Class of 2008
1. Romero Osby (Northeast Lauderdale) - Proved to be the top of the class with consistency. He scored, rebounded and despite the double and triple teams, made it easier for his teammates as well. Their season was a disappointment in terms of wins/losses, but Romero played the same each time out, hard! Signed with Mississippi State.
2. Latavious Williams (Starkville) - Flat out beast underneath. The Starkville Yellowjackets had one of the toughest schedules this year, and "Tay" stepped up each time. His demeanor reminded me of Derrick McKey from the Alabama/Seattle Supersonic days, nothing bothered him and he had the same game face on all the time. A scoring machine who also block shots. Unsigned. Probably Prep school bound.
3. Rashanti Harris (New Hope) - This young man simply dominated this year. You can actually flip flop the top three because of what they bring to the table. Rashanti has a NBA power forward body! He was unstoppable in the paint, looking like a man playing with boys. He has to develop a mid range game for D1 level, but he can handle the bigs right now. Unsigned.
4. Scottie Haralson (Provine) - Amazing shooter with deep range. Has a 3 body with a shooter's game. Very strong, plays a physical game, and had a consistent season. Had a season ending 28 points in the 5A championship game against Greenville. Proved to be a clutch player who isn't afraid to put it all on his shoulders. Signed with UCONN.
5. Kenderick Washington (Hinds AHS) - Did it all for the Bulldogs who had a undefeated regular season. A wing player who scored both inside and outside. He also was the best defender out of this top five, guarding anyone from "1" through "4". Unsigned.
6. Dale Hughes (New Hope) - Pure shooter. At 6'2 can get his shot off whenever he wanted. Because of teammate Rashanti Harris, he rarely saw double teams so he was able to dominate one on one. Tough and Fearless. Unsigned.
7. Gary Love 6'3 Guard (Murrah) - Tall guard with high arcing shot. Very high percentage on 3 point shooting. Good dribble skills with ups. Didn't see much defense but played within the system. should be mid major prospect. Unsigned.
8. Lamar Williams 6'4 Guard (Lanier) - Had a great season with a crazy December, averaging over 40 during that month. Played for a great program and took over as the man during the second half of the season. Good shooter AND penetrator. Good defender, especially man to man. Unsigned.
9. Akeem Richardson 6'2 Guard (Greenville Weston) - Terrific athlete. Wouldn't necessarily call him a basketball player as I would call him a athletic freak. Was not even ranked preseason but has come a long way. Led his team to the 5A state championship game where they lost to Provine. Tremendous heart, good bounce, but only a so so jumper. Definitely mid-major talent. Unsigned.
10. Johnathan Phelps 6'1 Guard (Vicksburg) - Scorer. Simple as that. Nice outside touch, good vertical on jump shot, tenacious on the offensive end. Knee injury shortened his season in which they were on their way to the big house (state tournament). Will be a great player on a SWAC team or mid major. Has to get better on defense before I say he's ready for high D1. Unsigned.
Others to watch:
Johnathan Harris, 6'4 Guard (Starkville), Terrell Kennedy 6'6 Forward (Forest Hill), Josh Moore 6'0 Guard (Forest Hill), Chris Wallace 6'2 Guard (Wingfield), Chris Dees 6'5 Forward (Picayune), Justin Grace 5'11 Guard (Ridgeland), Terry Church 6'2 Guard (Lanier), LaCorey Wright 5'9 Guard (Hinds AHS)
1. Romero Osby (Northeast Lauderdale) - Proved to be the top of the class with consistency. He scored, rebounded and despite the double and triple teams, made it easier for his teammates as well. Their season was a disappointment in terms of wins/losses, but Romero played the same each time out, hard! Signed with Mississippi State.
2. Latavious Williams (Starkville) - Flat out beast underneath. The Starkville Yellowjackets had one of the toughest schedules this year, and "Tay" stepped up each time. His demeanor reminded me of Derrick McKey from the Alabama/Seattle Supersonic days, nothing bothered him and he had the same game face on all the time. A scoring machine who also block shots. Unsigned. Probably Prep school bound.
3. Rashanti Harris (New Hope) - This young man simply dominated this year. You can actually flip flop the top three because of what they bring to the table. Rashanti has a NBA power forward body! He was unstoppable in the paint, looking like a man playing with boys. He has to develop a mid range game for D1 level, but he can handle the bigs right now. Unsigned.
4. Scottie Haralson (Provine) - Amazing shooter with deep range. Has a 3 body with a shooter's game. Very strong, plays a physical game, and had a consistent season. Had a season ending 28 points in the 5A championship game against Greenville. Proved to be a clutch player who isn't afraid to put it all on his shoulders. Signed with UCONN.
5. Kenderick Washington (Hinds AHS) - Did it all for the Bulldogs who had a undefeated regular season. A wing player who scored both inside and outside. He also was the best defender out of this top five, guarding anyone from "1" through "4". Unsigned.
6. Dale Hughes (New Hope) - Pure shooter. At 6'2 can get his shot off whenever he wanted. Because of teammate Rashanti Harris, he rarely saw double teams so he was able to dominate one on one. Tough and Fearless. Unsigned.
7. Gary Love 6'3 Guard (Murrah) - Tall guard with high arcing shot. Very high percentage on 3 point shooting. Good dribble skills with ups. Didn't see much defense but played within the system. should be mid major prospect. Unsigned.
8. Lamar Williams 6'4 Guard (Lanier) - Had a great season with a crazy December, averaging over 40 during that month. Played for a great program and took over as the man during the second half of the season. Good shooter AND penetrator. Good defender, especially man to man. Unsigned.
9. Akeem Richardson 6'2 Guard (Greenville Weston) - Terrific athlete. Wouldn't necessarily call him a basketball player as I would call him a athletic freak. Was not even ranked preseason but has come a long way. Led his team to the 5A state championship game where they lost to Provine. Tremendous heart, good bounce, but only a so so jumper. Definitely mid-major talent. Unsigned.
10. Johnathan Phelps 6'1 Guard (Vicksburg) - Scorer. Simple as that. Nice outside touch, good vertical on jump shot, tenacious on the offensive end. Knee injury shortened his season in which they were on their way to the big house (state tournament). Will be a great player on a SWAC team or mid major. Has to get better on defense before I say he's ready for high D1. Unsigned.
Others to watch:
Johnathan Harris, 6'4 Guard (Starkville), Terrell Kennedy 6'6 Forward (Forest Hill), Josh Moore 6'0 Guard (Forest Hill), Chris Wallace 6'2 Guard (Wingfield), Chris Dees 6'5 Forward (Picayune), Justin Grace 5'11 Guard (Ridgeland), Terry Church 6'2 Guard (Lanier), LaCorey Wright 5'9 Guard (Hinds AHS)
Top 10 Class of 2008