Senior Breakout Players: 804 Edition
The saying goes: Freshmen want to play, sophomores want to start, juniors want to score and seniors want to win! With the high school season getting started a couple of weeks ago there’s already been a number of seniors who are stepping up and helping their team reach that goal of winning. Over the next few days, we’ll take a look at some of the breakout guys to keep an eye on in their last season of high school basketball. To get us started, here’s a look at seven of them from the Richmond area.
Rahim Jenkins | 6’1” PG | LC Bird
Jenkins has gotten off to a fast start for LC Bird and anyone who saw him this summer with River City Reign shouldn’t be surprised. The athletic combo guard is just a walking bucket that can score from all over the floor. He can play on and off the ball, shoots it well off the catch and off the bounce, is a strong and athletic finisher inside and is a crafty space creator off the bounce. He waited his turn at LC Bird and it shouldn’t be long before he has a huge breakout game.
Jarec Brown | 6’3” WG | George Wythe
Brown’s do it all kind of game bolds well for a young George Wythe team that lacks height but is full of athletes with length. That’s exactly what Brown is, as he is able to play multiple positions and stuff the stat sheet for GW by doing a little bit of everything. He rebounds, runs the floor, can score in transition and in the half court and plays within the system so he isn’t just a shoot-first kind of guy. He’ll be a big part of the Bulldogs, who will need help from him inside and out if they’re going to compete in a stacked Class 3 this year.
Christian Chappell | 6’9” C | Prince George
(Chappell on right)A massive individual that stands 6’9” and weighs close to 300 lbs., the only thing more intriguing than his size is Chappell’s skill set. At his size he’s surprisingly nimble on his feet, can shoot the trail three ball and is a decent passer. He’s obviously a very good screener, and he’s a threat in the pick-and-pop situation with his ability to pass, and he’s a big space filler in the middle. He’s gotten off to a hot start this season and should be virtually unstoppable because no one can match up with his size.
Marcus Holman | 6’2” G | Life Christian Academy
Holman joins an LCA team with two talented underclassmen in point guard Antonio Bridy and wing Marcellus Avery. The addition of Holman brings experience, leadership and another ball handler to the equation, and his ability to make plays for both himself and others is something that not everyone has. He’s a great finisher in traffic, he plays uptempo and he can play on and off the basketball. He has some toughness to him as well, and he’s a tough guard for anyone throughout the course of a game.
Tyron Coley | 6’7” PF | Meadowbrook
Coley’s athleticism and length are off the charts, and when he plays hard he’s difficult to stop. He has big time finishing ability above the rim, but more importantly he’s a big time rebounder and shot blocker as well. We watched him come up two blocks short of a triple double in summer league play, and when he plays with a high motor he’s good for a double-double as well as some big time shot blocks. He’s a walking highlight with incredible potential and a high ceiling as a prospect.
Chris Dean | 6’4” WG | Deep Run
One of the best knock-down shooters in the Richmond area, Dean is underrated in a number of ways outside of his shooting. He’s a decent ball handler that can create his own shot, has good vision within the system and while he isn’t an athletic defender, he’s a smart one especially in help side. The lefty’s ability to shoot it from deep makes him a threat from anywhere on the floor, and if you guard him as just a shooter he will make you pay in other ways as well.
David Ware | 6’4″ WF | Caroline County
Ware has got off to a huge start this season after quietly averaging over 16 points per game last year as a junior, and he’s the biggest reason that Caroline is sitting at 3-0 so far this season. In their 75-67 win over Henrico last week, the forward finished with 27 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists. That kind of versatility is what makes Ware so special, and one of the most under-the-radar wings in the state. He has good size and athleticism, can put it on the floor, score inside-and-out and he eats on the glass on both ends. College coaches looking for a forward need to seriously consider taking a trip just north of Richmond to check out this diamond in the rough.