Class 4A Championship Game Standout Players

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The class 4A championship game was played at a high level, but in the end, Jacksonville HS captured the Blue Map. Several players made their impact, and here are a few…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>4A State Champions: Jacksonville HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cam Johnson&nbsp;</strong>(6'4/F|C/'23/Jacksonville HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Cam is a frontcourt player that does a really good job in his role. He is at his best when he is playing in and around the paint, getting to do the dirty work, and being the glue guy on the team. Being surrounded by players that can really score the rock allowed Cam to impact the game without needing to manufacture his own offense in the halfcourt. This gave him the freedom to impact the glass, play exceptional help defense, chase down 50/50 balls, fly around the court making energy and effort plays, and be an option out in transition as he ran the floor hard. He is often overlooked, but he can definitely help a team at the next level. He finished with the following stat line: 4pts (2-5 [0-1 3-Ptr]); 6rebs</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>Cam is a frontcourt player that does a really good job in his role.</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']&nbsp;</strong>(6'4/G/'23/Jacksonville HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: cadenjohnson_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Caden is a wing with the ability to get to the goal off the bounce. He also was out in transition and was a really good finisher at the cup. He was a match-up nightmare for Westminster as they just did not have anyone that could match up with his athleticism and his length. He was the difference maker and will be able to have that same type of impact as he takes his talents to the next level. He is a smothering defender with defensive versatility and the ability to switch and guard in space. He has made a lot of strides throughout the year, and his impact on the team was clearly seen in the championship game. He finished with the following stat line: 13pts (5-10 [0-1 3-Ptr])</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 also was out in transition and was a really good finisher at the cup.</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='1599936' first='Devin' last='Barksdale']</strong> (6'0/CG/'25/Jacksonville HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: devinbarksdale1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Devin came out in the championship game and set the tone for his squad. He was very aggressive and was the primary scoring option out of the gates, while [player_tooltip player_id='974549' first='John' last='Broom'] focused his attention on defending [player_tooltip player_id='1091939' first='Chase' last='McCarty']. Devin is a smooth guard that is shifty off the bounce that can score it at all levels. He isn't afraid of taking the rock into the heart of the defense, and when he gets two feet in the paint or close to the rim, he knows what to do with the rock, and he has the tools to get it done. What was impressive about Devin was his ability to recognize when [player_tooltip player_id='974549' first='John' last='Broom'] had the hot hand. When that became evident, Devin settled in at the lead guard spot and facilitated the offense getting the ball into the hands of their #1 scoring option. He finished with the following stat line: 12pts (4-8 [2-3 3-Ptr])</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>Devin came out in the championship game and set the tone for his squad.</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='974549' first='John' last='Broom']</strong>&nbsp;(6'5/G|F/'23/Jacksonville HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: j3hnn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">John came out focused on defending [player_tooltip player_id='1091939' first='Chase' last='McCarty']. He did a fantastic job early disrupting Chase's rhythm, which was something Chase could never recover from. John showed excellent senior leadership, was vocal, and adamantly kept his team focused on the goal. He deferred to Devin early and not only deferred but trusted that Devin could carry the offensive load. Once he knew he had Chase flustered, John began to put in work on the offensive end of the floor. He was difficult to contain off the bounce, and his game drew fouls which was evident by the 8-9 shooting from the charity strike. John has to continue working on that perimeter jumper which I am sure he will have a lot of attention on once he gets to South Alabama. He finished with the following stat line: 20pts (6-9 [0-2 3-Ptr]); 5rebs</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 did a fantastic job early disrupting Chase's rhythm, which was something Chase could never recover from. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Westminster Christian&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1495530,"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/2/2022/06/PH-Chase-McCarty-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/PH-Chase-McCarty-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1495530" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1091939' first='Chase' last='McCarty']</strong>&nbsp;(6'6/SG/Westminster Christian Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Chase___mccarty</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Chasemccarty21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Chase has proven all season that he is one of the most prolific scorers in the state. Much has been written about him by me and others, and he is garnering attention from just about every Power 5 conference. He is a big body guard that can get it done from all levels and has great offensive versatility. His final numbers aren't indicative of what he can do, but a lot of credit must be given to [player_tooltip player_id='974549' first='John' last='Broom'] and Jacksonville on how they defended him. Westminister did make an adjustment by putting Chase on the low block in which he had a distinct advantage. They got some production out of that move, but it was a little too late. Chase will be coming back, and you can best believe he will have a chip on his shoulder. He finished with the following stat line: 14pts (5-14 [1-5 3-Ptr])</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>Chase has proven all season that he is one of the most prolific scorers in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jackson Hammond</strong> (6'4/F/'23/Westminster Christian Academy) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: jacksonhammond1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jackson is an athletic frontcourt player that provided a presence in the paint for Westminster. He can jump out of the gym and used those leaping abilities to be a factor on the glass as well as a factor in being a threat at the rim on the defensive end of the floor. He did not have to create his own shot because so much attention was given to Chase; Jackson often found himself open for easy dump off passes and hitting the glass with easy paths to the goal because Chase had demanded a double team that he shot over. He finished with the following stat line: 7pts (3-4); 9rebs</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>Jackson is an athletic frontcourt player that provided a presence in the paint for Westminster.</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='2291524' first='Kaden' last='Rickard']</strong> (6'4/G/'25/Westminster Christian Academy) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: kaden.rick</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Kaden has good positional size, and his length is a factor on both ends of the floor as well as on the glass. He was aggressive throughout the game, especially during the early parts, as Chase got off to a slow start. It was Kaden's playmaking ability that kept Westminster close as he was creating his own looks as well as looks for his teammates. The talk had been that Kaden needed to step up, and his aggressiveness was crucial even though he wasn't the most efficient from the field. His length moving forward is going to be such an advantage for Kaden and is going to make him into a player that is difficult to defend. With a maturer Kaden and a hungry Chase, look for Westminister to have their sights set on another trip to the BJCC. He finished with the following stat line: 9pts (4-11 [0-1 3-Ptr]); 7rebs</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>Kaden has good positional size, and his length is a factor on both ends of the floor as well as on the glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote -->