Jack’s All Coaches 4 Cure Team
It was one of the most anticipated events of the season, with a ton of talented teams coming to Richmond for the Team Loaded Coaches 4 the Cure event. There were teams from all over VA, and there were even teams from DC, West Virginia and Canada that made the trip.
With all the talent in the building, my colleague Houston Wilson made the short drive from DC for the event, and we decided to do things a little differently in our write ups. We both decided to do an “All Coaches 4 the Cure Team,” and we had a great time arguing who’s team would win in a matchup. We did a “snake draft” scenario, with me getting the first pick (on a coin flip), and Houston taking the second and third pick, me taking the fourth and fifth pick, etc.
We drafted a starting five and two subs. Check out Houston’s team here, and let us know on social media which team you think would win in a head-to-head matchup!
1st Pick: Isaiah Todd | 6’10” F | John Marshall
The number one overall player showed his tremendous potential, and was the driving force behind a John Marshall upset over cross town private school powerhouse Trinity Episcopal. He has such a good perimeter skill set, which he showed by knocking down five threes from deep on his way to scoring a game high 26 points. While his ability to handle the basketball in transition and knock down tough contested perimeter shots is what has NBA scouts drooling over him, the most underrated part of his game has to be defensively. Todd can move his feet on the perimeter to stay in front of guards, and he has great length that allows him to protect the rim like a true center. He chipped in seven rebounds and three blocks, and looked like the elite prospect he is, making him my number one pick.
2nd Pick: Tyrese Martin | 6’6” WG | Massanutten
After Houston took two very good players in Casey Morsell and Jaemyn Brakefield, I decided to go with the Rhode Island commit who dropped 14 points in Massanutten’s win over Blue Ridge, and he was one of four Colonels in double figures. The 6’6” Martin is a terrific three and d guy, as he can really stroke it from deep and he’s a lock down defender when engaged.He rebounds well, has a good feel for the game and his toughness sets the tone for his entire team. He mad 14 points, six rebounds and four assists look easy in their win.
3rd Pick: Armando Bacot | 6’10” PF | Trinity Episcopal
Bacot was battling it out with Todd in a matchup of two of the best prospects in the country before the stripes got in the way and fouled him out early in the fourth quarter after a couple of questionable calls. The 6’10” junior big man dominated on both ends of the floor, as he was efficient offensively showing his versatility on the low block, and he was elite defensively as he protected the rim with four blocks. He finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds and four blocks, and when he was forced to exit the game early it just seemed like the winds were taken out of the sails of TES who leans heavily on him on both ends.
4th Pick: Tyrek Williams | 6’7” PF | LC Bird
The Norfolk State commit dominated on the low block for LC Bird in their big 47-41 comeback win over Oscar Smith. The bruising 6’7” Williams is a throwback post player, who uses his physicality to beat up and dominate opposing big men. He showed brute strength, but a soft touch, along with great hands and footwork offensively. Defensively, he was always in the right place on help side, as he finished with three blocks but also took two charges, showing great awareness. He had an impressive double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds in the win and was huge for them in setting the tone in the paint.
5th Pick: BriQuan Harrell | 6’0” G | Oscar Smith
The Smith backcourt duo of Harrell and sophomore Andre Bottoms combined for 30 of the team’s 41 points, and I took Harrell because he showed the ability to stretch the floor and score from 15 and beyond, especially in the first half. The stocky 6’0” lefty opened the game with three triples, and followed it up with a few midranges as he finished the first half 5-for-6 from the field. He has broad shoulders, works well on and off the basketball and he’s a guy that can make shots from all over the floor. He should see his stock go up if he continues to score it the way he has lately.
6th Pick: Jamon Battle | 6’5” WF | LC Bird
With my sixth man I stay in the same game as the last two, and I take the guy who was a big reason Bird was able to turn it around. Battle was a sight for many college coaches to see, as he’s 6’5” with a great frame and elite athleticism which he showed off with a huge dunk that brought the house down in their comeback effort. The junior is a downhill attacking wing that thrives in transition, plays above the rim and can make shots when he’s set. On top of that, he’s a versatile defender that can guard multiple positions and use his athleticism to make plays in the press. He finished with 15 points and three steals, and he picked up his first two offers from UMES and Canisius after his performance.
7th Pick: AJ Epps | 5’10” PG | Bishop Sullivan
My final pick goes to another scoring guard in Bishop Sullivan’s AJ Epps. He’s been impressive this season, as the 5’10” junior has been lighting it up in so many different ways. He’s a deadly shooter from deep, and he can get to his spots off the bounce or you can run him off of screens. He does a great job getting to the line, and he’s deceptively quick and strong in the lane when he’s attacking the basket. He finished with a game high 14 points against St. John’s of the WCAC, going 5-for-11 from the field and 4-for-5 from the line.