Newcomers To The 2023 Rankings
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The updated 2023 rankings are out. Let’s take a look at some of the newcomers. Jordyn Durley (6’3/CG/Florence HS) Instagram: jordynturnerdurley Twitter: @jordyndurley There has been some crazy point production during the season’s first month. We have seen 30, 40,…
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Continue ReadingThe updated 2023 rankings are out. Let’s take a look at some of the newcomers.
Jordyn Durley (6’3/CG/Florence HS)
Instagram: jordynturnerdurley
Twitter: @jordyndurley
There has been some crazy point production during the season’s first month. We have seen 30, 40, and 50 pieces poured in during this early part of the season. However, I was very impressed with Jordyn during my first time laying eyes on him. Let me just get this out and say that it looks like he doesn’t leave it all out on the court in every game. Why do I say that? It is simple, Jordyn can flat-out play. If he wanted to, he could easily put up the 30, 40, and 50 pieces, but he takes a back seat at times instead of being the player he has the potential to be. I know that he has the ball in his hands the majority of the time and is relied on to be the lead guard that gets his squad in what the coach desires, but I really did not see anybody that could deal with him in one on one situations. He is a big-time creator off the bounce, shifty with his handles, a creative passer with vision, and can even post smaller guards. There is so much to like about his game, but he left me wanting more because he has that type of potential. He has been shown a lot of interest, but no one has pulled the trigger, but I expect that to change soon. He finds his way into the rankings at the #36 spot.
Cade Morris Cade Morris 6'2" | SG Bayside | 2023 State AL (6’1/SG/Bayside Academy)
Instagram: judgekincade
Twitter: @CadeMorris_4
Cade is a stout guard who has been putting up some decent numbers throughout the season’s first month. He finds himself breaking into the rankings at the #59 spot. His c&s opportunities are almost automatic if he can get his feet set. He shoots the ball well from deep, and he gets to the cup using his physical strength to play through any bumps along the way and any opposition at the cup. He is a heady player with a natural scoring instinct and is a difference-maker every time he steps on the court. He has to be mentioned in opponents’ defensive game plan as a priority if there is any hope of slowing him down because completely stopping him is a stretch. The question will be how far can Cade lead Bayside in the postseason. Stick around, and let’s find out.
Carson Cole Carson Cole 6'0" | PG Homewood HS | 2023 State AL (6’0/PG/’23/Homewood HS)
Instagram: carsonmcole
Twitter: @carsonmcole
Carson comes in at #46 and is one of the most solid PGs I have seen this season. He is a PG that I would give the keys to the squad and have complete confidence that he can get us to where we desire to go. I thoroughly loved his game and watching him play as he plays the lead guard spot with a great feel and understanding of how to play the position. Carson is the type of player that can scale his offensive role up or down depending on what the team needs. He makes Homewood a team with a chance every night they step onto the floor. When looking at the next level, he is a two-way player with the game that can land him somewhere. He did not mention any offers in the profile form, but if he can get into the view of the right coach, I know his game transcends to the next level and will bring value somewhere.
Sam Wright Sam Wright 6'10" | PF Spain Park HS | 2023 State AL (6’10/F/Spain Park HS)
Instagram: s_wright_41
Twitter: @samwright_41
Sam makes his debut in the Prep Hoops rankings at #40. He is a big that can stretch the floor with his ability to knock down the trey ball. He doesn’t mind mixing it up in the paint and on the boards as he is often a mismatch problem for many opposing teams as he stands 6’10. He has a soft touch from deep, and when he is in the paint and around the goal. The first month of the season has wrapped up, and Sam has shown that he will be an integral piece of the puzzle if Spain Park hopes to accomplish their season goals. He has been excellent on both ends of the floor and has been a significant factor scoring the rock, rebounding at a high rate, and defending. Sam has a sneaky ability to guard on the perimeter, as he showed me early on that he can sit down and move his feet. He did not mention any interest or offers that have come his way, but I wouldn’t expect that trend to continue if he continues the level of play he has shown early on.
Joey Robertson Joey Robertson 6'6" | SF Orange Beach | 2023 State AL (6’6/Wing/Orange Beach High School)
Instagram: joeyrobertson34
Twitter: @JoeyRobertson31
Joey finds his way into the rankings at the #37 spot. Some closer to the Orange Beach program might say that #37 is low for the caliber player that Joey is. Joey is a prolific scorer that has good positional size. He is an inside/out threat that can really score off the bounce while utilizing his length in the paint. He has a lethal spin move that he loves to go to and is effective in executing it. He can be considered a Point-Forward as he can initiate the offense and get his squad in what the coach desires. As much of a potent scorer that he is, when I recently saw him over the Thanksgiving break, he was looking to the refs for a lot of calls instead of playing thru it and finishing thru the contact that he was receiving. As I watched Joey play, he still has some areas to which he can give more energy and effort, and one of those areas is his activity on the glass. With his size and length, he can literally be a walking double-double every night he steps onto the court. Joey is committed to Tusculum University.
Kedrick Hubbard Kedrick Hubbard 6'4" | PF Wenonah HS | 2023 State AL (6’4/F/’23/Wenonah HS)
Instagram: LiKedrick
I think of all the players I have seen early this season, Kedrick has been one of the most intriguing. He is highly versatile on the offensive end of the floor as he can step out and knock down the mid-range, put it on the floor, and take his defender down to the low block. At 6’4, he could be considered an undersized post, but for high school basketball in the state, for the most part, he can get away with his size and still be productive in the paint. I have included Kedrick in a couple of my articles thus far this year, and I have consistently stated that I believe Kedrick is the piece of the puzzle that will help Wenonah make a deep playoff run this year. If he can continue to be a self-creator on offense, be a factor on the glass, and slow down opponent’s post players, I like Wenonah’s chances to compete late. He comes in at #43, and if he continues improving every game as he has been, his stock will continue rising as well. He currently holds an offer from Bevill State.
Zeke Deloach Zeke Deloach SG Fayetteville HS | 2023 State AL , Jr. (6’5/SF/’23/Huffman HS)
Instagram: D1.bj23
Twitter: @BrandonTinsley
Brandon comes in at #49 and has had a very impactful first month of the season. He has been a critical piece in helping the Vikings navigate through the feeling-out process they are going through due to losing so many off last year’s team. He is providing scoring, rebounding, and senior leadership. He is also another ball-handler that the Vikings can trust. Defensively he is guarding on the perimeter and on the low block. This year he is having to assert himself more to make up for a lot of lost production, and so far, he has done an excellent job in being a player that has stepped up and answered the call. He has to remain consistent with his play in order for the Vikings to have a chance late.