Top Performers: Reebok Crossover Showcase Day 2
I finished my tour across VA last Friday as I stopped by the Hampton Coliseum for the second annual Reebok Crossover Showcase. Everyone made a big deal because Allen Iverson was one of the sponsors, but the big deal was…
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Continue ReadingI finished my tour across VA last Friday as I stopped by the Hampton Coliseum for the second annual Reebok Crossover Showcase. Everyone made a big deal because Allen Iverson was one of the sponsors, but the big deal was on the court where some of the best known, and unknown, talent from Virginia Beach to Richmond was on the court, and it sure was a fun day of basketball. Here’s who stood out from the day. (Sorry for the late post, had some recuperating from the long week. Happy New Year Everyone!)
Antwan Miles | 2018 PG | Phoebus
In the second game of the day, Miles was the catalyst in a Phoebus win over Hampton Christian. The 5’11” lead guard was great on both ends, using his quick hands and instincts on the defensive end to force turnovers and using his quickness off the bounce to get into the lane and make plays for himself. He finished with 20 points and 5 steals on the game.
Diamante Brown | 2017 WF | Jamestown
Brown was very impressive on both ends of the floor for Jamestown in their win over Warwick. The 6’3” wing used his athleticism and length defensively to make some highlight worthy blocks, including a chase down block in the first half that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Offensively, he had a number of dunks, and also showed his versatility by going 3-for-6 from deep and attacking closeouts and finishing around the rim. He finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds a two blocks.
Mason Wang | 2017 PG | Jamestown
Despite getting off to somewhat of a slow start, the shot making guard turned it on and was one of the reasons that the Eagles pulled away in the second half for a blowout win. He showed his ability to hit from deep, going 4-for-9 on the game, and he also showed great instincts on both ends of the floor. The 5’10” guard can play on or off the ball, and he finished the game with 17 points, three assists and four steals.
Evan Wang | 2017 PG | Jamestown
While his twin brother Mason may have gotten off to a slow start, Evan got off to a hot start scoring 9 points and grabbing three rebounds in the first half. He didn’t take as many shots from deep as his brother, but he showed a number of crafty finishes in the midrange and around the basket. He finished with 16 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the field, and pitched in seven rebounds, four assists and five steals.
Lual Rahama | 2017 F | Warwick
Despite a blowout loss, Rahama was one of the most fierce competitors from tip to buzzer. The 6’4” combo forward was one of the hardest playing guys I’ve seen all year, and he was productive as well. He showed the ability to score it in the post, face his man up and score off the bounce and even hit a three, all while being the leading rebounder in the game as well. He finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, and he sports an impressive 3.5 GPA in the classroom.
Travis Ingram | 2017 WG | Norcom
Ingram continues on his early season tear for Norcom, as he’s stepped up in multiple ways to replace last year’s 3A State Player of the Year Travis Fields. He’s moved into more of a point guard role, handling the basketball much more and creating more off the bounce. His handle and jump shot have improved immensely over the past few years, and with his freakish athletic ability it has really diversified his offensive game. He finished with 18 points, five rebounds and two assists in their win over Woodside.
Darien Allison | 2018 CG | Norcom
Last season he was a role player off the bench as a spot up shooter, and while he isn’t the go-to option on this team Allison is showing that he can do more than just shoot the basketball. Defensively, he’s a strong guard who moves his feet surprisingly well, allowing him to dictate where ball handlers go and keep them in front of him. He’s a good ball handler that reads plays well, he can attack off the wing out of the triple threat or off the bounce, and he’s aggressive going to the lane which gets him to the line a lot.
Jaylen Dillard | 2017 WG | LC Bird
Most players making a transition from being the go-to guard on a team to being just another option an a better team would struggle early, but Dillard is quite possibly in the perfect situation at LC Bird. Joining a backcourt of two playmaking guards in Mario Haskett and Pinky Wiley, he has been able to get easy shots from deep and show his ability to stretch the defense. He moves well without the basketball, takes good shots and still is able to fill it up. He’s also an underrated defender. After scoring 10 straight in the second quarter to give the Skyhawks the lead that they never gave up, he finished with 16 points, going 4-for-8 from deep, and he’s scored 65 points in the past three games.
Cam Bacote | 2017 CG | Bethel
Bacote has to do so much for the Bruins, especially offensively because he’s the only one that can create his own shot, but the aggression that he’s shown early this year has been great for him. He’s playing more of a combo role, you could even say a scoring point guard role for Bethel, but he also gets a lot of his players shots and even opportunities for offensive rebounds because all eyes are on him from the defense. He finished with 20 points in their loss, and he showed some tremendous shot making and creative abilities off the bounce throughout the game.
Cle’Von Greene | 2018 CG | Williamsburg Christian
Greene had perhaps the best individual performance of the entire event, and his WCA team needed every bit of it to upset local powerhouse Hampton. The athletic combo guard played his tail off on both ends of the floor, and he was attack mode the entire time. He’s an explosive athlete, and when he got downhill in transition it was tough to stop him without fouling. He finished with an eye popping 31 points and 17 rebounds, and he continues to improve every time he steps on the floor.