VHSL Rankings: Wings 5-1 (All Classes)
With our updated class rankings coming out soon for the 2017-2019 classes, we thought it would be fun to try something different for a change. We broke our rankings up into public schools in the VHSL and private schools that play…
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Continue ReadingWith our updated class rankings coming out soon for the 2017-2019 classes, we thought it would be fun to try something different for a change. We broke our rankings up into public schools in the VHSL and private schools that play in the VISAA (sorry Oak Hill), and broke them down into three positions: Point guards, wings and big men. We took all of the players that we ranked in our three classes in each position, and came up with a top 10 for each position regardless of the class. While breaking them up into classes is great for recruiting purposes, it’s also cool to take a look at who the best in the state is regardless of year.
It wasn’t easy to make cuts because of all the great players, but we did our best to compare the over 300 ranked kids in the state to come up with our list. Here, we round out our list of the top 10 wings in public school, again regardless of classification or age. Here’s numbers 5-1 in all of the public schools in VA. Stay tuned for more rankings previews, and our fully updated prospect rankings coming soon! Let the debate begin!
5) Marquis Godwin | Hampton | 2017
The Richmond commit has shown time and time again that he’s one of the best shooters in the state, and now he’ll have a point guard to create for him in Mastadi Pitt and another shooter in Jalen Ray that will make it hard to key in on Godwin. At 6’5”, Godwin has great size to get his shot off, has perfect form and a quick release, and he’s always looking for his next shot. He’s worked hard on his ball handling so he can attack close outs, and while he isn’t the best defender he gives effort on both ends of the floor and on the glass as well. He heats up as quick as anyone, but what’s just as good is that he doesn’t lose confidence in shooting slumps. He’ll score a lot of points this year with the amount of easy shots he’ll get.
4) Travis Ingram | IC Norcom | 2017
He’s been one of the best guards in the state the last two seasons, but he’ll be asked to do even more this year with the departure of his backcourt mate and two time State Player of the Year Travis Fields. Ingram has shown time and time again that he’s one of the most athletic wings in the state, with highlight reel dunks, big time blocks and the ability to guard almost anyone on the floor. He’s improved his shooting, especially in the midrange, and has also improved his ball handling, so he’ll be ready if Head Coach Leon Goolsby asks him to run some point this year. Still, the Central Arkansas commit has enough winning experience to step up as a leader, and he’ll be looked at to step it up big time if Norcom’s going to make a run at a fourth straight state title.
3) Mario Haskett | LC Bird | 2017
They’ve been grooming him for this year, and after three years of coming so close but falling short of a state championship, Haskett will have to be the guy if he wants to win a ring before he leaves Bird. There was some question whether we’d put him as a point guard or wing, but because the 6’3” Harvard commit starts off the ball at the two we decided to include him as a wing. Haskett is one of the best on-ball defenders in the state, using a combination of lateral quickness, athleticism and IQ to hound ball handlers and force them into mistakes. He can play on or off the ball, is an athletic finisher in traffic and can hit the outside shot. He’ll be looked at to provide more offense this year, and if he can do that the Skyhawks could finally get the state championship that’s eluded them the last two years.
2) Mike Christmas | Landstown | 2019
Christmas was one of the most productive forwards in the state last year, and he was only a freshman. The 6’5” wing led a revamped Landstown team to the 6A quarterfinals and averaged a double-double on the way to being named Second Team All 6A South. He’s versatile in that he can play multiple positions on the perimeter and in the post, and he has a high motor, especially on the glass. He’s very fundamental out of the triple threat, can shoot the jumper out to the three-point line and he’s an athletic finisher at the rim. Christmas will likely be one of the top players in the 757 area this year, and as he continues to improve his ball handling and lateral quickness he should see his recruitment pick up as his career goes along.
1) Isaiah Todd | John Marshall | 2020
He’s just a freshman, but it’s not everyday that you come across a prospect as special as Todd. The 6’9” wing has played in the best events in the country, including being invited to USA Basketball Mini Camp this fall, and has performed at a high level at all of them. He’s a walking mismatch that can shoot the lights out, put it on the deck, defend every position on the floor and can see the floor well. He’s humble and hard working, but also knows how good he can be and has that killer instinct on the court. Todd played up with the Team Loaded VA 15U team that won the Adidas Uprising Championship in Las Vegas, and already has numerous high major offers that include Baylor, Wake Forest, Penn State, Virginia and St. John’s. I’m not into hyping young prospects very much, but it’s apparent to everyone that he is a special breed that has a chance to be great at this game. If he can stay focused and continue to improve, Todd has a chance to not only be the number one player in the state, but the number one player in the country at some point.
Honorable Mention:
Taqwain Drummond | Woodside | 2017
Cameron Bacote | Bethel | 2017
James Sullivan | Spotswood | 2017
Dwayne “DJ” Hill | CD Hylton | 2017
Jalen Jordan | Lake Taylor | 2018
Chandler Brooks | James Woods | 2018
Jahdon Robinson | LC Bird | 2018
Alex Fitch | William Byrd | 2019
DeMarr McRae | John Marshall | 2019
Antwan Epps | Granby | 2019