Mid-Season Check-In: Central Phenix High School

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Central Phenix City High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Class 7A Area 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Head Coach: Charles Burkett&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">1st Half of Season Record: 17-4&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><em>X: @</em>Chs_devilsbasketball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I do not believe that anyone has a stronger strength of schedule than Central Phenix City. I also do not believe that anyone has more miles than Central, as they have traveled extensively, playing some of the best teams in the state. They have stayed true to what Coach Burkett desired to see from his team at the beginning of the season. They get up and down, which is their desired style of play, yet they can play in the half-court without losing rhythm. They are an aggressive defensive team looking to create turnovers. With their ability to score and be disruptive on defense, they are a favorite to return to Birmingham. Production has come from the expected contributors, and here they are:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2310932,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/PH-Jacoby-Hill-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/PH-Jacoby-Hill-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2310932" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1398552' first='Jacoby' last='Hill']</strong>&nbsp;(6'4/CG/'25)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: _.jaacoby._</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @jaacoby2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jacoby is one of the most prolific scorers in the state. The name is familiar for those in the basketball community, but for those outside, Jacoby's performance at last year's final four made the introduction. Jacoby is one of the best scoring guards and shot-makers in the state. He plays the game with a competitive edge and is expected to lead his team to Birmingham once again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2310933,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/PH-Bryce-Dawson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/PH-Bryce-Dawson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2310933" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1398561' first='Bryce' last='Dawson']</strong> (6'4/Wing/'25)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Bk1.offixial</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Bk1_offixial</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Bryce continues to be a source of production, particularly from distance. He is a streaky shooter who can put up huge numbers if he gets it going. He is not necessarily a primary ball-handler, but he is able to initiate the offense if it comes down to it. He runs well and is a good vertical athlete who can rise up explosively in open space. Bryce is talented and competitive but sometimes inconsistent, but he is a key piece to Central making it back to Birmingham.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2310934,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/PH-Willie-Townsend-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/PH-Willie-Townsend-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2310934" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2257891' first='Willie' last='Townsend'] </strong>(6'0/PG/'24)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: yg_.willie</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @bucket_willie10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Willie is a complementary scoring option to Jacoby, as he can score the rock from all levels and in a variety of ways. He has a brilliant floor game and is a tough iso scorer. Willie has all the boxes checked as a mature floor general and is going to be key as an orchestrator and a reliable ball-handler who can take some of the offensive responsibilities off Jacoby.</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 Burkett told me his team must stay healthy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->