#ParkCrossingTipOff Standouts
Here are a few standouts from the #ParkCrossingTipOff. Caden Anderson-Teal (6’5/F/’24/Park Crossing) Twitter: @cadenteal One thing that stuck out in my notes about Caden was the energy and effort he brought to the game. He is a player that understands his…
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Continue ReadingHere are a few standouts from the #ParkCrossingTipOff.
Caden Anderson-Teal (6’5/F/’24/Park Crossing)
Twitter: @cadenteal
One thing that stuck out in my notes about Caden was the energy and effort he brought to the game. He is a player that understands his role for Park Crossing and will be heavily depended upon to do his part if the Thunderbirds hope to repeat their trip to the Final Four. His strength is his activity on the boards, but he made an impact on both ends of the floor with his length. Defensively he is a rim-protecting threat. He is not going to just shut down the paint, but his presence and ability to contest shots will cause ballhandlers to think twice before venturing into the paint. Offensively he thrived in the open floor, slashing his way to the cup. He puts a lot of pressure on the rim when he gets going downhill, and his game draws fouls that lead to a lot of trips to the charity strike. If he can average a double-double, he will produce precisely what Park Crossing needs from him this year.
Terry J. DrakeIn the loss to Wenonah, he finished with 13pts.
Terry Coner Jr. (6’0/Point Guard/’23/Pinson Valley)
Instagram: iamt3rryconer_
Twitter: @Terryconerjr1
TC is the #14-ranked player in the state and lived up to everything I expected of him prior to this Tip-off Classic. There is one thing that I noticed that he is doing that played a huge role for the Indians, and that is his activity on the offensive glass. He had several tip-ins as he worked his way into the paint, taking advantage of both teams they faced, lack of blocking out. The smooth operator made it look effortless and left the impression that he could have got whatever he wanted at any time throughout the weekend. He is a gifted passer who can put pressure on the rim, creating open shooters around the arc because of the defense having to give attention to stopping him off the bounce. Along with his gifted passing, he has elite vision, and while his name may not be called as much as some of the other guys on the team, make no mistake, Pinson runs everything thru the hands of the Wizard, TC’s nickname.
Terry J. DrakeIn the win against Wenonah, he finished with 20pts, 6rebs, and 5assist. In the win against Charles Henderson, he finished with 21pts.
Milton Jones (6’4/SG/2026/Wenonah HS)
Instagram: chosen1_glizzzy
Like several of the players in this article, I have put ink on Milton before, and since the last time I have seen him, his game has developed. He has stretched out some and has good positional size for a freshman. He is starting for a team that is expected to make a deep run in the playoffs, and he is going to be a key component. What impressed me the most about his play was his efficiency. He did not take many shots, but the shots he did take, he shot at a high percentage. He is a multi-level scorer whose shots are difficult to contest because of his length. He can get his own shot off the dribble and has a nice mid-range game using his size to create space for his shot. He has this one-leg jumper with a tad bit of a fade that is so difficult to challenge, and it is a go-to move for him that can get a bucket for the Dragons at any time. I expect him to settle in and increase his production as the third scoring option, and he is more than capable of doing that.
Terry J. DrakeIn the win against Park Crossing, he finished with 8pts. In the loss to Pinson Valley, he finished with 20pts.
Demarcus Johnson (6’5/F/2024/Wenonah HS)
Instagram: Slide8__
Twitter: @Demarcus5307603
Demarcus is an athletic player that can really help the Dragons this year. He is not a player that is going to get a lot of plays drawn up for him, as he is surrounded by three very good scoring options. However, he brings elements to the court that every team need, and if Demarcus can embrace his role, he will make Wenonah a tough squad to deal with. He is highly active on the glass and should look to make his presence felt every game with double-digit boards. He has long strides, runs the floor well, and can get a lot of transition buckets if he commits to running the floor hard every possession. He is not necessarily a shot blocker, but if he can contest and alter shots, he can help with the interior defense for the Dragons. He seemed uncomfortable at times, but I will chalk that up as the beginning of the season jitters. If he can settle down and embrace his role, as mentioned, he will be a crucial piece of the Dragons’ success.
Terry J. DrakeHe is highly active on the glass and should look to make his presence felt every game with double-digit boards.
Austin Coner Austin Coner 6'1" | CG Pinson Valley | 2025 State AL (6’0/PG/2025/Pinson Valley HS)
Instagram: acwoo2
Twitter: @woo2shiesty3
Austin is the younger brother of Terry Coner, who I wrote about earlier in this article, and he surprised a lot of people with his play in both games. He is remarkably poised for a sophomore who got heavy minutes. He was never rattled, no matter how hard his defender tried pressing up into him. He did not force action but played within himself and was a stabilizing piece for the Indians. He shot the ball well when opportunities presented themselves, but what stood out the most was his posture and dependability in orchestrating the offense. I know what I am about to say may be hard to believe, but Austin may be at the top of the list of the stable of guards that Pinson has when it comes to IQ. I know some might say I am crazy, especially when it comes to the IQ of his older brother. I understand that TC has a brilliant basketball mind, but Austin has an excellent feel for the game and made big-time plays, as well as the simple plays that are often overlooked, that kept Pinson rolling in what Coach Barber wanted for his squad.
Terry J. DrakeIn the win against Wenonah, he finished with 10pts and 5steals. In the win against Charles Henderson, he finished with 10pts.