By: Kevin Moses
Steven Carter
Twitter: @StevenCCarter23
Height: 5’11 , 125
Class of 2028
School: Keystone Heights Jr/Sr High School, FL
Carter is a strong triple-threat scoring option with a high motor and incredible court vision and high IQ. Steven is a playmaker and an instant game-changer when he hits the floor. This stud is versatile enough to play multiple positions well. Strong and scrappy on defense. Steven puts in the work on the boards and makes dazzling passes. Solid ball handler with either hand and is aggressive in attacking off the bounce. Last season, Steven averaged 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal per game. In AAU playing with the Florida Blaze, he averaged 14 points,5 rebounds, and 5 assists, adding 1 steal and 1 blocked shot per game. Carter’s biggest improvement has been his leadership and ball handling. Carter’s goal entering the season was to continue to develop and fill the role of a better leader, and rebounder. And improving his attacking the rim and not over-dribbling. This season Steven is averaging 13 points, 4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks per game and his steady improvement allowed him to be pulled up to the JV team. While coming off the bench in 8 JV games Carter had 14 points, 5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 3 steals. Still working on his body language/attitude drawing more fouls and certainly making varsity. Carter brings a versatile skill set and is coachable enough to learn and adjust quickly to any challenge he faces out there. With an insane work ethic, this young star is in pursuit of being special in a short time, and this is evident in his performance just keeps standing out no matter where he plays. The sky’s the limit for Carter who has a high ceiling. Lock Carter in on your radar now and keep a close eye on him. One to watch.
Dakota Dalton
Twitter: @Dakotadalt52871
Height: 6’2, 185
Class of 2028
School: Chapmanville Middle School, WV
Dalton is a triple-threat punisher already tearing up the state. Dakota is a prolific scoring machine. With size and strength to overpower players from mid-range to the post and the versatility to drag his man outside and bring the rain from deep with a silky smooth touch. Dakota is explosive off the bounce with sneaky speed. Uses his size well to mix it up on the boards. Also getting strong putbacks as he battles for those boards. Dakota isn’t selfish out there either as he delivers nice dimes to fuel his team with high IQ. Last season Dakota averaged 17 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds. During the AAU session, he averaged 15 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds. Dakota’s favorite AAU memory was winning the Championship in Tennessee. The biggest improvement was getting stronger and faster while continuing to elevate his shooting and ball handling. Dakota’s goal is to win a state championship in all four years of high school now that middle school is done. This season Dakota averaged 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. What separates Dakota from the rest is his IQ and scoring ability. Understand how and when to take over and make game-winning plays. Dakota feels his explosiveness off the bounce with the ability to finish strong is a bonus to his game. Dakota is certainly a developing high-level talent with all the tools to compete with anyone. This young star puts in hours of work in the gym perfecting his craft and his love and passion for this game push him to put in work every day even through sickness, with no days off. Never too tired to work. That’s a winning mindset that will take Dakota to his next level dream and with that work ethic, the sky’s the limit and we might be witnessing the making of a superstar.
Jacob Maynard
Twitter: @Maynard1169
Height: 6’1, 160
Class of 2028
School: Chapmanville Middle School, WV
Maynard is yet another dynamic athlete with fierce low post dominance. He uses his physical style to score effectively adding nice ball handling skills combined with high energy and a relentless never quit and the will to fight to do whatever it takes to get the win. The motto that impresses me the most that Jacob has, There is no ‘I” in team. He gets to work on the boards and make nice passes and is a scrappy defender. As a two-sport athlete, he doesn’t mind physical contact which makes him tough as nails in the paint imposing his will. Last season, Jacob averaged 7-8 points a game and as the 7th man barely played. After the season Jacob made up his mind the bench was not for him and decided he wanted to be a starter and put in the work. After a transfer to Champmanville where the coach taught him well and is helping him develop his natural talent and athletic ability while utilizing his strength to his advantage. Jacob’s biggest improvement has been his defense and ball handling. Coming into the season Jacob’s goal was to continue to improve his skills and get better and better playing on another level. He wants to elevate his skills to the place where he can play at a high level in high school and win a state title right away while breaking a record or so along the way. With his fierce passion to win and competitive drive, it’s a strong possibility. This season Jacob averaged 12-18 points a game. Now that the season has ended he is back in the gym putting in the work to chase his vision of what he wants to accomplish in high school. Jacob’s work ethic is insane cause he is hungry and determined to be a D1 talent and both basketball and football. No one outworks Jacob now or brings more hustle, energy, and heart to match his skills. Jacob would consider a lower division but won’t stop grinding and pushing himself to be the absolute best he can be.
J’cobi “luju” Mathis
Twitter: @cobimathis2027
Height: 5’10,137
Class of 2027
School: St. Augustine Prep, WI
Mathis is a dynamic scorer who loves getting into the seams and finishing at the rim. A strong ball handler that is explosive off bounce. Yet he is a three-level scoring machine. But don’t let the dazzling display of office fool you, he is a tenacious defender lockdown style. He can get busy on the boards as well. Dropping some nice dimes as the total package stud!
JuJu’s biggest improvement has been mastering his ability to finish at the rim, even over bigger players with a nice touch. The goals coming into the season were to gel together with his team and go undefeated while winning their conference and then making the deepest postseason run possible. But he came up short but had an amazing season finishing 17-8 while earning first-team all-conference honors. JuJu’s final averages were 23 points, 6 steals, and 3.4 assists per game. His favorite highlight from the season was putting up 38 points and 7 steals against their rival Salam. What separates JuJu from the pack is not all being a game changer on both ends but also his attention to do all the little things boxing out for rebounds and communicating with teams especially when facing adversity.. His leadership IQ is huge in motivating his teammates. That defense is special. JuJu runs the floor giving 110% max effort every minute he is out there. No one will give him that respect unless he earns that respect. Juju is determined to let his game do all the talking in the end. Get this young star on your radar and track his growth and development. Already a good one with a high ceiling and the right mindset to go far.
