Eastern NC Freshman Sensations
Deep in the eastern part of North Carolina, there are freshmen every season that come out of nowhere and produce at a high level, but due to their location and school sizes, they tend to catch you by surprise down the road. In this article, I plan to inform you of a few “Freshman Sensations” who are producing and showing the potential to make a big name for themselves and their programs in the future.
Rashod Smith | Northside-Pinetown | 5’4” PG
Despite his size, this kid could develop into an elite point guard prospect. His basketball IQ is far ahead of it’s time. Arguably the best passing freshman guard that I’ve seen. Had it not been for an early season injury, he could very well be the leader in assists per game nationally for the freshman class. Offensively, he pushes the pace and keeps his head on a swivel. Makes extremely tough passes inside look easy and also creates alongside the perimeter with great efficiency. When it comes to scoring the ball, he takes really good shots from mid-range as well as from 3-pt range. Very efficient shooting the ball. Defensively, he’s only about 5’4” so of course he gives up baskets here and there to bigger guards inside. However, he does a solid job of pressuring the basketball up the court and averages a shade over 3 steals per game to go along with his 12.3 points and 8.7 assists per game. (Not a typo) If he continues to grow, develops more as a scorer and improves on his core, high level colleges will overlook his size without a doubt and take a chance on him.
Keenan Downing | Perquimans HS | 6’3” W
When you watch this kid move up and down the floor and view his frame, you may assume he’s a senior. However, he’s a freshman. Keenan Downing is a legitimate multi-sport athlete to keep on your radar. Standing about 6’3”, he moves extremely well, doesn’t waste movements offensively before getting elevation to rise up for a jump-shot and he finishes very well around the rim. Does a solid job earning his position and rebounding over bigger players and sprints hard in transition. Defensively he uses his length well to contest shots and poke away the ball for steals. Should he continue working hard and improving, I could see this kid causing a ton of trouble for opposition while helping lead his team to some big accomplishments.
Keimonte Raynor | Edenton Holmes HS | 6’5” F
Potential is all over this kid. Has the skills, size and youth to develop into a highly productive player in the near future at Edenton Holmes. What stands out first and foremost about Raynor is his length and fluidity. Extremely long, grabs some rebounds out of position and finishes quickly inside when the ball comes to him. Haven’t seen him handle the ball much alongside the perimeter, but in spurts he has shown enough potential handling the ball that I believe he’ll be able to operate as an inside-outside threat before too long. That all depends on how hard he’ll work in the off-season and in years to come. Going to be fun tracking him over the years.
Day’Ron Sharpe | South Central HS | 6’7” F
Every couple of years South Central seemingly has a big kid that comes out of nowhere that is oozing with potential. Next in line is Day’Ron Sharpe. He is a solid, long armed freshman currently manning the post and anchoring one of the better defensive teams in the state. Like most freshman, he’s susceptible at times to bite on head fakes and pick up cheap fouls, but when he stays put he’s a solid defender and does a good job rebounding the ball as well. Offensively, he shows plenty of promise. Has a soft touch inside around the rim, finishes smoothly off the glass and can get over the rim in transition. Offseason could end up being huge for him.
Justin Wright | Farmville Central HS | 6’0” PG
Quietly, Wright has been playing some really good basketball down the stretch for Farmville Central. He’s developed into a reliable second option alongside star senior guard Tyler Maye, a 6’2” senior guard who currently leads the state of NC in points per game according to MaxPreps. As a ball-handler, Justin is very tricky and has a nice repertoire of fakes, hesitations, spin moves and step-back combinations that enable him to get his shots. When his feet are set, he’s a must contest type of shooter that will bury several jumpers in succession if you don’t keep a body on him. Defensively, he has some potential due to a solid frame that has plenty of potential to gain muscle over the course of his high school career.