All EPL Teams: VA/NC Selections (Part 2)

The Elite Prep League concluded it's second season in existence as one of the top post grad leagues in the country, with 6 of their 7 teams being selected to the 17 team field in the National Prep Championships.   The league consists of teams from the mid-atlantic in the states of North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Here's a look at part two of the all league selections of players from the NC and VA teams, as voted on by the league's coaches.   Dean Simos | 6'8” PF | Winston Salem Christian   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Simos-Dean.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Simos-Dean.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2379799" /></a></figure>   Second Team   EPL Averages: 5 GP - 19.4 PPG, 11.4 RPG - 44.4% FG - 2nd Team - Session 1 and 2   Simos was one of the breakout players in the EPL and put up great numbers, but on a first year team Winston Salem who dealt with some stuff throughout the season and went winless in conference play. The 6'8” Australian native was one of the most productive and hard playing guys in the league, as he brought it every day and consistently got the job done. At 6'8” he's a dead eye shooter from deep with good range, he can get downhill or post up and finish in the paint, he pursues the basketball and is an excellent rebounder and just brings a level of toughness you have to love to his team.   Khalil Williams | 6'5” WG | Hargrave   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Williams-Khalil.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Williams-Khalil.jpeg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-2300241" /></a></figure>   Second Team   EPL Averages: 6 GP - 12.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.3 APG - 39.1% FG / 35.5% 3FG - 1st Team - Session 1 and Session 2   Williams was part of a well rounded Hargrave team that turned their season around after a slow start, and he was their main guy offensively to lead that charge. He had some big games throughout the season and showcased his all-around scoring ability as a smooth lefty who can play on or off the ball and get hot and score it in bunches. He has good size at the two guard position with the ability to create shots in isolation and late shot clock scenarios, he makes shots from deep both off the catch and off the bounce, he can get downhill where he's a good finisher and he plays with a lot of confidence on both ends of the floor.   Carter Wesson | 6'4” WG | Fork Union   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Wesson-Carter.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/Wesson-Carter.jpg?w=941" alt="" class="wp-image-2379800" /></a></figure>   Second Team   EPL Averages: 6 GP - 12.5 PPG,5.5 RPG, 1.5APG - 42.6% FG / 41.9% 3FG - 1st Team - Session 2   Wesson came on strong throughout the season asserting himself more and more within the offense and really benefitted from having a pass first point guard who could find him in spots to make shots. He was one of the best shooters in the league shooting it at a 42% clip from deep on nearly 6 attempts per game, but he also showed his ability to create for himself when his team needed him to. He's a big time athlete who can play above the rim in transition, he's a good rebounder for his position and he just finds ways to score the ball from all over.   Nathan Savage | 6'2” PG | Hargrave   Honorable Mention   EPL Averages: 6 GP - 13.8 PPG, 3.2 APG, 3.2 RPG, 1.0 SPG - 46.3% FG / 36.8 3FG%   Savage may not have got the love he deserved as Hargrave struggled at the beginning of the season, but he was their primary ball handler and top scorer and assist man as he helped turn them around late in the year. The Canadien native was a wizard with the ball in his hands and broke down defenses with his shiftiness to make plays for himself and others. He can score the ball in a lot of different ways and shoots it well from deep, he touches the paint at will and he has good instincts on the defensive end too.   David Burnette | 6'5” WG | Fork Union   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Burnette-David-FUMA.jpeg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Burnette-David-FUMA.jpeg?w=683" alt="" class="wp-image-2300240" /></a></figure>   Honorable Mention   EPL Averages: 6 GP - 9.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.2 SPG, 40% FG - Second Team - Session 1 and 4   While Burnette didn't put up huge numbers throughout the season, he was one of FUMA's most important guys and had some games where he put up big numbers and was the reason they won a few of their games. He was one of the best defenders in the league, taking the challenge of guarding the other team's best perimeter scorer and making life difficult for them every game. He's a big time athlete who can play above the rim and is a very good rebounder for his position, he can knock down shots from deep when left open and he does all the little things that don't show up in boxscores to help his team win.   Ralph Akuta | 7'1” C | Hargrave   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Akuta-Ralph.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/Akuta-Ralph.jpg?w=817" alt="" class="wp-image-2297541" /></a></figure>   Honorable Mention   EPL Averages: 6 GP - 7.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.8 BPG - 47.6 FG% - 1st Team - Session 2   While Akuta didn't put up eye popping numbers throughout the year, it was very impressive to watch his improvement throughout the year and when he was on the floor he always made an impact. Akuta got in great shape to be able to play more and more throughout the season, and his shear size made him an impact as he changed everything when he was in the post. He was one of the top shot blockers in the league and altered many more than he blocked, he showed a good jump hook and the ability to play over the top of defenders and he's just scratching the surface with how good he can be.   Leland Coleman | 6'7” WF | Hargrave   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Coleman-Leland-Loaded.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/Coleman-Leland-Loaded.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1905488" /></a></figure>   Honorable Mention   EPL Averages: 6 GP - 10.3 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.3 BPG - 40% FG -2nd Team Session 2   Coleman was Hargrave's captain and leader for his team this year, helping them turn the season around and his energy was infectious to his team every time he was on the floor. He was one of the top athletes in the league, making highlight reel worthy plays on a daily basis and using his athleticism to make plays on the defensive end too. He plays way above the rim and makes it look effortless, he brings great energy to both ends of the floor and he showed steady improvement throughout the year too.

The Elite Prep League concluded it's second season in existence as one of the top post grad leagues in the country, with 6 of their 7 teams being selected to the 17 team field in the National Prep Championships.