Guys do for a Breakout Year: Pt 1
By Brandon Blakeney
With graduation and transfer departures minutes and spots will be up for grabs in hundreds of programs.
Here are some guys who should see a major boost in their production based off opportunities and increased playing time. This group will be counted on to step up and lead, several prospects had solid seasons last year others will transition from bench players to starters.
1. Dez Woods
Class – 2019
School- Southwest Guilford
Woods has already tasted championship glory and understands what it takes to win big. Southwest were crowned kings of arguably the toughest public school division in the state, and the Cowboys will have to replace a lot of production. This is officially the beginning of the Dez Woods era.
Judging by a dominant summer on the travel ball circuit it seems Woods is destined for a breakout year. Woods is a big physical guard; he understands how to utilize his frame and score over smaller guards, the jumper has progressed tremendously out to deep three point range, Woods also proved capable of playing either guard position. The coaching staff is very high on Woods assistant coach Antonio Threadgill is a firm believer in Woods and has witnessed the work the youngster has put in over the last year.
Woods was ranked 58th in our initial class of 2019 rankings but don’t be surprised to see him leap a few sports before seasons end.
2. Max Farthing
Class- 2019
School- Word of God
Farthing was a solid role player for the Holy Rams last season as a sophomore he averaged 11 points a game.
A year later and the deadeye should have the green light to put up even more threes this go around, and we may see Farthing morph into one of the top scorers in the Hoop State as a result. Farthing ran with Team Loaded and really impressed scouts and recruiters with his size and sweet shooting stroke. Farthing also did well when guarding bigger players with that kind of versatility he can be used inside and out.
WOG will play some big time competition Coach Clifton makes sure his squads are plenty battle tested year after year. Farthing has shown ice veins in clutch moments and he should have no problem being a leader for a young squad. Farthing has added depth to his game, he looks comfortable shooting off the dribble and attacking the basket.
3. Will Dillard
Class- 2018
School- GDS
Dillard was the top defender for Nationally ranked GDS last season and this upcoming year should be his best one yet.
Always tasked with guarding the opposition’s top scoring threat, this season Dillard will be counted upon to help lead the Bengals back to the promise land. Dillard could see time at both backcourt spots due to his versatility on and off the ball. Dillard projects as a lockdown defender at the next level and he’s already been offered by Wake Forest.
Dillard may be counted on to score more than ever before but he’s proven to be reliable in clutch moments. Dillard was playing with big confidence for Team CP3 before an injury ended his travel ball season early. Dillard will be one of the top guards in the triad and his senior year should be LIT.
4. Jae’lyn Withers
Class- 2019
School- North Meck
Upside and potential have been Withers calling card over the last two years but that officially changes this season. The 6- foot- 9- inch wing prospect looks ready to take over Charlotte in 2018.
Withers has racked up offers from half of the Acc and the list will continue to expand rapidly. A nice blend of length and athleticism makes Withers an intriguing prospect, if you add in newly honed three point shooting ability we have a mismatch nightmare on our hands. Withers is the brightest star on an absolutely stacked North Meck squad this season.
Our staff was impressed with Withers effort at open gym,-
“he simply lit it up at open gym. Withers has unbelievable range from the 3-point. We’re talking about an athletic wing forward that has tremendous length and a matching skill set that separates him from his peers.” said PHR analyst Jamie Shaw.
Withers could be a household name on the prep hoops scene this time next year!
5. Keyontae Johnson
Class- 2018
School- Oak Hill
Johnson is a highflyer and he’s extremely hard to keep out of the lane when he gets even a sniff of open space.
Last season at IMG Johnson showed flashes of brilliance but found himself lacking looks because of a crowded backcourt. This season at Oak Hill he and Josh Nickleberry will be a dynamic backcourt, there should be plenty of scoring opportunities in Coach Steve Smith’s high octane offense. Johnson already holds a long list of major offers, ( Ohio State, Ga Tech, and SMU), are among the 30 tracking the young wing.
In a new ideal system that caters to Johnson’s skillset there is a chance for him to take the recruitment buzz to a new level. Johnson is still ironing out the J but over the summer with Boo Williams he looked more comfortable than ever stroking the leather. The further the Warriors go the more you will hear about Johnson tearing it up.