After getting another extended look at the Western Guilford this past weekend, one could argue that they have the necessary pieces to be one of the better public-school teams in the Greensboro area. This group has consistently progressed over the last few years, but should be poised to take a step forward this season. Although they have various intriguing pieces, so much of their success will ultimately come down to the duo of Seth Harris and Jayce Williams. Let’s take a closer look at each…
It should be fairly obvious to recognize all the ways Harris establishes himself as a leader for this group. At 6-foot-4, he has the size, skill, and athleticism to cause problems for opponents on both ends of the floor. Harris is a well-rounded player with IQ, creation instincts, and scoring polish to do a lot of different things as a focal point. He scores the ball from all levels, showing the ability to reliably attack the basket and finish or hit jumpers from midrange and beyond the arc. Harris is comfortable taking what the defense gives him, but can also assert himself and get clean looks however he chooses. He also does a great job of using his size to post-up smaller players and score. Harris is also an unselfish playmaker and willing passer who regularly sets up others in scoring positions. He’s a physical defender with the length and instincts to defend multiple positions. Harris is also a strong rebounder for his size/position. Scholarship-level coaches should be involved with the two-way wing.
Meanwhile, Williams is entering his sophomore season after making an impressive impact as a freshman. Despite his age, he’s already the type of player that every coach wants on their team. Williams wreaks havoc with his nonstop motor and incredibly rugged, physical approach to the game, which allows him to make life difficult for opponents on both ends of the floor. He’s a well-rounded offensive piece with excellent feel and the ability to do a healthy amount of everything. Williams can run the offense or effectively operate without the ball. Everything he does is purposeful. He cuts hard, makes smart decisions, and scores well from all levels. Williams doesn’t hesitate to jump in the trenches and do the dirty work. He suffocates opponents, turns guards in the open floor, and forces turnovers with relative ease. Williams is an excellent rebounder, especially for his size, and creates transition opportunities on a regular basis. Given how much ability he’s shown at such an early age, there should be a lot of excitement and optimism surrounding his continued growth.