Notebook: BooPlex Preseason Jamboree
The first annual BooPlex Preseason Jamboree was held at the Boo Williams Sports Complex in Hampton this past weekend, and it was all that any basketball fanatic could ask for. The event featured national powerhouses such as Huntington Prep; Virginia…
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Continue ReadingThe first annual BooPlex Preseason Jamboree was held at the Boo Williams Sports Complex in Hampton this past weekend, and it was all that any basketball fanatic could ask for. The event featured national powerhouses such as Huntington Prep; Virginia private school powers such as Blue Ridge, Miller School, and Bishop Sullivan; and even local public powers such as Norcom, Maury and Woodside. Here’s a few things that we learned from the stacked event.
Top 3 in 2019 Show Out
It was my first time getting to see 6’6” wing Aundre Hyatt who just transferred in to Miller School from New York, and I spent much of the day dreading the fact that I was watching the top three prospects in the 2019 class in VA, and by the end of the day I had no idea which way we were going to lean because they all played so well.
The truth in the matter is that you can’t go wrong with either of the three in any order, as long as they’re the top three. Hyatt was as good as advertised, as he has great size for a wing and can absolutely light it up from deep. His jump shot is considered one of the best in the country for his class, and he showed that he can also put it on the floor and use his athleticism and size to finish at the basket.
However, our current number one Armando Bacot was no slouch as his Trinity team made a statement with lopsided wins over a number of talented programs. The 6’8” power forward has trimmed down, was in great shape and produced at a high clip throughout the day. He’s got the total package offensively as a big who can score with his back to the basket, in face up situations and even stepped out and hit the deep ball consistently. As he continues to get his body right, he’ll only get better moving forward.
Not to be outdone, our current number two player in 2019 Qudus Wahab of Virginia Academy continues to impress with his rapid development. The long and athletic 6’11” big man could end up being the best prospect long term, as he has all the physical and athletic tools to be a possible pro moving forward. He still lacks consistency, but he showed good touch in the paint with both hands, altered shots at the rim and showed an improved face up game with rip throughs, mid range jumpers and improved footwork.
Whoever ends up getting the top spot in the new 2019 rankings will have earned it, but they can’t be complacent because the other two will not be far behind.
New Faces Make Early Impacts in VA
Hyatt was one of the biggest names that transferred into Virginia this summer, however there were a number of other players that took the chance to make an impact in the first big high school event of the season. Here’s five new faces to watch this season.
Khyrie Temple | Phoebus HS | 2019
Temple transferred to Phoebus from Philadelphia late this summer and he put on a show throughout the event. He’s an athletic 6’4” combo forward with a high motor and highlight play abilities in transition. His best play came on an errant outlet pass that he tapped past the defense, as he ran it down under the basket and turned his body to throw down an unreal reverse slam. He owned the glass on both ends with his strength and athleticism, and once he develops his perimeter skill set his game should jump to another level.
Darius McGhee | Blue Ridge | 2018
He broke the NC state single season scoring record by averaging over 36 points per game last season, and the 5’8” point guard did nothing but get buckets for Blue Ridge as they went 3-0 on the day. While he’s a small guard, McGhee is an explosive athlete with good burst with the ball in his hands and the ability to float through the lane and contort his body to finish around bigger defenders. His biggest asset is his jump shot though, as he has a quick release and in the gym range whether off the catch or off the bounce. Expect him to score a lot of points this year, because that’s just what he does.
Matt Mensia | Maury HS | 2019
He isn’t new to the state, but he’s new to this Maury lineup where he was a very good third option behind his backcourt mates Bryan Phillips and Chase Coleman, both of whom are also sophomores. Mensia stands a solid 6’2”, giving the Commodores much needed size in their backcourt. He rebounds well for his position, can guard multiple positions and showed the ability to knock it down from deep. He’ll need to be a consistent option for Maury to keep defenses honest.
Henry Coleman | Benedictine | 2020
Still hard to tell what position he is, but Coleman started for Benedictine and was one of their most consistent and productive players despite just being a freshman. At 6’5” he’s a good athlete that can guard players both in the post and on the perimeter, and his motor makes him exhausting to guard for defenders. He competes at a high level, attacks the rim ferociously and gets tons of extra opportunities for his team on the offensive glass. Benedictine has a lot of talent in their lineup, but Coleman’s toughness and motor will make it hard to take him off the floor for the Cadets.
Josh Talbert | Kellam HS | 2020
There’s certain kids that you watch run up and down the floor a few times and you say “That kid’s a hooper.” Tablet may not look like it, but he was one of those kids for us on Saturday. The 6’1” point guard will have the ball in his hands as a freshman for Kellam, and from what we saw there shouldn’t be a debate. He pushed it well in transition, had a good understanding a feel within their sets, hit open shots from all three levels and has a very high IQ for his age. We’ll have to see him more before making a true evaluation, but he’ll likely be one of the best freshmen in a 757 area loaded with young talent.
Trinity Makes Case to be Favorite in Division 1
While the VISAA Division One classification has been dominated in recent years by the WCAC, IEC and TCIS, the Prep League has been on the up-and-up with Saint Christopher’s and Trinity Episcopal the last few years. On Saturday, Trinity went 3-0 with wins against IC Norcom, Bishop Sullivan and National Christian, and their play had a lot of people talking about them as early favorites for the state championship.
The Trinity front court is arguably one of the best in the state, with the combination of 2017 Zach Jacobs and 2019 Armando Bacot being two of the most versatile bigs in the state. Jacobs, a 6’6 power forward that holds double digit offers, is a monster on the offensive glass and athletic finisher in transition. What makes them so hard to gameplan for is that they can both step out and shoot it, face up and score in the paint, hit the glass and pass. Not many front courts have players that can matchup with that.
Not to be outdone, Trinity’s front court turned heads as well. They return 2017 point guard Aaron Duhart who currently holds five offers, and he’s 100% healthy now after a knee injury his sophomore year. Duhart has his explosion back, allowing him to strap opposing ball handlers full court and blow by defenders to get in the lane and make plays for others.
The big addition is 2018 point guard Jason Wade, who transferred and reclassified from Hanover High School where he was a VHSL 4A All State selection. The 6’4” combo guard has a college body and upper body strength, is a big time athlete that can finish at the basket, has good feel with the ball in his hands and can guard all three perimeter positions.
It will be interesting to see how they all gel moving forward, and they’ll have to figure out their bench rotation, but Trinity was one of the most impressive teams at the event on Saturday.
Other Notable Performers
- 2018 Rasir Bolton of Bishop Sullivan is making a case that he’s arguably the best point guard in the state. He had a huge summer, and he looked fully healthy on Saturday where he showed his athleticism with a couple of big dunks in the half court set. He can fill it up with the best of them, and he’s one that thrives when he’s matched up against the best in the country.
- 2018 Keldon Johnson looked more than fine in his debut with national powerhouse Huntington Prep. He’s a legitimate 6’5” now, has slimmed down and toned up his frame and has worked to make his jump shot from deep more consistent. Now that he’s grown into his body, Johnson is able to finish above the rim on the offensive glass, and shows no fear when attacking the basket. If things go the way they did Saturday, he’ll have the green light for Huntington all season.
- While Bolton continues to impress, 2018 DeShaun Wade of Miller School made it a point to go right at him when they matched up. The 6’3 point guard has a strong upper body with wide shoulders that he used to bully Bolton and the other Sullivan guards, on his way to scoring 21 points in their win. His interest has picked up after reclassifying, and if he can consistently produce against top competition that trend should continue.
- We mentioned it earlier, but Maury’s sophomore backcourt trio has a chance to be very good this season. Led by Chase Coleman and Bryan Phillips, who started almost every game together as freshmen, they have the right mix of athleticism, IQ, shooting ability and playmaking ability on both ends. Expect a good year from them.
- Division three schools need to take a look at Jamestown senior guard Mason Wang ASAP. He isn’t the biggest guard (5’8”) or most athletic guy, but he consistently fills it up against some of the best teams in the area. He scored 34 points (9 made 3’s) in a close loss to Williamsburg Christian, and he was one of the top performers at Virginia Wesleyan Camp back in July. He’s a tough shot maker at each level, and say what you want, but players who put the ball in the basket often translate well.
- Another player worth a look for smaller schools is Green Run senior point guard Najon Nobles. He got lost last year in their deep backcourt, but he is a lightning quick guard that can play on or off the ball, makes shots and competes on both ends of the floor.