Early Season Stock-Risers

<p>With the calendar year changing and the first half of the school season coming to an end. Here is a list of some guys who have really improved their stock over the early part of the season.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/tony-toney/">Tony Toney</a>, 6'2 SG, 2020, Mae Jemison: Probably the biggest stock-riser in the entire state so far this season. He has completely taken the state by storm leading one of the best teams in the state in any class to an incredible start. He is the straw that stirs the drink for coach Pride and the Jaguars. His energy and effort on both ends of the floor are infectious and permeates throughout the entire team. He is a high volume scorer with the ability to guard the other team's best player all while being the primary scorer on the offensive end. He plays a lot bigger than his height because his body is so well put together he is able to make up for what he may lack in height with his physicality. Look for him to be in the top 10 if not the top 5 in the class once the updated rankings drop towards the end of the season.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/dj-fairley/">DJ Fairley</a>, 6'1 CG, 2021, Hoover: He started off his junior campaign on fire leading the Bucs to some early impressive wins. He shoots the ball well from the outside and has shown the ability to put the ball on the floor and get to his sweet spots. He could be more aggressive on the offensive side of the ball because he does have the skills to be a big-time shooter. His handle has improved over the last year which has added some more value to his game. Look for him to continue to improve as the season goes along.</p> <p><strong>Justin</strong> <strong>Moore</strong>, 6'4 SG, 2021, Oxford: He has a cool and calm demeanor on and off the court, but don't let that fool you he is a dog once in-between the lines. He is one of the more athletic guards in the state with the ability to finish over or through defenders. After a very impressive tournament in Huntsville for the 2019 Huntsville City Classic, his stock is definitely on the rise. While in Huntsville he made posters out of several defenders and made them go viral in all the wrong ways. His several highlight dunks during the tournament put everybody on notice. However, he is much more than a dunker. He has a very high motor on both sides of the floor and seems to always be around the ball. He has great elevation on his jump shot which allows him to raise up, take and make contested jump shots. He is deadly in transition and is a very good rebounder for his position. Look for him to skyrocket up rankings boards when the next addition drops this spring.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/wilder-evers/">Wilder Evers</a>, 6'0 PG, 2022, Oak Mountain: With a great start to his sophomore campaign this head and smooth point guard has really impressed over the first half of the season. He is an extremely cerebral player who seems to be thinking 2 or 3 plays ahead and makes very good decisions with the basketball. He has a knack at getting his teammates the ball in situations where they can be successful and does a good job picking the right opportunities to get himself involved in the scoring. At only a sophomore he has shown a high skill level and a killer work ethic. So far this season he has shown that he is one of the top 25 players in his class and his ranking should reflect that once the next edition comes out. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/rayquan-taylor/">RayQuan Taylor</a>, 6'8 PF, 2021, Carver-Montgomery: The big man has played some of the best basketball in the state over the early portion of the season for the Wolverines. He reminds you of a young Tyson Chandler where if you put the ball anywhere near the rim he is catching and dunking it. He runs the floor exceptionally and has good hands and coordination that allows him to finish in the open court. He is a monster on the glass and makes offensive players think twice about attempting shots in the lane. The good thing about "Slim's" game is he knows his strengths and plays to those. He is not trying to do or be something he is not. He tries to dunk everything around the rim and erase every shot on defense which makes him so valuable. He is only scratching the surface of his potential as he is only a few years into playing organized basketball. The sky is the limit for this rising prospect.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>