Big Shots Basketball will be at the Virginia Beach Sports Center this weekend to cover the Hooptober Classic presented by ETC Sports Group.  ETC Sports Group was founded and owned by former Virginia Beach, VA high school standout Terrell Allen who played his high school basketball at Cape Henry Collegiate School where he scored over 1,000 points and grabbed over 1,000 rebounds while twice earning All State honors.  Terrell played  his college basketball at Central Connecticut State University, coached at the Div III level and then continued his coaching and player development working with The Skill Factory in Atlanta, GA where he led many of their youth programs including the Jr NBA and NBA Academy.  He founded ETC Sports Group in 2022 conducting player development clinics and recruiting showcases along with team camps featuring high school, prep and JUCO team showcases.  The Hooptober Classic is one of eight events on his calendar this season following up a highly successful first season in 2022.  34 teams will be participating representing VA, NC and Maryland and some of the top prospects in the mid Atlantic region will be in action.  Big Shots Basketball takes a look at some of those teams and prospects as we prepare for an another exciting weekend. 

 

Burlington School, NC:  the Burlington School is coming off their third consecutive NCISAA state championship.  They’re led by recent Mount St Mary’s commit in three star senior guard Zion Walker a physical, yet crafty three level scorer most dangerous attacking off the bounce.  Zion is a proven winner having won 3 state championships.  Also leading the defending champs is 6’8 2024 Ty Outlaw, towering and powerful paint presence considered one of the top big men in North Carolina.  Ty holds a Winston Salem State offer!  Other key players include high flying and athletic 6’5 junior Devin Simms and physical downhill attacker 6’2 2025 Cam Flippen.  Guard Jordan Durham has also been a key producer for them and freshman King Gibson is on the Big Shots Watchlist and has big time potential!  King holds offers already from the likes of College of Charleston, Texas A&M and North Carolina A&T. 

 

Maryland’s Rock Creek Christian Academy will also be in action!  6’6 senior Jeremiah Barnes is a double double threat.  He can create off the bounce and then dunk on you to finish!  The backcourt is strong and deep led by crafty 5’10 junior playmaker Samuel Norfleet flanked by shot makers 6’5 senior Corwin Holland II and 5’10 senior three point threat James Hans. 

 

Another Maryland team making the trip is Clinton Grace Christian School led by senior inside/outside threats Daouda Traore and Isaiah Buckley. Traore, a 6’5 senior is a dynamic athlete!  He can hit the three pointer, get to the rim off the bounce and is a fantastic finisher.  Buckley is a crafty and quick 6’1 senior guard who is a lock down defender.  6’5 Tremayne Hawkins is a high motor wing who can score in a variety of ways and has explosive leaping ability. 

 

Defending VHSL Class 5 State Champion Woodside High School led by 6’6 senior My’kel Jenkins and 6’9 junior Silas Barksdale, both hold D1 offers!  6’7 Jordyn Houston, 5’10 Callen Morrison and 6’0 Donnell Jarrett, Jr are three of the top players to watch in Virginia’s 2027 class!  Houston a force in and around the paint while Morrison and Jarrett are serious three point shooting threats!

 

Another perennial state power among the impressive list of participants is Maury High School.  The Commodores are led by 6’0 2025 point guard Adrean Newton who helped lead the Commodores to the 2018-2019 state championship.  6’8 2024 Tyler Bell anchors the paint while 6’6 2024 CJ Parker and 6’4 2025 Jayvion Green provide inside/outside scoring and defense.  6’1 2024 Evan Taylor is a scrappy ballhandler and shut down defender who can set the tone on either end of the floor. 

 

Catholic High School is one of the top Independent Schools in Virginia.  Their backcourt is deep and talented led by Josiah Rickards,  Ashton Walker and Brayden Thorne.  Rickards, a 6’4 All Conference guard has plenty of D1 interest and remains one of the top available seniors in Virginia.  Walker is also one of the top playmakers in Virginia.  The 6’4 Junior recently picked up a Radford offer to go along with offers from Ohio, Norfolk State and College of Charleston.  Thorne is an All TCIS pick from a year ago.  The post of manned by 6’11 2026 Kosi Mgbejiofor.  Mississippi State, Radford and Texas A&M among his offers.  6’6 2025 guard Alex Pissis is a new addition who can fill it up from all levels. 

 

Another state champion among the field is back to back VHSL Class 6 champion Hayfield High School.  The Hawks are led by crafty 6’0 2026 guard Phenix Card, the only freshman on last seasons championship team.  Sharpshooting 6’0 2025 Parker Cage can light it up from deep and I just watched him knock down 7 three pointers in a single game during the CBG Fall Classic with only 3 misses!  Another player who can fill it up from deep is 6’2 2025 Aaron McFarlane.

 

Let’s take a look at some of the top players to watch for starting with Princess Anne 6’2 2026 Styles Clemmons.  The powerful and shifty playmaker currently holds Division I offers from VCU, Radford, Florida International, College of Charleston among others. 

 

Potomac High School 6’4 2024 TJ Bethea is a physical wing who can bully you off the bounce, he’s masterful in the mid range and is an efficient shooter off dribble pull-ups.

 

Green Run: 6’6 2025 David Miller, a 1st Team All Region 5A pick  currently holds offers from Ohio, Youngstown State.  6’1 2026  Kassidy Jackson is a 2nd team All State and 1st Team All Region 5A selection. 

 

John Champe: 6’1 2024 Josh Jones, a two sport standout is their returning leading scorer.  5’6 2026 sharpshooter Colin Stemberger.

 

Indian River: 6’1 2024 Davion Riddick, 6’2 2024 Jorell Smith 

 

Norcom: 6’1 2024 Larry “Trey” Williams 2nd team All State and 1st team All Region selection from a year ago.  6’0 2026 Carmelo Swinson one of the top players in his class in Virginia. 

 

Booker T Washington: 6’2 2026 Antonio Williams

 

Kempsville: 6’1 2024 Savon Sandiford holds an offer from Bluefield University.  5’9 2024 Elijah Knox, 5’10 Jayon Griffin, 6’1 2024 Emanuel Angila

 

Lake Taylor:  6’8 2024 Rodney Baines, a 2nd team All State selection  holds offers from Norfolk State, Tusculum. Allen University, Lees McRe.  6’7 2024 Elijah Washington is a Syracuse Football commit.  Elijah is a 1st team All State and earned Eastern District Player of the Year honors.  6’0 2025 Aaron Elliott.

 

Landstown: 6’4 2026 Zaevion Cleveland, a 1st team All Beach District selection.  6’7 2026 DeShawn Spellman,  6’3 2024 Demeir Pollard.

 

Salem: 6’0 2024 Kaemon Kahn, 6’0 2024 Timothy Mobley, 6’2 2024 Timothy James

 

Kellam: 6’3 2025 Alex Etheridge holds a Norfolk State offer, 6’2 2024 Logan Reidy, 6’3 2024 Tyler Ellis, 6’1 2027 Trey Barnhart

 

Cape Henry:  6’5 2025 Sebastian Whitfield holds Old Dominion University and Texas A&M offers, 6’4 2024 Zach Duncan, 5’10 2025 AJ Sweeney, 6’7 2025 TJ Ricks

 

Cox: 6’10 2024 Ben Nacey is the reigning Beach District Player of the Year.  6’3 2024 Sean Barclift

 

Hampton: 6’6 2026 Gavin Kaye

 

Western Branch: 6’2 2024 Vic Parson, 6’2 2026 Markell Smith, 6’6 2024 Ellis Wright,

 

Oscar Smith; 6’1 2024 Ulysses Young, 6’2 2024 Taveon Taylor, 6’1 2025 Anthony Lewis

 

Norview:  6’2 2026 Keon Mitchell a 1st team all Region 5B picks holds offers from Norfolk State and College of Charleston. 

 

Hampton Christian: 6’4 2024 Sean O’Connor, 6’3 2025 Martino Henry