Players Making Early Impacts

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">There has been a lot of exciting early season action, and here are a few players making an impact early on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1702409,"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-Terry-Lamar-Jr.-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Terry-Lamar-Jr.-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1702409" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Terry Dewayne Lamar Jr. </strong>(6'6/PF/'24/Spain Park HS)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Lilterry31</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Terry is a lengthy athlete who can play the 3-5 but looks most comfortable when locked in that 4 spot. Early in the season, he was coming off the bench and providing production on the defensive end of the floor and on the glass. He is athletic, and his length causes a lot of problems. He plays with a motor and is often around the action-making plays. He has recently had to step into the starting lineup due to some injuries, and he has stepped up nicely to fill the void. From what I have witnessed, there is a lot to like about his game as he plays within himself and carries out his role. He is not called upon to score a lot this year, but what his team needs, he has been providing.</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 plays with a motor and is often around the action-making plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1702405,"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-Jay-Green-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Jay-Green-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1702405" width="256" height="256" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knight Eady, Knight Eady</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jay Green&nbsp;</strong>(6'0/PG/'26/Thompson HS)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: bamajay8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @iam_jaygren8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jay is one of the most exciting young players that is seeing his stock rise with each game. He is a tough, competitive floor general who likes to create off the bounce. He is at his best breaking defenders down with the dribble and getting his own offense or making plays for others. He is the caliber guard that is constantly attacking and putting pressure on the defense. Sources close to him say that it has been a struggle for him to find his footing as he attempts to adjust to the style of play. The season is early, and he is still figuring it out. We have to remember that he is still a freshman playing huge minutes and contributing a lot on both ends of the floor. I like that with much excitement that surrounds him, he doesn't just play one end of the floor; he gives energy and effort on both ends.&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>Jay is one of the most exciting young players that is seeing his stock rise with each game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1702401,"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-Nick-Richardson-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Nick-Richardson-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1702401" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Nick Richardson</strong> (6'0/PG/'24/Spain Park HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: nickkk.rich</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @nickkk.rich</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Nick has made an impact early this season and is a complimentary piece in the Jaguars' backcourt. He is a reliable ball-handler that relieves his backcourt mate [player_tooltip player_id='1392172' first='Chase' last='James'] from exerting so much energy at the lead guard spot, and Nick affords Chase the luxury of being able to be a second or third-scoring option. So as you can see, Nick is a very valuable lead guard that can be a floor general that leads the high-powered Jags offense. He distributes the ball well and keeps his teammates happy. Nick's name might not be mentioned a lot with this team, but make no mistake about it; he is an integral part of Spain Park's offensive attack.&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 distributes the ball well and keeps his teammates happy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1702399,"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-Cameron-Ruffin-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Cameron-Ruffin-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1702399" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cameron Ruffin</strong>&nbsp;(6'1/SG/'25/Ramsay HS)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Officialcam_11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Camruffin11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Cam has had to step up and give a lot of minutes on the varsity early on as so many of the varsity guys were on the football field winning a state championship. He has shown ups and downs, which is expected for a player getting his first action on varsity and having to produce on a team with high expectations for this season. He has shown that he has the IQ and a skillset that is developing that could help him in the future, but truthfully he may be headed back to the JV because it is going to be hard for him to get some action with the guys they have coming off the football field. Cameron can create off the bounce offensively and does not back down from nobody defensively. He is a prospect that we will hear more from in the future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1541787,"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/2/2022/08/PH-Adam-Barksdale-iBallTDB-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/PH-Adam-Barksdale-iBallTDB-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1541787" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1398778' first='Adam' last='Barksdale']</strong>&nbsp;(6'4/PG/'25/Vestavia Hills HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Adam.barksdale_13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @barksdale_adam</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The truth about Adam is that he has settled into the Vestavia Hills system and has emerged this year as a spot-up c&amp;s guy. A player that came out of June during the off-season looking like one of the top emerging PGs has started the year off having to produce with his perimeter shooting. He is contributing with his three-point shooting, but there is so much more that he could be bringing to the court, but he is doing what the system demands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1702398,"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-LG-Williams-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-LG-Williams-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1702398" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Leython-George M. Williams</strong>&nbsp;(6'4/CG/'26/Mountain Brook HS)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: lgwilliams_2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @LGHOMERUNKING34</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">LG has been having a great start to the season, as he has been a constant source of production. His game is maturing, and he is finding his footing within the Mountain Brook system. He can really shoot the ball, is a little questionable with his shot selection at times, yet still is very efficient at times, hitting a high percentage from the field, from the line, and from 3. He is a player that can produce and create off the bounce. He is a good iso scorer that is adjusting to finding his scoring opportunities in the Mountain Brook system. LG is a high-skill level guard with a great feel for the game. He's not a jump-out-of-the-gym athlete, but his skill set is a difference-maker. I am looking forward to his journey through the Mountain Brook system.&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 {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">He is a player that can produce and create off the bounce.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1702397,"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-Keegan-Keeton-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Keegan-Keeton-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1702397" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Keegan Keeton&nbsp;</strong>(5'4/SG/'28/Carbon Hill Middle School)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Keegan.Keeton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I have put ink on Keegan before, and it all has been on our Prep Hoos Next site, but this 7th grader is playing JV and is putting up some big numbers. He is one of the best in the state, regardless of class, when it comes to shooting the rock from deep. The strength of his game is his outside shot, but there is still so much he has to do to continue his development. Learning to move without the ball, ball-handling, and finishing his shot all the way thru are just a few areas of improvement needed. Now even though he has some areas to work on, he is becoming a name highly talked about in grassroots basketball, not just in the state of AL but across the SE United States. We will keep our eyes on this young shotmaker from behind the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TDrakeBasktball/status/1593043803304230912","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/TDrakeBasktball/status/1593043803304230912 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->