Route 60 Invitational Junior Standouts
This past weekend I got the chance to head east on 64 and make my way to Menchville High School in Newport News for the inaugural Route 60 Invitational. It featured six games with 11 of the best teams in…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend I got the chance to head east on 64 and make my way to Menchville High School in Newport News for the inaugural Route 60 Invitational. It featured six games with 11 of the best teams in the 757 (and John Marshall from Richmond), and had a number of impressive individual and team performances.
As I often do, I decided to break down the standouts into classes, looking at eight of the top juniors from the event. Take a look below.
Jaylani Darden | 6’3” G | Norview
Darden has been on the scene for a while now as he’s started for Norview since a freshman, and he’s starting to come into his own as a do-it-all guard who looks every bit of a mid major plus kind of player. He isn’t a one or a two, instead he’s kind of a utility combo guard that can do a little of everything, and he’s improved immensely at shooting off the catch from deep. He has great length and good instincts on both ends, he’s a playmaker that makes winning plays and makes others better and he can score it in a number of ways. He finished with a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds, pitching in 5 assists and 5 steals as well.
Allen Strothers | 6’3” G | Menchville
While they lost to Norview at home, it is evident that Menchville will be one of the favorites in 4A as they’re very balanced and full of talent, and it will be up to Strothers to be the straw that stirs the drink and keeps everyone involved. He showed the ability to set the tone defensively, he thrives in transition with the rest of his group and he’s improving as a guy who can make shots off the catch and create in the half court. He’ll also likely see his recruitment pick up this summer, especially if he can help his high school team to a deep playoff run.
Marcus Nesmith | 6’2” WG | Menchville
I had seen a lot of the kids from Menchville either last season or over the summer, but Nesmith is one I hadn’t seen much of because he transferred from Kecoughtan. However, it doesn’t take too long to figure out what he can do, which is stretch the floor and knock down shots from deep whether he’s wide open or has a hand in his face. He showed good form and a quick release and confidence in his shot as he hit four from deep for them in the loss.
Kelby Saunders | 6’4” WF | Smithfield
When it comes to new guys that I hadn’t seen before, Saunders may be the most intriguing of that group from what he did on Saturday in a win over Hampton. The 6’4” forward showed he can play all over the court and he scored it well both inside and outside, he runs the floor and thrives in transition and has some versatility and athleticism to go along with good size. It will be interesting to watch him more to see what position he plays at the next level, but he showed the ability to do a little of everything for this group. He finished with a game high 23 points, going an impressive 3-for-4 from deep by the way, and also pitched in 6 rebounds and 5 steals as well.
Rashad Tucker | 6’2” WF | Smithfield
The other junior go-getter of an interesting Smithfield group is Tucker, who is a versatile scorer on the perimeter himself. He’s a big bodied wing that can use his frame to bully smaller guys, he’s capable of scoring it both in transition and in the half court without needing the ball in his hands very much and he’s a solid rebounder on both ends of the floor for his size. He finished with 16 points, scoring 10 of them in the second half, and he pitched in 6 rebounds and 2 steals as well.
Quentin Livingston | 6’4” F | Kings Fork
The Bulldogs are loaded this year and along with Menchville look the favorites in Class 4 this year, and while sophomore Jayden Epps is getting much of the recognition junior wing Quentin Livingston is probably the biggest mismatch for this group, at least until sophomore George Beal comes back from injury. At 6’4”, Livingston can play the four for them but he possesses all of the skills that a wing does and projects to play there in college when the time comes. He’s long and athletic, he can handle or run the wing in transition, he can get to the cup or force the issue and get to the line off the bounce and he’s a solid rebounder as well. He finished with 12 points in just under three quarters and played and guarded multiple positions in their blowout win over Princess Anne.
Jason Nelson | 5’8” PG | John Marshall
I’ve been a fan of Nelson ever since he was a freshman that led Varina to a state title two years ago, yet every time I seem to watch him I’m more and more impressed with him as a next level prospect. Despite being the shortest guy on the floor most of the time he steps on it, Nelson controls the game like no one else, he’s a much improved shot maker that can score it at will and he constantly makes everyone better and puts them in situations to succeed. He’s got the right mindset of a point guard but is also a tough kid and a cold killer who can take over when he needs to.
Roosevelt Wheeler | 6’11” C | John Marshall
After dealing with injuries much of his sophomore year, Wheeler is fully healthy and showing the improvement that many of us have been waiting on as far as the offensive end goes. Wheeler has always been a guy that can run the floor and finish and protect the rim on the defensive end, but his feel and scoring ability in the half court has come a long way. He showed a consistent jump hook over the left shoulder, he’s able to catch and finish over top of people and he’s been all over the glass on both ends so far this season. He’s solidifying himself as a possible top 50 player in the country and should see even more college suitors as the season and summer come along.