Bob Dandrige Classic 2023 Standouts

The inaugural Bob Dandridge MLK Classic took place at Norfolk State University on Martin Luther King Day, and the event featured some of the top teams from across the 757. A well run event at a top notch facility featuring very good talent, it was a big event for the entire community. Here’s a look at some of the many 2023 standouts from the event. [player_tooltip player_id="999649" first="Etienne" last="Strothers"] | 6’1” PG | Menchville <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Strothers-Etienne-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1307776" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Strothers-Etienne-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Strothers showed why he’s considered one of the top point guards in the 757, as he was aggressive on both ends of the floor and really turned it on when they were struggling early. He’s a smooth guard who can get to spots off the bounce, he can make shots from deep and is a good finisher around the rim and he has a good feel and IQ for the game on both ends of the floor. He was named MVP as he finished with 16 points and 3 rebounds. [player_tooltip player_id="999636" first="AJ" last="Clark"] | 6’3” WG | Menchville <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Clark-AJ-2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1371591" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Clark-AJ-2-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> While Strothers was the top scorer and did a lot of his work in the first half, Clark was the one who turned the tides in the second half with his all out play on both ends of the floor. The 6’3” wing is a big time athlete who finishes well at the rim, can guard the other team’s best player and shoots passing lanes defensively and he’s a very good rebounder for his size and position. He finished with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals in their win over Western Branch. [player_tooltip player_id="999620" first="Kaleb" last="Brown"] | 6’2” CG | King’s Fork Brown did a great job being a second option and a lock down defender for King’s Fork in their win over Cape Henry, and he looks like he’s going to be the x-factor for them throughout the year. He’s a guard who can play on or off the basketball and he has good feel with the ball in his hands, he can score it from multiple levels and he’s an excellent help side defender who takes charges and is always in the right spot. He finished with 9 points on 4-for-8 shooting and 3 rebounds in their win. Kylin Manns | 6’1” PG | Western Branch Manns was good again after a good showing at the MABC on Saturday, and the strong point guard is starting to make a name for himself in the 757. The 6’1” lead guard is an attacking guard who can get in the lane and finish through contact, he defends and plays with a good motor on both ends and he does a little bit of everything to help his team. He finished with 11 points and 4 rebounds in the loss. [player_tooltip player_id="1241926" first="Justin" last="Bass"] | 5’11” CG | Kecoughtan <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Bass-Justin.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1371593" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Bass-Justin-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> The Warriors had a balanced attack in their wire to wire win over Green Run, and Bass was excellent in his role. The 5’11” combo guard played on the ball a little bit but he really thrived as a shot maker as he was 4-for-6 from deep and finished with 14 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in the game. He’ll likely show his ability to play on the ball more next year as they have two seniors that play on the ball more. [player_tooltip player_id="1232155" first="Jadon" last="Pace"] | 6’4” WF | Kecoughtan <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Pace-Jadon-CBG.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1308353" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/Pace-Jadon-CBG-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Pace is another junior who is starting to come into his own, as the 6’4” wing is known as a shooter but he’s showing that he has rounded out his game as well. He’s a long wing who can get deflections and challenge shots, he has deep range off the catch and he has improved his ability to handle the rock and get to spots as well. He finished with 12 points int he win. [player_tooltip player_id="992530" first="Trevor" last="Smith"] | 5’11” CG | Woodside <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Smith-Trevor.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1187190" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/05/Smith-Trevor-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Smith is widely considered one of the top guards in the 757 in his class, and he was fantastic for Woodside in a tough loss on a half court buzzer beater. The 5’11” combo is smooth off the bounce and gets where he wants with the ball in his hands, he finished well around the rim and he showed very good footwork and fundamentals when attacking the rim. He finished with 23 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals in their loss. [player_tooltip player_id="1241879" first="Christian" last="Greenlaw"] | 6’5” PF | Woodside Greenlaw is one of the most explosive bigs in the 757, and he made a good amount of plays around the rim when he got his opportunities. While he dealt with foul trouble for much of the game, he still contested shots regularly, finished around the rim and was an intimidating presence in the paint. He finished with 9 points on 3-for-5 shooting from the field and 5 rebounds in their loss.