Governors Challenge: Top available 2026s Through First Two Days

Day two of Governors Challenge is a wrap, which means it allowed us to see some of the teams for the second time to get a more precise evaluation of their game. As the current recruiting landscape continues to create more questions than answers, plenty of value within the senior class remains available. Here are names that have caught my eye through the two days.    In his typical fashion, Byrd brought not only a high level of competitiveness and intensity with his play that demands the most out of his teammates, but responded to adverse scenarios with shining colors. Tuscarora would end up losing in their bracket title game to a very good Dover team and as Byrd's team trailed by as much as 21 points in the third quarter, the standout combo guard willed the Huskies back and eventually took a lead in the final eight minutes. He finished with a double-double of 33 points and 11 rebounds while dishing out four assists. Byrd, who recently received an offer from Grambling State, averaged 27 points, 9.5 rebounds, and three assists per game in his Gov. Challenge showing.     Hassan should see a significant boost in stock after his two games in Salisbury. The 6-foot-5 senior can play the guard or wing spot and fueled Winston Churchill to a win on Saturday morning against Walkersville scoring 26 points on an efficient 10-of-18 from the field and 6-of-11 from beyond the arc. He hauled in eight rebounds in which he led coast-to-coast scenarios utilizing his long strides around the rim to extend his angles and slow his pace to throw defenders off. The jumper looked very fluid and confident today as Hassan would be on my list as one of the better post-grad prep candidates in the Maryland pubic school sector.     Moore has been one of the more college-ready prospects I've seen here in the first two days given his size, physical traits, and his ability to score it from multiple levels. He helped Downington West to a bracket title behind a nice stat line of 15 points, seven assists and five rebounds, which is a good representation of the impact he had both as a scorer and offensive hub from the top of the key. Moore has good instincts playing off the ball and understands how to put himself into spots within the flow of things. He rebounds it well and goes to get the ball at its peak. Once he gets his claws on it, there aren't many players who are going to pry it from him.     Battaglia was another productive senior guard on Tuscarora and helps make up the two-headed monster with Byrd. Battaglia, who just recently started focusing on basketball full time, brings a level of toughness that the eye test wouldn't lead you to. He had multiple plays in their two games where he initiated contact on drives or while airborne and took the defender by surprise. In those instances, he maintained control and concentration to finish the play. He's a capable shooter, has a solid feel for the game, and is a name I believe should be on DIII programs in the region. He brings an edge with his competitiveness. Battaglia averaged 18 points per game for the Huskies.     I mentioned Bullie in my day one notebook, but couldn't leave him off this list as he's one of the few bigs in the Maryland public school scene who I think could help a DIII program shortly after arriving on campus. Bullie brings size, length, and a knack for the ball on the glass. He has soft touch around the cup and good form on his free-throw that lends the thought of eventually expanding his range out to 15-to-17 feet. Still plenty of areas to tap into with Bullie, but as DIII programs scan the area desperate for size, Bullie would be a good place to start.     Denis was steady for a Dover team that looks the part of being the top program in the state of Delaware. Positional size, plus length, and toughness flow through their rotation and Denis spearheads the approach. He boasts a strong frame at 6-foot-5 that he knows how to use when he gets downhill and can finish layups through contact. Also showed nice touch on catch-and-shoots from the perimeter as he knocked down a few in transition flaring out to the wing as ball handlers reached the paint. He's a versatile defensive piece who can spend time on the 1-4 at the high school level. Dover won their bracket championship as Denis averaged 11.5 points, seven rebounds and three assists per game.     Stock-rising event for Hayward, who will be one of the better prospect in Wicomico County this season. At 6-foot-4, he brings good size as an off-ball guard or wing who can use his length to thrive in transition. He has good footwork on euros or playing off two around the rim. He can shoot it with space and showed off some decent vision as a slasher when commanding help. Overall, Hayward is a guy who I think could benefit from a post-grad prep year given his age and the stage of his body development. He was outstanding on the glass for his position as he averaged 14 points and 8.5 boards per game.     Really enjoyed the way that Ross prided himself as an anchor in the paint for a well-oiled machine that is Downington West. Closer to 6-foot-8 than he is 6-foot-6, Ross blocked five shots and altered several others with his presence while hauling in 11 rebounds in their bracket title game against Whitman today. Anytime he was in the vicinity, he forced driving guards to look over their shoulder before finishing at the rim. He's a mobile big that runs the floor with purpose and despite scoring just two points, had actions offensively that benefited his team in other ways.

Day two of Governors Challenge is a wrap, which means it allowed us to see some of the teams for the second time to get a more precise evaluation of their game. As the current recruiting landscape continues to create more questions than answers, plenty of value within the senior class remains available. Here are names that have caught my eye through the two days.