Underclass Phenoms: CBG Fall Finale

New readers: Use code Proia30    10p 4r 3b 1s vs St.J; 20p 5r 1a vs Mt. Zion   -Carter's confidence continues to swell as he turned in well-rounded performances fresh off a Team USA Minicamp invite. Carter will have to fill some big shoes this year as the young leader and primary scorer for a Highland group that reloaded effectively this offseason. Carter's value as a movement shooter with great positional size was shown on made C+S 3 point attempts from all around the perimeter. But he is supplementing that skillset with improved defensively versatility as a wing that can scale up or down several positions to provide a physical defensive threat. Carter is also passing his way out of double teams or kicking out to perimeter shooters amongst the chaos in the paint after snagging offensive rebounds without turning it over while handling the rock with more confidence as a secondary creator. As he improves his feel to mix in more drives and off-ball cuts resulting in FTA-- he should develop into a more efficient and consistent scorer this season with the Hawks.     16p 2a 1r 1s vs New Hope   -Johnson was productive from the jump against NHA as a stifling defender that helped his team push pace in transition to come roaring back in this game. Johnson played fast while making the right read in the open floor, hit a floater extension lay, scored off a beautiful face cut from the top of the key to hit the AND-1 lay, hit a one dribble pull to middle of floor , collected the defensive rebound and went coast to coast before laying it up at the rim, hit a C+S corner 3, and got into gaps well as a downhill driver. The smooth lefty should've come away with a few more assists as a young frontcourt struggled to catch his passes around the rim. Expect him to debut well in our next set of 2028 rankings.     19p 4r 4a 1s vs FUMA   -Liked the character shown to overcome a rough start in the 1H to almost score 20 points in a matchup with a physical and veteran Fork Union PG group. Browne's improvements to his ballhandling ability are noticeable and he's also moving much smoother off the bounce. His pocket pass from the volleyball line to a cutting big and a drive and kick for a corner 3 that competed a comeback from 20+ points down in the 1H to as little as 6 at the end of the game. His ability to create for himself off the bounce from the 3 point line as well as the midrange also stood out as impactful improvements that should make him a key piece for WNA this year as a rising sophomore. If he is able to continue to mature and approach games with a growth mindset-- I'd expect him to develop into a T5 local prospect by the time he graduates.     -Young floor general has the ball on a string and had several noticeable scoring outbursts throughout the weekend that should gain him some attention this upcoming season. He can create for himself off the bounce from 18' and in, showcasing a smooth and fluid pull-up that he can get off against taller opponents because of how quickly he can go from dribble pick-up to release point. Liked his feel as a driving playmaker that sees and executes passing reads through tight windows in the paint to give his team high-percentage looks.     4p 5r 1s vs Gillion   -Young guard with a ton of upside as both a physical and athletic piece on the wing that can impact the game at both ends of the floor because of his physicality on the ball. Brangman-Cain takes pride in guarding high level guard or wing scorers, forcing tough shots without fouling and without that energy expended at the defensive end affecting his burst on the other end of the floor. He turned back to back steals into points, first scoring himself with an above the rim flush before hitting a teammate with a well-timed shovel pass on the second possession. High on his long term upside because of his mix of physical tools, aggressive playstyle, and resilient mentality.     23p 7r 3a 1s 1b vs St.J; 11p 8r 3a 1b vs Mt. Zion   -Should debut in the 2029 class within the T10 if not higher when our first set of 2029 VA Rankings come out. Ragland's inside-out ability to impact the game both on the glass while also serving as an effective C+S sniper or standstill playmaker on the wings should cement his role on a totally rebuilt Highland team. Ragland moves well off the ball, has great feel for where the ball is coming off the rim, is not afraid to fight for position in the paint, and can also score it well from the low block. Love the tenacity and confidence that he plays with as an incoming freshman set on making his mark in every game that he plays in this season.

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