2023 Stark Jones (Cave Springs): Jones came out strong and made himself known, as he was strong in getting to the rim in transition and showing off his big-time bounce, flying through the air and also getting to the line. Jones brought the energy offensively and also played well on the defensive end as well.
2022 Matt Trott (North Cross): He really made an impact in this game on both sides of the floor. He isn’t the biggest forward but he plays bigger than listed, blocking shots and making himself long on the defensive end. Offensively, really displayed great footwork around the paint, finding ways to score around defenders with nice touch.
2023 Nick Owen (North Cross): Owen really stepped up for his team today and kept this game within striking distance. He shot the ball well from deep, hitting 7 3-pointers on the night. Smooth release and in rhythm, he was a difference-maker from deep but also played with a toughness that you like to see. The leader for this team offensively so far this season, Owen had one of his best outings here at the event this season.
2023 Samuel Duncan (Auburn): Duncan really was a good force on the floor, as he stretched the defense, picked and popped to his spots, and made the defense pay when they didn’t close out as he knocked down multiple threes, including some big ones in the second half. Also made an impact in an array of other areas on the court as well.
2022 Ethan Millirons and 2024 Nick Millirons (Auburn): Ethan, who is already committed to St. Thomas Aquinas, and his younger brother are crafty shot creators on the floor. They can knock down jumpers from multiple levels and just find ways to get small space to get their shot off. Both scored 14 points in the game to help lead their team.
2022 Conner Tillery (Lord Botetourt): Tiller really surprised us with his play as he became a really tough matchup for Radford. Usually matched up against good size, he moved well without the ball, constantly looking to find his spots from outside and making his defender pay in not getting out on him, hitting big three after big three. When they did, he has the size and mobility to take his defender off the dribble.
2023 Tyler Meade (Lord Botetourt): Meade was a tough, scrappy guard that knocked down shots from deep, stepping into his shot with a fluid motion and showing his range. Tough guard that made plays for his team and some big shots, especially in the second half.
2024 Elijah Kelly (Radford): Only a sophomore for this Radford team, Kelly has grown into a 6’6 wing prospect that can score in a variety of ways. He is long, versatile, has a tremendous skill set, can handle, rise over defenders, and use his length to finish well. And it is really only the start for this young man but he is one to watch here in Virginia.
2022 Tyler Nickel (East Rockingham): There is a reason why he is ranked as one of the top 100 prospects in the country and he showed it, scoring 43 points in an overtime thriller and doing it all sorts of ways. He has a good, sturdy frame that allows him to embrace contact and finish through, but also the skillset to step out, create for himself, knock down shots from all levels, and do it with ease at times. Think he has a real chance to flourish at UNC with Hubert Davis leading the way and how they could use him with his size and skill.
2022 Jayden Hicks (East Rockingham): The senior played big in this game, scoring 19 points to help his team. All of his buckets were around the rim but he did a great job in making himself long, using the glass, and finishing at the rim or around defenders. An active young man in the paint and on the boards.
2023 Kaiden Swortzel (Floyd Co.): Outside Nickel’s performance, Swortzel was the story of the game and possibly of the day, scoring 31 points to lead his team and it seemed that no one could slow him down. He was absolutely everywhere, cleaning up on the glass, finishing around and through defenders, going through contact… He was relentless throughout the game and really made a name for himself, even though he is a smaller forward than others. Loved his performance.
2022 Dylan Bond (Floyd Co.): Bond was one of the other catalysts in this game, but he did his damage from behind the arc, knocking down big shots and almost hitting the game-winner from half-court. Bond was able to get to his shots and certainly showed he has the green light in letting it fly from deep.
2023 Gabe Cupps (Centerville): The junior point guard already committed to Indiana stole the show in this matchup, as he did what he want throughout. He plays with such a terrific feel with the ball in his hands, making plays, creating off the dribble, showing great touch on his release, and court awareness. He was big-time tonight and Indiana has themselves a good one coming in.
2022 Devin Walker (Blue Ridge): The senior point guard had a solid showing, especially in the second half as he found success when he was able to get downhill as well as his shiftiness to get around defenders and finish. Walker is a tough guard that showed flashes with his game in the final game of the night.