VA Live Period Shootout 1 Standouts (Part 3)
While the VHSL didn’t take advantage of the new live period rules in June, the VISAA did thanks in large part to Blue Ridge Head Coach Cade Lemcke who took it upon himself to host an event at Blue Ridge…
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Continue ReadingWhile the VHSL didn’t take advantage of the new live period rules in June, the VISAA did thanks in large part to Blue Ridge Head Coach Cade Lemcke who took it upon himself to host an event at Blue Ridge for VISAA schools and some others from outside of the area. The event featured 18 teams (Blue Ridge split into 2 groups) and had college coaches from all levels and all over the east coast come in town to see some of the top teams in the state dual it out. It was the perfect set up with plenty of opportunities to see numerous kids, and I took full advantage watching as many as I can and seeing a number of prospects worth mentioning. With that being said, here’s a look at part three of my standouts from the event.
Angelo Brizzi | 6’3” PG | Highland School 2021
Brizzi continued his hot summer as the Highland School point guard lit it up in every way imaginable this past weekend. The lefty lead guard is super crafty with good feel and a high IQ, but he thrives when he’s given the green light and is able to let it fly. He has deep range and consistency from deep both off the catch and off the bounce, and after he hits a few he’s able to use his great up-fake to get guys off their feet in closeouts and get in the midrange or in the paint where he can finish. He has good size and is a solid athlete as well, and his understanding of the game and ability to score it in multiple ways is a reason he’s already being recruited by division one schools at all levels.
Jamonte Smith | 5’9” PG | Roanoke Catholic 2021
One of the top players in the Roanoke area for the 2021 class, Smith may not be the biggest guy but he has great shot making ability that allows him to play both guard positions. He can handle pressure and beat full court presses by himself, he’s able to create his own shot and also get his within the flow of the offense and he’s able to make shots from all three levels on the floor. He has a good feel for the game as a scorer and he’s able to flip the switch and take over when his team needs him to.
Jack Faulkner | 5’8” PG | Roanoke Catholic 2022
Another young guy that Head Coach Shawn Goode is excited about, Faulkner is a smaller guard who has a great feel for the game along with a good skill set as well. He’s a knock down shooter from deep with good range and confidence, he’s surprisingly tough and willing to stick his nose in defensively and sacrifice his body and he didn’t back down against bigger and more athletic guys. He’s poised to have a solid season for a young Roanoke Catholic group on the come up.
Malachi Poindexter | 6’1” G | STAB 2020
There were some bigger names at the event, but on day one there may not have been anyone who showed more than Poindexter who was fantastic running the point for STAB. Known as a shooter and scoring guard, he showed all of that as he made shots from deep and showed a solid pull-up off the bounce, but what was most impressive is the way he ran the show as he made good decisions in pick-and-rolls and drive and kick situations while also being a go-to scorer. He put up some big numbers against some good teams and showed good improvement in his game, and I’d suggest that college coaches take a look at him now that he’s healthy and back to getting busy.
Justin Taylor | 6’5” WG | STAB 2022
When our 2022 rankings come out Taylor is likely going to be near the top and he showed why this weekend with his great size and skill set for his age. At 6’5”, Taylor isn’t a crazy explosive athlete but he’s very smooth and he’s always moving without the ball coming off screens, relocating and keeping great spacing to allow him to get open for shots. He’s a knock down shooter with size that allows him to shoot over top of people, and he showed that he’s also able to attack the paint and finish with both hands around the rim. He has all of the tools to be a division one shooter and picked up his second offer from JMU this weekend.
Walker Wallace | 6’6” F | St. Christopher’s 2020
A Cornell lacrosse commit, Wallace was the RTD Goalie of the year for lacrosse, but he showed throughout the season and this past weekend that he can hoop as well. A strong 6’6” forward who can play inside-out, he is an all-out hustle guy who gets down and dirty and isn’t afraid to people at the rim. He had a number of very athletic moves including a big outback and catching a body in transition, and he was productive on both ends of the floor for his team.
Nigel Green | 6’4” WF | St. Christopher’s 2020
Green is a guy that small schools should definitely take a look at because of his athleticism and all out way of playing. He’s a competitor who wants to make a play every time down the floor, and while he may make some mistakes it’s never from lack of effort. He’s long and super athletic, he gets up and down the floor, he can guard multiple positions and impacts the game in a number of ways. He gets a lot of points at the rim but he has also shown the ability to catch and shoot from deep as well.
Henry Coleman | 6’8” PF | Trinity Episcopal 2020
The top recruit in attendance had the likes of Virginia Tech and NC State in attendance for him, and he didn’t disappoint as he showed his style of game plus some improvements in his perimeter skill set. The strong 6’8” forward played with aggression on both ends of the floor, hitting the glass and bringing energy to his time with his highlight plays and big energy he played with. He was productive leading his team in scoring every game and likely leading in rebounds as well, and when he’s a two way impact like he was this past weekend he’s someone that every college in America would love to recruit.
Burke Smith | 6’11” PF/C | Trinity Episcopal 2020
The other senior for TES that’s getting recruited at a high level, Smith continues to impress mid major level coaches with his ability to stretch the floor and make plays at his size. He isn’t a guy who lives in the post but he’s great in high low situations both as a passer and as a finisher as he’s able to seal, catch and finish over his shoulder with regularity. He can step out and knock down shots from deep, he’s a good passer and he continues to improve his mobility and body making him able to get up and down the floor easily. Every time you see him he seems to get better, which is a good sign moving forward for the programs that have made him a priority.
Erik Prosise | 6’1” G | Trinity Episcopal 2021
Prosise had an up and down year last season in his first year as a Titan, and now that he’s seeing the ball in his hands more he looks like he’s ready to have a big season this year. The 6’1” combo showed good shot making ability which will be key to helping their big men get spacing in the paint, and when they were able to get one-on-one situations he made sure he got them the basketball. He’s a guy who can play both guard positions and should be a great third option for them moving forward this year.