Southern Jam Fest Preview: HGSL (Part 1)

With Southern Jam Fest being a live period event for the first time ever, we will take a quick look at some of the teams from VA to keep an eye on in the 17U class. Here's part one of the HGSL teams that will be in attendance.   Virginia Premier HGSL 17U   [player_tooltip player_id='2242375' first='Shane' last='Crissman'] | 6'6” WG | Miller School   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/Screen-Shot-2023-07-11-at-7.47.49-AM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/Screen-Shot-2023-07-11-at-7.47.49-AM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2079211" /></a></figure>   Crissman has announced he will be transferring to Miller School where he'll fit right in with his shooting ability, and he's been a big reason they've been one of the top teams in the HGSL so far. The 6'6" two guard has a lot of intriguing qualities that coaches will like, as he has great length and positional size, he knocks down shots at a very high clip, he works well to get open and he can create on the ball too.   Dylan Deluca | 6'7” PF | United Faith (NC)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/dylandeluca-crop-1152x757-1687397971.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/dylandeluca-crop-1152x757-1687397971.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-2027694" /></a></figure>   Deluca is the type of player that could make a name for himself this weekend, as he's a new age hybrid forward that will be easy for coaches to like with his all-out style of play and versatility. At 6'7” he's a strong yet mobile forward who can get up and down in transition, he is able to get downhill and finish through contact, he rebounds well and plays with a good motor on both ends of the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='1956075' first='Mason' last='Patrick'] | 6'5” WF | Trinity Episcopal   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Patrick-Mason.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Patrick-Mason.jpg?w=726" alt="" class="wp-image-2220802" /></a></figure>   Patrick is coming off a big junior season at TES and has a chance to turn heads with college coaches this weekend who will be impressed with a number of qualities he has. The big wing has prototypical size on the perimeter, he scores the ball from all three levels, he's very good at getting downhill off the bounce and he can play and guard multiple positions too.   [player_tooltip player_id='1595768' first='Wade' last='Bland'] | 6'2” PG | Blacksburg   Bland is one of the top prospects in the New River Valley after being an All State selection at Blacksburg, and he is showing with Premier that he can play with guys outside of the small markets too. The 6'2” lead guard sets the tone on both ends as he's a pesky defender and he handles pressure well, he can knock down shots from deep at a high clip and he is a crafty ball handler and finisher as well.   Team Richmond HGSL 17U   [player_tooltip player_id='1956070' first='Jalen' last='Deloatch'] | 6'2” PG | James River   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Deloatch-Jalen-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Deloatch-Jalen-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2198946" /></a></figure>   Deloatch is a player to keep an eye on at the live period, as he could turn heads with his natural ability to just score the basketball. He's a strong guard who can get downhill and play through contact, he's very good at creating space and making tough shots and he has good instincts and feel on both ends of the floor too.   Jordan Clayton | 6'1” PG | Fork Union   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Clayton-Jordan.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Clayton-Jordan.png?w=472" alt="" class="wp-image-2408764" /></a></figure>   Clayton was an All State selection the last two years at Dinwiddie and will head to Fork Union for a post grad year, and coaches should keep an eye out for him during the live period. He's the definition of a dog at the point guard spot as he oozes toughness and plays hard all the time, he's an excellent shot creator who can get to spots and score it in different ways and he's a good defender and rebounder too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2242398' first='Javon' last='Brooks'] | 6'3” CG | Hargrave   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Brooks-Javon.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/Brooks-Javon.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1949018" /></a></figure>   Brooks is a returner from last year's TR team and was an All State selections at Hargrave this year, and he'll have the chance to turn some heads this weekend. The 6'3” combo is a talented all-around guard who has wiggle off the bounce and create shots for himself and others, he's a strong finisher in traffic and he makes plays on the defensive end of the floor too.   [player_tooltip player_id='2452107' first='Knox' last='Axselle'] | 6'4” WG | Atlee   Axselle is one for high academics and small schools to get on now, as he checks a lot of boxes with his length and ability to make shots at a high clip. He has long arms and is active defensively to get deflections and rebound well for his position, he works well off the ball to get open with the ability to set his feet and get into his shot quickly and he shoots it at a very high clip from deep.

With Southern Jam Fest being a live period event for the first time ever, we will take a quick look at some of the teams from VA to keep an eye on in the 17U class. Here's part one of the HGSL teams that will be in attendance.