Best Virginia won the 17U title game 67-53 over Local Legends wrapping up an impressive weekend winning all three of their games by double figures.  Notorious Grooms (6’0 2025) was named MVP after scoring 12 points in the title game and averaged over 11.0 PPG throughout the weekend.  Grooms is a two sport standout at Uniontown HS, PA where he also plays DB and WR on the football team.  A physical slasher who also provides a three point threat surpassed the 1,000 point scoring plateau in January for Uniontown HS with still his senior season to come.  Other standouts for Best Virginia include 5’11 2026 guard Amarion Johnson (Morgantown HS) who scored 13 points i n the championship game.  A quick and slippery lefty, Amarion created problems for defenses all weekend long with his ability to get into the paint frequently where he created shot opportunities for himself and for teammates.  He shot it off the dribble with efficiency and creates space nicely with a lethal step back jumper.  Amarion helped to lead Morgantown HS to the OVAC 5A Championship.  6’5 2025 Phoenix Sickles (Bridgeport HS) provided scoring in the paint and also added a couple three pointers on the weekend.  Antwan Black and Preston Luzader were also crucial to their title run.  Ethan Hodges, a physical downhill guard from James River HS, VA led Local Legends and was one of the events top scorers at 13.7ppg.  Delwan Waller, a 6’4 junior from Thomas Dale HS, VA provided strong rebounding and inside scoring.  Delwan led the VHSL in rebounding average this past season. 

In the 17U Silver Championship Shots Up Elite edged HHBA Lightning 45-44.  Zach Nemets (6’0 2025 Robinson Secondary,  VA) paced Spots Up Elite with 20 points.  He averaged 18ppg  during the weekend. 

Other standouts in the 17U division:

Jayden Johnson (6’0 2026 Hoop Dreamz/Roanoke Catholic) averaged a 17U best 20.0 ppg.  Johnson was impressive!  Cat quick first step, shifty off the bounce gets to the rim almost at will.  Jayden can shoot it and has deep three point range.  He hit shots off the dribble both step back jumpers and stop and pop jumpers and is a crafty scorer. 

Anthony Ceola (6’3 2024) mixed in three pointers jumpers with strong drives to the rim playing off contact.  Does a nice job using the shot fake against a hard closeout into the dribble pullup or attacking the rim to score.  Anthony average 18.0ppg during the weekend. 

Dwayne Tucker (6’3 2026 Team Flex/Skyline HS, VA.  Quick and active both attacking the basket and rebounding Dwayne is a game changing presence.  Showed his versatility on both ends of the floor as an inside/outside contributor knocking down mid range jumpers at a high percentage while defending multiple positions effectively.  Dwayne is coming off a stellar season leading  Skyline HS to the VHSL Region 3B semifinals.  He earned The Northern Daily’s Player of the Year for his efforts.

Jackson Lockard (6’1 2025 HHBA Lightning) Jackson is a threat from anywhere on the floor!  He is a serious three point threat but. An also beat you off the bounce and score off dribble pull-ups and around the rim at an efficient rate.  Quick, crafty handle.  Gets to his spots nicely for the dribble pullup.  Jackson average 15.7ppg.

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