POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Fresh off an unparalleled season that saw Pearl River's men's basketball team continue to raise the bar and garner national recognition, the Wildcats have announced the first members of their 2020 signing class.
The foundation of the '20 prep class is comprised of North Panola guard Ankerion Gross, Natchez guard KeDarius "Squirt" Stampley, Hattiesburg guard Cameron Brown, Brandon wing Jaquevias Tarvin and Olive Branch point guard Joe Cooper. The Wildcats also announced the addition of JUCO transfer Damerius Wash.
"These guys are a great jumpstart for our 2020 signing class," Pearl River coach Chris Oney said. "We feel like we addressed some needs with these guys and they're all sure to be impact guys for us."
CAMERON BROWN
The 6-foot-4 Brown was a difference maker for the HHS Tigers during his prep career. After averaging 8.2 points as a sophomore, Brown scored at a 20.2 points-per-game clip as a junior and 18.0 this season. Brown also averaged 2.5 and 2.6 assists per game over the last two seasons.
"Cameron is one of the most talented scorers in this year's class," Oney said. "He's 6-4 with range out to the parking lot. He plays for one of the top teams in the state and comes from a winning tradition.
"We can't wait to see him suit up for the Maroon and Gold."
Among his prep accolades, Brown was a 2018-19 All-State selection by the Clarion-Ledger and was a 2019 Dandy Dozen pick by the same publication.
Brown also played in the 2020 Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game.
JOE COOPER
Cooper was a big reason for the Conquistadors success over the last handful of seasons. The 5-foot-11 point guard wasn't overshadowed despite playing alongside one of the nation's elite prospects in 2017-18 and earned a spot a 2018-19 Dandy Dozen spot after averaging 8.7 points with 8.1 assists for the 5A champs. In his final season at OBHS, Cooper averaged 15 points, 8.2 assists and three rebounds for the 5A runner-up Conquistadors, landing on the Clarion-Ledger's All-State Third Team.
"Joe Cooper is a really good point guard. He's a kid I think all the other guys will love playing with," Oney said. "He never misses an open man. If a guy gets open he makes sure he'll get the ball.
"He's tough and a fierce competitor."
Cooper reclassified after the 2018-19 season and graduated early. Cooper opted to join the Wildcats, where he had a front-row seat for the Wildcats' unprecedented run to the NJCAA Tournament.
"With Joe being here for the semester, while watching us make our run and watching us in practice, it will help set the tone to create the environment we need for next year's team."
ANKERION GROSS
Gross helped North Panola advance all the way to the 3A quarterfinals as a senior, averaging 12.8 points with 6.8 rebounds.
"Ankerion is a very talented and versatile player," Oney said. "At 6-6, he can play three or four different positions and has a smooth stroke like a natural two guard.
"We've very excited about his potential."
Gross hails from the same high school as graduating PRCC big man Jamarcus Jones (Sardis; North Panola).
KEDARIUS "SQUIRT" STAMPLEY
Stampley was a main reason the NHS Bulldogs advanced to the 5A quarterfinals and finished with a 16-12 record, averaging 17 points and six steals.
At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, Oney said Stampley is the "definition of toughness."
"Squirt walks in the gym and insists on being the toughest player on the floor," Oney said. "He can guard every position on the floor.
"He's a slasher who can get to the rim with an improved jump shot."
Stampley was named to the Region 6-5A All-Region team and honored by his hometown Natchez Democrat.
JAQUEVIAS TARVIN
Like his counterparts, Tarvin had a prolific prep career. At Brandon, Tarvin scored in the double digits as a sophomore, junior and senior. While the 6-foot-5 guard was averaging 10.8, 22.4 and 24.4 ppg, the Bulldogs amassed 64 wins and a berth in the 6A Final Four as a junior.
"We were excited we were able to sign him. He's another Dandy Dozen athlete. He's 6-5 and versatile. He can play the 1, 2 and 3. He has a really, really quick first step which makes it hard for people to stay in front of him. I think he has a bright future at Pearl River."
Tarvin was a Clarion-Ledger All-State Third Team selection following the 2018-19 season and was also named to the 2019 Dandy Dozen squad by the newspaper.
DAMERIUS WASH
Wash was a prep standout at Canton High, where he led his team to the MHSAA Class 5A Final Four as a senior and was named to the Clarion-Ledger's All-State Second Team.
Rated a 3-star prospect by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com, Wash originally committed to Kansas State over offers from Ole Miss and Georgetown before spending a post-graduate year at DME Sports Academy. Wash was a regular for Daytona College in 2019-20.
"Damarius is a kid who has been a good player for a long time," Oney said. "He committed to Kansas State and comes in with a lot of talent. He's a kid who I saw play as a junior in high school and marveled over the possibility of coaching him in the future."
In Wash's lone season at DSC, the Mississippi native averaged 16.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
SEASON RECAP
The Wildcats are fresh off of their second straight record-setting season, claiming the Region XXIII Championship for a second consecutive year. PRCC reeled off a program-high 28 straight victories and finished the season as the nation's lone undefeated team. Prior to the cancelation of all athletic events for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, PRCC was awarded the No. 1 seed in the NJCAA Tournament — a first for any MACJC school.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on Twitter (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).