West Virginia loves its basketball, and while the talent there is a little more spread out than other players, there is a lot of talent there. We took this past week to travel around West Virginia to see some of the teams who will be playing in our events this coming season. No surprise to us, we saw so much talent.
College coaches, take in these notes (also be sure to subscribe to THE Phenom Hoop Report to get a much more in-depth analysis).
Chapmanville is Making History
It has been 40 or so years since the last team 3-peated for a West Virginia State title. Chapmanville Regional has a chance to do just that, as they have gone 57-3 over the past 2 seasons, with no losses to teams in the state of West Virginia.
They are a senior-led team, as 6’9″ Obinna Anochilli Killen and 6’3″ Philip Mullins have a chance to have played in four state titles if things happen the right way this year. Also, 6′ Andrew Shull, the third senior, will have the keys to the car.
But he is so UNDERRATED … What is not to like about a 6’9″ explosive athlete, who is an excellent shot-blocker, can shoot the ball with range and score it at each level' We are wondering the same. At this point, Killen has taken two official visits (New Mexico and UCF) and he has two upcoming. He has not planned for that fifth visit yet, but it is a wonder why he is not ranked among the Top 100 prospects with Power 5 programs all over him. Vying to play in his fourth state title game, Killen went for 12 points, 12 boards and 8 blocks in last years title game.
He is the Silent Killer … the one you cannot take off the floor. 6’3″ Philip Mullins picked up a VMI offer last year, and should be getting more, had he not suffered a leg injury that forced him to miss a majority of the Summer. My advice to full scholarship schools at the high D2 and low D1 level, do not let him fall out of sight, out of mind. A true 3 and D type, he can really shoot off the catch and he can really guard the ball. Not to mention act as a secondary initiator.
But he has ALL the SWAG … It is hard to not notice 6′ Andrew Shull on the floor. With the way he plays and the gusto in which he makes everyone better on the floor. Wingate was his first offer this Summer, and that is the appropriate level. Team leader, selfless star and can go for 30 any given night. Shull is the point guard, the straw who stirs the drink.
Beckley Christian IJN is New but with Talent
D1s Need to Look ASAP … at 6’3″ 2020 Curtis Houston. The long-armed, strong-bodied point guard is someone who could help 75% of the schools at this level, immediately. He plays with a great pace and is very strong and explosive. The Cleveland native shoots the ball at a high clip, with range, and he defends the point of attack with quickness and strength. No offers yet, but as the D1s see him, they will come.
The Tshwiebe Name Carries On … 6’6″ 2023 Debaba Tshwiebe is probably a familiar name to many in West Virginia as his brother is Oscar, a prized freshman recruit at the University of West Virginia. Debaba carries many of the same traits as Oscar, with his strong frame and ability to really rebound the ball. Only a freshman, Debaba is carving his own path, but with his bloodlines and already production and frame, he is one who will force you to pay attention. He already carries a Stetson offer and has yet to play a varsity game as a high school student.
Is Huntington Prep one of the Five Best Teams in America'!
It seems many schools across the country are loading up this year, with Montverde, IMG, and Hillcrest leading the charge. However, Huntington Prep carries no less than 11 high major players on its roster and a team of guys who, theoretically, fit together.
Two of the Biggest Mismatches in High School Hoops .. This team is led by 6’4″ 2020 AJ Hoggard and 6’8″ 2020 Jaemyn Brakefield. Both players are matchup nightmares as Hoggard has a breakdown handle, exceptional vision but is able to use his frame on the block and his shooting on the perimeter. Brakefield has great size but you will also find him bringing the ball up the floor and initiating the offense. Both players are Top 50 guys, both can probably outplay their rankings
Commits and Offers Flurried During our Trip … 7′ 2020 Zach Loveday committed to Baylor. 6’6″ 2021 Duncan Powell committed to Arkansas. 6’9″ 2020 Seny Ndiaye was offered by West Virginia. 6’6″ 2020 Dudley Blackwell was offered by NC State.
He Will Breakout … Huntington Prep is a known commodity, especially this year with the amount of talent Arkell Bruce has on the roster. However, 6’3″ 2021 Shane Dezonie still is flying under the radar. He is currently sitting a 76 by Rivals, 95 by 247Sports and unranked by ESPN. Dezonie is a strong guard who can score like a two or initiate like a one. He plays hard, he defends, he can shoot and get above the rim. Expect his ranking to drastically rise across the board.
Last Season Teays Valley was the First Private School Ranked in USA Today’s 25, Ever, Without a Top 100 Player on Their Roster
This year’s team will be able to play off the respect last year’s team created. They finished 25-4 on the year, with their only losses coming to Legacy Early College and Huntington Prep. They also beat the likes of Hamilton Heights, Oak Hill and others. Year over year Coach Ryan Arrowood puts players in college, year over year, players develop. Arrowood says he wants his program to be like the Villanova of high school hoops, take less and win more, and he has done just that so far. This is a team coaches at the D2 to HM levels need to get out to see.
But This Team May Have Top 100 Talent … Looking at 6’6″ 2021 David Jones and 6’2″ 2022 Josiah Davis, these are both players who should end up cracking the Top 100 rankings for their respective classes. Both players have national team experience as Jones was the leading scorer for the Dominican Republic’s 16u team at 19 per game and Davis plays with Team Canada. Davis is a pure PG with 2-way ability, vision, and explosion. Davis is an absolute bucket getter.