Bigs Shots Horizon Tip-off Standouts: 2022s (Part 1)
The AAU season is in full swing in VA a little earlier than usual this year, as there were multiple tournaments throughout the state. I decided to head to Harrisonburg to the Big Shots VA Horizon Tip-Off, where I broadcasted…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe AAU season is in full swing in VA a little earlier than usual this year, as there were multiple tournaments throughout the state. I decided to head to Harrisonburg to the Big Shots VA Horizon Tip-Off, where I broadcasted and live streamed court one on the CBG Live Network.
It was a great event to see some under the radar talent, and we’ll take a look at the many standouts, continuing with part one of the 2022 prospects that stood out throughout the day.
You can watch all of the games from court one of the event on the CBG Live Network here.
Carmelo Pacheco Carmelo Pacheco 6'4" | SG Spotswood | 2022 State VA | 6’4” WG | VA Blaze/Spotswood
Pacheco is one of the most underrated and under recruited prospects in the 2022 class, and the Spotswood wing is and has worked hard to develop his game and round it out over the past few years. He isn’t the most athletic guy but he’s highly skilled as a shot maker and is a very smart player on both ends of the floor as he’s always in position to make a play. He’s a consistent shooter from deep with good size, he doesn’t go through long cold streaks as a shooter and he projects as a good 3 and d guy at the next level.
Trey Gillenwater Trey Gillenwater 6'2" | PG Eastern Mennonite | 2022 State VA | 6’1” PG | VA Blaze/Eastern Mennonite
Gillenwater is one of the top floor generals in the Harrisonburg area, and he put on in his hometown as he ran the show perfectly with his group that shot the ball out of this world throughout the event. He isn’t the most athletic guy but he’s extremely polished and very smart, he plays with good pace and he’s able to both make others better and score it in isolation situations. He’s crafty around the rim and can make shots from deep, and he’s a natural playmaker as well.
Ayrion Journiette | 6’0” CG | VA Havoc Roa/Northside
Journiette emerged as a go-to guy at Northside over the past few years, and the tough minded and fearless combo guard showed a lox of moxy for Havoc throughout the event. He’s a quick guard who is great in transition and has blow by speed and gets in the lane at will where he can use his craftiness to finish at the rim and in the midrange as well. He’s improved as a shooter from deep and as a playmaker, and with his mindset he’s not scared to matchup with anyone.
Patrick Clevenger Patrick Clevenger 6'6" | SF James River (Buchanan) | 2022 State VA | 6’6” WF | VA Havoc Roa/James River (Buchanan)
Clevenger has emerged over the past few years as one of the top scorers in the Roanoke are and was named All State this season, and he’s an intriguing prospect at his size with his skill set. He isn’t the most athletic guy but he’s one who is capable of making shots from deep at a high clip, he can get to spots in the midrange and shoot over guys and he is able to guard multiple positions as well. He can score in bunches and is a walking mismatch when he’s on the floor.
Elijah Easter Elijah Easter 5'9" | PG Freedom South Riding | 2022 State VA | 5’10” PG | VA Premier /Freedom-South Riding
Easter was part of a very talented Premier team that went to the championship before losing to Big Shots Tri-Cities in a heartbreaker, but Easter worked his way into the starting lineup with his ability to run the team and make plays on both ends. He isn’t the biggest or most athletic guy but he runs the show efficiently, he can make shots from deep when left open and he he makes great decisions with the ball in his hands. He sets the tone on both ends, he’s crafty and able to get in the lane and he can impact the game in so many different ways.
Jacob Rice Jacob Rice 6'7" | SF Miller School | 2022 State VA | 6’7” F | VA Premier /Miller School
Rice is one of the most underrated and under recruited guys in the 2022 class, and he showed that he’s a D1 guy that can play and guard multiple positions and is a walking mismatch. At 6’7” he can play on the perimeter or in the post, he can handle and get downhill where he’s long and athletic enough to finish at the rim and he can step out and make shots from deep as well. He’s a high motor and tough kid who will hit the glass and play wherever you need him to, and he’s productive in a number of ways on the floor.
Ashton Schoolfield | 6’0” PG | Stafford Orange/Colonial Forge
Schoolfield was one of the surprises to me in the tournament, as he was the leader who helped his Stafford Orange team to the semifinals. Schoolfield is an old school floor general who lives in the lane and makes good decisions, he’s crafty when he gets downhill and can finish over taller defenders and he can step out and make shots when his team needs him to. He was the straw that stirred the drink for them and should have Colonial Forge able to compete with anyone this year.