Flycodes Invitational Standouts (Part 2)
First off, let me apologize for taking so long to post this but you know how it is during the holiday season. Last Saturday, I made a trip to Roanoke, Virginia for the first annual Flycodes Invitational at William Fleming.…
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Continue ReadingFirst off, let me apologize for taking so long to post this but you know how it is during the holiday season. Last Saturday, I made a trip to Roanoke, Virginia for the first annual Flycodes Invitational at William Fleming. It featured five games, four of them being guys games, and the teams were throughout Virginia and North Carolina. Here’s a look at part two of the standouts, featuring eight guys worth mentioning for their stellar play.
Jecobi Lambert | 6’0” WG | Heritage 2021
The breakout guy of the weekend for me, Lanmbert showed that he’s a guy to keep an eye on in the Lynchburg area with his ability to flat out fill it up. The 6’0” guard is built like a linebacker, but has some great finesse in his game and knows how to get to his spots to score the basketball. He showed a great pull-up going both directions, he used his big frame to rebound the basketball and finish in traffic and he found his way to the line often. He finished with a double-double of 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Robert Smith | 6’6” PF | William Fleming 2019
Transferring back home after spending a year in the Richmond area, Smith showed that he may be the top traditional big man in the Roanoke area. The 6’6” forward is extremely long, and while he needs to work on his right hand he’s hard to guard because he’s a lefty and is able to dominate because of it. He can shoot the midrange, finish above the rim in transition and he can dominate on the glass when he needs to. He finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds in their blowout win over Heritage.
Donovan St. Juste | 6’3” WG | William Fleming 2021
One of the younger guys on Fleming, St. Juste showed a lot of promise, especially in the second half of the game as he helped them open it up. A long and bouncy wing, St. Juste showed he has the ability to score it off the catch and attacking the basket off the bounce. He scored all 13 points of his in the second half and hit two threes in the game.
Chris Shepherd | 6’4” WG | William Fleming 2019
Shepherd has quickly become one of the most coveted seniors in Roanoke after growing from about 5’11” to 6’4” between his sophomore and junior season. A bouncy wing who can rebound on both ends, defend multiple positions and has good feel for the game, he showed that at the next level he could be a versatile guy. He finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and three assists, with a couple of big time throw downs as well.
Jamon Battle | 6’5” WG | LC Bird 2019
Another solid game in another tough loss for Bird, Battle showed why he’s one of the best available guys in the state. He’s great off the bounce in both transition and in the half court, where he’s able to use his big body to bully smaller guards and finish in the lane. He finishes way above the rim, gets after it on both ends and still has room to improve moving forward. He finished with 19 points in the loss.
Mack Burgett | 6’6” PF | LC Bird 2019
If I’m a small school, I have Burgett on the top of my list as far as 2019 recruits go. At 6’6”, he’s able to play inside-out, uses his good length on both ends of the floor and has some toughness about him many don’t expect. He isn’t a knock down shooter from deep but he’s respectable, he’s tough in the paint and he can finish inside. He’s been consistent all year for the Skyhawks, and finished with 15 points and six rebounds.
Kasey Draper | 6’3” WG | Northside 2019
Another available senior who small schools should be all over, Draper produces night in and night out and can score with the best of them. He has a mix of skill, killer instinct and a high motor that means even when you stop him once he’ll work to get a second opportunity. He was aggressive and always looked for his shot, and he finished with a game high 26 points and 12 rebounds, and he also pitched in five assists as well. While he didn’t hit a three, he showed grit in the lane as he battled with people bigger than him and he showed a solid midrange game off the bounce.
Julien Wooden | 6’6” WF | Northside 2019
The biggest name that’s already committed to college, the JMU commit showed improvement in a number of ways and was productive on both ends of the floor. He led Northside to a big win over LC Bird, and he did so by being their primary ball handler and creator, something he’s worked on over time. At 6’6” he can see over defenders, get in the lane off the bounce and he can use his length and athleticism to score over top defenders. He finished with 23 points and eight rebounds, and he pitched in three steals on the defensive end.