VA Preps Classic Standouts (Part 3)
Session one of the 12th annual Virginia Preps Classic took place at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach this past weekend, and to no one’s surprise it was a great event that featured some top teams from all over…
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Continue ReadingSession one of the 12th annual Virginia Preps Classic took place at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach this past weekend, and to no one’s surprise it was a great event that featured some top teams from all over the state. Director Matt Hatfield has continuously put on top notch events for the past 12 years, and this one was no different with some great matchups you wouldn’t get outside of this event.
There were 7 games on the day (I was present for 6 of them), and with the high level of the teams participating there was way too many standouts for just one article. So here’s a look at part three of Jack’s standouts from the event.
Kaleb Peterson | 6’2” G | Landstown 2020
The Tallwood transfer was a huge get for the Eagles this year giving them experience in the backcourt, and against a very good Blue Ridge team he played well in spurts. A strong guard that’s best when he gets downhill, he found ways to get in the paint and get to the rim where he used his strength to finish around the basket. He played hard on both ends, made plays for others and rebounded well for his position throughout the game, finishing with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals in their loss.
DJ Hand | 6’4” PG | Landstown 2022
One of the best young guards in the state, Hand came through with a big time performance against another very talented team as the Eagles have played one of the toughest schedules in the state. Hand not only was the primary ball handler and was hounded throughout the game, but he was also their best scorer as he made shots from all over, and made some very tough shots from deep throughout the game. With his size he was able to shoot over the top of other guards, and was extremely efficient in doing so going 5-for-7 from deep on the game. He finished with 29 points and played the entire game showing great stamina.
Michael Gray | 6’1” PG | Blue Ridge 2021
When it comes to getting buckets in bunches, there aren’t many better than Gray. The junior guard had a stretch late in the game where he single handedly put the game away, scoring 10 points in about a minute of play late. He showed great range on his jump shot, a good handle that allowed him to get in the paint to make plays and his ability to score it so quickly and in so many different ways makes him very hard to guard. He finished with 24 points on 8-for-11 shooting from the field and he set up his teammates well too finishing with 7 assists.
Sasha Glushkov.| 6’11” C | Blue Ridge 2020
One of the best available big men in the state, Glushkov is known for his ability to stretch the floor at 6’11” but he did a great job in the paint on both ends in their win over Landstown. He ran the floor hard throughout the game, rebounded well on both ends, finished well in the paint and protected the paint well on the defensive end. He’s an underrated athlete at his size who should continue to fill out and be a steal at the next level for someone. He finished with a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds and had 3 blocks as well.
William Lee | 5’10” G | Blue Ridge 2020
Another available Baron who should be getting more looks than he is, Lee is a two way guard that is a pest defensively and instant offense when he’s on the floor. Yeah, he’s a little streaky on the offensive end but he’s a confident shooter with deep range and he’s a quick guard who can get by people and is a blur in transition. He finished with 14 points and 3 assists, and was all in the ball handlers throughout the game on the defensive end as well.
Karee Smith | 6’3” WF | Green Run 2020
An athletic wing who can guard multiple positions and plays well in transition, Smith had moments where he looked really good for Green Run in their loss to a very talented Kings Fork team. Smith has a great motor on both ends and had a couple of very impressive blocks for his size showing off his athleticism, and he was very good attacking the basket and shooting the pull-up and midrange jumper. He finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Jake Cooper | 5’7” PG | Green Run 2021
While Cooper didn’t have his best game from a shooting standpoint, you had to admire his tenacity and the fact that he refused to quit throughout the game. He isn’t the biggest guy but he has a huge heart, and he plays the game with a great pace and feel for the game. He showed the ability to score at multiple levels including finishing among the trees, and he showed great instincts and quick hands on the defensive end as well. He finished with 23 points, 3 assists and 3 steals in their loss.
Quentin Livingston | 6’4” WF | Kings Fork 2021
One of the most experienced guys on a young but talented Kings Fork team, Livingston was fantastic in a number of aspects on both ends of the floor. An athletic and long wing that can guard multiple positions, Livingston showed his versatility offensively as he made shots from multiple levels and showed his ability to put it on the deck, and he was dominant in the paint as a rebounder and a help side defender. He finished with a double-double of 21 points and 13 rebounds and had 3 big blocks, earning MVP honors in their win over Green Run.
Jayden Epps | 6’0” PG | Kings Fork 2022
When it comes to handling adversity, I have to say I was impressed with Epps who dealt with a hostile crowd and a lot of trash talk from the opponents on a night that he didn’t shoot particularly well from the field, but still was great down the stretch helping them put the game away. In the first half he showed his tremendous range hitting three triples from way behind the arc, and throughout the game he found ways to get in the lane where he hit his floater with consistency and found his way to the line over and over again. He finished with a game high 26 points, going 3-for-7 from deep and 11-for-14 from the line, and had 6 rebounds as well.
George Beale | 6’4” WF | Kings Fork 2022
Another very impressive sophomore for the Bulldogs, Beale is the motor and toughness guy of the group. He plays with an unmatched tenacity on both ends as he’s a competitor who gets after it, and he showed his athleticism and finishing ability with a number of strong takes and tough midrange shots. He finished with an impressive 12 points and 8 rebounds, and he’s just scratching the surface with how good he can be moving forward.