Potential Breakout Players in Class 4A State Playoffs

<p>The bigger the stage, the brighter the spotlight. Here are some players who have a chance to make breakout postseason runs, ranging from established household names to those you might not have heard as much about.</p> <h2><strong>Class 4A</strong></h2> <p><strong>2021 6-3 CG Micah Bell – Chapel Hill</strong></p> <p>Uber-athletic and a walking highlight tape, Micah Bell has risen Chapel Hill from the doldrums into being one of most exciting teams in Class 4A. Bell averages 20 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. The spindly playmaker is explosive enough to finish through contact and averages over 5.7 free throw attempts per game. Bell is a player coaches should keep a keep eye on. He is liable to erupt his senior season.</p> <p><strong>2020 6-0 G Collin Tarver – Howard</strong></p> <p>Another freakish athlete, Collin Tarver lives above the rim and already has a handful of viral poster dunks living on Twitter. He has taken his lumps since freshman year and has helped Howard to consecutive 16-win seasons, their most wins since 17 in 2011-12. Tarver can rip and run, averaging 2.9 steals to go with his 20.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He’s a quality three-point shooter at 35 percent. Small schools are starting to show interest in the electric guard.</p> <p><strong>2020 6-4 W Daeyon James – McDonough</strong></p> <p>A big guard with a three-point stroke, Daeyon James has made the most out of his senior year. He can be streaky at times but that won’t stop him from launching deep balls (55-176; 31%). He averages 13 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks. Improving his lateral quickness and ball handling will help him at the next level. McDonough hosts Howard in Round 1 which should be an exciting matchup.</p> <p><strong>2022 6-7 F Kaleb Banks – Spalding </strong></p> <p>Earning Co-Region 2 Player of the Year honors after averaging 21.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2 steals and 1.3 blocks, Kaleb Banks should be a household name by this time next year. Plenty of eyes will be on Banks as the Jaguars visit Woodward Academy in Round 1. With the likes of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/walker-kessler/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/walker-kessler/">Walker Kessler</a></a>, <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/emory-lanier/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/emory-lanier/">Emory Lanier</a></a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/will-richard/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/will-richard/">Will Richard</a></a> suiting up for the War Eagles, plenty of coaches should be in attendance. The Jags might not steal the win but can Kaleb Banks steal the show?</p> <p><strong>2020 6-2 CG Rod Jones – Dougherty</strong></p> <p>A Pre-Season Top 10 team, Dougherty disappointed to start the year going 3-7, but the Trojans have turned it around and earned the two-seed out of Region 1 after falling to undefeated Americus-Sumter 60-55. Jones has paced Dougherty with 20.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 steals per game. Jones is an aggressive and gritty guard that gets after it on both ends. He is a strong driver and keeps pressure on defenders. The Trojans host Burke County in Round 1 and could be a dark horse to reach the Final Four.</p> <p><strong>2020 6-1 G Trae Brown – Americus-Sumter</strong></p> <p>Trae Brown first turned heads during the postseason last year playing Robin to Josh Lusane’s Batman as the Panthers took a brutal route (Upson-Lee, St. Pius X, Sandy Creek) to the state championship where they had their hearts broken by Carver-Columbus. All the attention has been focused on Brown this season and he has carried Americus-Sumter to an incredible 27-0 record. Brown averages 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals. The big guard is a winner and a 40 percent three-point shooter.</p> <p><strong>2020 6-8 W <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/xavier-valley/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/xavier-valley/">Xavier Valley</a></a> – North Clayton</strong></p> <p>It’s now or never for the big wing with High Major offers. The Eagles have the three-seed and head to West Laurens to start their playoff stretch. <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/xavier-valley/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/xavier-valley/">Xavier Valley</a></a> can take over games with his three-point shooting. His foot speed and consistency getting to the basket will need to improve, but Valley is an intriguing prospect loaded with talent. A hot stretch in the postseason could re-heat his recruitment.</p>