Phenom Hoop Report was on hand at IC Norcom High School in Portsmouth VA for the day long hoops extravaganza, the Level Up Showcase.
Kobby Ayetey (6’7 Senior – Capitol Christian) Kobby is a long and athletic wing who can flat out shoot it! He hit three 3-pointers in the game marking the 12th time in their 29 games in which he hit 3 or more from downtown, he has games of 9,7 and 6 three point baskets and has 82 for the season while converting on 43%. Ayetey showed off a quick release with a smooth shooting stroke with great range. He can hit the three but also showed he can put it on the floor and get to the basket, also is a good passer. He defends multiple positions, is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker and plays with a great motor and enthusiasm; really looks like he has fun competing. While he smiles alot and talks to everyone in a friendly manner even on the court, make no mistake he is a punishing finisher at the rim and an imposing, determined competitor. A native of Ghana, Ayetey has an offer from Bowie State but has yet to commit.
Kieron “Scoota” Williams (5’10 Senior – Capitol Christian) “Scoota” is a crafty point guard whose 17.1ppg and 4 assists per contest reflect his ability to not only score but to create offense for teammates as well. He is a tough defensive assignment as he is shifty and quick and can score in bunches if needed. He can hit the three and get to the rim but also has a nice step back jumper to create space and can hit the floater over bigger defenders in the lane. A high motor guard, Kieron is an active defender with quick hands and feet who just keeps coming at you on both ends of the floor.
James West IV (6’2 Senior – Freedom High School) A Mount St. Mary’s commit West is one of the states’ most dangerous three point shooting threats converting on 44% of his nearly 130 attempts from beyond the arc. He is a 54% field goal shooter and hits 81% from the foul line. James has text book shot mechanics and a quick release and can score at all levels. He does a great job moving without the ball, always in motion and catches the ball shot ready. He averages over 3 assists per game and is also a very good passer.
Mike Cunningham (6’3 Junior – Middleburg Academy) Mike Cunningham poured in 21 points in three quarters and has always been a player capable of exploding for huge scoring games. A year ago while at ParkView HS he had a 33 point game that included 10 three pointers! Not just a three point shooter, Mike hits the middle jumper off the bounce and can get to the rim and score. He came up with key baskets several times to hold back Hampton Christian’s comeback attempts.
Joel Kabimba (6’9 Sophomore – Middleburg Academy) This was our first look at the lanky stretch four type and we were impressed with how adept he was as a wing. Joel has good extension on his jumper and has very good range. He can handle well enough to get to the rim, has very good footwork and mobility. His upside is tremendous!
Justice Smith (6’1 Junior – Hampton Christian) Justice was nearly un-guardable knocking down 6 of the team’s 11 three pointers and scoring a game high 29 points to keep Hampton Christian alive. Justice has very good offensive skills both ball handling and shooting and has excellent range on his jumper. He did a great job moving to get open and getting to his spots. He took good shots, didn’t see him force it and he also got to the rim with the dribble. Justice Smith put Hampton Christian on his back in the second half and even had assists on two more of HCA’s three pointers as he got to the paint with the dribble and made the kick out pass , demonstrated a well rounded offensive skill set. He’s athletic, quick and really competes on both ends of the floor.
Aundre Hyatt (6’6 Sophomore – Miller School) Aundre scored a double/double and made it look effortless. He has a great frame and strength and athleticism that allows him to perform at a high level and the skill to match. He moves well without the ball, has excellent shot mechanics and catches the ball ready to make a play be it shooting off the catch or ripping through and getting into the gaps of the defense. Aundre defends the perimeter and is also a strong presence in the paint and an active rebounder. He has a growing list of offers which includes Virginia Tech, ODU, Providence, East Carolina, USC, VCU, Massachusetts, St. Louis, South Florida, Hofstra, Manhattan, Yale, Iona, St. John’s. Duke, UNC, Clemson, Wake Forest, Florida State and Oregon head a lengthy list of interested schools.
Deshaun Wade (6’3 Junior – Miller School) Deshuan Wade has transformed himself into a complete player since his move to Miller School. He has trimmed down and bulked up, improved his quickness and jump shot. He does a great job attacking the paint, collapsing the defense and kicking out to his shooters. Wade can get to the rim almost at will and combining quickness and strength is able to win the one on one against most guards. He is a high IQ floor leader and is capable of producing at either guard position. Wade’s stock is skyrocketing and no doubt will add plenty of offers as his high school career progresses. He currently holds offers from UMES and NJIT and carries a 3.9 GPA!
Dearvae Heard (6’4 Sophomore – Miller School) Dearvae has really become a more skilled wing since making the move to Miller School. With the opportunity to play away from the basket DaeDae has worked hard to develop consistency on his jumper, hitting the mid range jumper and putting the ball on the floor to win anticipated matchups against taller ¾ types. He is a physical player capable of high volume rebounding but has expanded his game where he is now a more efficient scorer on the perimeter. His stock is on the rise!
Jaylin Reed (6’3 Junior – Miller School) We’ve had the opportunity to watch Jaylin Reed during two seasons and we’ve seen him progress into a more capable playmaker. Always known as a high percentage shooter Jaylin has become more complete, improving his ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim and creating opportunities for his teammates. Jaylin has added bulk and strength and is a more physical player than when we last saw him. He is more active rebounding the basketball and is a more efficient player when attacking the rim. Reed boasts a 4.1 GPA! NJIT has offered and a host of schools have been in contact.
DaShawn Cook (5’11 Junior – Williamsburg Christian Academy) DaShawn is a scrappy and tough player with an unbelievable motor. A high output scorer and more of a basket attacking slasher who keeps defenders at bay with the ability to hit the jumper. DaShawn uses his dribble to get to the rim but also to penetrate and kick to open teammates and cutters along the baseline. He is a high assist guard as well, a very savvy playmaker and skilled passer. DaShawn is also a very good rebounder. His will to win was evident as he and twin brother RaShawn nearly shouldered the load for WCA against one of the best teams in the state.
RaShawn Cook (5’11 Junior – Williamsburg Christian Academy) RaShawn does the dirty work for WCA, a lockdown defender willing to get on the floor for loose balls, thrives on guarding the opponents best player. RaShawn is a capable scorer averaging over 10 points per game, 4 assists per contests and 4 steals. He is productive and consistent offensively while also expending great energy on the defensive end. He rebounds the basketball and while capable of double digit scoring on a nightly basis is an unselfish playmaker with vision and solid passing skills. He and twin brother DaShawn are the catalysts for WCA’s high power, up-tempo offense.
Lhordn Hyman (6’0 Senior – Charlotte Basketball Academy) Lhordn is a crafty, high IQ floor general who makes teammates more effective. He can score in the lane and is a very skilled passer and defenders have to respect both skills as he attacks the rim. Lhordn is always in position to make plays on both ends of the floor and is a fierce competitor. He rebounds, also defends at a high level, in fact he will take the dribble away from you if you don’t watch it! He has the DNA being the son of Chesapeake VA native and former Manhattan guard Keaton Hyman who led the then #13 seed Jaspers to an upset of #4 Oklahoma in the first round of the 1995 NCAA Tournament.
Kevin KJ Davis (6’6 Senior – Norcom High School) The East Carolina commit scored a double/double to help lead Norcom back from a pair of first half deficits. He had two huge three point baskets to kick start the home team after getting down 14-3 early. Davis finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds and finished the third quarter with a big stick back, then a steal and assist as Norcom edged out in front at the end of the third quarter.
Travis Ingram (6’3 Senior – Norcom High School) Travis didn’t get a field goal until the second half but the wait was worth it! A pair of thunderous dunks in the third quarter and a three point play helped Norcom to a momentum claiming run midway through the third quarter and he continued his flurry into the fourth as Norcom pulled away. The Towson commit finished with 20 points and 7 rebounds.
Darien Allison (6’1 Junior – Norcom High School) Darien scored 15 points in the game but came up big with 3 rebounds and 3 steals during Norcom’s second half surge. While Allison had a solid game throughout, he created a couple turnovers that resulted in transition baskets and made a number of key second half defensive plays.
Allen Boykins (6’3 Junior – Norcom High School) A first team All Conference and honorable mention All Region linebacker on the football field the 6’3, 210 pound three sport star came up with a pair of big baskets and protected the rim for Norcom during a late game rally that sealed the win. Boykins has very good mobility and a soft touch on the jumper and in addition to his key baskets he got on the floor for a loose ball securing a key possession for the Greyhounds. Allen Boykins has a future on the football field but is fast becoming an impact paint presence for Norcom. He is also getting it done in the classroom where he boasts a 3.79 GPA!