City of Jasper Christmas Classic Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Here are my thoughts on some of the players I saw at the City of Jasper Christmas Classic…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2304290,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Jake-Dorough-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Jake-Dorough-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2304290" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599944' first='Jake' last='Dorough']</strong>&nbsp;(6'0/CG/'25/Cullman)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jake.dorough11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @doroughjake11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jake had one of the most impressive performances during the #CJCC. On day 2 he went for 32pts with 30 coming from behind the arc. To hit ten 3-pointers in one game is an amazing feat. He could have probably had more had Coach Stu not taken him out of the game. The Bearcats scorekeeper said the performance was nothing new for Jake and that they always witness performances like that. One thing is for sure: if a program from the next level is looking for a player to be able to stretch the floor and be a threat from behind the arc, I would advise them to take a look at Jake.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2304292,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Pacey-Mathews-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Pacey-Mathews-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2304292" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Pacey Mathews </strong>(6'3/PF|C/'24/South Pontotoc HS)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: pacey_mathews31</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @Pacey_Mathews31</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Pacey, in many people's books, is considered an undersized post-player. I often mention that undersized post players can get away with their size on the interior in certain high school match-ups. The problem comes when they face a post player who stands 6'6 and taller and who has really good length. Pacey struggled on day one but found his mojo on day 2, even though his team still faced an opponent with good interior size and length. His team's offense is run through him, and they go as Pacey goes. He showed that he could score around the rim and be an active participant on the glass. He also got the perimeter jumper going on day 2. As Pacey and his coach mentioned during the post-game press conference, the length and size they saw at the event is not something they will see much of in their division back home.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Offers: Mississippi University for Women</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2304293,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Christian-McAllister-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Christian-McAllister-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2304293" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Christian McAllister </strong>(6'4/PG/'25/Fayette County HS)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: christian._mcallister</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @christian_mcall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Christian was a day 1 top performer at the classic as he poured in 20pts against in-state opponent Huffman HS. He is a listed PG but showed his ability to go and get buckets. The day 1 match-up between Christian and Huffman's [player_tooltip player_id='1398555' first='Peyton' last='Wiggins'] was one of the best individual match-ups of the day. Christian was very tough off the bounce and did a good job finishing in the paint through some physical play from the Viking's interior players. He was tough with the ball in traffic, and his game off the bounce created fouls, which led to trips to the line. His ability to rim and run kept his team out in transition as they looked to push the pace. Christian averaged 11pts over the course of the two days. He did not list any offers on his profile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2304295,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Josh-Taylor-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Josh-Taylor-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2304295" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Josh Taylor </strong>(5'9/PG/'25/Lausanne Collegiate School)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Jltaylor_2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @2025taylor</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Josh is a small guard who was very productive at the lead guard spot. He did a good job balancing scoring and facilitating. Even though his squad faced two tough opponents with high-level guard play, JT did not back down and did a good job keeping his team together and competing. He kept his teammates involved and engaged and showed his capacity to be the floor general for his squad. The ball needs to be in JT's hands as he does a good job breaking defenders down with the dribble and getting his own offense or making plays for others, which his team will need night in and night out moving forward. He did not list any offers on his profile.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2304296,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Jaykob-Johnson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Jaykob-Johnson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2304296" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2389296' first='Jaykob' last='Johnson'] </strong>(5'11/CG/'24/Paul Bryant HS)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Hoopster.jay</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @Jaykobjohnson1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jaykob is the head of this very talented Paul Bryant team. Many have already marked them in for Birmingham, but we still have a long season ahead. Jaykob does an excellent job keeping this loaded team happy with only one ball. He has a mature game and the experience needed to lead his squad to a potential championship run. His play at the lead guard position in most contests will give the Stampede an advantage, as JJ is a gritty and fiery competitor who is very tough to deal with on both ends of the floor. He runs the show and defends with intensity, two things needed from the PG spot. He did not list any offers on his profile.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2304298,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Marcus-Bennett-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Marcus-Bennett-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2304298" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2389307' first='Marcus' last='Bennett'] </strong>(6'1/SG/'24/McAdory HS)<strong> </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: m3zy.zz</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @bennett44683</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Marcus was one of the most impressive players at the classic whose stock rose and who made a name for himself. He is not one of the primary scoring options, which, in actuality, was beneficial for Marcus as he was able to score without the defense focusing on stopping him. He scored it well at all levels and showed lots of shiftiness off the bounce and crafty finishes at the rim. I like his knack for scoring and the arsenal he has to get it done. Marcus is a slippery scorer who can get into any shot he wants at any point of the possession and will be a key piece to his team's success down the stretch. He did not list any offers on his profile.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->