Route 60 Invitational Senior 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, starting with eight of the top seniors from the event. Take a look below.
Jordan Battle | 6’3” G | Norfolk Collegiate
I posted a tweet saying what does this kid have to do to get some offers, because it makes absolutely no sense that he’s sitting with two local offers in Hampton and Norfolk State with nothing else to show for. He’s the all time leading scorer in Norfolk Collegiate history, which has produced quite a bit of division one players, and he does so much more as he’s a great rebounder and playmaker as well as a natural leader. He showed his high motor and good strength and his ability to play all over the floor as he helped NoCo win handedly against Grafton in the first game.
Jahn Hines | 6’3” WF | Norview
Part of the big 3 for Norview or the “3 J’s” as all of their names start with J, Hines was phenomenal for Norview, especially in the second half as he helped them pull away from Menchville at their place, turning a halftime tie into a 79-55 route by the end. After a stellar first half, Hines came out aggressive and on fire as he made his first five shots from the field, two of them being three-point plays which he converted on the free throws, and he was good on the glass and defensive end as well. He showed his ability to finish at multiple levels and threw contact, finishing with a game high 24 points (17 in the second half) going 9-for-14 from the field and pitching in 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals as well.
Jamal Madison | 5’10” PG | Norview
While Hines was the guy who stepped up big time in the second half from a scoring aspect, he wasn’t the only one feeling it as Madison was the tone setter all game and he did a little scoring himself as he shot it well from deep and got to the line and converted late for his team. When I say he set the tone it all started on the defensive end, as he picked up full court and made the Menchville ball handlers uncomfortable, he was able to get in the paint and collapse the defense and he made shots from deep with consistency too. He finished with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists on the day.
Gilbert Brown | 6’0” PG | Menchville
Brown is one of the most underrated guards in the 757 and he showed flashes of why I consider them that in a game against a high level backcourt that Norview has. End-to-end, Brown may be the fastest guy in the area as he’s able to get downhill and elevate and play at the rim despite not being the biggest guy out there. He showed a lightning quick first step with the ball in his hands, good lateral quickness on the defensive end and he plays with a toughness and motor you can’t teach. One of a few late bloomers on Menchville, he’ll be a guy that someone is very happy they took a chance on when it’s all said and done.
Chaunce Jenkins | 6’3” WG | Menchville
One of the fastest rising prospects in the 757, not only has Jenkins improved a ton over the past few years but he also seems to get taller every time I see him. Standing a legit 6’3” with long arms and good bounce, Jenkins is able to play and guard multiple positions at this level but at the next level he projects to be a shooting guard with the right frame and skill set to go with it. He’s a three level scorer that is bouncy and can put it on the deck, he has good instincts on both ends and a good motor as well.
Tyler Chatman | 6’2” WG | Kings Fork
On a young and talented KF team that looks ready to compete for a state championship now, Chatman is the lone senior that gets a lot of time and he’s the right guy as a leader who can impact the game without having the ball in his hands that much. He’s a heady player who can knock down shots from deep, knows where to be at the right times on both ends of the floor and trusts his young players to make plays for the team. If he can keep the group together and play at a high level throughout the year he should have the Bulldogs ready to make a run come March.
Azaiyah Roberts | 6’6” PF | Princess Anne
PA was without one of their top players in sophomore point guard Kanye Clary who missed the game due to an injury so they didn’t bold too well against Kings Fork, but senior big man Roberts showed that he’s a guy college coaches should take a look at. He’s built very well with a big and strong frame but he moves pretty well too, and he has an intriguing skill set to go with it. He can shoot the basketball out to the three-point line, he can bully smaller guys in the post and he isn’t afraid to throw his weight around on both ends. He finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.
Terry White | 5’11” G | Grafton
It was an early tip and the Grafton Clippers didn’t get off to the best start and ended up losing to Norfolk Collegiate, but White showed why he’s one of the more underrated guards in the area. He’s a smooth combo that can play on and off the ball, he has a great IQ and feel for the game and makes good reads in both situations and he can make shots off the catch or off the bounce. He’s very well coached and coachable and is the perfect guy if you’re looking to build a culture moving forward.