The 12th Annual Virginia Preps Classic featured some of the top available senior guards in Virginia and many of the most talked about players in a deep and talented sophomore class. We now take a look at the events top performers and we will give you a sneak preview at Session II coming up on January 25th at Churchland High School in Portsmouth VA.
Josiah Moore (6'4 2020 Grafton High School). Josiah shot a perfect 5-5 from the floor scoring 12 points while pulling down 11 rebounds. A workhorse around the rim Josiah brought great energy on both ends of the floor and demonstrated his ability to guard multiple positions which keyed a solid defensive effort and helped keep the Clippers in a tightly contested matchup against First Colonial. Josiah is the fourth of the Moore brothers to play at Grafton High School. Older brother Elijah was a 2-time all state forward who went on to play collegiately at Virginia State University where he earned All CIAA honors in 2016 and 2017. The 3rd Moore was current Thomas Nelson CC guard Josh Moore who was the Bay Rivers District player of the year in 2017. With a strong senior campaign Josiah could find himself following in their footsteps and playing at the next level next year.
Justice Gilliard (5'11 2022 Grafton High School) Getting his first start of the year due to injuries Justice scored the first basket of the game and went 3-6 from the field but his steady play and solid defensive effort was key for the banged up Clippers. He played with poise and really demonstrated solid basketball skills and a great feel. Justice is fleet footed and hard hitting running back and defensive back on the Grafton High School football team but don't be surprised to see him develop into an impact basketball player in the near future at Grafton High School.
Shamarr Yates (6'2 2020 First Colonial High School) One of the area's most consistent players and leading returning scorers Shamarr was efficient offensively hitting 4 of his 7 shot attempts for a team high 13 points including six of the teams final 8 points in a close game. He grabbed 6 rebounds but his defensive work on Grafton's leading scorer Terry White was crucial in First Colonial's win. Yates is an unsigned senior guard who is drawing the attention of Division II coaches but has yet to be offered. He is coming off a solid junior season that saw him average over 24 points per game.
Adrian Shaw (6'6 2021 First Colonial High School) Adrian earned player of the game honors after an 11 point, 10 rebound effort against Grafton. The 6'6 junior has made great strides in his development over the past several months especially in his offensive game where he has improved his jumper and added a jump hook to his arsenal. Adrian has a great motor, gets off his feet quickly and shows a lot of potential as a shot blocker in addition to his work on the glass. Could be a player to keep on your radar and I expect could be one of the better big men in the area next year.
Pharaoh Lassiter (6'2 2021 Bethel High School) Pharaoh scored 15 points on 6-11 shooting in a loss to First Colonial. He has been one of the areas better shooters over the last couple of seasons and has become a much better scorer with his improved ability to create off the bounce. He has become more of an impact on the defensive end as well especially with his bulked up frame, anticipation off the ball and athleticism that allows him to guard multiple positions and engage bigs around the rim.
Luke Hutchinson (6'4 2020 Kellam High School) A 6'6 senior shot maker Luke has sound shot mechanics and his range was evident with his buzzer beating three pointer in a win against Bethel. The lefty moves so well of the ball, has great footwork and a quick release. Luke displays good skills as a shot maker but also pounds the glass especially on the offensive end and can create off the bounce where he shows a great feel and solid passing skills.
Jeremiah Langley (6'2 2020 Henrico High School) Jeremiah was outstanding for Henrico as he shot the ball well, he got to the rim, he rebounded and defended and demonstrated a lot of versatility and impressive instincts as a scorer. He has good size for the point guard position at 6'3 with long arms; he's super athletic and skilled. Jeremiah does a great job getting people involved and has excellent vision but he is a dynamic offensive player who can score from all levels. A lefty with an excellent jumper off the dribble and has the craftiness to break his man down and use good quickness and rangy strides to get to the rim. Jeremiah attacks the rim with authority as a finisher and plays through contact nicely. A solid on ball defender he is one you have to keep a body on because he gets after lose balls and really makes an impact on the glass. A ball hawking defender and a player who battles for every possession! His 16 point, 9 rebound effort kept Henrico close for the better part of three quarters before finally losing to Oscar Smith.
James Wallace III (6'3 2020 Henrico High School) James is a physically imposing athlete. He has a compact 6'4 frame; he's agile and quick and has a nonstop motor. He demonstrated the ability to knock down shots with range and attacks the basket with a vengeance scoring around the rim with powerful dunks yet a great touch on non dunk finishes. He looks to rebound everything and really competes on both ends of the floor. James shows a lot of defensive versatility as he can guard bigs inside but has the lateral quickness and solid footwork that allows him to guard on the perimeter. On a largely undersized team his presence inside and his versatility on both ends of the floor is a key for their success.
Kenyon Giles (5'10 2022 Oscar Smith High School) One of Virginia's top sophomores and one of the state's best shooters, Kenyon showed why he is one of the most feared offensive players in the 757 when he caught fire and buried jumper after jumper, many from beyond the arc and helped quickly blow open a close game. Kenyon can get hot in a hurry and run up the score in no time with a flurry of jumpers as Henrico found out when they're slim third quarter lead disappeared and the game got out of reach in a five minute turnaround sparked by Giles' hot shooting. He has a super quick release, in the gym range and can also attack hard closeouts with blow by quickness and crafty ball handling.
Andre Bottoms (6'2 2020 Oscar Smith High School) Andre demonstrated why he is one of the most complete point guards in the state! He showed off his crafty playmaking skills using penetrate and kicks and driving into the lane and finding cutters around the rim, he makes the post entry skillfully and uses his strong frame, plenty of shiftiness and ball handling wizardry to break down defenders and make plays all over the floor. Andre is a solid playmaker who can really score the basketball in a variety of ways. He is very good shooting off the dribble and pulling up in the mid range and also pounds defenders and gets to the rim with good regularity. He is a solid on ball defender using his strong upper body, quick feet and anticipation skills to stifle dribble penetration and makes it difficult for opposing playmakers to run their stuff. Andre impacts the game in all categories as demonstrated by his stat line, 14 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, a steal and a solid overall effort as Oscar Smith pulled away to topple a Henrico team many feel has a good shot at a trip to the state championship game in March.