 13 points and 7 rebounds on the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyson Granderson | 6'1” WG | Glen Allen 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Granderson is the x-factor for this group and a guy to keep an eye on moving forward into his senior season, as he plays with a lot of energy and showed flashes as a playmaker on both ends of the floor. He has a high motor defensively and gets a lot of deflections, he can make shots and is an athletic finisher and he just is always trying to make play for his team. He finished with 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals in their loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1782689' first='Faron' last='Friend'] | 6'5” WF | Glen Allen 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2198957,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Friend-Faron.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Friend-Faron.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2198957" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friend is one of the more intriguing young prospects in the Richmond area, and while he's still learning how to be the go-to guy he showed a lot of that promise throughout the game. At 6'5” he can play on or off the ball and get open, he can knock it down from deep off the catch and he can attack the rim where he knows how to use his body to draw contact and finish through it. He finished with 14 points while battling a very physical Springers group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->