#GBCALive: #TerryTalks Bama Boys In GA; Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Here is part 2 of my look into a few of the guys from Bama that 'repped' the home state at the #GBCALive…&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2026737,"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/2/2023/06/PH-Javon-Alexander-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Javon-Alexander-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2026737" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599937' first='Javon' last='Alexander'] </strong>(5'10/PG/'25/Grissom HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Javonalexander_2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Javonalexande19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">With all eyes on [player_tooltip player_id='1574460' first='Justin' last='McCall'], Javon had a solid showing at #GBCALive. He will play an important role for the Tigers this season as he provides them with another ball-handler and is a floor general who is gaining confidence. He has the physical tools to be the lead guard but is still developing his PG IQ. He has a compact frame and is quick and shifty with the rock in his hands. He's comfortable using floaters and runners when getting to the paint, allowing him to score without having to get all the way to the rim. Javon is going to have to balance scoring and facilitating, as the Tigers will need what he showed, and that is the ability to keep the ball moving around the perimeter within the flow of the offense. He has scorers around him in [player_tooltip player_id='1574460' first='Justin' last='McCall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1601815' first='Brendan' last='Martin'], so he will be vital in keeping the Tigers flowing in what Coach Doss wants each possession. I did not see Javon score from the perimeter, but he will need to be able to knock down the perimeter shots when they become available.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2026738,"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/2/2023/06/PH-Elijah-Thomas-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Elijah-Thomas-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2026738" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1394382' first='Elijah' last='Thomas'] </strong>(6'0/SG/'24/Hoover HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: youngbull_e.t</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @ET20241</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Elijah is on a team with what many call the Big 3 ([player_tooltip player_id='1398516' first='Salim' last='London'], DeWayne Brown, [player_tooltip player_id='1398558' first='Jarett' last='Fairley']), but his importance is just as important as he provides leadership and experience. He also brings to the floor reliable ball handling and the poise to get the ball into the hands of his team's playmakers in areas where they can produce. He has a tight handle that he uses to create off-the-bounce for his teammates. Elijah is very fluid in his play when the ball is in his possession, which is why he handles the lead guard role with effectiveness. Defensively, he has all the tools to be an effective defender, which he has shown, especially during their championship run last season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2026739,"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/2/2023/06/PH-Jonah-Jones-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Jonah-Jones-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2026739" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2291698' first='Jonah' last='Jones'] </strong>(6'3/F/'25/Central Phenix-City HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: jonah_j_12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @jones__jonah</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The boxscore cannot show everything that Jonah brings to the floor. The intangibles he brings to the table make the probability of a return trip to the Final Four very high. He has elite athleticism and is explosive off the floor. He flies around the court, making plays on both ends of the floor. He is an excellent player to have at the dunker spot with a talent like [player_tooltip player_id='1398552' first='Jacoby' last='Hill'] in the backcourt, who can draw defenders and then drop off dimes to Jonah for finishes above the rim. He brings a lot of energy and effort to the floor, especially with his activity on the glass and his presence in the paint when contesting shots. Playing against Jonah looks exhausting because he is always moving and playing at a high level. His role on this team is not having to put the ball on the floor and create his own shot or score from the perimeter, but you can tell he has embraced his role, which will go a long way for Central.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2026740,"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/2/2023/06/PH-Josh-Bowman-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Josh-Bowman-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2026740" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1600007' first='Josh' last='Bowman'] </strong>(6'8/C/'25/Huntsville HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: josh_bow_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @_Josh_Bowman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Josh is a long-armed post that I believe will play a significant role in Huntsville being able to punch their ticket to the Final Four out of the brutal North Alabama area. He showed the ability to handle the paint on both ends allowing his frontcourt teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1392153' first='Caleb' last='Harrison'] to maneuver freely, making him more of a threat. Bowman's size helps him to defensively alter everything around the basket. Offensively he sets solid fundamental screens, making it hard for opponents to fight through. He rebounds the ball well, which plays a huge role on the offensive glass, especially when Huntsville has their big line-up on the floor. He is on a trajectory that is going to garner some attention over the final two years of his high school career. He is not going to be asked to be a guy that has to produce a lot in the scoring column, but what he can provide will be a plus, but look for Josh's impact to be seen on the boards and his ability to lock down the paint on defense.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2026741,"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/2/2023/06/PH-Fredrick-Derrick-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Fredrick-Derrick-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2026741" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Fredrick Derrick </strong>(5'10/PG/'25/Buckhorn HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Lf.fred2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @FredrickDerric9</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Buckhorn is known for [player_tooltip player_id='1958488' first='Caleb' last='Holt'], but if you ask Caleb, one of the most important pieces to Buckhorns success and he will say, Fredrick. He has slowly been given increasing amounts of responsibility and control of the team from the lead-guard spot. He has become a trustworthy floor general whose play was key to their championship run last season. With the experience of leading a team to a state championship, he is already playing with greater confidence. Buckhorn has a gem in Fred, as he will not do anything to lose games for them. He does a lot of things well but doesn't really stand out in one area, as he shoots it well from outside, can score in one on one situations, is a hard-nosed defender, and has proven himself as the floor general for his squad. He is a very heady PG that picks spots carefully as the primary ball handler and knows who and when to get the ball to on each possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2026742,"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/2/2023/06/PH-Masiah-Robinson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Masiah-Robinson-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2026742" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2257717' first='Masiah' last='Robinson'] </strong>(6'3/SF/'24/Thompson HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: s_iah4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @MasiahR4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">There was a lot of noise surrounding Masiah as I watched him play. People were telling me about his toughness and his ability to play. As I watched him, his scrappiness was clear, but what I looked for was his leadership on one of the youngest teams in the state. He has to be more vocal on the court and in huddles, and he must lead by example. His energy was contagious, and it ramped up the team's activity throughout the game. Offensively, he is tough off the bounce and was aggressive attacking in iso situations. He is a multi-level scorer that can create his own shot, is a good finisher through contact, and showed amazing touch from tough angles. He is a talented playmaker who will make a massive contribution to Thompson's upcoming season. It just might be his ability to lead the young guys that will be his most significant impact this season.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2026743,"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/2/2023/06/PH-Caleb-Lightford-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/06/PH-Caleb-Lightford-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2026743" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2294737' first='Caleb' last='Lightford'] </strong>(6'0/PG/'25/Sparkman HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Caleb.Lightford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Caleb_Lightford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Caleb is listed as a PG but could easily be viewed as a combo guard, but I will view him as a score-first PG, from what I saw at the #GBCALive. He is going to be a primary option for Sparkman headed into the upcoming season, as he can score in a variety of ways. As much as the ball is in his hands, and as much as he is looking to score the rock, he takes good care of the ball and avoids unnecessary risks. He excels at penetrating the lane by breaking down defenders, and he scores off movement with a lot of shiftiness off the bounce. He has the ability to score when given the slightest bit of space, and he's really crafty with his finishes in the paint and at the rim. Staying in the weight room and adding strength will be pivotal to the attention he garners over the next two years of his high school career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->