9G Spotlight: #SpartanInvitational Championship Game Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Congrats to the Vestavia Hills 9th grade team for winning the #SpartanInvitational. Here is a look at the standouts from the championship game…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2340408,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Luke-Stubbs-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Luke-Stubbs-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2340408" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194882' first='Luke' last='Stubbs']</strong> (6'2/G|F/'27/Vestavia) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: lukestubbs14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">If they were giving away an MVP award, Luke would take it home. He dominated throughout the tourney and was just too physical at times when attacking off the bounce. He finishes strong at the rim and through contact, often right through the defender's chest. Luke is tough and physical and consistently plays hard. Offensively, he did it all for his squad, not just in this tourney, but he has been the dude for his team all year. As he continues his journey through the Rebels' system, he is going to have to expand his game, hone his handles, and show he can be a perimeter threat with his jumper. Luke may be best described as a hybrid combo-forward who can impact winning on both ends of the floor at this level, but there will have to be some polishing of his game as he eyes life on varsity.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2340409,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Xavier-Beavers-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Xavier-Beavers-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2340409" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2889160' first='Xavier' last='Beavers']&nbsp;</strong>(5'5/CG/'29/Clay Chalkville MS)<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: 2010.Zay</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Xavier is a 7th-grader playing on the freshman team, and Clay has found a young gem. There are times when immaturity is seen, but they are seldom seen. He is an emerging talent with a combination of good ball-handling ability and a quick 1st step, which keeps defenders off balance. He pressures defenders with his ability to stop on a dime and knock down the mid-range pull-up jumper. He lives in the paint off the bounce and has a good touch on his runners and floaters. His ceiling is high, and he is going to be a dynamic playmaking guard if he stays on his current trajectory. He looked winded throughout the game, so hopefully, working on his cardio will be an area that will never have to be questioned again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2340410,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Price-LaMastee-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Price-LaMastee-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2340410" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2472324' first='Price' last='LaMastee']</strong> (6'1/SG/'27/Vestavia) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: price_lamaster</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Price is an off-guard with a developing scoring arsenal. He is a young talent who can score at all levels as he gets the most out of his physical tools. He showed his ability to create off the bounce, and he used the attention that he got to create opportunities for his teammates. The strength of his game at this level is scoring the rock, but he can easily move to the lead guard spot and facilitate the offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2340411,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Paxton-Ussery-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Paxton-Ussery-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2340411" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2472329' first='Paxton' last='Ussery']</strong> (6'3/PF|C/'27/Vestavia) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: hill.mccluney_14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Paxton has good positional size for this level and was very active on the glass. His defense is ahead of his offense, but that is often seen with frontcourt players at this age. He stands 6'3, and as he looks to life on JV and, ultimately, Varsity, he will have to extend his game beyond the paint. Paxton is a natural, fluid athlete who runs the floor well in transition and can finish out in the open court. Improving his low block scoring and developing his perimeter game is key over the off-season.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2290320,"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-John-Robert-Towry-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/12/PH-John-Robert-Towry-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2290320" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>John Robert Towry</strong> (6'6/PF/'27/Vestavia Hills HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Johnnytowry</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @JohnnyTowr9236</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I've put ink on John recently, and it would be tough not to mention him in this article because he impacted the championship game with his size and wingspan. He is tough on the glass, challenges and alters shots, and scores well around the rim. John brought the crowd to their feet when he pushed the rock out in the open court and went down and slammed. Looking at my previous article will share more details about John's overall game, but one thing is for sure, when it came to this championship game, he made his presence felt on both ends and on the glass. There is some strength, agility, and balance work that needs to be done, and if he can grow in these areas, his stock will definitely be on the rise.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":2340412,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Jaurice-Smith-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Jaurice-Smith-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2340412" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jaurice Smith</strong> (6'3/C/'27/Clay-Chalkville High School) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Xd_jr13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Jaurice164725</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jaurice is a lengthy interior presence who is at his best on the glass and scoring off drop-offs around the rim. He isn't looked upon for scoring production, so whatever drop-ins or put-backs he can provide is a bonus. He does a good job challenging shots and has the potential to grow into an interior presence who can protect the rim. A lot of work is needed when it comes to Jaurice's overall game, but the bright spot is that you can tell he has been in the lab and just needs more time working. He has a high ceiling for further physical development, and hopefully, he can devote the time required in the gym during the off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->