Early Season Bigs Standouts (Part 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The high school season is in full swing and the Holiday tournament time is right around the corner, so we decided to take a look at some of the top performers we've seen so far this season. Here's a look at part two of the top forward performers we've seen in VA so far this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259617' first='Eli' last='DeLaurier'] | 6'8” PF | Miller School '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1585825,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Delaurier-Eli-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Delaurier-Eli-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1585825" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Delaurier has emerged as one of the top big men prospects on the east coast, and he's turning the corner this year as he's become an absolute mismatch nightmare. His mix of offensive skillset and defensive toughness makes him a two way impact player, and he's had some big performances this year including 15 points in a win over VA Academy, 33 points 12 rebounds 6 assists in a win over Hargrave, 16 points 5 assists in a win over Highland, 11 points 6 assists in a loss to STAB and 14 points 6 rebounds 4 assists and 4 blocks in a win over Rosedale Catholic (MD).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1260001' first='Ben' last='Nacey'] | 6'8” C | Cox '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1478559,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Nacey-Ben.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/Nacey-Ben.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1478559" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nacey was my preseason pick for Beach District Player of the Year, and he's making me look good as he has Cox rolling with some big wins and he's been as good as anyone so far this year. The throwback big man has been dominant in the paint and has put up huge numbers early in the season including 23 points 16 rebounds 10 blocks in a win over Great Bridge, 24 points 20 rebounds 6 blocks in a win over Tallwood, 25 points 23 rebounds 9 blocks in a win over Bayside and 10 points 16 rebounds in a win over Green Run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259625' first='Jadyn' last='Harris'] | 6'6” F | Bishop O'Connell '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1692851,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Harris-Jadyn-MVP.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/Harris-Jadyn-MVP.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1692851" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harris is quickly becoming one of the hottest recruits in the DMV, as he is looking like one of the top players in the WCAC and is starting to pick up offers left and right. The versatile forward is a walking mismatch with his perimeter skillset and has been consistent this year with games of 21 points 4 rebounds in a win over STAB, 30 points 6 rebounds in a win over Rainer Beach (WA) and 36 points 15 rebounds in a loss to Good Counsel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259997' first='Elijah' last='Washington'] | 6'6” PF | Lake Taylor '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1371619,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Washington-Elijah.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/Washington-Elijah.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1371619" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington is a two sport athlete who will likely have his future in football, but that doesn't change the fact that he's one of the top players in the state that no one tends to talk about very much. The 6'6” forward is a menace on both ends of the floor and has been one of the best in the 757 with performances like 11 points 10 rebounds in a win over Churchland, 28 points 15 rebounds 10 blocks in a win over Smithfield and 14 points 12 rebounds 7 blocks in a win over Granby.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1259622' first='Shanon' last='Simango'] | 6'7” PF | Blue Ridge '24</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1585826,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Simango-Shanon-CBG-scaled.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/09/Simango-Shanon-CBG-scaled.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1585826" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Blue Ridge has a very balanced attack and a lot of new faces, Simango is their top returner this year and a lot of their success is hinging on him, and he's stepped up early in the season with a number of big performances. He's a high motor double-double machine who plays much bigger than he is, and he showed that with a 22 point 15 rebound double-double in a win over Evergreen Christian and a 14 point 13 rebound double-double in a win over Archbishop Carroll.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->