24p 9r 2a 2s 11/17 FG vs Hargrave

-The Baltimore bully bounced back well in a tough matchup with the eventual champion and a familiar foe, battling against a former teammate (Pendergrass) to keep his team in the game. Norcome was much more aggressive in this matchup being more physical on his drives to the basket, blowing past or powering through opponents on his way to the rim to keep the Warriors in the game. His ability to fly around on the perimeter as a disruptive on or off-ball defender while having the strength/aggression to buck with bigs in the post makes him super valuable at both this level and the next one. Would be a great late get for a team looking for a 2-way wing that isn’t scared to get his hands dirty doing the little things that add up to wins.

Khalib Norcome Khalib Norcome 6'5" | SF Mt. Zion Prep | 2026 State MD is a 6-foot-5, extremely high motor forward from Mt Zion. He communicates with coaches and teammates on the floor calling out screens, backdoor switches and plays rather loudly. He battles in the post on defense, dives after every loose ball, boxes out every possession, and has a quick first and second jump. Khalib is a mismatch at this level. It’s evident he used to be a guard as he routinely beats 4s off the dribble, but he also consistently punishes guards inside. That combination of handle, size, and explosiveness makes him arguably the Elite prep league’s (EPLs) premier transition threat, but also makes him a weapon in the half-court. That second jump I mentioned before makes him a very good offensive rebounder, often getting multiple looks at the rim off his own hard drives to the rim. Khalib also knocked down a couple of mid-range jumpers, further showcasing his offensive versatility. Solidifying all this is his ability to keep his dribble alive and use his height to make entry passes.

I was a big fan of Norcome, one of the top defenders and transition athletes in the entire EPL. Making multiple above the rim finishes with layups and dunks, Norcome is a wing you cannot give a running start to the rim or he will try to dunk on your head. I was impressed by his toughness, looking to front the post and play physical Vs a team that relies heavily on their frontcourt to create offense. Norcome also knocked down a pair of mid-range jumpers, showing his ability to rise up over smaller defenders. Despite the tough loss, I was impressed with how organized Mt. Zion Prep played and their team didn’t back down from the challenge all game long.

13p 7r 1a 2s 1b 5/9 FG vs Putnam

-Norcome was up to his usual bully-ball ways in this one, showing the Baltimore grit and toughness that has made him a top 20 guy in our rankings of his class. Norcome was a force on the offensive glass and scored it through contact before hitting a FT to get three points the old-fashioned way several times in this game. His size, athleticism, and aggressive play on the defensive side of the floor make him an invaluable piece in this MZP rotation.

Norcome is a jack of all trades who touches the game in a plethora of different ways. His build allows him to be a mismatch nightmare and making a living on the interior. He always seems to be in the right spots on the floor to make an impact and has a nose for rebounds. Norcome also has the ability to make plays for others. He is a switchable defender who can cover a ton of ground with ease. Really wish he was more of a threat from behind the arc.

Strong inside presence. Scores with physicality and finesse. Doesn’t mind the bump/grim of the paint game. Continue to play big on both ends of the floor. Love his approach to the game. Pure scorer with a killer instinct on offense and a high basketball IQ. Reads defenders with ease, able to score at will while keeping teammates involved. Passionate, high-energy player with a contagious presence that elevates his team. Length and versatility allow him to guard multiple positions, while his athleticism enables him to play above the rim on both ends of the floor. Finish the game against the Phelps School with 14 points and 6 rebounds.

Norcome is going to fill a valuable role for this Mt. Zion team this season as he becomes a huge piece to their success puzzle. A versatile, strong-bodied forward who can defend multiple positions effectively, Norcome has a number of ways he can put his fingerprints on a game. When he brings the correct blend of discipline and energy defensively, the tools shine bright. Offensively he’s at his best playing off the ball and making himself useful as a timely cutter. He has good instincts of where the holes in the defense will be based off others’ activity and has good anticipation in when to present himself in those windows for scores. The jumper remains a work in progress, but what he brings on the ball is a physical downhill presence. When he sticks to his strengths and prides himself within his role, Norcome looks like an extremely valuable prospect. The Warriors could use exactly that this weekend as they look to protect their home floor.

10p 4r 3b 1a vs St. James

-Norcome overcame a rough offensive 1H by showcasing his defensive abilities in a tightly-contested game. Norcome’s value as a physical leaper that can guard 1-4 at the HS level cannot be understated as MZ graduates a ton of scoring and depth from last year’s group. Want to see him utilize his quick first step and long strides to become a more consistent slasher that always puts pressure on the defense to rotate.

Norcome made his way back to Mt. Zion Prep after a brief, but productive stint at Clinton Grace. The 6-foot-5 wing is a bruising physical presence who will be an extremely valuable utility guy for the Warriors this season as he’s shown growth as an off-ball cutter, a more aggressive offensive rebounder, and continues to become a bigger downhill threat from the perimeter. Norcome made the jump from No. 22 to now into the top-20 where he sits at No. 17 overall.

Another consistent outing for one of the DMV’s best available prospects. He touches the game in an array of ways. Norcome guards different positions and uses his blend of size, speed and strength to cause opponents fits. I like how Norcome can set up shop on the block and pass the ball out shooters. He is effective getting rebounds and then pushing the pace in transition. I challenge Norcome to become a more consistent threat from three as he can give off vibes that he is a reluctant shooter from deep. He is a prospect who should be a priority for mid major programs.