Event Preview: Virginia High School Showcase
Vantage Hoops is extremely excited to host it’s first annual Vantage Hoops VA High School Showcase on Saturday, January 30th at LC Bird High School.
Below you will find a preview of all six games to be held at the event.
Princess Anne vs. Prince George – 11:00 a.m.
Princess Anne (Virginia Beach) enters the week of the event with a record of 9-5, including quality wins over Deep Creek, Indian River and Maury. The Cavaliers are led by junior Michael Barfield-Owens, a high motor forward who is great on the backboard and in situations attacking the rim. Keep an eye on freshman point guard Tim Montgomery, a skilled and savy pg who is contributing major minutes in just his first year in high school.
Prince George is currently 5-6 on the season. The Royals are a veteran group made up of several seniors and have scored good wins over Matoaca and Hopewell. Senior duo Cory Hill (5’9” PG) and Savonte Chappell (6’5” PF – CNU Commit) lead the way. Hill (15 ppg) is an explosive lead guard who loves to push tempo, while Chappell (15 ppg) is the anchor in the middle who just scored his 1,000th poing for PG.
Look for this to be an up and down affair where both teams look to get out and run in transition. This matchup should not disappoint and will be a great way to kick off the event.
Landstown vs. Meadowbrook – 12:30 p.m.
Fresh off a state championship appearance in 2014-2015, Landstown (Virginia Beach) has continued its winning ways this season. The Eagles started the week with a record of 8-5 and again look to compete for a conference, region, and state 6A title. Dynamic freshman Michael Christmas has made a name for himself as one of the top freshman in his region, while senior Maurice Jones leads the troops for the Eagles at the point guard spot.
Meadowbrook has really come on as of late, scoring big conference wins over Matoaca and Prince George to even their record out at 7-7. The Monarchs are led by a pair of senior wings in Richard Legree (6’6”) and James “Amp” Williams (6’5”). Legree (14.1 ppg) brings length and versatility, while Williams (21 ppg) provides a three level scoring threat. Keep an eye on freshman Jamon “Doc” Battle, a 6’4” wing who has scored in double figures, five of his last six outings.
Expect this to be a very solid matchup. Both teams are long and athletic and do not shy away opportunities they have to compete.
Woodbridge vs. Hopewell – 2:00 p.m.
Woodbridge features a new look with multiple transfers coming in, owning a record of 7-8. The Vikings are led by 6’4” wing Ibrahim Kamara, who is posting 15 points and nine rebounds per game. The senior is an athletic, versatile wing guard who is great in transition, finishing above the rim and defending multiple positions. Senior guard Cam Robinson leads the team in scoring, scoring 17.6 points per game, including a 31 point outing against Stonewall Jackson. Robinson is a good sized guard who can fill it up from deep. The Vikings faired very well in the Vantage Hoops Holiday Classic in December, defeating Middleburg.
Hopewell enters the Showcase as one of the best teams in the RVA region with a record of 11-2. The Blue Devils made it to the state tournament last season before falling to Spotswood and return three starters. This year the experienced group has its sights set on returning behind the likes of senior guards Deonte Jones (21 ppg) and Johnnie Harrison (12 ppg). Jones recently committed to Fayetteville State of the CIAA and is one of the best shooters in the state, while Harrison is a big time athlete and hard nosed guard who takes pride in locking down the other team’s best defender.
This contest should be a high scoring one as both teams love to get out and run. Hopewell and Woodbridge both believe in an uptempo style that includes pressing and trapping full court. Expect this to be a tight contest from start to finish.
Kecoughtan vs. Battlefield – 5:00 p.m.
Kecoughtan (Hampton, VA) posts a misleading 5-7 record entering the week and have scored solid victories over Amelia Academy and Menchville. The Warriors are led by a pair of division I prospects in senior Damian Knowlin and junior Taquan Drummond. Knowlin, a Hampton commit is explosive around the rim and in transition and is averaging over 20 points per contest, while Drummond is a smooth 6’4” wing that can really shoot it.
Battlefield comes into the event as one of the top teams in the Northern Virginia area, standing at 11-5. The Bobcats are led by 6’4” senior wing Blake Pagon, who is currently averaging 18.7 ppg. Pagon is a good sized wing with a nice stroke from behind the arc and a high motor defensively. Junior forward Shonari Street is adding 12 points per contest, while 6’4” sophomore combo guard Brayden Gault is establishing himself as one of the top guards in the NOVA area, scoring 13 points a night.
Kecoughtan and Battlefield should make an evenly matched contest, both teams have solid guard play and good depth in the front court.
#20 Williamsburg Christian Academy vs. Millwood – 6:30 p.m.
Williamsburg Christian Academy enters the week of the event ranked number one in the latest VISSA Division III rankings with a record of 15-4. WCA is led by reigning conference player of the year and Old Dominion commit Xavier Green. The senior combo guard is averaging 15 points, eight rebounds and three assists per contest. Junior guard Clevon Greene is currently leading the team in scoring at over 16 points per night, he is an athletic combo that grades out as a solid Division I prospect. Senior guard Andre Brown (11 ppg) and Michael Duncan round out a veteran backcourt for the Eagles.
Millwood (12-11) boasts one of the deepest rosters in the state. The Bobcats are led by a pair of Division I signees in seniors Charles Williams (Howard) and Azariah Sykes (Morgan State). Williams is a 6’5” wing that can really score it, while Sykes is a 6’8” athletic forward that rebounds with the best in the state. Aaron Cash, a 6’6” sophomore combo forward is another name to keep an eye on. Cash can play either forward spot and uses his athleticism and high motor to produce on a nightly basis.
This looks to be an exciting game between two extremely talented teams. Millwood boasts a roster with good size at each position and seem to be hitting their stride under first year head coach Brandon Jones. WCA is comprised primarily of guards, but they defend and run with the best of them.
#1 IC Norcom vs. #8 LC Bird – 8:00 p.m.
In the nightcap, two of the best public school programs in the state match up in a game chock full of division one prospects. Norcom comes into the week undefeated at 15-0, and are sitting at #2 in the Vantage Hoops Power Poll. LC Bird comes in at #8, with a record of 11-1 and their only loss to a very talented Bethel team.
Norcom dropped down to the 3A Classification after winning the last two 4A state championships. They are led by 5’10” senior point guard Travis Fields, one of the best available guards in the state. Fields has been a leader on Norcom for their past two state titles, and is coming off one of the best performances of the season where he scored 34 points and dished 7 assists in a win over Millwood. He is joined by two division one prospects in 6’3” Travis Ingram (offers from Bethune-Cookman, Norfolk State and Coppin State) and 6’5” forward Kevin “KJ” Davis (offers from Hofstra, Bethune-Cookman and Coppin State). The Greyhounds have a lot of firepower, and are known for their defensive tenacity and ability to match up to any style.
Bird is also a guard heavy team, led by 6’3” senior shooting guard Charles Falden who’s averaging 16.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Falden, who was a breakout star for Bird last season, is one of the most underrated three level scorer in the state, and recently picked up his first offer from Virginia Union. He’s joined in the backcourt by the junior duo of 5’11” floor general Johquin “Pinky” Wiley and 6’2” combo guard Mario Haskett. Wiley, who holds offer from JMU and Longwood, is one of the smartest playmakers in the state on both ends of the floor. Haskett blew up over the summer with River City Reign, and is one of the fastest rising prospects in Virginia who currently holds over 15 division one offers including Virginia Tech, Providence, Murray State, VCU, Creighton and Minnesota.
Expect a fast paced and physical game from two talented teams who will do anything to win. Both teams are battle tested, and should compete for a state championship in their classifications.
Check out the preview video featuring some of these prospects: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH6sn0avLHo&feature=youtu.be