2023-2024 Team Preview: St. John Paul II Falcons

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">St. John Paul II Falcons</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Class 4A Area 15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Head Coach: Hayden Hatfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Last Season Record: 3-18&nbsp;<em>(According to maxpreps.com)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>X/Twitter</strong>: @Coach_Hatfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jaeden Harris&nbsp;</strong>(5'9/PG)<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jaeden is going to be relied on to bring a lot of production on the offensive end of the floor. He is the floor general for the Falcons, but he will definitely be a score-first PG. He handles the rock exceptionally well and uses his dribble to get to his spots where he can get the looks he desires. He is not that big in size, but he has a good skillset, feel for the game, and is a relentless competitor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2314075' first='Mark' last='Andrejewski']</strong>&nbsp;(6'2/Wing/'26)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Mark is going to be looked upon to bring perimeter scoring. He shoots the ball very well, and the coaching staff hopes he can live up to the potential that he has shown early in his high school career. He fits well in what the Falcons will look to do offensively, and hopefully, he can play with the confidence needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2257640' first='Jackson' last='Holland']</strong>&nbsp;(6'1/Wing)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jackson is a two-way player who offensively can get it done at all three levels, and defensively is very instinctive and applies good on-ball pressure. He brings a lot to the floor and contributes to winning in ways that show beyond the stat sheet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">When asked about two players who will be key pieces of the puzzle for his team this season that were not listed in the top three above, Coach Hayden quickly mentioned the following two players: Tyler Greges, who is a knockdown 3-pt shooter who will be looked upon to spread the floor for the Falcons which could make a huge difference throughout the season. Luke Songy, an All-State baseball player who has not played basketball in the last couple of years, is highly athletic and will bring his talent back to the hardwood. He should make a huge difference for a team looking to change the program's culture.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Look for the Falcons to get up and down for 32-minutes. Coach Hayden wants to make games track meets as his guys will look for the first open shot, whether that is 2-seconds into a possession or 30-seconds. He wants his guys to get after opponents with their press and use their athleticism to wear opponents down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach Hayden also talked about the senior leadership on the team, as he has six seniors who haven't had a ton of success up until this point in their career, but they have the skill, determination, and drive to get it done this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">When asked what it would take for his team to make a deep playoff run, make it to the Final Four, or even win the State Championship, Coach Hayden told me the key for his team will be buy-in. Can his guys buy into what he desires on the defensive end of the floor and make it their identity. He wants to see early if his guys can finish each possession and find a hunger for rebounding, and the coaching staff is really high on Luke Songy leading the way on the glass. Coach Hayden believes if his team can do those things, they could make a run to Birmingham.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->