Certified Scores in the 540/434/276 to Watch in the Live Period

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With new rankings in the work and the grassroots season in full swing, we decided it was time to take a look at some of the particulars that make certain prospects excel at specific parts of the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we take a look at 7 of the best scorers in the Central and Western parts of the state, players that keep coaches awake at night when they're trying to game plan for them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1446198' first='Carmelo' last='Swinson'] | 6'2” CG | Massanutten 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2147640,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-04-at-3.23.39-PM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/09/Screen-Shot-2023-09-04-at-3.23.39-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2147640" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Swinson originally hails from the 757 but spent the past season at Massanutten playing on their nationally ranked post grad program, and while he showed growth in his game as an all-around guard he also showed flashes of the true scorer that he was known for back home. The 6'2” lefty is a true three level scorer who can get to spots in the midrange and get to the rim off the bounce where he's a good finisher, he can move off the ball and drill it from deep on kick-outs and coming off of screens, and his mix of shiftiness and strength makes him a nightmare in isolation situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2618871' first='Jackson' last='Wallace'] | 6'1” PG | Stafford 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2716538,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageMdoiHq-rotated.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/tempImageMdoiHq-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-2716538" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wallace is one of the best kept secrets in all of VA, as he was one of the best player in Fredericksburg last season, putting up big numbers on a consistent basis and getting on the radar of college coaches. He is a natural scorer who has a mix of flair and fundamentals to him as he can handle it and get to spots off the bounce where he can create space and make tough shots in the midrange, he is dynamic in transition with his ability to push the rock and get to the rim, he gets to the line often and he can move off the ball and knock it down from deep too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2309973' first='Kobe' last='Morrison'] | 6'1” CG | GW Danville 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morrison was an All State guard the last two seasons, as a sophomore at Tunstall before transferring to GW Danville when his Dad took the head coaching job, and even jumping a classification he was absolutely fantastic this season. The 6'1” lefty is very skilled with his ability to create space off the bounce and knock down tough shots from all three levels, he shoots it well from deep off the catch, he is a strong finisher through traffic, and what separates him is the competitive edge and toughness he showed when he knows he has to take over a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jayden Johnson | 6'3” WG | Roanoke Catholic 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson had a monster junior season, earning All State honors while consistently putting up big numbers and leading Roanoke Catholic to the VISAA D-III Final Four, and while they fell to Fairfax Christian he put on an absolute show going for 28 points against a very talented group. The 6'3” off guard can be described as “smooth” as he's the type of player who makes tough shots look very effortless. He can score it in a variety of ways on and off the ball, he can hit contested shots in the midrange, make shots on the move from deep and get to the rim in transition as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2780028' first='Jalen' last='Carter'] | 6'0” PG | Hargrave Varsity 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carter came from North Carolina to join this Hargrave team, and due in big part to their very talented backcourt that he was a part of they made the VISAA D-II semifinals before losing to Miller School, but he showed he can fill it up with the best of them throughout the season. While he isn't the biggest guy on this list Carter has a knack for making very tough shots as he can drill it from deep with little to no space off the bounce, he is a crafty finesse finisher with both hands around the rim, he moves well when he's off the ball, and he's the type of player that would be excellent in late shot clock situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2353665' first='Will' last='Braun-Duin'] | 6'2” WG | John Handley 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2548686,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageQ6G5Hw.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/09/tempImageQ6G5Hw.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2548686" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Braun-Duin has been the best player in the Winchester area since he stepped foot on the court at Handley his freshman season, earning First Team All State honors in both his freshman and sophomore season, and leading them to state tournament appearances in both of those seasons as well. While the 6'2” off guard is known for his ridiculous marksmanship from deep with his effortless range and ability to make shots at a high clip both off the catch and off the bounce, he's very underrated in the rest of his game as he has shown the ability to make tough fall-aways and pull-ups in the midrange, as well as work in isolation and ball screens to get downhill and finish through traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2470586' first='Jessiah' last='Hines'] | 6'0” CG | North Cross 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hines is part of a young North Cross team that made a run to the VISAA D-II state semifinals where they fell to a very experienced Peninsula Catholic group, but he's one of the most electric and fun guards to watch in the Roanoke area regardless of class. The 6'0” combo can fill it up in bunches and in whatever way you can think of, as he has deep range both off the catch and off the bounce, he has blow by speed and can finish or draw contact to get to the line, and he has the confidence and takeover ability that is very impressive for a player his age.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->