PH Alabama Top 250 Expo: Akiem’s Team 3 Primetime Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the last day of September 2023, many of Alabama's top high school hoopers converged on Hoover to ensure that their games are first-rate as the regular season draws ever closer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Alabama Top 250 Expo was one of four that took place around the country that weekend with others occurring in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Nebraska. Spain Park HS was the site and attendees were sorted into six teams and the auxiliary gym at the home of the 7A Jaguars was also in use.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We put a spotlight on some of the premier players from Team 1. We now turn our attention to who stood out from Team 3. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2221188,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2224448' first='Brody' last='Carney']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Clair County HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Tri City Grizzlies","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTypically, with taller players such as Carney, all one may have to do is list their height and it tells the entire story. In the case with Carney, his is 6-foot-6 and he will be in his sophomore season with the 5A Saints. One can expect to find Carney, on many occasions, camped out in the interior looking to convert on a high-percentage shot. Defensively, Carney has no problems heading out to the perimeter and looking to negatively affect the trajectory of an opposing ball handler's shot attempt. Carney will play with his back to the basket looking to receive a pass, then can have his defender on their toes by using his footwork to convert on a two-pointer.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6518de1c7ce8c"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2224468' first='Owen' last='Leonard']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Spain Park HS","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"HCBC","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eCan someone say home court advantage? Given how Leonard already is used to wearing the Carolina blue and black of the 7A Jaguars, he had to feel right at home at this year's Prep Hoops Alabama Top 250. When the high school season comes to a close, he trades his Spain Park uniform for one of HCBC. Leonard will typically play most of his minutes in the backcourt as either a one or a two guard. His defense and heads-up play on the defensive end can lead to him corralling steals and those could lead to fastbreak layups the other way.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6518de1c7cf37"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1662943"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2221206,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eDials approaches the game with a high basketball IQ. On occasions at the start of a possession for his team, he will look to get out in transition and receive a cross-court pass that he can convert into an easy two points. Dials is able to grab his own offensive rebound and does not give up on a play. A 3-point shot is also part of his overall offensive repertoire. Dials also has no problems changing which defensive assignment he is asked to take on. He primarily operates in either of the two guard positions in the backcourt. Dials was part of a 2022-23 4A UMS-Wright Prep Bulldogs rendition that finished 20-12 for the season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6518de1c7cfa7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1905937"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2221213,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eStory is a 6-foot-1 combo guard who is among many seniors within Alabama who is poised to close their high school careers with an emphatic exclamation point. He has had the opportunity to play on big stages in playoff games at collegiate arenas. He is very confident in his ability to drain his 3-point attempts and can also get creative with his ball handling skills. Story understands how to find lanes to get to the basket and has no issues drawing contact to find his way to the free throw line. Fans of 2A Lafayette should be excited for what Story has in store in his final season sporting Bulldogs black and gold.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6518de1c7d021"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2221220,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Anthony Ross","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"David G. Farragut HS ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cp style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eThis upperclassman standout from David G. Farragut HS may have achieved status as a seasoned veteran – but he also plays like a seasoned veteran. He takes on a leadership role on-court and also leads by example with his scoring capabilities – including his 3-point shot. Ross maintains a high level of activity even when the ball is not in his hands and understands when to make the correct passes at the correct times. If he misses a shot, there is a good chance he will be near the rim to haul in his own rebound. Defensively, he shifts his arms a lot against an opposing ball handler in an effort to negatively affect said ball handler's shot. Ross is listed at 6-foot-3.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6518de1c7d0b9"} /-->