Prep Hoops All- State 3rd Team

The last edition of the Prep Hoops All-State rounds out the top 15 players I’ve observed over this beautiful year of hoops. Though listed on the 3rd team, this team wants smoke with any of the previous selections. With significant talent, tenacity, and impact on their respective teams, here is the Prep Hoops All-Sate 3rd Team. [player_tooltip player_id="725171" first="Jacari" last="Lane"] 6’0 PG Lee High School 2022 Lane is one of the most tenacious two-way guards in the state. Game in and game out, he carried the load offensively while also being the catalyst on defense to help propel the Lee High Generals to the postseason. Offensively Lane ran the offense as a calming presence for the Generals. As an ultra-effective point guard, he knows how to distribute the ball, push the pace in transition, and use his paint touches to create open shots on the perimeter. Though he has solid vision as a passer, his vision as a slasher and dribble-drive specialist is elite. His running back-like vision to spot out seams and creases in the defense make him an elite guard and scorer in the paint. He’s elusive with his handles and can finish with acrobatic layups, teardrops, floaters, and push through contact. Defensively he embraces the challenge of guarding the best perimeter scorer and setting the tone for his team. He constantly moves his feet, is active with his hands, and reads passing lanes well enough to cause significant issues for offenses. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1FeRCiizUY [player_tooltip player_id="725172" first="Calen" last="Lightford"] 6’0 PG/SG Sprakman 2022 Lightford was one of the best guards in the state throughout the year. Though I feel his numbers may have suffered due to the emergence of other players on the team, he willingly sacrificed and proved to be a leader by action and attitude. Offensively Lightford excels as a score-first point guard who can serve as a primary scorer and secondary playmaker for others. His quick release and smooth mechanics make him an elite threat from deep off the catch. He also can shoot with a significant range off the dribble. In addition to that, he possesses nice touch on his mid-range jumper that makes him effective from that area. As one of the better shooters in the state, Lightford can also get buckets in other ways. He’s crafty, has a quick first step, and uses his high IQ to set up defenders for counters and misdirection. I also like his ability to get off the ball and play off of other ball-dominant guards as a shooter and scorer. He has a receiver-like ability to find soft spots in the defense, present himself as a target, and take advantage of the weakness shown. https://twitter.com/CalenLightford/status/1492515324226416647?s=20&t=B3v7UntHAGRDw10M5W0-Jw [player_tooltip player_id="971994" first="Win" last="Miller"] 6’3 SF/ SG Vestivia Hills 2023 Miller is arguably the best shooter in the state and can create shots as an elite scorer from the wing. His arsenal of stepbacks, side steps, and hesitations make him a prolific threat from the perimeter and force the defense to stretch beyond their comfort zone. He commands respect as soon as he crosses half-court with an elite pull-up jumper that he can get too off the bounce or out of the triple threat. However, if played too close, Miller can slither his way to the basket and find creative ways to finish with inside hand layups, high glass finishes, and acrobatic layups to keep his shot alive. When creating the dribble, he works as a counter puncher and allows the defense to make a mistake, capitalize on it, and score. He also does an excellent job of remaining in control despite high-pressure defense and getting the shot he wants. Also, off the ball, he’s an assassin who can be deadly if given space off the catch. He has a solid grasp of moving to space in the half-court, using the chaos of transition to get open looks from deep in transition as a trailer or wing and can use screens to eliminate defenders. https://twitter.com/Pro1Basketball/status/1483839384420028432?s=20&t=7Z80CS7aZzjYdt87EN0baw [player_tooltip player_id="725183" first="Martavious" last="Russell"] 6’4 SF/ SG Sipsey Valley 2022 Russell might’ve been the most exciting player to watch in the state throughout the season. With his elite slashing, he was giving out posters like a Slam magazine. Easily pound for pound, the most explosive athlete I’ve covered this year. Russell has measurements similar to Zach Lavine when he was in high school. His quick twitch, explosiveness, speed, and tenacity made him a terror for most high schools. Russell can operate as both a one-foot and two-foot jumper making his attack at the rim versatile and efficient. He has the strength to finish through contact and a first step to blow past defenders and have significant steam when going to the basket. His prowess for offensive rebounding is uncanny and unique. He used those putback slams to not only create second chances but energize his teammates, demoralize the other team, and send a message who’s the big dog on the court. As a defender he has all the tools to be a lock-down defender and impact the game as a tenacious defender when locked in. As he heads to Mississippi State in the fall I fully expect him to represent the state well and continue his progression as a player. https://twitter.com/MartaviousRuss3/status/1468291015928954887?s=20&t=mpHO1lfBTYDFqWJm9c1yPg [player_tooltip player_id="1378876" first="Jaylen" last="Curry"] 6’5 PF/C Hazel Green 2022 Curry’s diverse scoring skill set made him one of the more underrated scorers in the state. Though slightly undersized in height, Curry’s solid frame and strength allowed him to operate and be a legit inside presence when working in the post. He also possesses solid footwork and can create offense with his back to the basket at a very high level. However, he was a match-up nightmare for opponents whenever he faced up because he was too quick for bigs and too strong for guards. He continuously dominated the mid-post and mid-range area with a silky smooth jumper and sufficient handle to create space for his attack. He caught a lot of guards slipping this year with his deceivingly quick first step and crossover, which is impressive for someone of his size. I feel Curry can be the No.1 option on a team that makes a legit run in the state playoffs. And with his history of performing against elite competition, it’ll be fun to see how far he can lead the Trojans in this year’s playoffs. https://twitter.com/HGHSBoysBBall/status/1476731325948342286?s=20&t=B3v7UntHAGRDw10M5W0-Jw