Above the Rim Classic Standouts (Part 2)
In one of the most hyped events I have experienced in my five years doing this, Richmond was the place to be for high school basketball on the whole east coast as everyone anxiously anticipated seeing Sierra Canyon out of…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIn one of the most hyped events I have experienced in my five years doing this, Richmond was the place to be for high school basketball on the whole east coast as everyone anxiously anticipated seeing Sierra Canyon out of California come to play John Marshall at the Arthur Ashe Center in Richmond on Saturday. One of the main reasons is that Sierra Canyon is one of the best programs in the country, and features a roster that includes Zaire Wade (Dwyane’s son) and Bronny James (LeBron’s son).
However, it was a full day of action packed basketball that not only featured them but also four other games with teams from all over Virginia and more. From the third game on the center was packed to capacity with my guess being between 5 and 7,000 people, so the atmosphere was electric for all the games. There were way too many standouts to put in just one article, so I broke it up into three parts. Here’s the second one featuring guys from the middle few games.
Jamaal Madison | 5’9” PG | Norview ’20
I was impressed with Norview at the Route 60 Invitational last weekend and said they were one of the favorites in Class 5 this season, and they backed it up with a 22 point win over a post grad team in Carolina Basketball Academy. Despite CBA having a significant size advantage, the backcourt of Norview caused them problems on both ends, and it was led by their floor general Madison who played as good of a game as a point guard as you could ask. He set the tone on both ends, he handled the ball and made plays for others and he was lights out from all over the floor and at the line. He finished with an impressive line of 21 points, 6 assists and no turnovers, with shooting splits of 71.4%/75%/89%.
Jahn Hines | 6’3” F | Norview ’20
Another under the radar senior who has been unreal for Norview so far this year, Hines was fantastic yet again for Norivew in their win and did so while playing against guys older and much bigger than him as well. He was as consistent as you could as for as he came out aggressive in the first half and made shots from all over the court going for 13 points and 5 rebounds on 4-for-7 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the line, and he almost matched it perfectly in the second half as he finished the game 8-for-14 and 7-for-7 from the line. He showed good confidence in his ability to make shots from multiple levels, he stayed shot ready and aggressive and didn’t force things offensively. He finished with 25 points and 7 rebounds in the win.
Jaylani Darden | 6’3” G | Norview ’21
The most highly touted prospect out of the group, Darden didn’t put up the numbers of his senior backcourt companions but the way they played you can only expect him to do so much. The lengthy and bouncy utility guard did what he does best as a guy who just did a little bit of everything and effected the game on both ends. He continues to show improvement in his shot from deep as he hit 2-for-3 from behind the arc, and he continually made the right play on both ends whether it was for him or not. He finished with 12 points and 4 rebounds in the win.
Dominic Stanford | 6’4” WG | Kempsville ’21
I said that Stanford was my pick for the breakout player in the 757, and he may be the most under the radar guy in the whole 2021 class. He showed that on Saturday in their win over Louisa as he was fantastic scoring and rebounding the basketball. At 6’4” with long arms and a frame that should fill out at the next level, he showed that he can score from all three levels, play on or off the basketball and he made plays when his team needed him to the most. He finished with 26 points on 10-for-16 shooting and 3-for-5 from deep, and he pitched in 8 rebounds and 4 assists as well.
Jaden Walker | 6’2” WG | Petersburg ’21
On a young Petersburg team, Walker was impressive as a guy who can get downhill and get to the rim as well as score it in the midrange as well. He’s a strong kid who knows how to use his frame in traffic, he shot it well from deep off the catch and made the right play in most situations. He finished with 19 points on 5-for-7 shooting from the field, 3-for-3 from deep and 6-for-7 from the line.
Elijah White | 5’10” PG | Kempsville ’22
The young point guard for the Chiefs did a great job of running the show throughout the day as he consistently got them into sets, took care of the basketball and made plays on both ends of the floor. He’s a shifty guard with a tight handle that can get in the lane and either make plays for others or finish in the middle with a floater, and he’s also a guy who can stretch the floor and make shots from deep as well. He finished with 11 points, 4 assists and 0 turnovers in the win.
Tyheim Loving | 5’11” PG | Petersburg ’22
Loving didn’t put up big numbers for the Crimson Wave but his ability to get in the lane and make plays was something that was very impressive for the young guard. He has a naturally quick first step and is able to blow by guys and get to the rim at will. He’ll be a guy to keep an eye on moving forward for sure.