2025 Prospects On Display At The #HuntsvilleCityClassic

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The 40th annual #HuntsvilleCityClassic had some outstanding talent on display in the 2025 class, and here are a few…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1720102,"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-Derrick-Florence-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Derrick-Florence-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1720102" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Derrick Florence&nbsp;</strong>(6'3/C/'25/Baker HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: lbr.bam1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @anonymousB211</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Derrick is perhaps the best rebounder I have seen the entire year. It might be safe to say that he is definitely the best rebounder in the '25 class, and it may be safe to say that he is at the top when it comes to all classifications. Derrick has embraced his role on a team with the best scorer in the nation. As a result of playing with a caliber talent as [player_tooltip player_id='1091946' first='LaBaron' last='Philon'], who demands all 10 eyes of the defense on him at all times, it often frees up Derrick for easy opportunities on the boards. Then there are times when he just outworks opponents for position and uses his athleticism in tracing down the ball off the glass. His production on the glass is the one thing that stands out right now for Derrick and is what the Baker squad relies on from Derrick.</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>Derrick is perhaps the best rebounder I have seen the entire year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1720103,"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-Jayden-Lewis-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Jayden-Lewis-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1720103" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jayden Lewis</strong>&nbsp;(6'4/SF/'25/Oxford HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: selfmade_.jay12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I know I just talked about Derrick Florence possibly being the best rebounder in the '25 class, but Jayden Lewis might yell at me and say stop the presses. Jayden is a stout forward that was an absolute beast in the paint throughout the classic. He plays a physical brand of basketball, initiates contact, finishes strong around the rim, clogs up the middle, and makes life hard for opposing teams' post players on both ends. In the match-up against Lee-Huntsville on day one, they had absolutely no answer for Jayden. He was a monster on the boards as he finished w/16pts and 14-rebounds. He does all the dirty work for his crew, as he is always in proximity of the ball when it is in the paint. </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>His presence is strongly felt on both ends, as he was one of the best when it came to paint production throughout the classic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1720104,"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-Tj-Pruitt-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Tj-Pruitt-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1720104" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Tj Pruitt&nbsp;</strong>(6'4/PF/'25/Hazel Green HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: tjp2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @tjpruitt23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach Crutcher has been singing the praises of his young players for some time now, and I finally got a chance to lock in on TJ, and I am in total agreement with Coach regarding TJ's potential. He is listed as a PF but showed he can play the 2-5 at the high school level. He can put the rock on the floor, attack the cup with force, knock down the trey ball, and has the body ready for varsity basketball. If he can shoot it better from deep, which I believe he will be able to improve during the off-season, watch out. He still has to get more bounce off the floor, but if that does not happen, he showed a knack for getting to the cup and getting fouled. I like what I saw in TJ's game, and I truly believe he is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential. Coach Crutcher might have a high-level prospect coming up the ranks.&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 PF but showed he can play the 2-5 at the high school level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1720106,"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-Jaylen-Blackwell-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Jaylen-Blackwell-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1720106" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1398803' first='Jaylen' last='Blackwell']&nbsp;</strong>(6'4/G|F/'25/Madison Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Jaylen_blackwell_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Jaylenblackwe15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jaylen is a skilled and lengthy guard who can fill the stat sheet. He shoots the ball well, likes to create off the bounce, has creative passing talent and good court vision, and really is a player that makes winning plays. He is a young, fresh, exciting, and talented prospect who has not gotten much recognition as some of the more highly discussed players in the '25 class, but he definitely deserves some spotlight. He is a playmaking guard who can initiate the offense and get his own within the system's flow. He has good positional size and an excellent feel for the game. He is a threat with the ball in his hands because everything he does creates opportunities for his squad. This will not be the last time you will hear his name.&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>Jaylen is a skilled and lengthy guard who can fill the stat sheet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1720107,"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-Kahleel-Green-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Kahleel-Green-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1720107" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Kahleel Green </strong>(6'3/CG/'25/Sparkman HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: kahleel2green</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @green_kahleel</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">When I thought I had exhausted all I could when it came to the Sparkman team, Kahleel showed me another reason why I feel like this Sparkman team is underachieving. They have so many pieces, and if they ever were able to bring it all together, they could be a competitive force night in and night out. At the time of this article's release, they are prepping to play in the championship game of the classic against Baker HS. One of the reasons they have made it this far is the play of KG. He is a solid guard who likes to get to the cup and fights through contact when he gets there, showing his strong finishing ability. He brings a lot of energy to the guard position and is what the Sparkman squad needs from a young budding player like Kahleel, as he is surrounded by a senior crew with talent. He is a player at this stage of his game, who won't lose it for you, and you can trust him on both ends of the floor. He shows glimpses of what he is capable of, and his game will emerge more next year, but for now, he is playing the role his team needs.&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>One of the reasons they have made it this far is the play of KG.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1493997,"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/2/2022/06/PH-Simon-Walker-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/PH-Simon-Walker-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1493997" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1398759' first='Simon' last='Walker']</strong>&nbsp;(6'5/Wing/'25/Huntsville HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: simonwwalker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Simonwwalker25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Simon has had an ok classic performance. Not much has stood out about his play, but he has been solid. He has done enough to stay on the floor and be a presence on both ends of the floor. The time has come for Simon to do more of what he did during one play against Baker: catch behind the arc, make a move, make two hard dribbles to the midrange, then elevate and pop. Simon is known as one of the top three-point shooters not only in the '25 class but in all classifications. He moves well without the ball, and some of that may be contributed to the flow of Huntsville's offense, but the action is a benefit for Simon's game. Needless to say, it is time for Simon to begin to take steps to the next level of his maturation. He is definitely an asset for the Panthers and will be vital to their success going forward, but regarding his trajectory to the next level, it is time to see a potential power 5 kid make some jumps in his game.&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>Simon is known as one of the top three-point shooters not only in the '25 class but in all classifications. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote -->