Standouts From Day One Of VISAA State Championships

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final four have come to Benedictine College Prep in Goochland, VA. With a state championship on the line across 4 divisions, here are the players that stood out the most on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1782696"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a35488144e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3336930' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] Jr had a dominant performance in PVIs' semifinal victory against Blue Ridge. There isn't much that hasn't been said about Smitty as the 5-star Arkansas commit continues to put the country on notice. Smith scored at least 30 points in this game, outscoring the opposing team by himself for stretches. Smith scores in a plethora of ways both on and off the ball. On ball, Smith is a guaranteed paint touch and a battering rim going downhill, going both through and over defenders of all sizes. When cut off from the rim, Smitty has a pull up game reminiscent of Kawhi Leonard. The 6 foot 3 guard has a 6 foot 9 wingspan and a 40 inch vertical that allows him to get his shot off at any time. Smitty loves the one-dribble pull-up in the midrange as well as the bump the middy. Overall Smith excels at using his body to create space for his shots. When you add this to his insane ability deceleration defenders are entirely at his mercy as he torches them from all three levels. One play that really stood out was how to end the first quarter PVI had what seemed to be like a broken play due to stellar defense from Blue Ridge.[player_tooltip player_id='3336930' first='Jordan' last='Smith'] was on the floor hopped off the floor received a pass and knocked down a long three to swing momentum back to his side. Defensively, Smitty is a ball hawk who wreaks havoc in passing lanes and gives ball handlers a really hard time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2353606"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a3548814557"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2353606' first='Amani' last='Asare'] had a strong showing in the Highlands semifinal game against Bishop O'Connell. The game featured a matchup showcasing the state's #1 and #3 point guards, and it did not disappoint. Asare is extremely bursty with a developed frame. He has a low dribbling stance, allowing him to explode into the lane, and has a flexible lower body, as evidenced by his shin angles when performing dribble moves. Asari catches the ball in a triple threat stance and is comfortable driving either way or quickly squaring up to catch and shoot. On top of that, Amani is a walking paint touch, whether off attacking closeouts or off the dribble with his ability to explode from a standstill or having already been in motion. Asare's brilliance nearly willed his team to a victory in the second half.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2252287"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a35488145a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bivins was the guard standing across from Asare last night, and the #4 overall-ranked prospect in Virginia was able to send his team to the state finals. Bivins is a crafty guard who makes full use of the pick and roll to get his game off. Bivins has an impressive ability to gather low and use every inch of his wingspan to finish amongst the trees. Outside the paint, Bivins is a high-volume three-point shooter and creates a mid-range scorer. In the midrange, Bivins has made a signature out of one-legged runners and fadeaways to get his shot off over larger, more athletic defenders. Bivins excels at keeping his dribble alive in traffic against extreme and is an unselfish leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2470581"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a35845a0cfa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mack is a trending upward guard for North Cross. While his team lost their semifinal matchup to _ Mack had a stellar ending to his junior season. He's a twitchy athlete who can dribble, pass, and shoot, functioning as both a support player and a guy who can lead the show. He's very good at getting downhill, being a walking paint touch at this level, and has a type of competitiveness that you can't teach prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1782681"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69a3613b1af2c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Odita Agolu is a supremely athletic big man for Miller School who impressed in the semifinals. Oditas runs like a gazelle in transition and threw down a nasty oop that shifted momentum in his team's favor. Odita showcases a high feel for the game filling the lane perfectly during the fastbreak and finding the gap in set defenses for rebounds. Odita also has made the majority of his free throws which is important for a big man who attacks the rim with bad intentions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->