#TerryTalks Summer Preview: Clay-Chalkville Cougars

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Clay-Chalkville High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Head Coach: Chris Richardson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Instagram</strong>: Claychalkville_bball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Twitter</strong>: @BBallCougars</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Key Players</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1742722,"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/2/2023/01/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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1342754' first='Devon' last='McKinnon']&nbsp;</strong>(6'3/Wing/'25)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: nolimit0dev</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @devonmckinnon_5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Devon is ranked #19 in his class; as I have said before, some say that is too low. Devon, as he enters his junior season, has time in front of him to show that he deserves to be higher than his #19 ranked spot. He is a sharpshooter with range and will be counted on to take a more significant role in his team's point production. He is a playmaker who can create his own shot and create for teammates. Many that have been working with him are singing high praises, saying this is the year that he will emerge as one of the top players in the state regardless of class. Clay will need him to be a leader on and off the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1548561,"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-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> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Kevin Kirk&nbsp;</strong>(6'1/SG/'24)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: kj_kirk_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @KJKirk4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Kevin heads into his senior campaign with a lot of expectations surrounding his game. He will be expected to be the counterpart to Devon and be a formidable backcourt that will cause problems for opponents. Kevin is a physical guard that can score from all 3 levels. He is a high-end two-way player who will need to bring senior leadership and experience to this year's squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2294752' first='Aces' last='Kennedy']</strong> (5'11/CG/'25)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: 1take_aces</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Aces has the potential to be a surprise piece of the puzzle for Clay this upcoming season. Many are looking forward to seeing how he steps into varsity play and the difference he can make for his team. He has game-changing speed, quickness, and unique ability to create off the bounce. Clay will have a backcourt that can compete with anyone if he can step up and be another scoring option and playmaker off the bounce. Aces is also a good defender, which will prove very important with the style of play Clay is looking to play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Coaches Corner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I spoke with Coach Richardson and asked him about two players he is interested in seeing how they perform in June, and he mentioned <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2415551' first='Victor' last='Odiari']</strong> (6'4,/G| F/'25), who is one of his team's most versatile players that can change the entire dynamic of his team. Coach said that Victor's ability to defend all positions, be highly active on the glass, and score from all 3-levels will allow his team to play in the open court with pace and slow it down in the half-court if necessary. The second player Coach Richardson is looking forward to seeing is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2257725' first='Erin' last='Callens']</strong> (5'9/PG/'24), who is a true floor general, and if he can carry some of the load to free up the primary scoring options, his play will be very valuable. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach Richardson is looking for the month of June to be a time his team can establish a beginning benchmark from which they can grow. He wants to establish his team playing fast-paced offensively, to be a team that applies intense pressure on defense, and to build unity as a unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Here is where you can find the Cougars in the month of June:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">June 6th: Hoover Playdate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">June 10th: Midfield Playdate</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">June 12th: Jacksonville Team Camp</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">June 16th: ASHAA Live</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">June 21st &amp; 22nd: BSC Team Camp</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->