The 757’s Big Three
Basketball is known for many “Big 3s.” The Boston Celtics had Pierce, Garnett, and Allen. The Miami Heat had Bron, The Flash, and Bosh. And the 757 is no different, with it’s Big 3 of Landstown, Maury, & Oscar Smith.…
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Continue ReadingBasketball is known for many “Big 3s.” The Boston Celtics had Pierce, Garnett, and Allen. The Miami Heat had Bron, The Flash, and Bosh. And the 757 is no different, with it’s Big 3 of Landstown, Maury, & Oscar Smith. A trinity of undefeated teams, with some special stars, and elite co-stars. We’ll begin with who’s ranked #1, the Landstown Eagles:
Landstown Eagles
Coach: Dwight Robinson
The Run Down:
The Landstown Eagles are currently ranked #1 in the Hampton Roads area. After beginning the season at 3-0, it’s early, but the Eagles look poised to make a 6A run. With former 6A Player of the Year, Michael Christmas (pictured right), the JMU commit back in action, and the emergence of freshman talent, Donald Hand Jr., Coach Robinson may have one of his most talented teams yet. Christmas, who is averaging 23 points per game right now, led his Eagles to a big win over a previously undefeated Green Run squad, scoring 35 points, with 25 coming in the second half. As for freshman point guard, Donald Hand Jr., who’s name may sound familiar, as he is the son of former UVA star, Donald Hand Sr., the best is truly yet to come. The freshman already has NBA range ability, and with his quickness, can navigate to the basket, and score at the rim. Although he already is offensively sound in many departments, his most impressive skill at this point is his defensive intensity. Often times, he is matched up against guards who are bigger, older, and more experienced. Throughout the Eagles first three games, Hand Jr, shows no signs of being afraid to step up to any challenge. Seniors, Lamont Oliphant, Christian Jones, Deante Mobley, and Chase Turner provide the Eagles with other scoring options, and defensive soundness, and will be key to Landstown going far in an already stacked 6A bracket.
Maury Commodores
Coach: Brandon Plummer
The Run Down:
With senior guard, Chase Coleman dishing out over 5 assists a game, while scoring in double figures, the Maury Commodores are sitting at 4-0. But they are not satisfied. In the backcourt with Coleman, is senior Bryan Phillips (pictured left). Always regarded as one of the toughest guards in the 757, Phillips is really turning it on early this season, scoring in double figures in all 4 of Maury’s outings. In the paint, junior big man Clarence Rupert runs the show, his size provides a mismatch for many opponents, as he finishes at the rim, and rebounds well. Although Coleman and Phillips are usually the highlighted players, Rupert has been the leading scorer once already for the Commodores, and having so many forms of offensive talent, the Commodores are sitting in a pretty good position. The Commodores have four more games to end the year off, and could quite possibly go to 8-0 to start the new year.
Oscar Smith Tigers
Coach: Lavar Griffin
The Run Down:
Also undefeated, the Oscar Smith Tigers have started the season 5-0. With senior guard, BriQuan Harrell (pictured right, former Western Branch Bruin), leading the fight, and a new star, freshman guard, Kenyon Giles, who used to share the backcourt with Landstown freshman, Donald Hand Jr., Giles is already poised and on track to being one of the top players in the state in the 2023 class. With a big win against rival, Western Branch to begin the season, and their latest win coming in the 757 v. 804 Invitational, against Armstrong, every Tigers win this season has been by double digits. Oscar Smith has two more games to end the year off, and begins the season with a matchup against Great Bridge Academy, a squad they beat at the beginning of the season.