2024 Rankings: 2nd Half of Season Players To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Many players have moved up the rankings, and some have found themselves in the rankings for the first time. The activity in the rankings has all been due to the play during the 1st half of the season. Here are a few players that will be key going down the stretch…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1574462' first='Kohl' last='Key']</strong>&nbsp;(5'11/SG/2024/Hartselle HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Kohl_key14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Kohl.key14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Kohl has had an excellent month of December and like most of the players in this article, had we released the rankings after the holiday tournaments, he would have definitely been ranked higher. In the tourney that I watched him play, he was a key piece to his team's success. He shot the ball well from deep, got in the lane off of dribble penetration often, and created his own scoring opportunities and scoring opportunities for others. With his scoring ability, he is a perfect complement to his brother [player_tooltip player_id='836590' first='Kiah' last='Key']. One noticeable thing about Kohl's game is that when his squad needed scoring, and the defense was focused on shutting down Kiah, Kohl knocked down some critical shots in big moments. I like his propensity for scoring the rock, which will be needed the second half of the season.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary","fontSize":"medium"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With his scoring ability, he is a perfect complement to his brother [player_tooltip player_id='836590' first='Kiah' last='Key'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1284049,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/09/PH-Robert-Flynn.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/09/PH-Robert-Flynn.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1284049" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1335151' first='Robert' last='Flynn']</strong>&nbsp;(6'2/SG/The Altamont School)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: robert_flynn1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='1335151' first='Robert' last='Flynn'] has been putting in some solid performances with consistent scoring production. He has shot the ball well from deep and has been a reliable ball-handler when needed. He has the ability to play on and off the ball and provides production in both areas. He plays with a nice pace and rarely gets sped up. The strength of his game is his IQ, and he is a heady player that consistently makes winning plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary","fontSize":"medium"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He has shot the ball well from deep and has been a reliable ball-handler when needed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1724799,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Jeremiah-Gary-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Jeremiah-Gary-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1724799" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1617584' first='Jeremiah' last='Gary']</strong> (6'3/CG/Homewood HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: jeremiah.8795</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @jeremiahgary24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jeremiah has had some really good games then he has had some games that leave you wondering what is going on. Coming off the bench, he gets shots, touches, and opportunities. What more can you ask for from a player, but with that type of freedom, there comes a responsibility to make good decisions which is the area that Jeremiah has struggled. When he has it going, he can score at all levels and can be very efficient and productive from beyond the arc. He has to continue to get stronger and faster and needs to show greater consistency in the second half of the season.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary","fontSize":"medium"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off the bench, he gets shots, touches, and opportunities. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1715065,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Ian-Johnigan-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Ian-Johnigan-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1715065" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1103013' first='Ian' last='Johnigan']</strong>&nbsp;(6'2/SG/'24/Helena HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: ian.johnigan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @IanJohnigan2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ian continues to be one of the best shooters from beyond the arc in his class and continued to show that throughout the holiday tourneys. Truthfully Ian hasn't shown more than being a dependable 3-point threat, but he has been very productive from beyond the arc the first half of the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1338594,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/PH-Jackson-Weaver.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/PH-Jackson-Weaver.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1338594" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1392686' first='Jackson' last='Weaver']</strong> (6'2/PG/Vestavia Hills HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: jacksonweaver8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Jacksonrweaver3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">If the rankings were coming out today, Jackson would probably make the biggest jump of anyone currently on the list outside of his teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1392690' first='Jordan' last='Ross']. He is listed as a PG but is a swiss army knife caliber guard that does a little bit of everything for his squad. I have seen him play several times during the first half of the season, and his impact on games on both ends of the court has been unparalleled for a role player. He defends, hits the glass, scores the rock, creates off the bounce, scores off the bounce, and knocks down the trey ball. He is an excellent fit for the Rebels as he understands his role and does the right things that keep him on the court. As I said, if the rankings were to come out after what I witnessed after the holiday tourneys, he would be very high on the list.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary","fontSize":"medium"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is listed as a PG but is a swiss army knife caliber guard that does a little bit of everything for his squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1338593,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/PH-Jordan-Ross.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/PH-Jordan-Ross.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1338593" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1392690' first='Jordan' last='Ross']</strong>&nbsp;(6'5/F/Vestavia Hills)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Childsplay_205</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Childsplay_205</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jordan, like his teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1392686' first='Jackson' last='Weaver'] who I wrote about above, has been two of the hottest players in the state over the past couple of weeks. Jordan has cemented himself as one of the state's most athletic and explosive players. There have been games that I saw this past week that would make me say he is the MVP of the tourney, even though his teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='971994' first='Win' last='Miller'], was the best player on the floor. Jordan is physically imposing as he has a tremendous physical profile. He plays with a high motor, likes to run the floor, and finishes above the rim in transition. His offensive game on the low block continues to grow, but with the Rebels' style of play, he doesn't have to rely on that type of play. He is often the recipient of drop-off passes in which he takes and finishes well at the cup. He plays to his strengths and does not get out of character. Watch out if he has an off-season where he improves his perimeter play, as he may have a breakout senior year as a highly versatile prospect. In the next rankings, he will definitely be on the move.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary","fontSize":"medium"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jordan has cemented himself as one of the state's most athletic and explosive players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote -->