3 things I leanred from the Oak Hill vs. Hargrave scrimmage
Miller’s Creek, North Carolina – Every year, the Mouth of Wilson (VA) Oak Hill vs. Chatham (VA) Hargrave Military Academy puts numerous D-I players on the floor. Traditionally they hold the scrimmage in small town North Carolina, to help with fund raising purposes. This year, 1A public school Miller’s Creek (NC) West Wilkes was the host school.
Oak Hill was without injured four-star guard Dontae Russo-Nance. The Hargrave duo of Jaden Doughtry and Kailon Nichols were spectacular. There were no less than a dozen full scholarship level players on the floor, with players capable of making a difference at ever level of D-I. Hargrave took the scrimmage 103-75
I was joined in the stands by coaches from St. Bonaventure, Citadel, and Appalachian State. Let
Bronson Schmidt-Uili has a world of upside
Four-star center Bronson Schmidt-Uili has only been in the United States for about five weeks. The 6-foot-10 center already has offers from Texas Tech and California. Schmidt-Uili is a lengthy forward with a lot of mobility and a high motor.
Schmidt-Uili will need to continue getting stronger, but he finished the night 4-of-5 from the field. He showed good hands on the block and tried to dunk everything around the rim. He grabbed a handful of rebounds and affected play around the basket. The 2024 On3 150 No. 48 player was also was 2-for-3 from the free throw line, showing soft touch and consistent form.
The native of New Zealand is not a finished product, but there is production already in place with a world of upside and tools in place.
Kailon Nichols is underrecruited
Kailon Nichols is a guard originally from Toronto, Canada. The 5-foot-11 guard is collected on the ball with a quick handle and the ability to score from multiple levels. Nichols got to his spots in the half court and pushed the break in the open floor. Coaches will question his size as a score-first lead guard. In this game, his jump shot was confident off the bounce or the catch and he utilized an array of floaters and balanced jump stops to finish in the paint.
Nichols has a single offer from Niagara. If the Hargrave guard strings together more performances like this, watch for that list to continue to grow.
AJ Swinton continues to take steps
AJ Swinton is a common name, he has been a consensus top-100 ranked player since entering high school. Even with the early accolades, Swinton has shown continued development. While Swinton still has some growth to happen in his handle and creativity off the bounce, he is efficient in what he does. Swinton has a great frame and a smooth shot with range beyond the arc. He is also above the rim in transition, with authority.
Swinton claims offers from Virginia Tech, Xavier, Georgetown, Maryland, and others. Against Hargrave, the Oak Hill wing finished with 17 points, going 3-for-6 from thee.
Recruiting updates
*6-6 SF Jaden Doughtry of Hargrave finished with a game-high 31 points. He is setting up visits with James Madison and Jacksonville State and has most recently heard from Mississippi State and Appalachian State.
*2024 No. 25 Dontae Russo-Nance of Oak Hill recently took his first official visit to California.