Governors Challenge: Northeast/MidAtlantic unsigned '26 standouts

The annual Governor's Challenge brought in well over 100 teams to the Eastern Shore region from all across the country. After taking in multiple days of action, we saw a handful of unsigned seniors from within the region worthy of being highlighted below.    One of the top remaining unsigned lead guards across the region, Toatley was on a mission over the course of two tight games that saw the Blazers finish 1-1 on the week. A St. John's (DC) transfer with loads of high-level varsity experience under his belt, he appears to be thriving under an increased workload as a senior. Toatley was consistently aggressive while getting north-south and attacking his spots off the dribble, converting efficiently with a variety of crafty layups and short-range jumpers. He kept things honest from the perimeter with a pair of 3s in each game while also keeping the ball moving consistently and helping set the tone on the other end with his ball pressure. There's a vast array of D1 programs that could benefit from adding Toatley this spring with his blend of skill, tenacity, and big-game experience.     Straughter has long provided reason for intrigue with his fluid, rangy frame and enticing flashes of skill out to the perimeter. He showed promising signs of turning potential to production while leading Varina to two tight wins over out-of-state competition, averaging over 18 points per outing on impressive overall efficiency. A modern wing forward, he thrived as a consistent mismatch with his ability to stretch defenses off the catch from the arc or use his size and length to scrap around the rim for easy buckets. His blend of perimeter skill and activity on the inside make for a classic matchup problem at the '4' as he begins adding strength to his frame looking toward the next level. Still hearing largely from programs at the D3 level, Straughter is well overdue for significant scholarship-level attention with a selection of tools that could ultimately translate to the D1 ranks in the right situation.     Sallies finished 1-1 on the week, including a narrow overtime defeat, but got a massive effort from their senior lead guard in the process. Wright was effective in both games en route to averaging over 18 points, while also splitting seven assists nearly evenly across the two contests. He used a polished on-ball skillset to work to his spots with a mature pace that allows him to keep his head up and make the proper read as both a scorer and a playmaker for others. He kept things honest with a pair of 3's in each game as well and really stepped up in the clutch to help force overtime in an eventual loss against Potomac School (VA). Wright has a clear stake in any argument regarding the best guards in the state and has a chance to play his way into scholarship-level recruitment over the rest of the winter.     A key starter and supplementary scorer on Plainfield's state title team a year ago, Williams is back and was up to his usual tricks in Salisbury, using his blend of power and explosiveness to rack up points. Still working his way into shape after joining Plainfield's football team this past fall, Williams split 33 points almost down the middle over the course of two games. His hard-charging downhill attack was consistently effective in the halfcourt and especially in the open floor. Williams also showed flashes of increased comfort out to the perimeter, knocking down a smooth corner 3 in a runaway victory over Imani Christian (PA). Continuing to sharpen and add to his skillset could place Williams on scholarship radars by the end of the season, as his production could eventually be impossible to ignore despite a slightly unorthodox positional fit.     Gillion played only one showcase game, but it was the last of the entire tournament and was a true thriller that saw the Lions roar back for a win over SoCal Academy. One of the only local products on the roster, Morrison was crucial to the win with his mix of dynamic shotmaking and on-ball poise. The West Potomac (VA) transfer knocked down a trio of 3s and at least one additional midrange pullup, showcasing polished mechanics and shooting a beautiful ball off his hands. He brings a crisp skillset as a complementary ballhandler with potential to carry a heavier playmaking load in other settings. Still 17 years old with the option to slide back into the 2027 class, Morrison could prove to be a sneaky late add at the scholarship level should he choose to remain in 2026.

The annual Governor's Challenge brought in well over 100 teams to the Eastern Shore region from all across the country. After taking in multiple days of action, we saw a handful of unsigned seniors from within the region worthy of being highlighted below.