Phenom Hoop Report was on hand to bring you an opening tip to final buzzer coverage of 'The Challenge' from Kings Fork High School in Suffolk VA on Saturday. Here is a brief recap and a look at our top performers.
Greensville County 59, Tallwood 54
Class 2 Greensville County secures a big win with the win over Class 6 Tallwood in the VHSL ranking system. Greensville County finished the first half on a 6-0 run and held Tallwood to just two third-quarter field goals to build a 43-32 lead entering the fourth. The Eagles led by ten, 53-43 with 2:30 to go in the fourth before Tallwood could make a run but missed opportunities at the free-throw line proved fatal to their comeback efforts. Junior guard Zykeem Fields led Greensville County with 19 points while freshman Tayshaun Walton added 15 points and 13 rebounds. Tallwood was led by sharpshooting sophomore guard Talib Mott who finished with 12 points.
Norfolk Collegiate 86, Armstrong 69
Jordan Battle recorded a triple-double scoring 29 points while adding 11 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Oaks to a convincing win. Tristen How scored nine points in the opening frame as Norfolk Collegiate built a 19-9 lead after one. The Oaks opened the second quarter with a 16-1 surge and led by 21 at the break. Thanks to a 12 point third quarter effort from Jordan Battle the Oaks built an insurmountable 65-43 lead after three quarters and emptied the bench not long after. In addition to Jordan Battle's 29 point performance, the Oaks got 18 points from Tristen How. Ra'Quan Lee-Bryson led Armstrong with 26 points, Juwuan Williams added 22.
Varina 58, Grassfield 34
Varina forced seven first quarter turnovers and rode an eight point effort by Christian Carden to 17-6 lead after one. A 9-0 third quarter run blasted it wide open and Varina cruised to the easy win. Christian Carden led the way with 17 points, Amari Baylor added 13.
Norview 87, Highland Springs 73
Jahn Hines and Jaylani Darden scored 27 points each and Norview used a late third-quarter run to pull away in a game that was close for the better part of three quarters. Back to back Dorian Davis three-pointers got the Springers to within four with 5:15 left in the third but Norview responded with a run of its own sparked by a pair of Jaylani Darden three-pointers and 9 points in the frame from Jahn Hines. The second Darden triple with just over a minute left in the third put Norview in front by nine, 54-45. Darden finished with 27 points, 8 assists while Jahn Hines grabbed 12 rebounds to go along with his 27 point effort. Jasiyah Stevenson added 16 points for the Pilots. Highland Springs was led by Dorian Davis who buried six three-pointers and finished with 25 points. Quanye Veney added 20 points and seven rebounds for the Springers.
Kings Fork 72, Phoebus 58
Sophomore sensation Jayden Epps scored 30 points to lead Kings Fork. The Bulldogs got nine points from George Beale while outscoring Phoebus 17-7 in the second quarter to build a 38-20 lead by halftime. Phoebus got to within single digits twice in the second half thanks to Jeremiah White and Mahir Sharif who combined for 27 second-half points but Kings Fork responded to pull away. In addition to Jayden Epps' 30 point performance, Kings Fork got double-digit scoring from George Beale and Ryan Hite. Jeremiah White finished with 24 points, Mahir Sharif added 20 for Phoebus.
A quick look at some of the players who caught our attention:
Tayshaun Walton (6'3 205 2023 Greensville County HS) A powerful and agile post who can also put the ball on the floor and make a play off the bounce. Tayshaun is an imposing figure given chiseled frame, bulging biceps and explosive leaping ability. His vertical leap is impressive as he plays much taller than 6'3 partially due to him overpowering many opponents and battling relentlessly for the position but because he can explode off the floor with quick elevation and great bounce and grab a rebound at its peak. He has great timing for rebounds and blocked shots and can defend multiple positions effectively using his sound footwork and impressive mobility. I watched him rebound and push the ball with impressive speed end to end, make a nice side step move and finish off the glass. He has a great touch around the rim, sets bone-jarring screens and plays with a great motor. Basketball is not even his best sport as impressive as he is! Tayshaun is a nationally ranked baseball prospect already having committed to the University of Miami. He has numerous baseball honors and awards including winner of the Power Showcase featuring top prospects throughout the country where at the age of 12, he hit 56 home runs to win the Power Showcase 12U home run contest. One of his many 400+ foot blasts landed 414 feet from home plate at Miami Marlins Stadium! Also a pitcher, his fastball is clocked at 89 miles per hour already! Baseball is certainly his calling but if he so chooses, he has the potential to be a scholarship level baseball player. Tayshaun's Dad is former Virginia Union star Antwan Walton who helped lead the Panthers to back to back CIAA titles and the 2005 DII National Championship!
Zykeem Fields (6'1 185 2021 Greensville County HS) Zykeem does a great job running the offense and distributing the basketball. He's at his most dangerous on the move where he is a crafty passer and good decision-maker. He's also a shifty playmaker with solid scoring instincts and the ability to slice through the lane and score through contact at the rim. Zykeem changes speed nicely and uses hesitations effectively. Has a great burst attacking space and a nice touch around the rim.
Daniel Alford (6'4 175 2022 Greensville County HS) Alford's athleticism jumps off the page and his length is impressive at 6'4 with a long wingspan. He is quick and active around the rim as a rebounder and a shot-blocking presence. Danny is quick off his feet and has excellent repeat jumping ability. His quick feet and lateral quickness allow him to guard multiple positions effectively. He is very active on the offensive glass and has a great touch on stick backs.
Xzavion Walton (6'6 175 2023 Greensville County HS) Xzavion is oozing with potential and his upside is one of the most exciting of any player I had an opportunity to evaluate during the event. Xzavion runs the floor with long and graceful strides and shows very good end to end speed. He can make a play off the dribble with a quick rip and rangy, quick strides demonstrating very good body control driving to the rim. He is a threat from beyond the arc and has fluid, effortless shot mechanics and a high release.
Tristen Smullen (6'0 150 2022 Tallwood HS) Tristen can knock down shots from all levels and with good consistency both on spot ups and off the dribble. He moves intelligently off the ball and gets to his spots where he catches the ball shot ready and has a quick release. He attacks hard closeouts nicely and can get to the rim where he is a crafty finisher.
Talib Mott (6'1 140 2022 Tallwood HS) I watched Talib in the fall and was impressed with his shot-making ability to spot-up opportunities. He demonstrated sound mechanics and a high release and knocked down shots at a good rate and with a good range. Having watched him at this event I am convinced he has the tools to be considered a prospect worthy of attention in the sophomore class. Talib was Tallwood's primary ball-handler and showed poise and sound decision making in that role. He handled the ball well, dribbled with purpose, showed the ability to make various passes in a timely manner. He also showed the willingness to drop down inside and battle for rebounds and really competed on both ends of the floor.
Jordan Battle (6'2 185 2020 Norfolk Collegiate) I don't know what else Jordan needs to show college coaches before offers start piling up. He has averaged double figures in points and rebounds each of the last two seasons. He defends every position at the high school level effectively and can defend DI guards as he demonstrated as a member of the Boo Williams EYBL 17U team last summer. Jordan can hit the three both on the move and in spot up situations and has a very good mid-range jumper pulling up off the dribble in poetic fashion and elevating into a picture-perfect release. He can drive hard to the rim in either direction and finish through contact imposing his combination of power and speed on defenders. Jordan should land a Division I opportunity when all is said and done.
Tristan How (6'6 185 2020 Norfolk Collegiate) Tristan's length and versatility is impressive. He can score off spot ups demonstrating a great stroke that is impossible for players at the high school level to block given his length and high release. He hits the occasional three-pointer but is so effective getting into the lane most of his shot opportunities are of the two-point variety. He can drive off the dribble and score at the rim or pull up and knock down shots off the dribble at a high rate. Can also score in the post and demonstrates a soft touch around the rim. A Division I prospect whose length, IQ and versatility make him an impact presence on one of the better teams in the 757.
Juwaun Williams (6'0 160 2021 Armstrong HS) Juwaun combines a strong frame, powerful legs and good quickness with the ability to make shots on the move. He attacks the rim fearlessly and converts against contact at a good rate. He can play either guard position effectively and is at his most dangerous attacking off the dribble.
Ra'Quan Lee-Bryson (6'0 155 2022 Armstrong HS) Ra'Quan scored in a variety of ways. He hit the three-pointer, scored off dribble pull-ups and got to the rim and scored. He handles the ball well and is a very good lead guard, smart. Ra'Quan has good length and smoothness to his game. Comfortable and efficient on dribble pull-ups and a threat as a passer and a scorer driving to the rim.
Christian Carden (6'4 180 2022 Varina HS) I've been watching Christian a lot of late and have become a big fan of his game. He outworks his man routinely around the rim and rebounds the basketball at a good rate using his strong 6'4 frame, sound footwork and hustle. He does the dirty work especially defensively banging inside for rebound position, blocking shots, and welcoming the challenge of guarding multiple positions. He never gives up on a play, uses his very good speed running the floor and contests everything. Offensively he likes to get downhill with the dribble and attacks the rim fearlessly. He's a creative and punishing finisher. Christian hits the middle jumper, has great timing and powerful leaping ability and does a good job on the offensive glass. He's a player you have to account for because he's so active, strong and athletic.
Amari Baylor (6'5 200 2022 Varina HS). Amari is immovable inside and he uses his powerful frame and strength to carve out space on the blocks and scores around the rim nicely finishing with both authority and creativity. He's a strong rebounder and shot-blocker who gets off the floor quickly with very good bounce. He has the lateral quickness and athleticism to hedge ball screens and defend other forwards on the perimeter.
Quanye Veney (6'0 165 2022 Highland Springs HS) Quanye is an elite athlete; also a football standout he has a strong durable frame, quickness and shifty playmaking skills. Not only a harassing lockdown on-ball defender, but he is also an aggressive playmaker always looking to attack. He uses quick crossovers and quick starts and stops coupled with a cat-quick first step. Quanye is an excellent passer and gets into the lane at will always looking to dish to a cutter or kick out for an open shot. Does a great job using his dribble to create open looks for teammates. Quanye is a pass first point guard but also a capable scorer who can stick the pull up jumper at a good rate and also play through contact and finish at the rim. He was a member of the Team Loaded 2022 team that won a national championship last summer.
Dorian Davis (6'0 160 2022 Highland Springs) Dorian is a gifted scorer, instinctive and skilled with a deft shooting touch and crafty playmaking skills off the dribble. He can hit the catch and shoot three pointer, score off dribble pull-ups or get to the rim and score. One of the better scorers in the sophomore class and one of the better shooters as well, he negotiates his way through traffic nicely, changes speeds effectively keeping defenders off balance. He has solid ball handling skills and attacks space with a quick burst and decisiveness. He needs just a little daylight to pull up for the jumper or to make a quick move to the rim where he is a very good finisher. He's silky smooth and is a big time point producer!
Jaylani Darden (6'3 180 2021 Norview HS) Jaylani is one of the best players in Virginia! A gifted athlete with explosiveness and shiftiness he can play either guard position and dominates his opponent routinely at either position. He is creative off the dribble, changes speeds nicely. He can hit the three pointer and the pull up jumper with very good consistency. Scores around or over defenders and has a great touch at the rim. He's a natural scorer, has a great feel and a polished offensive game.
Jahn Hines (6'3 170 2020 Norview HS) Jahn is a workhorse around the rim who doesn't mind doing the dirty work. He is a strong leaper with length and athleticism and is very active on the glass. He is a solid offensive player, skilled and versatile. He can score facing the rim and is a very good shooter with three point range and he can also score on post up where he uses ball fakes nicely and has an array of scoring moves inside. Also an excellent passer, Jahn demonstrates very good vision and a great feel. He has a mature offensive game given his variety and efficiency.
Jayden Epps (5'10 150 2022 Kings Fork HS) Jayden has a great motor and is a strong, physical playmaker. He uses his powerful frame, a solid handle and attacks angles nicely. He likes to get downhill where he overpowers many defenders and has the ability to get into the body of bigger defenders and create contact where he is strong enough to get his shot off and create extra opportunities at the free throw line. Jayden can score at all levels, absorbs contact nicely and has a great touch around the rim in addition to high level shot making skill with the jumper. He is a menace defensively, always applying ball pressure and playing with tenacity. One of Virginia's top sophomores!
Jeremiah White (6'3 190 2021 Phoebus HS) Jeremiah has overcome a pair of ACL injuries and still has explosive leaping ability and quickness. He attacks the rim with authority and fights off contact to score. He is active on the glass on both ends of the floor for rebounds and for stick back opportunities. He's a very good scorer on the move using his strong upper body, quickness and touch. He is strong enough to endure contact and remain effective as a scorer in traffic, very good shooter in mid range areas.
Mahir Sharif (6'1 165 2020 Phoebus HS) Mahir is quick and fearless off the dribble. He can dominate isolations and get into the lane and create offensive for himself and for teammates where he is a very good passer and also a creative scorer. He can pull up and hit the jumper, he can hit floaters and also step in off the dribble from well beyond the arc and knock down the jumper. Mahir changes speeds nicely and incorporates abrupt starts and stops which, coupled with his quickness makes him difficult to stay in front of. He has quick feet and active hands defensively where he can body up and play physical and not get beat. Off the ball he has excellent anticipation in passing lanes and is capable of making plays all over the floor.