10 Best: Reebok Crossover Showcase
My second stop on my holiday tour of Virginia took me to the annual Reebok Crossover High School Christmas Holiday Showcase hosted by Allen Iverson at the Hampton Coliseum. It featured five games between 10 local public schools, giving me…
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Continue ReadingMy second stop on my holiday tour of Virginia took me to the annual Reebok Crossover High School Christmas Holiday Showcase hosted by Allen Iverson at the Hampton Coliseum. It featured five games between 10 local public schools, giving me a great opportunity to watch some of the best players in the area. Here’s what I learned.
MVP: Zyrail Mitchell | 6’2” PG | Lake Taylor 2020
Mitchell dominated the game from start to finish, and despite just shooting 33% from the field he still looked like the best player throughout the entire event. One of the fastest stock risers in the area, Mitchell looked like a steady combo guard who can go get his own and can guard both guard positions defensively. He’s improved his jump shot immensely over the past few years, and showed good burst to blow by defenders and get in the lane. He finished with 27 points and 10 rebounds, and his play earned him an offer from Hampton University.
Play of the Day
There were a number of impressive plays over the course of the day, but I’d say that Jamestown wing Colin Glavas had the most impressive finish in the beginning of the game against Bethel. With the Eagles really needing a play, they broke the press and found Glavas, who took one dribble and took off with two hands, posterizing the defender in the process.
Best Offensive Performer: ZaQuan Sims | 5’10” PG | Bethel 2020
Sims had a huge game for Bethel, stepping up big time and pouring in 28 points in the game. The 5’10” lead guard showed a great first step, good handles off the bounce and the ability to get to his spot and make shots from all over the court. He got hot in the first half scoring 10 points on 4-for-8 shooting from the field, and he continued it in the second half as he moved well without the ball and looked to take and make his shots. He finished 11-for-19 from the field and he pitched in 5 rebounds and three steals.
Best Breakout Performer: Donyelle Brown | 6’0” CG | Norcom 2020
Brown made a name for himself late last year for Norcom and continues to show that he should be a guy to keep an eye on for Coach Goolsby’s group. Brown showed that he can play on and off the basketball, he made shots from all over the floor and he showed good athleticism on some takes to the basket. He finished with 15 points in their big win over Menchville.
Best Guy off the Bench: Shareef Bynum | 6’0” CG | Churchland 2019
I’m not quite sure why Bynum came off the bench for the Truckers, but the senior combo guard got after it from the jump and was relentless attacking the rim. In transition he showed his blazing speed and ability to elevate and finish at the rim, and he was solid on the defensive end too. “Dula,” as he’s known by his teammates and coaches, finished with 17 points and 7 rebounds on the way to being named MVP of the game.
Best Intangibles: Dorian Hill | 5’10” G | Phoebus 2019
Hill was a guy I came in knowing very little about, but he impressed me with his energy, athleticism and will to compete on both ends. After fellow senior leader Detionne Leach fouled out, and with star Kyree Temple out of town Hill stepped up to make some big time plays for Phoebus in a close loss. He showed athleticism attacking the basket, he guarded the basketball well and he rebounded well for his size. He finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds.
Best Under-the-Radar Performer: Zaiyen Chapman | 6’0” G | Hampton 2019
I didn’t recognize Chapman at first because I haven’t seen him with his hair cut and he looks about two inches shorter because of it, but once I saw him flying all over the floor defensively and take off for an easy dunk I figured it out quick enough. Chapman was the primary ball handler against the press, was the only guy who could really create for himself and for others, and he was the biggest playmaker on the defensive end too. He finished with an impressive 14 points, five rebounds and three steals in 24 minutes.
Best Underclassman: Chris Brown | 6’2” WG | Jamestown 2021
There were other underclassmen with more attention already, and there were others that broke out that are guys I really want to watch moving forward, but as far as best performance it had to go to the Jamestown sophomore who finished with 17 points, five steals and four rebounds. Despite his team suffering a tough loss to Bethel, Brown competed and showed grit even after making mistakes. He played hard on both ends, showed good athleticism and shot the ball pretty well from all three levels.
Best Rebounder: Journey Al-Amin | 6’5” F | Booker T. Washington 2019
Al-Amin has had a great start to the season, but the shot wasn’t falling against Kecoughtan. However, with his team in a knock-down, drag out match, Al-Amin continued to play hard and make a positive impact on the game with his motor and ability to dominate the glass. Despite going just 3-for-17 from the field, he finished with 15 rebounds, five of them coming on the offensive end, and that was a big reason the Bookers had a 21 rebound advantage over the Warriors.
Best Frosh to Keep Eye On: Obinnaya Okafor | 6’6” PF | Bethel 2022
Long term wise, Okafor was one of multiple intriguing freshmen including Kecoughtan’s Dejuan Campbell, Hampton’s Ihsan Duncan and Jamestown’s Judah Egba. Okafor stands about 6’6” now and is obviously still growing into his body. He moves pretty well for a young big, showed good touch in the lane and got up and down the floor. He’ll be one to watch because he’s playing big minutes and should improve over time.