A Look Into The Class 7A Final 4: Game 2

The field is set, and we are in for an exciting #Final4 as four powerhouse teams converge in Birmingham, AL. March 3, 2022 @ 1:30pm #10-James Clemens vs. #1-Baker This game will have a lot of athletes on the floor and should be an exciting high, scoring game. Baker has a really young team as they start 4 sophomores and 1 senior. James Clemens has a little more senior experience in their starting rotation, and you can’t help but wonder if experience will play a difference in this game. Both teams like to get out in transition and have players that thrive in the open court. Baker is led by [player_tooltip player_id="1091946" first="LaBaron" last="Philon"], the #1-ranked player in our 2024 rankings, while James Clemens is led by [player_tooltip player_id="725154" first="Jordan" last="Frazier"], the #14-ranked player in our 2022 rankings. This game just might come down to who can get key defensive stops late in the game because I do not see these two offensive-minded teams struggling to score. Keys To Victory: Baker: <ol style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;" type="1"> <li style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; vertical-align: middle; color: #0e101a;" value="1">They will need to be fully locked in on the defensive end of the court and not allow inexperience to cause missed assignments. </li> <li style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; vertical-align: middle; color: #0e101a;">They will need someone other than Labaron to step up and make big shots when the time comes. </li> <li style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; vertical-align: middle; color: #0e101a;">They will need their bench to come in and provide production by making timely buckets. </li> </ol> James Clemens: <ol style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed; margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16.0pt; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal;" type="1"> <li style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; vertical-align: middle; color: #0e101a;" value="1">They will need to force Baker into situations that could reveal their inexperience. </li> <li style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; vertical-align: middle; color: #0e101a;">They will need to slow down [player_tooltip player_id="1091946" first="LaBaron" last="Philon"] by forcing someone else to handle the scoring load. </li> <li style="margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; vertical-align: middle; color: #0e101a;">They will need to limit their turnovers in a game that could be played at a high pace. </li> </ol> Key Players: [player_tooltip player_id="1091946" first="LaBaron" last="Philon"] (6’4/Combo Guard/2024)   School: Baker HS Instagram: b1rron Twitter: N/A The #1-ranked player in our 2024 rankings must do what the #1-ranked player should do, and that is shine bright when the lights come on. With all eyes on him, when this game tips, he will be the focus of the crowds’ expectations and the focus of James Clemen’s defensive strategy. He will have to make sure he does not force the action, but let the game come to him and be the source of production that he has been for Baker all season. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/PH-Josh-Flowers.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1395949 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/PH-Josh-Flowers-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Josh Flowers (6’3/Forward/2024)   School: Baker HS Instagram: _legendary8_ Twitter: @JoshFlowers2024 Josh is one of the many athletes that will be on the floor during this game. He is a two-sport athlete that already holds an offer from the University of Florida for the gridiron. He is a big-time shooter and a versatile defender. He will be vital in matching up against some of James Clemen’s scoring threats. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/PH-Pierce-Roper.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1391017 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/PH-Pierce-Roper-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1386198" first="Pierce" last="Roper"] (5’11/Point Guard/2023)   School: James Clemens HS Instagram: I am.pierce1k_ Twitter: @roper_pierce Pierce is a solid PG that will be called upon to control the game’s pace and value each possession. Limiting their turnovers and giving them more possessions with shot attempts will be in the hands of Pierce. He can score the rock, and that will be needed, but his ability to run the show will be crucial for this game. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/PH-Jordan-Frazier.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1374149 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/PH-Jordan-Frazier-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="725154" first="Jordan" last="Frazier"] (6’5/SG/2022)   School: James Clemens HS Instagram: jordanfrazier__ Twitter: @j_frazier2 Jordan will have to be the scorer that he has been all season for James Clemens. He is one of the most versatile players on the offensive end of the court in this game. If he can use his size and length to create his scoring opportunities, Baker might have their hands full in trying to stop him. One thing is for sure, Jordan’s scoring will be needed. Who do you think will emerge as the 7A State Champion? Cast your vote…   https://poll.fm/11053335