Certified Snipers: 2018 VHSL Edition
They say “If you can shoot you can play anywhere.” With shooting at a premium now more than ever, we take a look at eight juniors in public school that can light it up from deep.
Nate Spurlock | 6’6” PF | WT Woodson
What makes Spurlock so intriguing in this conversation is that his ability to shoot it causes tons of mismatch problems. At 6’6” he’s a true four man, but he can step out to the mid range or three point line to stretch the defense. The lefty has a pure stroke and soft touch from deep, making him great in pick-and-pop or trail situations for Woodson.
Jalen Jordan | 6’3” WG | Lake Taylor
Jordan at times gets lost in the three-headed monster of a backcourt at Lake Taylor, but the wing may be the best shooter of the group. Another lefty, he has good size to get his shot off, a lightning quick release and gets hot quickly. He’s improved on attacking closeouts as well, and if he can show how well he shoots it this summer he could see his first offers come in.
Chris Rogers | 5’11” PG | East Rockingham
While many of the guys on this list are catch-and-shoot players, Rogers is a facilitating point guard that can stroke it from deep in all scenarios. His deep range will allow him to hurt you on ball reversals or if you go under the pick-and-roll, and his crafty ball handling allows him to create space off the bounce, and his quick release means he doesn’t need much space to let it go.
Eugene Williams | 6’1” WG | George Wythe (Richmond)
Williams thrived last season playing alongside now Providence commit Maliek White who got him a lot of easy looks from deep. Now with sophomore Antonio Bridy running the show, Williams is getting much of the same. Another lefty with a smooth stroke, he moves well without the basketball and has deep range allowing him to space the floor for drivers.
Zion Davis | 6’3” WG | John Marshall
Davis has come on in a big way since the summer, in part to a big growth spurt that now has him standing at a legit 6’3” with long arms. Since transferring to John Marshall, he’s been their first guy off the bench and has been shooting it extremely well for them. He has effortless range and good mechanics, but while he’s still streaky at times he can shoot it off the catch or off the bounce. He’s still growing too, which makes him less of a liability defensively as well.
Ben Horsford | 6’2” WG | Wakefield
Joining an already experienced backcourt with seniors Alan Treakle and Halil Parks, Horsford has brought much needed shooting to the Warriors this year. He gets a lot of looks with defenses focused on the other two, and when he gets it going he can light it up. He hit five three-pointers in the Virginia Preps Classic against a tough defensive Cape Henry group, and his energy on the defensive end and on the glass are an added bonus for any shooter.
Noah Atwood | 6’2” WG | George Wythe (Wytheville)
Atwood may not be the most known name on this group considering he plays in Wytheville, but he’s shown time-and-time again he can light it up from deep. Whether with GW, over the summer with Spectrum or in camp settings, Atwood has been both consistent and clutch. He understands spacing, relocates well and has pretty form on every release.
Cameron O’Conner | 6’4” WF | Northside
The sixth man on Northside is absolutely money from deep, and his ability to make shots gives them a huge lift off the bench. With a facilitating point guard in Nick Price, O’Conner can easily just spot up in corners or rotate on drive-and-kicks for easy shots. He has picture perfect form and isn’t very streaky, meaning his coach and teammates have confidence that he’ll make the next one when given the opportunity.