Predicting the Top 25 Players in the 757 Next Season (Part 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the summer over it's time to look ahead to the season, and we thought it would be fun to predict (subjectively of course) who would be the top players in different areas of the state. With that being said, here's a look at part one of my prediction for the top 25 players in the Hampton Roads area this next season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*Editor's note: This is a list of who I think will have the best individual seasons next year, not the best prospects. So depth of team, production rate, team success, etc are all considered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#25) [player_tooltip player_id='2898019' first='Chase' last='Johnson'] | 6'1” PG | Landstown ‘27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the departure of their top player from last year Johnson will be the guy with the ball in his hands for a deep Landstown team that could make another deep run in the state tournament this year. The 6'1” lead guard is strong and quick with the ball, allowing him to get in the lane and play through contact. He makes plays for others as an unselfish playmaker, he picks his spots and can score it from multiple levels, and he brings great energy on both ends of the floor as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#24) [player_tooltip player_id='2898036' first='Quinton' last='Cruse'] | 6'0” CG | Nansemond River '27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cruse had a huge junior season for Nansmeond River, and with him at the helm this year with another year of experience they could be a dark horse contender for a deep playoff run. The 6'0” combo has the ability to play on or off the ball, and he's a dual threat as someone who can both score it and make plays for others. He sets the tone on both ends of the floor, he puts relentless pressure on the defense, and he can get hot and take over games with his scoring ability too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#23) [player_tooltip player_id='2898040' first='Tyson' last='Harper'] | 6'2” CG | King's Fork '27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harper would likely be higher on this list if King's Fork wasn't one of the deeper teams in the 757, but as their most experienced player they'll lean on him in big moments and big games when they need him. At 6'2” with long arms he's a walking mismatch with his ability to score the ball in so many different ways. He can knock it down with consistency from deep off the catch, he can get to spots in the midrange and get to the rim where he can use his size to make tough shots, and he is unselfish and can make plays for others too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#22) [player_tooltip player_id='2815386' first='Kelley' last='King Jr.'] | 6'1” PG | Oscar Smith '27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>King is another player who could be higher with his ability but plays on one of the deepest teams and backcourts in the 757 in Oscar Smith, who is primed for a deep run in Class 6 this season. The 6'1” guard is a dynamic scorer who can fill it up from all over the court, and he has the weapons around him to make teams pay if they choose to double or help when he has the ball. He creates separation easily and can knock down shots from all three levels, he's a quick twitch guard who gets in the paint and makes good decisions, and he can get hot quickly and hang huge numbers in the scoring department at will.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#21) [player_tooltip player_id='3659475' first='Leyton' last='Harrington'] | 6'4” WF | Cape Henry '28</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harrington is a player that had a breakout summer for Team Loaded 757, and is set to have a huge season for a Cape Henry team that will be looking for a go-to guy. At 6'4” he has good positional size, along with a mix of shotmaking ability and athleticism that makes him a walking mismatch. He can drill it from deep with a quick release and deep range, he can get out in transition and play above the rim, and as he continues to get more confident he'll be a guy that coaches should really track this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#20) [player_tooltip player_id='2918953' first='Marc' last='Johnson'] | 6'0” PG | Lake Taylor '28</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson was a big reason for Lake Taylor's deep run in Class 3 this past season before losing to Petersburg in the championship, and with the departure of some of their top guards from last year he's set for a big season on a talented team. While he's able to play the point and run the show, he's also a lethal shooter from deep who can play off the ball as well. He can break down defenders and get in the lane where he's a strong finisher in traffic, he has in the gym range off the catch, and he is a very good on ball defender too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#19) [player_tooltip player_id='3538917' first='Joel' last='Fullwood'] | 6'0” PG | Hampton '29</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3631414,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Fullwood-Joel.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Fullwood-Joel.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3631414" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fullwood played a solid role in Hampton's run to a state championship last year, and with the departure of their top three players I wouldn't be shocked if he was given the reigns to the offense this year. He's coming off a great summer with Team Loaded 757 where he showed he can definitely be the go-to guy and can fill it up with the best of them. He's shifty off the bounce and plays with good change of pace, he can score it from all three levels, and he has great IQ as a playmaker as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#18) [player_tooltip player_id='2194713' first='Callen' last='Morrison'] | 5'8” PG | Denbigh '27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morrison transferred to Denbigh last year from Woodside and was a big reason for their deep playoff run, and with one of the top backcourts in the 757 they will have a chance to make another run this year. While Morrison isn't the biggest guy he has a ton of the traits you want in a small guard, including his IQ and toughness he brings to the table. He has great fundamentals with his handle and getting into his pull-up, he can score it from all three levels and has a ton in his bag to negate his height, and he makes everyone around him better as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#17) [player_tooltip player_id='2128046' first='Tabren' last='Hawkins Jr.'] | 6'2” PG | Catholic '27</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3651805,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Hawkins-Tabren.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/05/Hawkins-Tabren.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3651805" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Catholic has perhaps the deepest team in the TCIS this season, and Hawkins will be the guy with the reigns as their most experienced ball handler and lead guard. The 6'2” guard brings a steady and consistent style of play, as he won't wow you with anything fancy or crazy, but he will always get the job done. He's a big and physical guard who can get in the paint and play through contact, he can work off the ball where he's a good shooter from deep, and he has great instincts on both ends of the floor that make him a capable leader by example as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->