December’s Top 2023 Performances
In this article:
With the first month of the high school season over, we take a look back at some of the top performers and performances over the month. While there have been plenty of big time performances, these 7 players have really…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith the first month of the high school season over, we take a look back at some of the top performers and performances over the month. While there have been plenty of big time performances, these 7 players have really put up big numbers either in a game or in multiple games, and we recognize them for their hot starts to the season.
Austin Ball Austin Ball 6'7" | SF Miller School | 2023 State #203 Nation VA | 6’6” WF | Miller School
Ball is one of the more talented new players in the state after transferring to Miller School from West Virginia where he was state player of the year last year, and he’s wasted no time making his presence known for the talented Mavericks. A nationally ranked wing with excellent size and a scorer’s mindset and skill set, Ball is able to score it from all over the floor and makes an impact on both ends. He opened the season with a huge 27 point 9 rebound performance in a win over Hargrave.
Greg Jones Greg Jones 6'5" | SF Hayfield | 2023 State #258 Nation VA | 6’5” WF | Hayfield
Jones is one of the most underrated and under recruited players in the 2023 class, and if he continues to play the way he’s been playing he won’t be a secret for much longer. The 6’5” wing has a mix of length and athleticism, playmaking ability off the bounce and versatility as a scorer and defender that makes him one of the best all-around players in the state. While he’s put up big numbers throughout the season, his outing in their blowout win over Loudoun County where he went for 28 points on 11-for-16 shooting from the field with 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals may be the best indicator of his all-around ability.
Jaden Walker | 5’10” PG | Henrico
Walker is one of the sleeper names in the Richmond area that is starting to come into his own with this Henrico group who could surprise a lot of people this season. The 5’10” junior is a highly skilled guard who plays with good pace, has a good feel for the game and is an absolute sharp shooter from deep. In their Holiday Tournament in their win over Matoaca, he went for 29 points on 7-for-10 shooting from deep.
Carter Lang Carter Lang 6'9" | C St. Anne's Belfield | 2023 State #199 Nation VA | 6’10” C | STAB
Lang has been nothing short of fantastic all season for STAB, as the big fella has been as consistent and productive as pretty much any big man in the state. With great size, a good motor and the ability to score it in the paint at will, you can pretty much notch Lang for a double-double before the game even starts, and he’s averaging that on the season right now. Some of his top performances include 22 points and 20 rebounds in win over Flint Hill; 13 points and 15 rebounds against Episcopal; 16 points and 20 rebounds in win over Carmel; 16 points and 14 rebounds in win over Highland School;14 points and 12 rebounds against Blue Ridge; 22 points and 14 rebounds in win over Bulliss (MD); 22 points and 12 rebounds against Miller School; 17 points and 10 rebounds in win over Georgetown Prep (MD).
Ddric Rogers Ddric Rogers 6'3" | PG Southern Durham | 2023 State NC | 6’0” PG | Tunstall
Rogers may not be in a big market so not too many people know about him, but he continues to show that he’s one of the top guards in the state over at Tunstall. He’s a quick and skilled guard who brings it on both ends of the floor, he can get in the lane at will to make plays and he can score it from all over the court with the ball in his hands. He had a triple-double of 22 points, 10 rebounds and 11 steals when they matched up with Hargrave’s varsity team.
Davin Cosby | 6’4” WG | Benedictine
Cosby is a 2023 prospect at Benedictine that is having a big time breakout season, and no game may have shown what he provides more than their close loss to STAB in the semifinals of their Christmas tournament. The 6’4” guard is one of the best shooters in the state, and he showed that he went off for 33 points, scoring 23 of them in the second half, and going a stellar 7-for-15 from behind the arc. He’s excellent at making shots on the move and off of screens, he has very deep range and he’s improved in his ability to put it on t he deck and create shots for himself.
AJ Wills AJ Wills 6'1" | PG S3 Academy | 2023 State VA | 6’1” PG | LC Bird 2023
Wills came onto the scene last summer when he played up on a Boo team that went to the Peach Jam quarterfinals, and so far he’s looking like the breakout player in Richmond for an undefeated Skyhawks group. He’s a super shifty guard that is lightning quick and is an athletic finisher, he makes players on his team better and he can create shots for himself and he’s a good on ball defender at the point of attack. He’s gotten better and better as the season has gone on and some of his top performances so far this year include 16 points and 6 assists in win over Cosby; 20 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds in win over Matoaca; 18 points and 7 assists and the game winner against Landstown; 23 points in win over Edison; 27 points and 6 assists in win over Highland Springs; 26 points in win over Lake Taylor.