#TerryTalks: All-State First-Team Predictions

We are two weeks into the season, and there is no better time than now to start making some way too early predictions. So let's take a look at my predictions of players that I think should be 1st team All-State.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/PH-RJ-Johnson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/06/PH-RJ-Johnson-C-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1495533" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='833333' first='RJ' last='Johnson'] (6'4/CG/Grissom HS)   Instagram: rjjohnson_11   The Alabama commit has jumped out early in his senior campaign looking to accomplish several team goals while harnessing several individual goals. He has come out of the gate smoking as he already has a 36pt performance in a match-up against Baker HS, who is led by another Mr. Basketball candidate and who also is listed on this all-state first-team predictions. I had a chance to speak to RJ about his early season performance, and he said, "I've been playing pretty good. I am just trying to lead my team and do whatever I can to get us a win." Not a bad start to the season for whom many believe will walk away with the Mr. Basketball award at the end of the year. However, for now, I think RJ's focus is bringing home that 7A State Championship.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"> "I've been playing pretty good. I am just trying to lead my team and do whatever I can to get us a win." <cite>[player_tooltip player_id='833333' first='RJ' last='Johnson']</cite></blockquote>   [player_tooltip player_id='974549' first='John' last='Broom'] (6'5/Forward/'23/Jacksonville HS)   Instagram: j3hnn   At the time of this article, John and his Jacksonville squad find themselves 0-2 starting the season as they adjust to life without [player_tooltip player_id='836599' first='Cade' last='Phillips']. Despite the two early season losses to two outstanding teams, John has started his senior campaign with solid performances, averaging 22pts, 5rebs, and 4assist. John is optimistic that his squad will get on track as far as the winning column as they still eye repeating as Class 4A State Champs. Make no mistake about it, if Jacksonville is going to repeat, John will have to lead his team to the promised land.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"> Make no mistake about it, if Jacksonville is going to repeat, John will have to lead his team to the promised land. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/PH-Win-Miller.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/08/PH-Win-Miller-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1560692" width="256" height="256"/></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='971994' first='Win' last='Miller'] (6'3/Wing/'23/Vestavia Hills HS)   Instagram: winmiller04   Win and his Vestavia crew have started the season 1-1, with the early loss coming against Spain Park on a buzzer-beater. Win poured in 31pts in the win and had 29pts in the loss. He is our #4-ranked player in his class, yet he has his eyes set on showing that he could be the best in his class. We all know he is a volume scorer, but the question that will loom over his head throughout the year is how far he can take his team once the playoffs begin. I spoke with Win and asked him about the start of the season, and his response was, "I am playing good. I just need to shoot the ball better from 3, and once I do that, I will be set. I am feeling really good, and I am excited for the rest of the season."        <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"> "I am playing good. I just need to shoot the ball better from 3, and once I do that, I will be set. I am feeling really good, and I am excited for the rest of the season." <cite>[player_tooltip player_id='971994' first='Win' last='Miller']</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/PH-Labaron-Philon.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/03/PH-Labaron-Philon-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1408557" width="256" height="256"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: [player_tooltip player_id='1091946' first='LaBaron' last='Philon']</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1091946' first='LaBaron' last='Philon'] (6'4/CG/'24/Baker HS)   Instagram: b1rron   The #1-ranked player in the state in his class, and the #36-ranked player in the country in his class according to ESPN, has started the season off on fire averaging 38.3 points/game while shooting 51% from the field according to MaxPreps.com. He definitely has his name in contention as one of the best, if not the best, scorers in the state. All the individual accolades are there, and everywhere he goes this year, his name alone will pack out gyms. As it is for every player in this article, the question is how far he can lead his team in the postseason. It goes without saying that there are a lot of expectations when considered one of the best players in the state.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"> All the individual accolades are there, and everywhere he goes this year, his name alone will pack out gyms. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/PH-Chase-McCarty.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/02/PH-Chase-McCarty-1024x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1393536" width="256" height="256"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: N/A Photo not published anywhere</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1091939' first='Chase' last='McCarty'] (6'6/SG/'24/Westminster Christian Academy)   Instagram: Chase___mccarty   Twitter: @Chasemccarty21   Chase has started the year off doing precisely what is expected of him: scoring the rock. The #2-raked player in our 2024 class is one of the best flat-out scorers in the state, regardless of classification. In their first game, he had 31pts and 11rebs in 15-minutes of action. He dropped 23pts in the second game. Look for Chase to continue his scoring barrage throughout the year because it will be difficult for teams to shut him down. They will just have to limit his production in some way. The question will be, how far can Chase lead Westminister in the playoffs, and will it take him pouring in huge numbers in the scoring column or finding a way to get his teammates involved knowing he will garner so much attention night in and night out. I asked him what does he need to do or continue doing to make sure the team reaches their goals this year, and he replied, "Just keep working and pushing myself and my team to be better."   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"> "Just keep working and pushing myself and my team to be better." <cite>[player_tooltip player_id='1091939' first='Chase' last='McCarty']</cite></blockquote>

We are two weeks into the season, and there is no better time than now to start making some way too early predictions. So let's take a look at my predictions of players that I think should be 1st team All-State.