TL Hanna HS Open Practice Notebook

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The month of September provides a key chance for High Schools to get back to work and display their prospects to College Coaches. Yesterday, I was in Anderson, South Carolina to check one of the Upstate's most consistent programs: TL Hanna High School. The Yellow Jackets began their practice with shooting work, finishing drills, and a drive-and-kick drill before practicing their sets with full-court 5-on-5. Check out my takeaways from today's Open Practice along with some general information:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Information</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>School: TL Hanna High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: Anderson, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Keith Arrington</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region: Class 5A Region 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023-24 Season Review</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Record: 21-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ending: State Quarterfinals Loss vs Byrnes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key Departures: Jaquarious Patterson, Javeyn Martin, Tanner Epps, Cooper Cameron</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Returning Prospects</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1578642' first='Lucas' last='Wiersma']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2467001' first='Zae' last='Williams']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Names to Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2573137' first='Jamajay' last='Williams']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2529301' first='Ali' last='Sannoun']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2405568' first='Brice' last='Wiersma']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Open Practice Takeaways</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- [player_tooltip player_id='1578642' first='Lucas' last='Wiersma'] will be one of the best bigs in the Upstate this season. He has a long frame and high motor that can dominate around the rim on both ends. Wiersma uses the spin move and jump stop to his advantage in the lane. Lucas punished smaller matchups all practice long and had some impressive blocked shots in the 5-on-5 sections. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- [player_tooltip player_id='2573137' first='Jamajay' last='Williams'] was a huge positive surprise for me today. Coach Arrington described him as a young Junior who defends hard, can shoot it, and has a long frame that holds room for growth. All of the physicals passed the eye test, but the thing that stood out to me the most was the shooting. Williams connected on 6 of his 7 attempts from behind the arc in the 5-on-5 scrimmages yet remained a pest on the ball defensively, crashed the offensive glass, showed good passing vision, and had hard cuts off the ball. I think Jamajay could be an extremely important piece for the Yellow Jackets this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- [player_tooltip player_id='2529301' first='Ali' last='Sannoun'] could be the wildcard for TL Hanna. He is a skilled offensive player with a nice 6'3" frame. Ali showed that he could play on or off the ball, but I think he will be most effective as the 2 Guard next to [player_tooltip player_id='2467001' first='Zae' last='Williams']. Sannoun had buckets at all three levels during practice today scoring on the perimeter spotting up or off the dribble, pulling up in the mid-range, and finishing around and through contact at the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- [player_tooltip player_id='2405568' first='Brice' last='Wiersma'] may not be a major producer right away, but the ceiling is there for him to have a great career. Wiersma has good size, a strong lower body, and can work from the post or on the perimeter. However, Brice has some room for improvement in his decision-making with the ball in his hands stepping up from the speed of Middle School to High School Basketball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- [player_tooltip player_id='2467001' first='Zae' last='Williams'] participated in the drill work at practice on Tuesday, but has been banged up with an injury this month so he didn't make it through the 5-on-5 section. Zae will have the reigns to the Yellow Jacket Offense and is a talented playmaker for himself and others. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>- Although they lose as much Senior Production as anyone in 5A, I still think the Yellow Jackets can compete in Region 1 and will be a playoff team. Head Coach Keith Arrington is experienced and will have his guys ready when it's time to play important basketball, but if Sannoun and [player_tooltip player_id='2573137' first='Jamajay' last='Williams'] play as well as they are capable of this team could surprise people with another deep run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->