Class 7A NE Regional Overview

No regional in any classification is slated to be more exciting than the Class 7A Northeast Regional. It is comprised of #4-Vestavia Hills taking on #8-Huntsville (2/16 @ 10:30a) and #6-Spain Park taking on #9-Sparkman (2/16 @ 1:30p). I have covered all four teams throughout the regular season, and this regional is loaded with talent. Let’s take a look at some of the talent that will take the floor:   In the match-up against Vestavia Hills and Huntsville, both teams come into the game with similar mindsets. Both teams like to get out in transition, and both teams have excellent guard play. When you look at what could be the difference-maker for both teams, it is simple: Can Vestavia make life difficult for standout Ja’Mari Arnold, as they will seek to throw numerous players at him and multiple defensive looks. For Huntsville, can they limit Vestavia’s production from behind the arc, and can Caleb Harrison lock down the paint, dominate the low block on the offensive end, and can he control the glass. This is going to be an exciting game. I have grown to like both squads, both coaches are great, and the players are class acts.   Both teams have what it takes to win it all, but I am going with Huntsville in a tight one.   [player_tooltip player_id="971994" first="Win" last="Miller"] (6’3/Wing/2023)   School: Vestavia Hills HS Instagram: N/A Twitter: @N/A   Win is a big-time prospect who has been a name known throughout the basketball community since he was in the 9th grade. He is the #4-ranked player in the class of ’23 and is a consistent source of points for the Rebels. <blockquote> He is patient on the offensive end and has tools to get himself out of any situation that defenses try to use to stymie his production. </blockquote> He will be needed to put points on the board because this game may end up being on the high end as far as the scoreboard.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Reese-Gurner.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1336856 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-Reese-Gurner-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1044917" first="Reese" last="Gurner"] (6’2/Point Guard/2022)   School: Vestavia Hills HS Instagram: reese_gurner Twitter: @GurnerReese   Reese is our #50-ranked player in the 2022 class, and once we put out our final rankings, he may find his way higher up the ladder. I stand by the fact that he may be the most improved player in the state and has had an excellent senior year. His ability to put pressure on defenses with his attack off the bounce will be a factor in this game, and if he can somehow draw a couple of fouls on Caleb, Reese single-handed could cause this game to look a lot different if that happens. <blockquote> Look for Reese to be the playmaker for Vestavia, as Huntsville will have their hands full trying to contain him. </blockquote>   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/PH-JaMari-Arnold.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1355586 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/PH-JaMari-Arnold-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Ja’Mari Arnold (5’10/Combo Guard/2023)   School: Huntsville HS Instagram: manman_._ Twitter: @jamariarnold2   Ja’Mari is the #7 ranked player in the ’23 class and is an absolute offensive juggernaut. He can get it done at all levels, and he will have to somehow produce with so much attention centered on him from Vestavia. This will not be anything new, as teams have tried to contain J with very little success throughout the season. <blockquote> His ability to create off the bounce for others will be needed, which he has shown throughout the year that he can do. </blockquote> We have all heard that great scorers are going to get theirs, and I can’t help but wonder if Vestavia will try to let J get his and contain everyone else, but we will see.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/PH-Caleb-Harrison.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1376267 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/PH-Caleb-Harrison-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>Caleb Harrison (6’8/Power Forward/2024)   School: Huntsville HS Instagram: caleb_harrison23 Twitter: @_Caleb_Harrison   Caleb will be a key player in this contest, as his size can be a problem for Vestavia, who frequently will have five guards on the floor. If Caleb can play in space on the defensive end and not be a liability, he will be able to, in turn, have his way on the offensive end of the floor. <blockquote> With his arsenal on the low block his ability to score over both shoulders and out of the face-up, I believe he will be the x-factor for Hunstville. </blockquote>   The match-up between Sparkman and Spain Park is very contrasting, to say the least. Sparkman definitely has the advantage in perimeter play, while Spain Park has the edge when it comes to post play. This game will be decided by which team will be able to impose their strength during the game. Sparkman has some dominant guards with the ball in their hands, and they have some lethal shooters from the perimeter. Spain Park has solid guard play, but their strength is the big man [player_tooltip player_id="965768" first="Colin" last="Turner"] in the paint. Both teams have been playing good basketball down the stretch. This year, I have covered both teams, and I have ties with both sides, so as hard as this is…   I have to give the edge to Sparkman in this one.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-TG-Colin-Turney.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1334849 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/11/PH-TG-Colin-Turney-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="965768" first="Colin" last="Turner"] (6’9/Post/2022)   School: Spain Park HS Instagram: N/A Twitter: @colin_turner_10   The most dominant player that is remaining in the #Sweet16 is Colin. I have had several conversations with Colin, his parents, and his coaches over the course of the season, and from those conversations, what I am going to look at early in this contest is how the refs will call the game when it comes to Colin. He has a college-ready body and plays extremely physical in the paint. <blockquote> If he is on the court and not in early foul trouble, Spain Park will be able to run their sets and slow the contest down by playing off Colin. </blockquote> Colin’s stock has risen as he is the #20-ranked player and is looking to not only continue rising in the rankings but to capture the state championship.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/PH-Zach-Gray-1.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1311037 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/10/PH-Zach-Gray-1-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="836588" first="Zach" last="Gray"] (6’6/Shooting Guard/2023)   School: Spain Park HS Instagram: Zach.25.Gray Twitter: @ZachGray2225   Zach is a lethal shooter from behind the arc and has been a consistent source of perimeter shooting for Spain Park. He will have to be able to make the trey ball as Sparkman may look to double Colin and force the pass out of the post. <blockquote> If Zach can be more aggressive and give early scoring from behind the arc, it could open up room for Colin to do work in the paint. </blockquote> Zach is the #28 player in our 2023 rankings, and what has got him to that place is what Spain Park needs today against Sparkman.   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/PH-Calen-Lightford.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1369561 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/PH-Calen-Lightford-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="725172" first="Calen" last="Lightford"] (5’11/Point Guard/2022)   School: Sparkman HS Instagram: clightf0rd Twitter: @CalenLightford   The best guard on the court in this contest may hands down be Calen, the #7-ranked player in his class. He is the engine behind the Sparkman team. If Sparkman is going to be victorious against Spain Park today, it starts and ends with Calen. He has to be the floor general, control the pace, provide scoring when the occasion arises, and keep his team in rhythm, things he has consistently done throughout the year. <blockquote> He will be a difficult player to keep under control, as his IQ is beyond his years, and he just has a good feel for the game and is highly cerebral when on the court. </blockquote>   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/PH-Timbre-Kirk.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1356337 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/12/PH-Timbre-Kirk-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="687706" first="Timbre" last="Kirk"] (6’0/Shooting Guard/2022)   School: Sparkman HS Instagram: timbre_5 Twitter: @Timbre_5   Make no mistake about Timbre’s one of the best shooters that will be on the court. I witnessed his 9 made three-point game during the #HuntsvilleClassic, and if he gets going, it will be a long night for Spain Park. <blockquote> With a lot of attention being focused on Calen and Will, Spain Park will have to make sure they account for TK because if they lose him in transition or if they help off him too much, he will burn them. </blockquote>   As mentioned, this is the most exciting regional action to be played, well, at least on paper it is. I expect both of these games to go down to the wire, and just think, the two teams that emerge victorious will have to suit up and do it all over again for a spot into the #Final48.   You have heard from me…now let me know what you think: Who do you think will emerge out of this region? Cast your vote here:   https://poll.fm/11046969