PH Top 250: Team 4 Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After an assortment of talented prospects from all across the Bluegrass State faced off in the Prep Hoops Top 250 Expo at the MidAmerica Sports Center in Louisville last weekend, it's time to continue to review some of the more efficient and organized units on the court. After evaluating the impactful roster of team 9, it's time to take a closer look at team 4 and the players that made them so impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Eli Wilson - Union County - 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson, a 6-foot-0 point guard/shooting guard from Union County, impressed me with his calculated dribbling and footwork on the court, utilizing his athletic edge to maintain control and provide smart passing around the top of the key. I was also fond of how Wilson attacked the glass, using his swift movement to draw inside pressure and help open up scoring lanes for his teammates. Wilson also made several commanding shots from around the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1587477' first='Caden' last='Holcomb'] - Shelby County - 2024</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holcomb, a 5-foot-10 point guard from Shelby County, caught my attention with his outside shooting as well as his ability to blast the opposition underneath the rim with his durable edge and electric movement inside. I also liked Holcomb's unpredictable playstyle, making smart passing plays to open teammates at crucial moments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1876861' first='Prince' last='Kahnplaye'] - Western - 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kahnplaye, a 6-foot-2 point guard from Western, was one of the more explosive prospects in the gym, proving himself as a gamechanger on both sides of the court. In addition to great speed in transition as well as a strong pull-up jumper, Kahnplaye impressed me with his ability to be disruptive defensively with his physical edge and in-your-face playstyle. On the other side, Kahnplaye's shooting from beyond the arc and ability to sink long-range threes at the buzzer were some of the strongest aspects of his game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Justin Barrera - William Blount - 2026</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barrera, a 5-foot-9 point guard from William Blount, was an efficient post weapon due to his ability to maneuver the court and absorb pressure in the paint. I'm additionally fond of Barrera's effort to share the ball and consistently pass around the perimeter. Defensively, Barrera applied strong pressure and helped to force turnovers with his aggression.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1513496' first='Jace' last='Wardlow'] - Bowling Green - 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wardlow, a 6-foot-0 point guard from Bowling Green, was a crucial piece of team 4's success last weekend, blasting the opposition on both sides of the floor with his speed, physicality and wingspan. Although Wardlow proved himself as a strong outside shooter, he also made his presence known underneath the rim, scoring layups and pull-up jumpers. With excellent athleticism, Wardlow also impressed with his strong inside presence on defense, protecting the glass from layups. Wardlow's rebounding effort also made a big difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2175429' first='Tyrin' last='Thorpe'] - Fort Knox - 2024</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thorpe, a 6-foot-1 shooting guard from Fort Knox, caught my attention with his ability to drive to the rim and overpower defenders down low with his athleticism and overall toughness. I also liked how Thorpe utilized his quickness to get open for the catch-and-shoot as well as his physicality in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Connor Gilbert - Clay County - 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gilbert, a 6-foot-2 small forward from Clay County, left his mark on the court due to his ability to attack the glass and protect the rim on the other side of the floor, proving himself as one of the more crucial defensive weapons for team 4. I also liked how Gilbert maneuvered the paint and absorbed contact from the defense, showcasing his durable edge and ability to finish at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1587491' first='Jace' last='Birney'] - Ballard Memorial - 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Birney, a 6-foot-3 small forward from Ballard Memorial, was highly impactful due to his height, wingspan and electric speed on both sides, making his presence felt in the paint. I liked Birney's ability to make quick layups, sink floaters and haul in important second-chance opportunities. Birney also made himself known on defense as he proved he could block layups and quickly get up to the three-point line to block dangerous long-range jumpers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->