Team Preview: Somerset Losee Lions

<p>We throw around the term sleeper for players quite a bit, not so much when it comes to coaches. One of the sleeper coaches in the state just may be Darrius Banks. Very quietly between his grassroots program and his H.S team, he has managed to turn out an enormously high number of college and professional players, including current Warriors summer League member and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36ZsiUp8vAc">Viral sensation Gary Payton II</a>. This season he has a young Losee team, that should see contributions from several 2024, and 2025 players. While it may serve as a challenge it shouldn’t be a problem for Banks, who always does a good job of developing players. Don’t be surprised if this team looks way different at the end of the season than it does at the beginning. </p> <p><strong>HC:</strong> Darius Banks 5th Season. </p> <p><strong>Division:</strong> 3A </p> <p><strong>Rival(s):</strong> Mojave</p> <p><strong>2019-2020 Record:</strong> 8-9 </p> <p><em>Key Returners: </em></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1264394" first="Sir" last="John Hawkins"]</strong> 6’2 SG 2022 - Hawkins will be a candidate for my all Swiss Army Knife team. The versatile forward has the ability to lead the team in every statistical category on any given night. For this young team, his leadership and experience will be key as well as his shooting. The Senior guard shot 40% from behind the arc two seasons ago. </p> <p><em>Key Upperclassmen:</em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/QRonn-Brown.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1264435 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/QRonn-Brown-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>Q’Ronn Brown</strong> <em>6’0 SG 2023</em> - Brown has a chance to be one of the team’s leading scorers. The sharpshooting guard is a 3 point specialist, who showed a little slashing and finishing ability in the practice I attended. His ability to play both backcourt spots should compliment Hawkins and provide depth for the Lions. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Emilyon-Daniels.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1264438 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Emilyon-Daniels-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1264420" first="Emiliyon" last="Daniels"]</strong> <em>5’10 SG 2022</em> - Daniels provides the team with an overall edge, along with a defensive mentality. The guard is a gritty on-ball defender capable of taking opposing ballhandlers out of their games. He’ll be able to defend both backcourt positions and should have an impact on the game, whether he scores or not. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Key Newcomers: </em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Antwan-Jones.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1264441 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Antwan-Jones-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1253139" first="Antwan" last="Jones"]</strong> <em>5’9 CG 2025</em> - Saw a little of Jones this summer when he played for Banks’ grassroots program. He’s a young player who plays like a much more mature one. Jones is a dog on the defensive end, with an improving offensive skill set. He’s quick enough to blow by defenders and get to the hole, as well as a good enough shooter in catch in shoot action to space the floor. If he develops at the rate of some of Bank’s former proteges, then expect him to make a huge contribution to the team. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Cameron-McCrary.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1264442 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Cameron-McCrary-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>Cameron McCrary</strong> <em>6’3 SF 2024</em> - McCrary ran with the LV Knicks this summer, so expect that experience to help him a lot this season. He certainly looks the part. At 6’3 McCrary brings size and versatility to the squad. "I expect him to be part of the Regular rotation" - Coach Banks. The sophomore should provide help in the frontcourt, as well as an additional perimeter defender for the squad. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Roderick-Johnson.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1264444 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Roderick-Johnson-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><strong>Roderick Johnson</strong> <em>5’6 PG 2025</em> - Johnson is another product of H2G. Just like in the summer he showed that he has a special skill, which is his ability to shoot the ball. Johnson was terrific in the workout I attended, burying threes from all over the floor. While diminutive in stature, it may be difficult to keep the sharpshooting freshmen off the floor for long. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Sleeper: </em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Christian-Haylock.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-1264446 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Christian-Haylock-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="260" height="195" /></a></p> <p><strong>Christian Haylock</strong> <em>6’0 SG 2024</em> - Haylock grew on me throughout the workout. He has long arms, which is a trait I’m fond of, but in addition to that, he did several things well, including driving and creating plays for teammates. He’s also a high academic player who according to Coach Banks is a "Straight A Student". Haylock is kind of a younger version of Sir John, but with his vast skill set, I expect Banks to find ways to use him. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Top Prospect: </em></p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Darrell-Gipson-Malachi-Richardson.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1181294 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Darrell-Gipson-Malachi-Richardson-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1032085" first="Malachi" last="Richardson"] <em>6’5 PF 2024 (#28PHN 2024)</em> - Richardson is a low post nightmare, with size and strength. Reality is very few teams at the 3A level will have a player to match up with the bruising forward. He showed that he can deliver and play through contact, finishing several tough baskets around the rim. What was also impressive about him, was his defensive intensity, Richardson had several powerful blocks, showing a genuine excitement after his defensive efforts. If Richardson plays with the same consistent high motor I saw in the workout, then the lefty is a clear candidate for a breakout season. </p> <p><strong>Goals:</strong> To play in the last game of the season.</p> <p><strong>Somerset Losee reaches their goals if....</strong> "[player_tooltip player_id="1032085" first="Malachi" last="Richardson"] stays with the team" </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/7outzbballclub1">Follow Prep Hoops</a></p>