VA Live Shootout Preview: Underrated 2023s (Part 2)
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It’s been well over a year since college coaches could get out and evaluate talent live and in person, and that all changes the weekend of June 18-20 when high school live periods begin. There’s tons of events going on…
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Continue ReadingIt’s been well over a year since college coaches could get out and evaluate talent live and in person, and that all changes the weekend of June 18-20 when high school live periods begin. There’s tons of events going on all over the country, but right here in VA there will be a private school event hosted at Blue Ridge School outside of Charlottesville.
We will preview the event in numerous ways, as we take a look at some of the 2023 prospects that I know of that hold division one offers already.
Stay tuned for more including underrated prospects that could flourish and a look at other classes as well.
Teams Competing
The Avalon School (MD) Bishop O’Connell (VA) Bishop Walsh (MD)
Blue Ridge (VA) Catholic (VA) Carmel School (VA)
Church Hill Academy (VA) Collegiate School (VA) Fairfax Christian (VA)
Highland School (VA) Miller School (VA) National Christian (MD)
Norfolk Collegiate (VA) Peninsula Catholic (VA) Providence Day (NC)
Rock Creek Christian (MD) Saint James (MD) STAB (VA)
St. Christopher’s (VA) Steward School (VA) Takoma Academy (MD)
Trinity Collegiate (SC) Trinity Episcopal (VA) Word of Life (VA)
Underrated 2023 Prospects
Corey Caulker | 5’9” PG | Fairfax Christian
Caulker is part of an influx of transfer to Fairfax Christian who has quickly become a very good private school in the NOVA area, and he’s going to be one of their top options handling the ball and getting everyone involved. He’s a lightening quick guard who can handle pressure well, he sees the floor and makes good reads within the sets and he can spray it from deep when he’s left open.
Joe Baldwin | 6’4” WF | Fairfax Christian
Baldwin is one of the more intriguing long term guys that has transferred to Fairfax with his size and athleticism on the wing coupled with good ball skills. He has a good frame that will continue to fill out, he’s talented in transition where he can handle it and get downhill and he’s a versatile defender on the wing as well.
Darrel Johnson Darrel Johnson 6'6" | PF Highland | 2023 State VA | 6’6” PF | Fairfax Christian
Johnson is a bully of a forward who is highly productive and brings a good amount of versatility to his game that makes him tough to matchup with. He isn’t the tallest guy at his position but he moves well both in the paint and in the open floor, he’s strong and physical in the paint allowing him to carve out space and finish in traffic and he’s shown he can step out and make shots from the midrange as well.
Stylz Gardner Stylz Gardner 5'11" | CG Peninsula Catholic | 2023 State VA | 5’11” PG | Peninsula Catholic
Gardner announced that he will reclassify this year at Peninsula Catholic after having an outstanding year last year, and he could be one of the more productive scoring guards at this event. At 5’11” Gardner isn’t the biggest or most athletic kid, but he’s a highly skilled shot maker that can create space off the bounce, work off the ball to get open and once he gets it going he can flat out fill it up in bunches.
Leland Coleman | 6’5” WF | Trinity Episcopal
Coleman is a prospect I expect to pick up offers at this event as he’s a guy with a lot of tools and has improved immensely over the past few years. The 6’5” wing has a great frame and is very athletic in the open floor and around the rim, he has improved his ball skills and ability to make shots from behind the arc and he brings it on both ends every time that he steps on the floor.
Luke Fisher | 6’1” PG | Trinity Episcopal
Fisher is a fun player to watch as he isn’t the most athletic guy but he’s highly skilled and knows how to run the show and make an impact in a number of ways for his team. The 6’1” guard plays with great pace and has a good handle, he’s tough when he gets in the lane and he can make plays for others while also being a scoring threat from multiple levels too.
Patrick O’Brien Patrick O’Brien 6'8" | C Bishop O'Connell | 2023 State VA | 6’8” C | Highland School
O’Brien is still somewhat of a project but the 6’8” big continues to develop in the right ways and will turn some heads with his size and his budding skill set. At his size he can run the floor with his guards, he can step out and stretch the floor and he’s able to play in the paint with both hands and rebound at a high rate as well.