10 Best: Henrico Holiday Hoops Day 1
It was day one of my tour across Virginia for holiday tournaments, and I decided to stay local and check out day one of the annual Henrico Holiday Hoops. It featured eight teams, with the finals below. Here’s a look…
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Continue ReadingIt was day one of my tour across Virginia for holiday tournaments, and I decided to stay local and check out day one of the annual Henrico Holiday Hoops. It featured eight teams, with the finals below. Here’s a look at my 1o Best from the day, and be sure to check it out over the next few days.
Henrico 85 TC Williams 82
Hermitage 66 Thomas Dale 62
Pikesville (MD) 51 Deep Run 49
Atlee 74 Monacan 60
MVP: Jahme Ested | 6’0” CG | Henrico 2020
Ested has had a phenomenal start to the season for Henrico, and his leadership and do-it-all kind of play is a big reason they were able to move to 9-1 on the season with a close win over TC Williams. Ested absolutely sets the tone on both ends of the floor, and he’s a guy who comes at you on both ends every single possession. He finished with 23 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals.
Best Offensive Performer: Joe Bamisile | 6’4” WG | Monacan 2020
Despite taking an unexpected loss to Atlee, Bamisile showed why he’s one of the fastest stock risers in any class in Virginia this year. The long guard showed his ability to shoot the deep ball when he got hot late in the second quarter, hitting three straight including a tough contested step back with a hand right in his face. He scored in bunches throughout the game, and he showed his ability to finish in traffic with his size as well. He finished with 30 points and 7 rebounds in the loss.
Best Defensive Performer: Joseph Demonda | 6’4” F | Deep Run 2019
Demonda had a great game for Deep Run on both ends of the floor, finishing with 13 points and 8 rebounds, but it was what he did on the defensive end that was the most impressive. The 6’4” forward played well both in the paint and on the perimeter, using his length to deflect passes and get steals and he was in help side throughout the game. He had five steals and took two charges, as well as rebounding well to hold Pikesville to just one shot.
Best Available Guard: JaQuan Johnson | 6’0” G | TC Williams 2019
Johnson was lights out all game for TC Williams, and was the biggest reason they almost completed a big comeback against the host Henrico. He’s a really good shooter off the catch, finishing 5-for-9 from deep and hitting some big time shots to keep them in the game late. He’s good handling the ball as well, as he can push in transition and get in the lane and getting to the line where he was 6-for-7 from the line. He finished with 27 points and with some extra touches he easily would have had 30.
Best Intangibles: Sam Wittenbraker | 6’2” F | Monacan 2021
He isn’t the best player or prospect on his team, but Wittenbraker is the perfect glue guy who leads by example and plays the right way all the time. He has a high motor and great toughness, as he’ll get on the floor, keep plays alive on the glass and will do the dirty work for his team. He’s the guy who does the things that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet but will make big impacts for his team.
Best Athlete: Tyler Warren | 6’5” PF | Atlee 2020
Warren wasn’t the most explosive guy but check this out, he’s a guy I would rate as probably a D2 or low major kid as a basketball player, and it’s his worst of the three sports he plays. Warren plays in the post for Atlee but he was able to guard on the perimeter, catch and attack off the bounce and he showed good touch from all levels. He has a big frame and good mobility and bounce, and the lefty just produces on a nightly basis. He’s committed to Virginia Tech as a quarterback, and he’s a star pitcher and outfielder on the baseball team as well. HE finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds and was 7-for-10 from the field.
Best Under the Radar Performer: Jeremiah Langley | 6’2” WG | Henrico 2020
Usually the third option for Henrico, Langley came up big for Henrico with star Jaden House limited due to foul trouble. The lanky 6’2” wing played with great energy on both ends, and he was super productive throughout the game getting to the basket in transition and getting extra opportunities on the glass. He finished with an impressive double-double of 18 points and 13 rebounds on 8-for-12 shooting from the floor and 7 of his 13 rebounds came on the offensive end.
Best Catch and Shoot Guy: Darius Jones | 6’3” WG | Hermitage 2019
Jones has been Hermitage’s go-to guy this season after transferring from Varina, and the Panthers looked good in their win. The 6’3” guard has a good frame and moves well off the basketball, and he’s a guy who has effortless range and good confidence in his shot. He finished with 14 points, hitting four three-pointers on the game, and he did a good job as a leader and defender as well.
Best Underclassmen: Kaleb Bingham | 6’4” WF | Monacan 2021
Bingham gets the nod here because he looks like he’s making the right strides and will be a really good player moving forward. He continues to grow, looking like a legitimate 6’4” right now with good length indicating more growth coming soon, but it’s the skill set he’s developed as well. He’s still got a ways to go but his ability to put it on the deck and defend multiple positions makes him a guy to keep an eye on moving forward.
Best 2nd Half Takeover: Evan Flaks | 5’9” G | Pikesville (MD) 2019
Flaks doesn’t look much like a guy that will take over a basketball game, but he sure did that in Pikesville’s come from behind win over Deep Run. The 5’9” guard scored 13 of his 16 points in the second half, showing some grit down the end of the game and willing his team to victory. He hit a number of tough floaters and finishes, and was money from the line as well. It was a gutsy performance to say the least.