Notebook: Big Shots Myrtle Session 2 Rising Senior Stories
The first live period is in the books, and Vantage Hoops took in the action in sunny Myrtle Beach for the Big Shots Myrtle Beach Live events. While most vacationers were at the beach soaking up the sun, we were in the gym taking in some high level basketball. Here’s part one of our notebook, a detailed breakdown of some of the sights and stories from the weekend. this one centering mostly around the rising senior class.
Loaded VA’s Mac McClung Continues Rise to Viral Stardom
There aren’t many players that aren’t nationally ranked that have kids ask to take pictures with them after games, but for Team Loaded’s Mac McClung it’s becoming something pretty common. After Ball is Life produced their first mix on the 6’1” point guard from Gate City, VA, he’s got some heavy endorsements, including rapper Riff Raff who affectionately calls McClung his “cousin,” and the video soon went viral. The pasty point guards creative finishing ability and thunderous slams have made him a social media superstar, but he’s also been one of Loaded’s toughest and most consistent players, and he showed that in their two showcase games by both wowing the crowd with his play and scoring in double figures in each game. College coaches have taken notice too, as McClung now has multiple high major offers and more suitors lining up to check the kid out. Stay tuned for a more in depth recruiting report on McClung later this week.
Loaded NC Backcourt Duo Continue to Roll after Shining on Gauntlet
While Loaded VA struggled somewhat in Spartanburg earlier this week at the Adidas Gauntlet Finale, Loaded NC hit their stride making it all the way to the championship game before falling to Yes II Success in the Championship game. The biggest, but not only, reason for their success was the play of backcourt duo Nate Hinton and Landers Nolley, both continuing that success at MB Session 2 in their showcase games.
A 6’4” point guard that score it at all three levels, Hinton’s recruitment took off at the Gauntlet Finale where he pulled in offers from Indiana, Wichita State, Virginia Tech, VCU, Penn State, Pittsburgh and Arkansas all in the first two days of the live period. In Myrtle it continued on Sunday, where he pulled an offer from Auburn. He showed great instincts with the ball in his hands, was able to use his size to make tough shots off the bounce and as the game went on things just seemed to get easier for him while everyone else got tired.
Nolley hasn’t blown up quite as much, but it’s getting there as well. A 6’7” wing that is athletic, strong and can stroke it from deep, he put up big numbers both in Spartanburg and in Myrtle, and his mix of good size and ability to fill it up in bunches from deep led to offers from Alabama, Cinicinatti, Penn State, Wichita State and Arkansas.
TRGR Becoming Increasingly Popular to Coaches
While Team Richmond has put at least one guy at a division one school the past three seasons, they have a unique group this year that features six players that are 6’7” or taller, and we all now coaches are always looking for size. They had 15-30 coaches at everyone of their games, and with five guys holding division one offers it’s no wonder why so many coaches were interested in watching them.
While the size is intriguing, it was their backcourt that really stood out. Their best prospect is 6’4” combo guard DeAndre Thomas, who showed great leadership as he hit a game winner on day one, led the team in scoring throughout the tournament and was huge in their showcase game against Team Loaded NC. It was just the type of aggression and takeover ability that Thomas needs to show coaches to see his recruitment pick up from his 10 offers he already has.
The other guard that stood out was 5’11” Timon Jones of Henrico, who averaged just over 10 points per game on Saturday and Sunday. While he’s small, Jones has a scorer’s mentality, makes tough shots off the bounce and doesn’t back down from anyone. And while he’s small, he’s tough, and does’t mind guarding the best player the length of the floor.
River City Reign Duo Pull in Offers
While Reign doesn’t have the multiple division one prospects that they’ve had in the past couple of seasons, they still are a target of scholarship level programs who are looking for tough and well coached players that have developed over time. No two players represent their reputation for development quite like 6’8” power forward Chris Ford and 6’4” wing Terrence Whitfield, both picking up their first offers from D2 Catawba after stellar performances this week.
Ford, who just started playing basketball when he entered LC Bird three years ago, didn’t get the opportunity to play in their state championship run because of a leg injury, but he’s taking full advantage of their thin front court now. The raw big man plays his butt off on both ends, busting it up and down the court, gobbling up rebounds on both ends and making athletic plays around the basket. In their win over WCBA, in which he got the offer, he finished with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, and he followed that up against a deep TRGR front line in a close loss with a 12 point, 16 rebound outing.
Whitfield has improved immensely offensively, as he was always an athletic finisher in transition and good defender. He shot the pull up well off of a couple of dribbles, showed improvements in his ability to hit it from deep off the catch and was all over the glass on both ends of the floor. He thrives in transition and as a versatile defender, and with another year at Massanutten there should be many more offers coming in when he qualifies.
Tyson Hancock with Stock Boosting Performance for Bullets
There always seems to be a breakout senior at a public school in Lynchburg. Last year it was Heritage point guard Jordan Hamlette, and so far through the summer it’s looking like this year’s breakout candidate could be Brookville combo guard Tyson Hancock. The 6’2” guard showed the ability to play on and off the basketball, got people involved early but really shined as someone who can take over a game late and score it in bunches down the stretch. In their come from behind win over The Stallions, he scored 15 of his 22 points in the second half while also getting his teammates easy looks in transition. If he can keep his head straight and emotions in check, he could end up being a scholarship level player if he continues his strong play throughout the summer and his high school season.
Squires Prep Stars Lead them to Ship
One of the most prestigious programs in the commonwealth added another championship to their belt, as the Squires beat All or Nothing handedly in the Slam Orange Silver Championship game. Led by last year’s Conference 11 Player of the Year Rahki Person, the Squires got better throughout the tournament and he was a big reason why. He has a killer instinct as a combo guard, and he’s a lights out shooter from deep where he can hit easily from 25 feet and isn’t afraid to attack the rim when teams push up to keep him from shooting. It will be interesting to see how he develops as a point guard with one year at a prep school.
Jeff Planuris a Hidden Gem to Be Found in Pennsylvania
While I didn’t get to see him much this weekend, I did see him in Pittsburgh and against TRGR in their loss. Let’s get one thing straight, Planuris can flat out score the basketball in a number of ways. He has good size for a shooting wing at 6’4”, and that’s exactly what he does, he shoots the lights out from deep. He isn’t just one dimensional however, as he’s an athletic, above the rim finisher in transition. He holds an offer from Mount St. Mary’s, but if he can shoot it well and show his athleticism he’ll likely pull in a couple more offers before the summer is over.
Names to Remember/New Stock Boosters
- John Stockstill | 6’0” WG | Roanoke Pacers
Stockstill, who’s the only 2019 on this list, can let it fly and isn’t afraid to do so. He has great footwork around screens, a quick release from deep and effortless range. He’s also really good at attacking closeouts and is a high IQ player that makes the right play consistently.
- Ryan Shaffer | 6’4” WG | WCBA
Talk about shooters, Shaffer hit from deep as well as anyone in the entire tournament. He averaged just over 23 points per game and hit more than four threes in all but one game that he played in. He has picture perfect form, gets to his spots and always makes the defense pay for leaving him to help.
- Nathaniel Pollard | 6’3” PF | Richmond Select
Pollard is undersized, but much like he did at Highland Springs as a junior, he’s a high motor workhorse that is a walking double-double. No matter how big the other post player is he crashes the glass, especially on the offensive end where he cleans up and is very quick with his follow ups. He’s crafty and has good footwork, and he gets to the line where he shoots a good percentage.
- Clint Scott | 5’10” PG | Academy Prep
Scott has quietly been a dual threat point guard at Denbigh the past couple of seasons, and nothing changes when he gets to push in transition and get up and down the floor. He has good vision, a quick first step and can flat out shoot it off the bounce or off the catch.
- Chris Barnette | 5’11” PG | NC Runnin’ Rebels
First time I saw Barnette he was the point guard for Team Loaded 15U two years ago, and I love him every bit if not more now that he’s matured and gotten older. He can stroke it from deep, controls the tempo and always sees the game one play ahead. However, his best aspect is that he’s an old school hard nosed point guard that will leave it all on the floor to help his team win.
- Cole Meadows | 6’4” F | Spectrum Sports
Meadows continues to improve his offensive game, and his versatility on the defensive end is what coaches really raved about all tournament. He can slide his feet and stay in front of guards, but is also long and athletic enough to come over and protect the rim in help side. Offensively he thrives in transition where he can start the break or run the wing and finish at the basket or above the rim in transition.