Sun City Academy College Showcase Third Team

<p>Sun City Academy came to Houston, TX on Saturday, March 19, holding an unsigned senior college showcase. Nearly 40 unsigned talents came out to show several college coaches what they have to offer in a series of games held at the University of St. Thomas Athletics Center. With five different teams participating in eight different games throughout the day, there were at least 20 players that really stood out with their performances and effort. Below we review the five players worthy of third team honors for the showcase.</p> <p>See more standout players from the college showcase here:<br /> <a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/03/sun-city-academy-college-showcase-first-team/">First Team</a> | <a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/03/sun-city-academy-college-showcase-second-team/">Second Team</a> | <a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/03/sun-city-academy-college-showcase-third-team/">Third Team</a> | <a href="https://prephoops.com/2022/03/sun-city-academy-college-showcase-fourth-team/">Fourth Team</a></p> <p>#32 War - Ilijah Johnson - 6'2" - SG - 2022 - La Marque</p> <p>Johnson was part of a War team that featured two ball-dominant guards in A'Aderius Blanks and Kevin Venible, but he made every opportunity count and fit in perfectly with his off-ball movement and fantastic finishing touch. He did manage to hit a beautiful fadeaway on a deep two, showing his potential from distance, but it was his touch in the paint that really opened some eyes and garnered attention. He hit several smooth floaters attacking the basket and he had phenomenal patience when working down low, waiting for the defense to bite on a pump fake or lose focus, and then putting up a shot under the basket that almost always went in. He also stayed active on defense and was able to knock the ball loose several times through good timing and coordination.</p> <p>#0 War - Kevin Venible - 5'10" - PG - 2022 - Hitchcock</p> <p>Venible came out ready to run in this showcase. Every chance he had, he pushed the pace and sprinted down court with the ball to spark a fastbreak for his team, which he finished himself with a layup more times than not. He hit several catch-and-shoot three's, showcasing his solid inside-outside scoring ability, but it was his relentless pursuit on the fast break that appeared time and time again. He created most of his fastbreak opportunities through his tough defense. He displayed great footwork on the perimeter, staying in front of his man and being a complete pest on the ball as a point-of-attack defender. He had active hands and a nose for the ball, knocking the ball out of his matchup's hands and creating multiple turnovers that he turned into two points going the other way nearly every time.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 1rem;">#12 Warriors - Ahryon Johnson - 6'4" - SF - 2022 - Cypress Springs</span></p> <p>Johnson was one of the taller players at the showcase, forcing him into more of a big man role than what he may be accustomed to as a small forward. He stepped up big time, though, doing everything you want from a big and mixed in his skillset as a wing beautifully. He used his length and height advantage over others to perfection, blocking or deterring shots down low without fouling and securing boards on both ends of the court. He displayed a very good touch around the rim, keeping the ball up high and finding various angles to get a close shot to fall. He also made some nice passes out of the post, backing down his opponent and finding the open man on the weakside as the defense started to collapse on him. He hit several shots from deep off the catch, as well, stretching the defense and providing a complete inside-outside dual threat. On defense, not only was he blocking shots, but he was staying active with his hands in passing lanes and was very versatile in his ability to switch onto guards.</p> <p>#40 War - Jayce Snyder - 5'11" - SG - 2022 - Hitchcock</p> <p>Snyder started the day off as a pure sharpshooter, hitting several 3-point shots off the catch. He provided important spacing and showed strong IQ knowing where to rotate along the perimeter to give an easy pass for his teammates driving to the paint. As the day went on, he got into the paint more often and showed his ability to finish in various ways, even when heavily contested. He hit several floaters and attacked the basket with strength, using his strong frame to protect the ball, and then getting up a layup with defenders draped all over him. He showed great hustle too on the defensive end and fought for every defensive possession to make his presence felt no matter the matchup.</p> <p>#2 Celtics - Bryce Parson - 6'1" - SG - 2022 - La Marque</p> <p>Parson immediately caught the attention of the coaches watching from the sidelines with his natural feel for the game and ability to score from all three levels with ease. He was a solid perimeter defender, staying active and forcing some turnovers, and he displayed an important ability to distribute the ball, making several nice passes to open teammates, but it was his scoring ability from all over the court that really stood out. He was hitting shots from deep both off the catch and off the dribble, and he was attacking the basket in all sorts of ways. He had great athleticism and speed getting into the paint and had beautiful and creative moves to get good looks at the rim. He was also relentless on the offensive boards, using his athleticism to sky over outstretched arms, secure the board, and then get the putback to fall.</p>