Most Intriguing Prospects: Varina vs. Glen Allen
In a matchup of two teams that look much different than they did last year, the new look Varina Blue Devils hosted the Glen Allen Jaguars in each team’s first official game of the year. As expected in the first…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingIn a matchup of two teams that look much different than they did last year, the new look Varina Blue Devils hosted the Glen Allen Jaguars in each team’s first official game of the year. As expected in the first game it got off to a very sloppy start with over 20 turnovers combined in the first quarter, but the teams started to settle in and it was an exciting back-and-forth affair.
Despite losing pretty much all of their scoring, their top six guys from last year, Varina came out behind the play of sophomore Alphonso Billups and were able to build a lead of 18-14 at the end of the first. The Blue Devils went on a run in the second half to push the lead to double digits, but Glen Allen made some plays and were able to close the gap to 7, heading into the locker rooms down 39-32.
The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, but the Jaguars started shooting the ball much better from deep and turning defense into offense. They closed the gap to 59-57 at the end of the third, and the fourth quarter started off with a lot of buzz. In the end, Varina was able to make a couple more plays down the end and despite a couple of costly turnovers, they hit their free throws down the stretch and were able to hold on for an 80-74 victory on their home court.
Here’s a look at seven guys who stood out in a very close and exciting matchup.
Alphonso Billups | 6’5” WF | Varina 2022
“Fatts,” as he’s known by his friends and teammates, showed all the potential that has him looking like one of the top young prospects in Richmond. At 6’5” he has a long frame that could still be growing, he can play inside-out, he has a great base skill set that should continue to improve and he was productive on both ends of the floor. He showed the ability to make shots from all three levels, put it on the deck and create and had good instincts on both ends of the floor. He finished with an impressive double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds and pitched in three assists and two steals.
Christian Carden | 6’4” F | Varina 2022
Carden had a great start to the game where he showed his versatility and he played and guarded multiple positions throughout the game. At 6’4” he has a very strong frame for his age, he could muscle in the post and handle in transition and showed that he’s a very good passer in both situations. He finished well in the midrange and finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 5 steals in the win.
Malachi Plaskett | 6’0” G | Varina 2021
Plaskett was the spark off the bench for Varina as he made plays both for himself and his teammates and was an impact on both ends of the floor. He made shots when he was open, he attacked the basket and played hard in transition and played with great energy allowing him to make winning plays for his team throughout the game. He finished with 15 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds and 4 steals.
Khalil Venable | 5’9” PG | Varina 2022
The young floor general for Varina, Venable showed good poise once he settled in and set the tone on both ends of the floor for his group. He handled pressure well for the most part, he guarded the basketball well and showed good instincts on both ends of the floor and got in the paint at will. He’ll be one to keep an eye on with his mix of playmaking ability and toughness.
Daniel Beyer | 5’7” PG | Glen Allen 2020
It’s hard to watch Beyer and not love the way he plays, because despite being the smallest guy on the floor he never backs down, he plays with toughness on both ends and he made big shots throughout the game for his team. He plays with good pace, he isn’t afraid to stick his nose in there defensively, he competes in the paint despite his size and he’s a knock down shooter who can also get to the rim and finishes well over bigger defenders. He finished with a team high 20 points and chipped in 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
Ryan Wheeler | 6’4” PF | Glen Allen 2020
Wheeler is a guy I hadn’t seen much of before but he really impressed with his outside shooting ability and his size in the post. He showed good confidence in his shot, he has good form and a quick release, he rebounds well and gets after it on both ends too. He finished with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks in the loss.
Garrett Cox | 6’4” F | Glen Allen 2021
The 6’4” wing has a nice blend of size and skill set and was productive on both ends of the floor for his team. He’s long and surprisingly quick, he can put it on the deck and he’s a knock down shooter who gets hot quickly and can fill it up from deep. He finished the game with 15 points and 10 rebounds, hitting four three-pointers and should excel as one of their go-to guys as he continues to get healthy and back into the swing of things after he was hindered this summer with some injuries.