Wilson Prep Continues to Roll

Unsurprisingly, Coach Ant Atkinson has another notable squad worthy of attention. They’ve contended every season since 2019-20, but this might honestly be their best group yet. Despite their balanced structure that includes several college players, everything starts and ends with Elijah Newsome. The 6-foot-3 guard possesses length, athleticism, and effortless scoring polish. Whether asserting himself as a spot-up threat, downhill attacker, or creator for others, Newsome is a reliable offensive weapon. Scholarship-level coaches should be involved. Additionally, guys like Donovan Dickens, Zack Draughn, and Jashon Artis are among their slew of meaningful pieces. Expect them to compete for a state championship this season.

McKoy Brothers Shine for Harrells Christian

Although it probably goes without saying, Antonio and Dashaun McKoy are the clear, undisputed leaders of Harrells Christian. In looking at Antonio, it’s easy to see why folks are constantly buzzing about his overall appeal. He’s a long, explosive wing whose skillset continues to expand with each updated viewing. On Friday, he scored from all levels, displayed useful vision, and emerged as a leader in critical moments. Moreover, he maintained his usual level of disruptiveness defensively and activity on the glass. Various types of Division I programs should be getting involved. On the other side, Dashaun might be underappreciated in the bigger scheme of things. He truly does not need the ball to be impactful. Dashaun is a tough, high-motor wing who always does the dirty work and makes hustle plays. He excels at getting downhill and finishing or finding opportunities as a cutter. Both guys will ultimately determine how far this group will go.

Quality Education Academy Loaded with College-Level Talent

Easily one of the most recruitable rosters in the state, Quality Education Academy has a variety of seniors who should be real priorities for scholarship-level coaches. Sabree Scott captures a lot of attention as a smooth, skilled wing prospect with an appealing frame and array of physical tools. However, this entire roster is enticing. Shawn Long has quickly become a personal favorite due to his high motor, rugged mentality, and ability to consistently impact the game without necessarily needing the ball in his hands (though he always seems to find ways to score). Bruce Wingate is an absolute bucket-getter with great size and the ability to operate as a connector or fill it up from all levels. Trey Shephard possesses a highly intriguing blend of size, skill, and athleticism, and appears to continue trending upward as a prospect. Nate Malosa has visibly expanded his game from being a pure floor-spacer to a legitimate big man who can protect the rim and stretch the defense when needed. Guys like Malakhi Phillips, Damarius Roberts, and several others also make an impact for this group.

Berean Baptist’s Intriguing Core

Despite going 1-1 on the weekend, there was a lot to like about the core of Berean Baptist. The duo of Josiah Sanders and Justin Caldwell clearly set the tone in terms of production. Sanders is arguably the best playmaker in the state and at 6-foot-8, is becoming virtually unguardable as his jumper continues to improve. Similarly, Caldwell is a real problem for opponents. His combination of size, strength, toughness, and physicality allows him to dominate the paint as a scorer and rebounder. Jadyn Cooper is an excellent connecting piece who overwhelms opponents defensively and does a little bit of everything on offense. Jossiah Johnson is a strong, versatile wing/forward who reliably defends multiple positions and fills in the gaps offensively. Additionally, Amari Goggins, David Kadundji, and Jeremiah Harper each play critical roles for the Bulldogs.

Northwood Temple and Grace Christian Battle

Quite possibly the most exciting contest from Friday night, we were able to watch a battle between Northwood Temple and Grace Christian. Incredible performances from Kenny Vera (Northwood) and Michael Phillips (Grace) will capture the headlines, but there were multiple standouts from both sides. For Northwood Temple, the trio of Elijah Kindle, Winston Waite, and Jalen Harris do a majority of the heavy lifting. Each of the three are college-level players who excel in their respective roles for this team. On the other side, Grace Christian stands behind guys like Malachi Tate, AJ Gladieux, Collin Morris, and Isiah Knight. Things ultimately went down to the final buzzer, but regardless, both of these teams should be priorities for college coaches.

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