#HuntsvilleCityClassic: Day 1 Immediate Takeaways (2023)

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The 41st Annual Huntsville City Classic was loaded with talent on day one. Here are my immediate takeaways…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2307932,"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-Jordan-Johnson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Jordan-Johnson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2307932" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2389220' first='Jordan' last='Johnson']</strong> (6'2/PG/'24/Austin HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jordanjohnson.11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @_JordanJohnson0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jordan is a listed PG but can easily be considered a score-first PG. He is very difficult to contain off the bounce, as it was evident in his ability to maneuver through McAdory's press. He showed his ability to score from all levels despite not shooting his best from beyond the arc. He is a playmaker who creates his own scoring opportunities as well as opportunities for his teammates. He is a relentless competitor at the lead guard spot and was aggressive throughout the entire game. He finished with the following stat line: 21pts (6-18 [1-5 3-ptr])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">He listed the following offers in his profile: Snead State, Black Hawk, Georgia Highlands, and Gadsden State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2307934,"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-Bryce-Mason-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Bryce-Mason-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2307934" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2389204' first='Bryce' last='Mason']</strong> (6'4/CG/'24/James Clemens ) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: brycekmason</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @brycekmason</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Bryce probably had the most impressive performance the entire day. He came out on fire and was scoring from all over the court. He was aggressive early and looked for his offense as he carried the scoring load. He can really stroke the rock from distance, as you can see in his stat line. He has a nice feel for the game and for getting his shot. He is a gifted and versatile scorer with good positional size whose stock rose on day one. He finished with the following stat line: 24pts (7-16 [4-7 3-ptr]; 10rebs; 3-steals)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">He did not list any offers on his profile.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2307935,"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-Landen-Williams-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Landen-Williams-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2307935" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2389299' first='Landen' last='Williams']</strong> (6'2/CG/'24/Grissom HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: landenw_1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @landenljw</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Landen was one of the most well-rounded players throughout day one. He isn't one of his squad's primary scoring options, but he comes off the bench and provides his squad with another solid ball-handler, a scoring threat, a versatile defender, and what many would consider a glue guy. He has length on the wing and scored it well off the bounce in the paint over smaller defenders. There is nothing flashy about his game, but he is very productive. He finished with the following stat line: 11pts (5-8 [1-3 3-ptr])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">He listed the following offer in his profile: Georgia Highlands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2307936,"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-Jaisyion-Payne-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Jaisyion-Payne-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2307936" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jaisyion Payne</strong> (6'0/PG/'27/Florence HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Jaisyionpayne</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X/Twitter: @Jaisyionp</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jaisyion is a freshman getting valuable burn on the varsity level and was not rattled by the stage or the crowd. He is a lefty who can score off the bounce, and despite only chipping in 4pts, he showed a developing game and a lot of potential. One of the things that really got me locked in on JP was his patience off the bounce and in the paint when looking for his scoring opportunities. He is a prospect that we will definitely keep our eyes on. He finished with the following stat line: 4pts (2-3 [0-1 3-ptr])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2307937,"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-Eli-Bannister-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Eli-Bannister-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2307937" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knight Eady, Knight Eady</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2313896' first='Eli' last='Bannister']</strong> (5'11/SG/'26/Sparkman HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @eli_bannister12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Eli had a good showing on day one, as he was efficient from the field. The strength of his game is his ability to knock down the trey ball, but he showed the ability to score off the bounce as well. He plays with a competitive edge, a good feel and understanding of the game, and is a threat from deep every time he touches the rock. He is a young, prolific scorer who will need to bring his scoring every night as the 2nd-half of the season approaches. He finished with the following stat line: 17pts (7-11 [3-7 3-ptr]; 4-steals)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2307938,"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-Jacolby-Eddy-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-Jacolby-Eddy-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2307938" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ja'colby Eddy</strong> (5'9/PG/'25/Columbia HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ja'colby is Columbia's lead guard and is depended upon to make things go as he has the keys to the squad. He is a high-volume shot-taker, and many could question that coming from the PG, but each team operates differently. For Columbia, they operate to their full potential when Ja'colby has the ball in his hands and the freedom to create. He is ball-dominant and proved to be a positive contributor as a scorer and a facilitator. He is an aggressive on-ball defender and forces ball-handlers to make decisions under intense ball pressure. He has to continue working on finishing at the rim, as he missed quite a few bunnies. He finished with the following stat line: 10pts (5-19 [0-2 3-ptr]; 3-steals)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->