Unsung Heroes from the Gaso Fall Classic
In this article:
Many believe because you didn’t make an Outstanding Performer list you weren’t an Outstanding Performer. On the contrary, these are my Unsung Heroes from the Gaso Fall Classic. These players were major difference makers in their team’s success. 2023 Payton…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingMany believe because you didn’t make an Outstanding Performer list you weren’t an Outstanding Performer. On the contrary, these are my Unsung Heroes from the Gaso Fall Classic. These players were major difference makers in their team’s success.
2023 Payton Chism Payton Chism 6'1" | PG Mount Pleasant | 2023 State TX | PG | Southern Assault 3SSB | Mount Pleasant
Tough as nails is how I would first describe Chism. He handled the pressure of the opposing team’s guards well. Chism’s playmaking ability was on full display as he found teammate after teammate on numerous drives to the basket, creating offense with his left or right hand. The more physical the guards got the more aggressive Chism became. Chism showed why he is one of the top players in our Class of 2023 rankings.
2022 Belal El Shakery | F | SCA
Shakery may be one of the games best kept secrets for his team. Big, Strong, and physical. I loved the way Shakery imposed his will on the game. He played with extreme force! No matter how fast the pace, Shakery was one of the first players down the floor. Talking on defensive, blocking shots, making the right rotations. Shakery was a joy to watch. In his second game of the day, he displayed a post-up game I hadn’t seen from the first time I saw him. His teammates and coaching staff fed him on numerous occasions where he either got fouled or scored the basket. He’s a slept-on prospect that I can see making noise at the next level.
2022 Adam Lopez | F | Lake Highlands
Lopez played great for Lake Highlands. He’s another one of those players that’s flying under the radar. Lopez showed off tremendous footwork on the offensive end along with an amazing ability to defend the rim. Many times, the opposing team tried to attack Lopez in the pick and roll but it was to no avail. Lopez defended the pick and roll while still being able to protect the rim. Lopez has a great knack for finding the ball. His teammates did a great job of finding him and he did a great job of finishing through contact. I simply loved everything Lopez brought to the game at the Gaso Fall Classic.
2023 Aric Demings Aric Demings 6'0" | PG Duncanville | 2023 State TX | PG | Urban DFW Elite | Duncanville
Demings gave me Patrick Beverly vibes how he was playing defense. Demings was picking up 94 by 50 every possession against our #3 ranked Ja’Kobe Walter Ja’Kobe Walter 6'5" | SG Mckinney | 2023 #15 Nation MO . As soon as I walked in the building, I looked him in his eyes while he leveled with the ball and with the offensive player he was guarding every step of the way. No matter how fast or how big the offensive player was Demings gave up nothing. Duncanville began to pull away once Demings offense got going. Adding another eliminate to the already loaded Duncanville Panthers.
2023 Matthew Zakaria | F | BBSS National | Birdeville
At 6’5 225lbs Zakaria can be a force inside and out. Zakaria may be the ultimate tool on a team that features another Top 50 Prep Hoops prospect in Gerhig Normad. His ability to stretch the floor with his mid-range jumper and vision when catching at the high post puts him in elite company. Zakaria displayed all of that in the Gaso Fall Classic finishing his first game with a double-double.
2023 JaCovey Campbell JaCovey Campbell 5'8" | PG Accelerated Prep | 2024 TX | PG | NP Force | McKinney
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. In Campbell’s case he is the definition of both “HARDWORK” and “TALENT”. Campbell demonstrated his ability to be a thief on defense, taking every ball that was dribbled his way. He then turned many of those steals into offensive production for his team. An explosive first step to go along with uncanny ability to stop on the dime and change directions. Campbell was also a nightmare on the offensive side of the ball. Campbell sacrificed his body on both ends of the floor in his quest to try and help will his team to victory. Heart over height is usually words used to describe Campbell. He’s listed at 5’8 but he plays 6’4.
Unsung heroes usually don’t get the same attention as those that make the headlines, but they do all the things that make the headlines.