N2Hoops Tournament Standouts

The #N2Hoops Tournament had some high-level talent in the building. Here are some of the standouts that made huge impacts.   [player_tooltip player_id='1386353' first='Kedrick' last='Hubbard'] (6'4/F/'23/Wenonah HS)   Instagram: LiKedrick   This is about my third time this year seeing Kedrick and the Dragons in action. I have talked extensively about their guard play, but Kedrick is going to be a critical piece to the puzzle if the Dragons hope to make a deep playoff run. He is a skilled post player that some consider undersized, but he brings so much to the floor. He is tough off the bounce as his body holds off defenders well, and when he gets closer to the basket, he can finish through contact and find ways to maneuver to play over either shoulder. He is a physical defender that defends in the interior and on the perimeter. He also is a high-volume rebounder that can control the glass. As much scoring power that the Dragons have at the guard spot, Kedrick's play is going the be the x-factor for a deep post-season run. In the OT game against Hazel Green, he finished with 16pts.     [player_tooltip player_id='836590' first='Kiah' last='Key'] (6'2/CG/'23/Hartselle HS)   Instagram: Kiahkey1   Twitter: @Kiahkey1   Kiah is one of the smoothest players I have seen early this year. He is 6'2 but has a lengthy wingspan. He is a highly productive player that can create off the bounce for his teammates and himself. He is a shotmaker who can easily put up a 20pt performance on any given night. He is a good pick-and-roll ball-handler that makes good decisions coming off the ball screen. He has a nice pace to his game and never gets rushed, but he is constantly putting pressure on his defender and keeping the rest of the defense having to give attention to him when the ball is in his hands. Kiah makes everyone around him better, as he is one of the best playmakers I laid eyes on at the tourney. There is a lot to like about his game and if he continues to produce like he has started the season, look for his stock to rise and the calls from the next level to come in more frequently. In the game against Florence, in which he played most of the game in foul trouble, he finished with 18pts.      Braedan Lue (6'7/F/'24/Alexander HS)   Instagram: braedanlue   Twitter: @Braedanlue11   Perhaps the most athletic player in the entire tournament was Braedan. His freakish athleticism had him playing above the rim and looking for bodies. When you mix his explosiveness and his speed, you get a player that is difficult to contain off the bounce and is terrific in transition. Braedan's scoring package was on display as he influenced the game from behind the arc, in the paint, and everywhere in between. He is highly versatile as he can go blow for blow on the low block, put the rock on the floor, and finish off the bounce-thru contact. Truthfully Braedan was getting whatever he wanted on the offensive end of the floor, and he dominated the boards. Honestly, it was Braedan's athleticism that made it very difficult for him to be guarded; Eufaula did not have anyone that could match up with him. He finished with 23pts in the game.   [player_tooltip player_id='1070794' first='Brandon' last='Tinsley'], Jr. (6'5/SF/'23/Huffman HS)   Instagram: D1.bj23   Twitter: @BrandonTinsley   Brandon had an impressive outing against Columbia. It was my first time of the year putting my eyes on Huffman, and Brandon showed a lot of growth since the last time I saw him. His versatility will be needed for the Vikings with everything they lost last year. He will be pivotal with his back-to-the-basket game and his ability to face up and attack his defender off the bounce. What was really impressive was the help that he provided in breaking the press. He can serve as an additional ball-handler and even showed his decision-making skills with the rock in his hands. He shot the ball well from the short corner, showed his range from deep, and will be a needed double-digit scorer throughout the season. He finished the game against Columbia with 18pts.     Khani Chilufya (6'2/SG/'23/Bob Jones HS)   Instagram: 4c.khani   Twitter: @4c.khani   Khani was one of the best when it came to slashing to the cup. He is an athletic off-guard that is a crafty finisher in the paint. He is a gifted scorer from all levels. He shot the ball exceptionally well from beyond the arc and was a threat whenever the ball touched his hands. He is very efficient at the rim and when shooting his floaters. Khani is an integral part of Bob Jones' offensive attack as he is an elite high-volume 3-point shooter. Bob Jones will be able to depend on Khani as one of their top 3 options when it comes to point production. He finished with 13pts (9 from behind the arc) in the match-up against McAdory. I would love to see Khani be a little more intentional in looking for more opportunities to score the rock because he knows how to put the ball in the hoop.     [player_tooltip player_id='1091944' first='Tristan' last='Gilmore'] (6'4/F/'24/McAdory HS)   Instagram: _Tristan32_   Twitter: @Tristangilmor20   On a team loaded with talent and a couple of highly-ranked players in the state, Tristan showed that he is just as impactful. He scored the ball well and had to as the Whitted brothers struggled throughout. Having to step up to be more of the team's primary scoring option was not a problem for Tristan, as he scored it from all levels in a variety of ways. He produces inside and out, makes tough shots, and his game draws fouls. He had to score this game, but he also showed that he makes plays that contribute to winning even if they aren't scoring plays. He has a good IQ and is extremely court savvy and will be needed to provide his all-around game if the Yellow Jackets are going to be a dark horse for a deep playoff run that many believe they can be. He finished the contest against Bob Jones with 17pts.   [player_tooltip player_id='836585' first='Kerrington' last='Kiel'] (6'5/SF/'23/Ramsay HS)   Instagram: kerrington.kiel   Twitter: @kerringtonkiel   I have dropped several articles on Kerrington in the past, but I could not wait to pen this one because if he can consistently play the way he did in the first game against Austin, it will be very difficult to keep his name away from the Mr. Basketball ballot. I have never seen Kerrington look as potent on the offensive end as I did in this game. He has a demeanor that he is taking no prisoners this year, and it will be interesting to see just how good this Ramsay team can be once the football players get off the gridiron. He is a lot more physical and cerebral. His trey ball was as smooth as ever with nice touch. He was explosive off the bounce and had the entire toolbox on display. He stood out with his athleticism, skillset, and offensive prowess. He is my dark horse when it comes to Mr. Basketball, and as I said, if he can keep up the level of play that he came out the gate with, it will be hard to deny him.

The #N2Hoops Tournament had some high-level talent in the building. Here are some of the standouts that made huge impacts.