#HuntsvilleCityClassic Preview: Backcourt Players To Watch
In this article:
The 40th Annual Huntsville City Classic tips off on December 27 at 9am at Huntsville High School. When you look down the rosters of the participating teams, you will notice the plethora of guards that will be taking the floor,…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe 40th Annual Huntsville City Classic tips off on December 27 at 9am at Huntsville High School. When you look down the rosters of the participating teams, you will notice the plethora of guards that will be taking the floor, and here are a few of them…
Simon Walker Simon Walker 6'5" | CG Huntsville | 2025 State #271 Nation AL (6’5/Wing/’25/Huntsville HS)
Instagram: simonwwalker
Twitter: @Simonwwalker25
Simon is one of the top shooters from 3 that you will see throughout the entire tourney. Along with Ty Davis Ty Davis 6'5" | SG Mountain Brook | 2024 State #191 Nation AL (Mountain Brook), they are amongst the top 5 in the state. Simon has been garnering a lot of attention from collegiate coaches as he is a big body guard with range. He still has to get better on the defensive end of the floor, but his offensive game is what had many crowning Huntsville as champs prior to the season. With his addition to the program this year, Simon’s production from beyond the arc was believed to be a factor in opening up the floor for backcourt standout Ja’Mari Arnold, making Huntsville a difficult team to defend. Look for Simon to have a huge tournament because he has proven that he is at his best when the lights are the brightest.
Terry J. DrakeSimon is one of the top shooters from 3 that you will see throughout the entire tourney.
Jeremiah Wilson Jeremiah Wilson 6'3" | PG Buckhorn HS | 2025 State #270 Nation AL (6’3/PG/2025/Buckhorn HS)
Instagram: jwilso567
Twitter: @Bucketboi_j
When it comes to Buckhorn basketball, everyone knows about Caleb Holt. However, those in the Huntsville area know that there is another emerging prospect that shares the floor with Caleb, and that is Jeremiah. If you do not know about Jeremiah, and you will be at the classic, you are about to be in for a treat from this ’25 PG that can score the rock and facilitate. He is a monster off the bounce as he can pull up for the trey, get to the paint and finish or dish, and even get to his middle game. His change of pace game is impeccable, and I would venture to say that his stock shall rise throughout this classic.
Terry J. DrakeThere is one thing I want to see from his game: a greater commitment on the defensive end of the floor.
Jalen Bright Jalen Bright 6'3" | SG Hazel Green | 2024 State AL (6’3/CG/’24/Hazel Green HS)
Instagram: 859.jalen
Twitter: @Jalen3x2
Jalen is a guard that will be a bright spot for all the defensive-minded players out there. He is one of the best on-ball defenders in the classic and the caliber defender who can defend the opponent’s best player. Now, as I say that, I stare at the draw that Hazel Green has on day one, and he has the task of slowing down the #1 scorer in the nation, Alec Elkins Alec Elkins 5'9" | SG Lucy Beckham | 2024 #46 Nation SC (Baker). We will see what Jalen does with his opportunity to slow down the nation’s most potent scorer. Jalen is an athletic guard that is also a threat on the offensive end of the floor. If he gets matched up with LaBaron having to defend him, he can put pressure on him to have to exert a little more energy on the defensive end in trying to keep Jalen out of the paint. Looking forward to this match-up; hopefully, they will be matched up with one another on both ends.
Terry J. DrakeJalen is a guard that will be a bright spot for all the defensive-minded players out there.
Bryant James Bryant James 6'0" | CG Haleyville | 2025 State AL 6’0/Combo Guard/’25/Haleyville HS)
IG: bryantj_13
Twitter: @bryant_james10
The recent 1K point scorer is one of the brightest and youngest players that will be gracing the floor during the classic. He has been on a tear lately and has been putting up some crazy numbers, with production coming from all over the floor. One of the things I love about Bryant is his scoring efficiency; he does more with less and scores the rock without being a high-volume shot-taker while still getting his teammates involved. If you want to see a young player with a great understanding and feel for the game and who plays the game the right way, come out and see Bryant as he leads this Haleyville squad with his older brother Drake James Drake James 6'0" | PG Haleyville | 2023 State AL .
Terry J. DrakeThe recent 1K point scorer is one of the brightest and youngest players that will be gracing the floor during the classic.
Jacob Eddy (5’7/PG/’25/Columbia HS) 5
Jacob is a small lead guard that is excellent in transition. If he has the freedom to push the pace in their game, you are going to see one of the most electrifying prospects in the open court. Columbia has a tendency to slow the pace, but even then, he can orchestrate the offense. He is one of the young ‘fellas’ that is part of the ’25 class that will be on display at the classic. Jacob has crafty handles and does a good job of blowing by his man, getting into the lane, and often dropping it off for an assist. However, as I alluded to earlier, he is at his best in an up-tempo game when he can really push the pace of play.
Terry J. DrakeJacob is a small lead guard that is excellent in transition.
Khani Chilufya Khani Chilufya 6'2" | SG Bob Jones | 2023 State AL (6’2/SG/’23/Bob Jones HS)
Instagram: 4c.khani
Twitter: @4c.khani
Make no mistake about it Khani is a scorer that can get it done at multiple levels. Defenders really have to pick their poison when it comes to KC because if they sag off of him, he will drain the trey ball, and if you play him tight, he will get by you with his quick first step. He is one of the best slashers that finishes with craftiness in the paint and at the rim. He is definitely one of Bob Jones’ primary scoring options and will be one of the many guards in the classic that you should keep an eye on.
Terry J. DrakeMake no mistake about it Khani is a scorer that can get it done at multiple levels.
Will Hawkins Will Hawkins 6'3" | CG Sparkman | 2023 State AL (6’3/CG/’23/Sparkman HS)
Instagram: _williamhawkins_
Twitter: @_williamhawkins
Will is an absolutely efficient 3-level scorer who, if fully healthy, puts Sparkman in a position to compete once again for the crown of the classic. He has good court vision, moves the ball well, and does an excellent job of attacking the basket and using his length and athleticism to score in the lane. I believe this Sparkman team has the pieces to compete and win some games in this classic. They still have not put it all together, but hopefully, if Will is healthy and Chase Bell and Karmelo Montgomery Karmelo Montgomery 6'4" | PF Sparkman | 2023 State AL are playing to the level they can, they could be a team no one wants to be matched up against. I will say this regarding Will, it is time that he takes another step when it comes to scoring the rock, and he needs to bring it and be consistent with it for the remainder of the season.