Senior Snipers: 540/434/276 Edition (Part 2)
We take a look at some of the smaller markets in Virginia, as I’ll be producing some lists of guys to watch for this year. We’ll get started taking a look at some of the best senior shooters in the Central and Western Parts of the state, as here’s part one of the best 2018 snipers in the 540, 434 and 276.
- Josh Thomas | 6’5” | Staunton River
Thomas lit it up for the Bullets in AAU this season and should be one of the best shooters in central VA this year. He has great size, moves well without the basketball and has a smooth stroke with great form that’s the same every time. He has a high IQ that allows him to get to his spots, and with his good size he can let it fly with defenders close and still get a good look at the basket.
- CJ Rosser | 6’2” | Heritage (Lynchburg)
Last season, Rosser was in a designated shooter role for Heritage. This season, with the departure of their two leading scorers from last year, Rosser will be the go-to guy for the Pioneers and be able to show off his scoring prowess. He can score it from all over the court, but even better he’s a guy that can do it with the ball in his hands of moving off the ball. He’s got a good stroke out to about 22 feet, and once he gets it going he can ring off a bunch in the blink of an eye. Expect him to be one of the top scorers in central VA this year.
- Kobi Alexander | 6’3” | Madison County
Alexander was a guy who got lost for Madison County last year as he was designated to more of a stretch four kind of role, but expect more from him this year because he’s capable of more. He can play and guard multiple positions, has a sturdy and athletic frame and can really let it fly from deep. He can shoot it well in transition, and he isn’t afraid to take shots when his team needs them in big situations.
- Luke Estep | 6’3” | Central Woodstock
Playing on the I-81 corridor outside of Harrisonburg, Estep has flown under the radar since he plays at a smaller school, but he showed with SQBA this summer that he has one of the smoothest strokes in the state. The long lefty can play inside-out, rebounds well and really stretches the floor. He moves well without the ball, and is always locked and loaded and ready to let it fly. He’s a great three and d kinda guy because of his high IQ as well.
- Cartier Key | 5’10” | Albermarle County
With big men Jake Hahn and Austin Katstra gone, Albemarle will lean heavily on the backcourt of Key and fellow senior JaQuan Anderson. Key’s a dog of a point guard, who will sit down and guard and set the tempo, but he’s also a really good shooter off the bounce. When he gets across half court he’s in range, and when he comes off the ball screen he’s a threat to score it from deep.
- Andre Pullen | 6’4” | William Fleming
A stretch four with a big frame, Pullen is a guy who causes mismatch problems because he’s too big for guards to guard and too skilled and quick for bigs to guard. He plays well with fellow big man Ramon Hampton who’s a rim runner, and his ability to shoot the deep ball off the catch makes him the perfect pick-and-pop guy. Expect a big year from him as he looks like he’s in great shape and college coaches are taking notice.