Dr1ven MidSummer Classic Underclassmen Standouts
At Vantage Hoops, we are dedicated to not only getting the kids the right amount of exposure to help them get to the next level, but also preparing the kids for what it takes to the get the next level. With that being said, we decided to partner with Damin Altizer of Dr1ven Training to bring the MidSummer Classic to St. Anne’s Belfield in Charlottesville. 31 kids showed up for a day of intense skill development, and they all left with more of an understanding of what it takes to make it to the next level. Here’s some of the underclassmen standouts from the event.
Malachi Poindexter | 6’1” WG | Louisa County 2019
Poindexter came in with the mentality of getting better, and he showed a much better understanding of the game than we have seen from him in the past. He’s usually a volume shooter, but at the camp he took good shots and made good decisions, and still got his own with his ability to make shots from all three levels. As he fills out and improves his ball handling, he should see more and more college interest come his way.
Dean Lockley | 6’0” PG | Monticello 2019
Lockley was a kid that I had seen a little of during the playoffs of the high school season and was intrigued by him, and after the camp the intrigue continues! He’s a long and lanky point guard that looks like he’s still growing, and his body is filling out and he’s looking much more athletic. If he continues to hone his skill set and understanding of the game he could be a breakout player in the Charlottesville area this year.
Jordan Hairston | 5’11” PG | Westfield 2019
What can you say about this kid? Let’s start with he’s ALWAYS in the gym. He came straight from Maryland team camp to the MidSummer Classic and you couldn’t tell if he was tired one bit. He put in work throughout the skill development portion, and despite being one of the best players there he was still putting in work to get better. He’s a true point guard that plays with pace, sees the floor and can knock down shots from all over the floor.
Jordan Richeson | 6’2” WF | Jefferson Forest 2019
Richeson quietly had a big year for Alleghany last season, and with his move to Jefferson Forest it could be a matter of time before you hear more from him. At 6’2” he has a solid frame with a big upper body, he can score it from all three levels and he came ready to work throughout the event! He’s a sneaky athlete that plays well in transition too.
Marshall Snider | 5’8” PG | Glenvar 2019
If I had to pick a single breakout performer from the event, it may just be Snider. The 5’8” point guard maybe doesn’t look the part, but he showed that he can play with the best of them. He has a high IQ and good feel, can shoot it from 25 feet off the bounce consistently and was tremendous in pick-and-roll and drive-and-kick situations. He plays with a toughness and chip on his shoulder that makes him able to play with bigger and more athletic guys.
Nick Reese | 6’1” WG | St. Anne’s Belfield 2020
Reese, who was very familiar with the gym since he went there, came ready to play and got after it as if it was a real game. A very good athlete, his strength right now is defensively as he’s able to sit down and defend the ball against point guards, and he’s able to switch and use his athleticism to guard bigs. He plays well in an uptempo system, and he really worked in stations to improve his ability to create his own shot.
Matt Poole | 6’1” WF | Wilson Memorial 2020
Poole showed a lot of potential and is a hard working kid that showed the ability to do a lot of things. He can shoot it from deep, he can guard and play multiple positions and he’s a big time athlete even though he’s still coming back from a knee injury. He has a great frame and he’s still growing, so there’s a good chance that he’ll only get better moving forward.
Kendrick Robinson | 6’4” F | Fredericksburg Christian 2020
If there was one kid who I’d say has the most potential moving forward it’s Robinson. The Fredericksburg native has a great frame, is super athletic and long and is only scratching the surface with his ability to play. He’s still learning how to play, but his ability to move without the ball, play in transition and finish above the rim was impressive for a player his age.