Players Ready To Make 2nd Half Impact; Part 2

Here is part 2 of a few players that I believe will significantly impact their teams down the stretch.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Lovalle-Nelson-Jr.-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Lovalle-Nelson-Jr.-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1742710" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1905935' first='Lovalle' last='Nelson, Jr.'] (5'10/CG/'24/Baker HS)   Instagram: certified_.valle   Twitter: @LovalleNelsonJr   Lovalle plays with the most potent and prolific scorer in the nation and is an important piece to Baker's success with so much attention that is given to [player_tooltip player_id='1091946' first='LaBaron' last='Philon']. The challenge with Lovalle is this: if he is on offensively, then Baker is hard to beat, but if he is off, it often leads to a long night for Baker. He is one of the best shooters from behind the arc and is at his best when he is in the corner, locked and loaded, ready for his c&s opportunity. Lovalle often finds himself open over 60% of the time in a game due to all the effort and attention given by opposing team's trying to stop LaBaron.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"> Baker's potential championship run will have to be fueled by Lovalle's shooting prowess from behind the arc. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   [player_tooltip player_id='812617' first='Jonathan' last='Caicedo'] (6'7/SF/'23/Hoover HS)   I had heard that there was a player that Hoover had added to their squad, and I finally got to see him, and I like what Hoover has compiled as a unit. Jonathan has stepped onto a team that has excitement surrounding their 'Big 3.' In the midst of all the expectations surrounding the three sophomores, Jonathan has stepped in and carved out his space. He is a big-body wing player that is highly active on both ends of the floor. He has a good physical profile and knows how to use his body on both ends. He brings a level of maturity to the floor as well as a lot of energy. He was a pleasant surprise as he has an intriguing combination of size and shot-making ability from both inside and outside the arc. He makes plays in Hoover's full-court pressure defense that turns their defense into quick offense. Most of the talk about Hoover is the Big 3, but look for JC to be a key component for the Bucs going down the stretch.      <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"> He is a big-body wing player that is highly active on both ends of the floor. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Owen-Davis-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Owen-Davis-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1742711" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure>   Owen Davis (6'9/PF|C/'23/Helena HS)   Instagram: owendavis__21   Twitter: @owendavis__23   Owen is a 6'9 post player that is a presence simply because of his height. His length is a factor because, as the old saying goes, you cannot teach height; however, Owen has to rely on more than just his height to impact the game going down the stretch. He has to be more physical, as he has to be a dominating force and not just a presence in the paint. He can change the game by controlling the boards, and if he can do that, he will give his team a distinct advantage and chance to pick up the win. His 6'9 frame makes him the center of attention as soon as he steps on the court and going down the stretch, he needs to make other teams spend hours trying to game plan around him.     <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"> Owen is a 6'9 post player that is a presence simply because of his height. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-David-Stone-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-David-Stone-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1742720" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='2257625' first='David' last='Stone'] (6'5/PF|C/'24/Homewood HS)   Instagram: davidstone3461   David is a post that showed some traditional post-player tendencies as he often operated on the low block with his back to the basket. He controlled the game for two seconds every time he got a post-catch. He was patient as he often drew immediate double teams, and he passed the ball well out of the double. I have seen David a couple times this year, and I have seen bigger and stronger post players try to physically go directly at him but don't let David's size fool you, as he is happy to go blow for blow on the block. He is a presence on both ends of the floor and will be the man in the middle for the Pats going down the stretch.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"> He is a player that fits well in the Homewood system. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Devon-McKinnon-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Devon-McKinnon-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1742722" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1342754' first='Devon' last='McKinnon'] (6'3/Wing/'25/Clay-Chalkville)   Instagram: nolimit0dev   Twitter: @devonmckinnon_5   Coach Richardson has been telling me about one of his younger guys for quite some time now. Every time I have seen him lately, he has been adamant about me coming out to see his team and his young guys. One of the young guys he was referring to was Devon, and I finally had the opportunity to put eyes on Dev this year. He lived up to everything that Coach had been telling me. He is a young prolific scorer that is smooth and tough off the bounce. He showed me that he can create his own shot, set the table for others, and knock down an open look. His middle game impressed me, and he showed that he can make it from beyond the arc. His ability to put up points will be highly needed going down the stretch.      <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BBallCougars/status/1603949927763255297 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/PH-Kevin-Kirk-Jr.-iBallTDB-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/PH-Kevin-Kirk-Jr.-iBallTDB-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1548561" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure>   Kevin Kirk (6'1/SG/'24/Clay-Chalkville)   Instagram: kj_kirk_   Twitter: @KJKirk4   Kevin Kirk is a listed SG, but when you watch him play, he finds himself playing both the lead guard spot and the off-guard spot. When he is at the lead guard spot, he has to continue to learn and understand pace, but he is definitely a reliable player that can handle the PG responsibilities. He is also a player that his coach can depend on to produce in the scoring column. He is tough off the bounce and gets downhill quickly. He consistently plays hard, and his imprint on the game is seen on both ends. He balances scoring and facilitating and makes in-game adjustments according to his team's needs. One of the things that Kirk did well was be a leader to the younger players throughout the game I was watching.      <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/KJKirk4/status/1609311314362486784 </div></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Josh-Bowman-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/PH-Josh-Bowman-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1742723" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1600007' first='Josh' last='Bowman'] (6'8/C/'25/Huntsville HS)   Instagram: josh_bow_   Twitter: @_Josh_Bowman   Most of the attention when it comes to Huntsville's post-play is given to [player_tooltip player_id='1392153' first='Caleb' last='Harrison'], but the young [player_tooltip player_id='1600007' first='Josh' last='Bowman'] has been providing the Panthers with some quality minutes. He has good positional size and impacts paint play on both ends. He rebounds the ball well, protects the rim, and scores on the block. His length causes a lot of problems on the glass because if he cannot secure it immediately, he does a great job tipping the ball out to himself or his teammates and keeping it alive. Josh scores in the paint with touch, finishes thru contact and has body control once he is near the rim. He is a good role player for the Panthers and contributes without having to be a primary scoring option.   <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"> He has good positional size and impacts paint play on both ends. <cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote>

Here is part 2 of a few players that I believe will significantly impact their teams down the stretch.