Virginia All-Junior Teams
Now that the season is over, it’s time to go recognize those who stood out during this memorable campaign. Here we award our All-Junior Teams from Virginia. Choosing a total of 15 players to make up the first, second, and…
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Continue ReadingNow that the season is over, it’s time to go recognize those who stood out during this memorable campaign. Here we award our All-Junior Teams from Virginia. Choosing a total of 15 players to make up the first, second, and third teams was no easy task. Our staff deliberated for a significant amount of time before finally coming up with the names below. Stay tuned for much more postseason coverage right here at Prep Hoops.
FIRST TEAM
G – Mike Gray | Blue Ridge
Mike Gray BRHerron – Gray was part of what some consider the best team in Virginia in the VISAA D2 State Champions, and was a big reason they have won back to back state titles. The VIC Player of the Year was the straw that stirred the drink for them as a combo guard who can fill it up from all over the floor, he can make plays for others and he sets the tone on both ends of the floor. Gray finished the season averaging 14.3 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, and made 58 three-pointers despite a balanced attack and missing some time due to injury.
G – Darius Johnson Darius Johnson 6'0" | PG Episcopal | 2021 State #159 Nation VA | Episcopal
Ayalew – From early on in the season, it became clear that Johnson was on a mission. Not only was he a threat to drop 30+ on a given night, but he took the challenge defensively of locking up the opposing team’s best player.
G – Trevor Keels Trevor Keels 6'4" | SG Paul VI | 2021 State #18 Nation VA | Paul VI – Player of the Year*
Wilson – Keels was already a top-rated recruit before the season started but he even turned it up a notch this year earning offers from blue bloods such as North Carolina and Duke. Keels is a tremendous two-way player and scores the ball at all three levels. Keels coming out party for this year was when he led PVI to an upset win over IMG. Keels was an easy vote for player of the year.
F – Roosevelt Wheeler Roosevelt Wheeler 6'9" | C John Marshall | 2021 State #62 Nation VA | John Marshall
Herron – One of the most improved prospects in the country, Wheeler took all of the right steps on both ends of the floor to become more dominant in the paint and will be a very highly touted prospect moving forward this summer. He showed great athleticism for his size all year, protecting the paint defensively and running the floor and finishing offensively showing good touch and strong above the rim finishing ability. He finished the season averaging a double-double of 15.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game while pitching in 4.4 blocks per game as well.
C – Efton Reid Efton Reid 7'0" | C The Steward School | 2021 #27 Nation FL | Steward
Herron – One of the most highly touted big men in the country, Reid is a very unique prospect as the 7’0” big man can play all over the court and dominate games in so many different ways. He has a great feel and is a walking mismatch with his ability to stretch the floor and make shots, he showed the ability to dominate in the paint with his ability to finish above the rim and he can dominate on the glass as well. He’s also a great student and a great teammate, and he finished the season averaging 19 points per game while shooting over 70% from the field with 11 rebounds per game and led Steward to their first state tournament in a while.
*unanimous selection
SECOND TEAM
G – Angelo Brizzi Angelo Brizzi 6'3" | PG Highland School | 2021 State #216 Nation VA | Highland
Wilson – Known as an elite shot-maker that can score off a catch and shoot or pull up off the dribble, Brizzi led Highland to the VISAA division two semifinals. Brizzi also showed that when he is not scoring, he can also pass the ball well to get teammates involved.
G – Jason Nelson Jason Nelson 5'8" | PG John Marshall | 2021 State VA | John Marshall
Herron – Nelson emerged as possibly the best point guard in the Richmond area over the past few years and he cemented that with a great junior year at John Marshall that he capped with a state championship. The 5’8” point guard isn’t the biggest guy on the court but he has a huge impact as he controls the game, scores it efficiently and makes everyone on the team better. He averaged 17.5 points per game, which I’m going to guess is a career-high for him, along with 5.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game this year.
G – Jaden House Jaden House 6'4" | SG Middleburg | 2021 #246 Nation VA | Middleburg Academy
Ayalew – House’s arrival at Middleburg immediately turned them into a dangerous team. His high-level scoring ability was a perfect fit in their run-and-gun system.
F – Jaylani Darden Jaylani Darden 6'3" | CG Norview | 2021 State VA | Norview
Herron – Darden was the youngest of a trio of Norview stars that led them to the co-state championship. The 6’3” guard is the definition of a versatile guard as he did a little bit of everything to help his team, whether it was scoring, setting others up or rebounding and defending as well. He was the guy who stepped up big time against the best of the best and will be one of the most touted prospects in the 757 heading into next season.
F – Avery Ford Avery Ford 6'7" | PF Centreville | 2021 State VA | Centreville
Ayalew – Ford’s arrival at Centreville illustrated a massive power-shift occurring in Northern Virginia public school hoops. The Wildcats immediately received a boost from his presence, particularly on the defensive end.
THIRD TEAM
G – Isaiah Folkes Isaiah Folkes 6'1" | PG Middleburg | 2021 PA | Middleburg Academy
Ayalew – Folkes is a dynamic talent who thrived in a high-usage role this season. He was not only a threat to score on each possession, but he often was able to help his teammates get easy looks as well.
G – AJ Williams | Trinity Episcopal
Herron – Williams provided a huge punch of a perimeter scoring for a Trinity team that went all the way to the state semifinals before falling to Paul VI. The 6’0” combo guard made big shots all season, and according to Head Coach Rick Hamlin, the season turned around for them around midseason when Williams bought in and stepped up defensively. He averaged 18.1 points per game while shooting 44% from deep and pitched in 3.5 assists per game as well.
F – Clarence Rupert Clarence Rupert 6'7" | PF Miller School | 2021 State VA | Miller School
Wilson – Coming off a big summer, Rupert was a major impact player for Miller School. Averaging close to 20 points a game and 10 rebounds a game, Rupert is an absolute workhorse in the paint and should have another monster season next year.
F – Dominic Strother Dominic Strother 6'10" | PF Woodstock Academy | 2022 VA | Central-Woodstock
Herron – Strother was possibly the best long term prospect in Class 3 all season and despite playing in a small market is a no brainer division one kid moving forward. At 6’8” he’s immensely talented offensively as an inside-out guy who can shoot the rock, put it on the deck and can finish in the paint above the rim or on the glass as well.
C – IJ Ezuma IJ Ezuma 6'8" | PF Hargrave | 2021 State VA | Hargrave Military
Ayalew – Ezuma has emerged as a top-tier post prospect in the state. He was rock-solid at Hargrave this year and still has plenty of room to grow.