Team 8

Coach: Tony Johnson

 

#45: 5'4 '24 Logan Cassell (Kingsport)

Starting things off, we look at a young player that showcased his identity and ability to compete with older competition, Logan Cassell. He's a wiry, high-motor guard prospect that typically thrives as an off-guard given his phenomenal perimeter shooting. Cassell is very unselfish and looks to make the right pass whenever possible. That being said, he also knows how to take advantage of open jumpers and only requires a glimmer of daylight to get off a clean look. Cassell gave great effort defensively and was able to contain his assignment effectively throughout the day. Next in his development process is working to become quicker with the ball, as it would make him a more reliable penetrating threat. Coach Johnson on Cassell: 'Logan is a good player for his age. He's a lethal shooter from the perimeter. His catch-and-shoot ability is superb. I can't wait to see his growth and progression. Logan displayed a positive attitude and team-first mentality throughout camp.' Cassell does a lot of things well on the court and will be one to monitor going forward, especially if he continues to work.

 

#46:'5'4 '20 Keaton Simpson (Beckley Prep)

Next, we look at a player that stood out with his ability to impact the game despite a lack of true size, Keaton Simpson. He's a smart, quick lead guard prospect that consistently displays his penetration sense and useful playmaking tendencies. Simpson is able to touch the paint with regularity, where he's able to finish or setup teammates with relative ease. He's a capable shooter from midrange and beyond, especially off the catch, and can work alongside another ball-handler with his spot-up ability. Next in his development process is working on his off-ball cutting, as it would allow him to seize even more easy scoring opportunities. Coach Johnson on Simpson: 'Keaton is a really quick guard that can create space and score quickly or make plays for others. He's a good teammate that maintained a positive attitude and team-first mentality throughout the day.' Simpson enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should carve out a nice role during the upcoming season for Beckley Prep.

 

#61:'5'10 '21 Aiden Proudfoot (Christianburg)

Moving onto a player that arguably stood out as the most reliable three-point shooter from this team, Aiden Proudfoot. He's a smart, wiry, team-first guard prospect that works incredibly hard on both sides of the ball while applying constant pressure as a spot-up threat. Proudfoot operated within the flow of the offense, consistently knocking down jumpers from the perimeter, but also showcased a strong playmaking sense and the ability to be a primary floor general. He's very quick and is able to enter the paint and make plays at a fairly nonstop rate. Next in his development process is working on his rebounding presence, as it would allow him to crash the glass and immediately push the break in transition. Coach Johnson on Proudfoot: 'Aiden is a three-point assassin with the ability to penetrate off the dribble. He plays with great pace and is a smart player with a high motor. Aiden maintained a positive attitude and unselfish mentality throughout camp.' Proudfoot went about his business during camp and could emerge as a major contributor this season for Christianburg.

 

#62:'5'11 '20 Elijah Edwards (Greater Beckley)

Continuing onto a player that was able to consistently affect all facets of the game during camp, Elijah Edwards. He's a smart, well-rounded floor general with a high motor and the ability to pile on points from all three levels. Edwards possesses a tight handle and quality vision, which gives him an excellent balance between scoring and playmaking. He utilizes his quickness well to get downhill and enter the paint, but also shoots it at a very efficient clip from the perimeter. Edwards is a strong overall defender with the ability to force turnovers and push transition play with high frequency. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to seamlessly play alongside another primary ball-handler. Coach Johnson on Edwards: 'Elijah is a quick lefty guard with the ability to get to the rim and finish through contact. He's an excellent three-point shooter with patience and nice shooting mechanics. Elijah maintained a positive attitude and team-first mentality throughout camp.' Edwards led by example on both sides of the ball and should emerge as a very useful contributor during the upcoming season.

 

#79:'6'1 '20 Angel Torres (Beckley Prep)

Next, we look at a player that simply showed a willingness to do whatever necessary to provide his team with an edge, Angel Torres. He's a tough, rugged guard prospect that plays with phenomenal two-way energy and knows how to make his presence felt without requiring offensive touches. Torres is an effective all-around scorer that can create decently well for himself and others or operate as an off-ball cutter. He proved to be a strong on-ball defender that was able to force multiple turnovers on the day. Next in his development process is working on becoming a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him a more complete offensive threat. Coach Johnson on Torres: 'Angel is a crafty scorer with scrappiness and the ability to consistently make plays on both ends of the floor. He maintained a positive attitude and team-first mentality throughout camp.' Torres is a guy that every team needs to succeed, so it'll be interesting to see how his upcoming season unfolds.

 

#80:'6'1 '21 Kavan Horton (Asheville Christian)

Moving onto a player that was quietly one of the most dominant two-way performers on display, Kavan Horton. He's a smart, unselfish guard prospect with phenomenal quickness, vision, and three-level scoring ability. Horton is like the energizer-bunny in the sense that his motor is always amped up and ready to make a play. He's a pesky defensive player with incredible anticipation skills, both as an on and off-ball defender. Horton forces turnovers at a nonstop rate, which allows him to push the break and make plays for himself and others. He has no real weakness and does a great job of leading by example on either end of the floor. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Johnson on Horton: 'Kavan is a very smooth guard with excellent shooting abilities. He plays with moxie, changes speeds very well, and is a nice finisher. He maintained a positive attitude and team-first approach throughout the day.' Horton was exceptional throughout camp, securing the Mr. Hustle award with relative ease, and continues to look poised for a breakout upcoming season at Asheville Christian.

 

#95:'6'3 '20 Michael Tannehill (Dayspring Academy)

Continuing onto a player that showcased an intriguing skillset on both sides of the ball during camp, Michael Tannehill. He's a long, fairly athletic wing/forward prospect with a smooth-shooting stroke from midrange and beyond the arc. Tannehill has a pretty strong frame and utilizes it well to position himself and gain separation when looking to create off the dribble. He can operate with or without the ball and impact the game, given his size and activity level on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Johnson on Tannehill: 'Michael is a decently scrappy player that does a solid job of affecting various facets of the game. He plays well with the team and maintained a positive attitude throughout the day.' Tannehill displayed a useful array of skills and could be a primary contributor during the upcoming season, especially if he continues to work.

 

#110:'6'6 '20 Khalifah Muhammed (Beckley Prep)

Next, we look at a player that possesses a phenomenal crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Khalifah Muhammed. He's a long, smart, athletic wing/forward prospect that offers unselfishness and strong two-way versatility. Muhammed scores the ball effectively from all three levels and particularly well from beyond the arc'both off the catch and dribble. He passes and handles the ball well for his size, but typically works without the ball as a spot-up threat. Muhammed is very active around the basket, which allows him to secure rebounds and second-chance points with regularity. Next in his development process is working on his post arsenal, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Johnson on Muhammed: 'Khalifah is an athletic finisher with a big body. He can really score the ball in a variety of ways and absolutely strokes it from beyond the arc. Khalifah showed his ability to get hot quickly on the offensive end. He maintained a positive attitude and team-first mentality throughout the day.' Muhammed showcase a lot of high-level flashes during camp and should be a strong contributor during the upcoming season at Beckley Prep.

 

#117:'6'10 '22 Gabriel Beny-Till (Hurricane)

Finishing up, we look at a player that has an incredible amount of long-term potential, Gabriel Beny-Till. He's a long, wiry big man prospect that is truly just beginning to scratch the surface of his two-way abilities. Beny-Till is an excellent rebounder that utilizes his length effectively around the basket on both ends of the floor. He alters shots at a quality rate and knows how to run the floor effectively in transition. Next in his development process is working on defining his offensive game, as it'll make him a more impactful player on that end of the floor. Coach Johnson on Beny-Till: 'Gabriel is a big body with great length and the ability to pass quite well from the post. He rebounds his area nicely and has a clear amount of promise. Gabriel needs to keep working but displayed a positive attitude and team-first mentality throughout camp.' Beny-Till's appeal should be fairly obvious to everyone, so it'll be exciting to see how he progresses going forward.