NW Regional: Class 7A Sweet 16 Players To Watch

Here are a few players who could be the difference-makers in their teams advancing to the Elite 8.   <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>   [player_tooltip player_id='2389204' first='Bryce' last='Mason'] (6'4/CG/'24/James Clemens)   IG: brycekmason   X: @brycekmason   Bryce has ok positional size at the off-guard spot. He shoots the ball exceptionally well from deep and has to be located as soon as his squad gets into their offensive possession. He doesn't need a lot of room to get his shot off, and he shoots it with a lot of confidence. Thompson could be in for a long night if he can get it going from behind the arc. Bryce is also a shifty playmaker, giving defenders another component to his game in which they must be cognitive.     <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Jay-Green-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Jay-Green-C.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1702405" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Knight Eady Knight Eady</figcaption></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1958553' first='Jay' last='Green'] (6'0/PG/'26/Thompson HS)   IG: bamajay8   X: @iam_jaygren8   Jay is the floor general for the Thompson squad. Everything begins with him. He is a hard-nosed lead guard who is gritty and will attack on both ends of the floor. He continues to emerge as one of the best PGs in the state regardless of class. He will have to control the game's pace as well as the emotional state of his squad during potential momentum shifts. Jay plays low to the ground, plays through contact, and will need to provide possible double-figure scoring to keep Thompson's season alive.       <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/PH-Dewayne-Brown.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/PH-Dewayne-Brown.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1352625" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1398554' first='DeWayne' last='Brown, II'] (6'9/C/'25/Hoover HS)   IG: dewaynebrown2025   X: @Dewaynebrownll   DeWayne and his crew are on a mission to repeat as state champions, and in many people's books, they are not the favorite despite still sending the Big 3 to the court night in and night out. DeWayne will potentially dominate throughout the regional as he is just too big and physical for the other three team's interior players. DeWayne's motor has improved, and he continues to show how good his hands and feet are. The key for Hoover is not looking ahead to Birmingham and a potential re-match with Huntsville.     <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>   [player_tooltip player_id='2389220' first='Jordan' last='Johnson'] (6'2/PG/'24/Austin HS)   IG: jordanjohnson.11   X: @_JordanJohnson0   Austin is the senior leader of this squad on and off the floor. He is the coach on the floor, is highly skilled, and very talented as a playmaker and finisher in the paint. He has a good physical build, and the potential match-up between Jordan and [player_tooltip player_id='1958553' first='Jay' last='Green'] (Thompson) will be one to watch. Jordan scores at all levels and is also very creative as a distributor.     <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/PH-Salim-London.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/PH-Salim-London.jpg?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-1352621" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1398516' first='Salim' last='London'] (6'4/CG/'25/Hoover HS)   IG: leemlondon   X: @IAmSalimLondon   Salim is probably the most dynamic scorer in this regional. He is a multi-level scorer who loves to get downhill off the bounce. He has a quick first step and a quick burst to create separation once he gets his defender on his hips. Salim is very explosive and has gotten better with his body control once he gets into the paint. He scores the rock in multiple ways and does a good job keeping defenders off balance with his ability to change speeds. Out of all the players in this article, if I had to put the ball in any of their hands down the stretch and needed a bucket to win, it would be Salim, and because of that, I give the advantage to Hoover.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/PH-Isaiah-Fuller-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/PH-Isaiah-Fuller-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2335759" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='1091927' first='Isaiah' last='Fuller'] (6'5/Wing/'24/Austin)   IG: Isaiahfuller.4   X: @Isaiahfuller_13   Isaiah is a lengthy and athletic wing who does a good job creating scoring opportunities off the bounce. He has an excellent middle game and knows how to get to his spot, where he elevates over defenders for clean looks. When he gets a step and rotation doesn't come, he puts pressure on the rim and is a very good finisher above the rim. He is tough to contain off the bounce, and it will be interesting to see if Salim (Hoover) will draw the assignment of checking him. Isaiah's strength is scoring, but he does a very good job rebounding his position.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Duncan-Robertson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/PH-Duncan-Robertson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2347955" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='2314109' first='Duncan' last='Robertson'] (6'5/C/'26/James Clemens HS)   IG: slam_duncan123   X: @Slam_Duncan123   Duncan is a 6'5 Center, and as I always say, he can get away with that on the high school level in Alabama. He is an athletic interior presence whose impact is seen on the glass. For his squad's match-up in the Sweet 16, if he can push the needle to his team winning the rebounding margin, look for that part of his game to be very crucial to his team advancing. He is not a primary scorer on his squad, but his role will be huge on the glass and defending in the paint.     [player_tooltip player_id='1958491' first='Colben' last='Landrew'] (6'6/CG/2026/Thompson HS)   IG: iamcolbenlandrew   Colben is one of the brightest young prospects in the NW Regional, and if he plays up to his potential, his play alone could be a determining factor in Thompson's advancing. He has good positional size and can score in a variety of ways. He is a powerful yet finesse guard who is effective in traffic, plays through contact, and scores at all levels. His length and versatility will be a factor on both ends of the floor.

Here are a few players who could be the difference-makers in their teams advancing to the Elite 8.