Hargrave Tip-Off Standouts (Part 1)
The season is about to get underway, and what a wonderful way to start it with the Hargrave Military Academy Tip-Off in Chatham, VA, featuring some powerhouse programs and some up and coming ones as well. I was able to…
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Continue ReadingThe season is about to get underway, and what a wonderful way to start it with the Hargrave Military Academy Tip-Off in Chatham, VA, featuring some powerhouse programs and some up and coming ones as well. I was able to get to the second day of the two day event, and while I missed the first day there was still plenty of standouts on the day featuring eight teams. Here’s a look at the senior standouts for the event, featuring nine guys.
Alvonte Lawson | 6’1” G | Norfolk Christian 2020
In the first game, Lawson was huge in a Norfolk Christian comeback as he helped lead his team to a comeback win with their star point guard Kaeshawn Ward out for a large part of the second half with a leg injury. Lawson did a little of everything, taking over some ball handling ability and showing good scoring ability while also being active on both ends of the floor. He finished with 12 points, scoring 10 of them in the second half.
Malik Tompkins | 6’3” F | Norfolk Christian 2020
A big bodied forward with some ball skills that makes him a mismatch on the offensive end, Tompkins was big down the stretch and was tough for OHA to guard because they didn’t have much size. He showed good touch in the paint finishing through traffic, he showed the ability to put it on the deck and get to the rim and made shots when they needed it. He finished with a game high 14 points in the win.
Anees Abdu-Raheem | 6’0” G | Oak Hill Red 2020
A native of Trenton, NJ, Abdu-Raheem was phenomenal in the second half for OHA and showed great slashing ability getting to the rim. He’s quick with the ball in his hands and showed a lightning quick first step allowing him to get to the rim and he showed good athleticism as a finisher around the rim. He’s a natural playmaker as well and a good on-ball defender that can cause fits for ball handlers as well.
Petra Boskovic | 6’7” F | Veritas Colleigate 2020
A native of Montenegro, Boskovic showed some flashes of brilliance as a skilled forward with good size who can do a lot of things on the offensive end. He started off slow, but later in the game they started putting the ball in his hands and showing that he can make things happen on the perimeter with his size. He can initiate the offense, he hit a couple shots from downtown, showed good passing ability and he competed despite losing in a blowout. He finished with 10 points and 4 rebounds in the loss.
Ismael Plet | 6’8” F | Virginia Episcopal 2020
One of the best available 2020s in the state, Plet showed a lot of improvement from the last time I saw him and despite being in foul trouble for a majority of the game he made a huge impact when he was on the floor. He’s a natural athlete with good strength, bounce and quickness, and he has a unique skill set at his size as a guy who can score in the post and be able to create off the bounce, all while also being able to guard multiple positions. He finished with 11 points and 7 rebounds in their loss in limited minutes because of foul trouble.
Reggie Walton Jr. | 5’11” G | Hargrave 2020
A commit to D2 Mars Hill, Walton had some impressive moments in their blowout win over Richmond Christian. He isn’t the biggest guard but he’s lightning quick off the bounce, he’s able to create space to get his shot off and he showed the ability to make contested shots from all three levels. He also rebounded well for his size and showed good defensive instincts both on and off the basketball throughout the game.
Mazae Blake | 6’0” G | Hargrave 2020
The Maryland native supposedly had a great game Friday against Oak Hill Red, and while he didn’t put up those huge number against Richmond Christian you could see what makes him a very effective player. He’s not the biggest guy but he’s bouncy and plays with a high motor, he can make shots from all over the floor and he rebound well for his position as well. He’s a two way guy with a high motor that can get hot and fill it up quickly.
Nathan Kania | 6’1” G | Hargrave 2020
A local kid from Danville who showed a lot of grit in their win, Kania is the ultimate glue guy for this group. The lefty wing has a good shooting stroke and that he isn’t afraid to stick his nose in there defensively to tie guys up or make plays. He finished with a solid 9 points and 2 steals, and if they’re going to successful this year Kania is going to have to play well for them and give them an option to stretch the floor.
Kwaku Agyapong | 6’9” C | Middleburg 2020
“Kwaks” as he’s called by friends and teammates is never going to put up huge scoring numbers with this group that’s loaded with scorers in the backcourt and on the wing, but he provides an important presence in the paint as a rebounder and defender that you can’t measure just by the stat book. He’s a massive guy in the paint with a great frame, and he owns the glass on the defensive end helping hold teams to just one possession. He alters shots and starts the break well, and he can also run the floor and beat other bigs down the other end as well.