#HuntsvilleCityClassic Preview: Frontcourt Players To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">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. There are very few, and I do mean few, frontcourt players that pop out on the rosters, and here are a few of them…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/HSVCityClassic/status/1600882983220584448","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/HSVCityClassic/status/1600882983220584448 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1361030,"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/2/2022/01/PH-Julius-Clark.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/PH-Julius-Clark.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1361030" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='836584' first='Julius' last='Clark']&nbsp;</strong>(6'6/Small Forward/'23/Mountain Brook HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: 99_north</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Julius17wolf</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Julius has been a reliable source of production for the Spartans. He has matured within the Mountain Brook system and is a great fit at his spot for what the system demands. He is a multi-combo forward that is very talented and will be a player to keep your eyes on. He has a knack for scoring from mid-range, and you can pretty much say it is automatic when he is in the paint and around the rim. He can defend the post and out in space and puts in a lot of effort on the defensive end. His skill set has been questioned over the years, but he has worked to improve fundamentally; but make no mistake, he has big-time ability, and I believe he is coming on strong and will have a highly impactful second half of the season.</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>Julius has been a reliable source of production for the Spartans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1376267,"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/2/2022/01/PH-Caleb-Harrison.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/01/PH-Caleb-Harrison.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1376267" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='1392153' first='Caleb' last='Harrison']</strong>&nbsp;(6'9/PF/'24/Huntsville HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: caleb_harrison23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @_Caleb_Harrison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Caleb is probably the most legitimate frontcourt player that will be gracing the #HuntsvilleCityClassic. I am interested to see if he is actually 6'10 now because he has literally been trying to convince me of this extra inch since the summer, so I know the trip up to Huntsville will help us end this dispute. There is one thing I want Caleb to know, I am not coming up there to watch him lay the ball up when he should be bringing the rim down. On a more serious note, I believe that many are going to see just how impactful Caleb is on the low block. I think he will be able to get whatever he wants in the paint. Despite a challenging first half of the season for the team, he is a big reason why Huntsville is still a favorite for some to win state. Watch for his dominance on the boards and his shot-blocking presence on defense. Caleb knows he has to play well if Huntsville is going to move in the right direction in the bracket.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Pro1Basketball/status/1601638549563973632","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Pro1Basketball/status/1601638549563973632 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1673204,"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/2/2022/11/PH-Karmelo-Montgomery-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/11/PH-Karmelo-Montgomery-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1673204" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1386132' first='Karmelo' last='Montgomery'] </strong>(6'5/G|F/'23/Sparkman HS)<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: realkmont</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @realkmont11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I witnessed the explosiveness of Karmelo during the Thanksgiving Holidays, and he is a player that can go for huge numbers at any moment. He is a combo forward with length, athleticism, and versatility and can do a bit of everything on the court while impacting both ends of the floor. The question will be, what version of Karmelo will we see at the classic as if we see the Mr. Do-It-All version be ready to be entertained by a player that can be put in the conversation with the best iso scorers in the classic. </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>When it comes to Karmelo, we will just have to wait and see what he brings, and hopefully, he brings his A-game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385927' first='Caden' last='Johnson'] </strong>(6'5/Forward/'23/Jacksonville HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @CadenTJohnson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I have not had a chance to put eyes on Caden this season, so I am looking forward to seeing this Jacksonville team and how they are playing without [player_tooltip player_id='836599' first='Cade' last='Phillips']. Caden recently surpassed the 1,000pt mark and has been playing solid. He is one of the most versatile and athletic frontcourt players in the classic, and he can change the course of any game with his play on both ends of the floor. I am looking forward to seeing how much he has developed with being able to step out and play inside and out. His size, length, and agility can be a match-up nightmare which can be a substantial advantage for Jacksonville throughout the classic. I am firmly aware of the Jacksonville crew's closeness, even with the departed [player_tooltip player_id='836599' first='Cade' last='Phillips']. Still, I believe that Jacksonville has had enough of their current year identity compared to life with and without Cade, so look for them to use the classic to solidify their play with who they have stepping onto the floor this year and not last year.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JvilleHoops/status/1605381815614820353","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JvilleHoops/status/1605381815614820353 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1713048,"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-Julius-Winston-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Julius-Winston-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1713048" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Julius Winston</strong>&nbsp;(6'7/PF|C/'24/Bob Jones HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Julius is not a secret around the Huntsville area, but in other parts of the state, he may be unknown; however, he is a lengthy forward that causes problems on both ends of the floor. He is capable of being a force during the classic that teams without a paint presence will struggle with. He is highly active on the glass and gets a lot of points on tip-ins and put-backs off the offensive boards. His athleticism will be seen as he gets out in transition and finishes above the rim. He has good footwork on the low block and can score in the paint and around the rim with touch. If teams do not have anyone that matches his activity and energy, he can make it a long night for opposing teams. Hopefully, he will be a little more aggressive in looking for his scoring opportunities during the classic.&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 capable of being a force during the classic that teams without a paint presence will struggle with. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote -->