Jasper Christmas Classic Preview: Players To Keep An Eye On

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Here are a few players to keep your eyes on at the City of Jasper Christmas Classic…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2697815,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/PH-Jarett-Fairley-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/PH-Jarett-Fairley-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2697815" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1398558' first='Jarett' last='Fairley']&nbsp;</strong>(6'2/CG/'25/Hoover HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jarettgotquicks_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @fairley_jm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">There is no player who is going to impact the game more during this classic than Jarett. He is a player who has not received enough attention from the next level, but let me say, someone will have a diamond when they get him on campus. Until then, what we can expect this week is a hard-playing two-way force who does whatever it takes to win. He is a multi-level scorer who can slide over and play the lead guard position offensively, and on defense, he is always up to the challenge of guarding the opposing team's best perimeter scorer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2631801,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/PH-Keegan-Keeton-C1.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/PH-Keegan-Keeton-C1.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2631801" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Jasper Athletics Jasper Athletics</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194997' first='Keegan' last='Keeton']&nbsp;</strong>(5'9/CG/'28/Jasper)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: keetonkeegan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @keegankeeton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Keegan will likely be the best three-point shooter taking the floor at the classic. Many in grassroots basketball believe he is one of the best shooters in the country. He doesn't shy away from his strengths, as he is always locked and loaded and ready to let it fly from deep. The key will be how Jasper will continue to get him quality looks now that just about everyone knows his threat level from behind the arc and will more than likely face-guard him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2697819,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/PH-Gray-Hopper-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/PH-Gray-Hopper-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2697819" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2639355' first='Gray' last='Hopper']</strong> (6'0/Wing/'26/Cullman)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: gray_hopper</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Gray is a player who will bring multi-level scoring to the game, specifically from behind the arc. He is a solid piece to the system in which the Bearcats run, and as with most of the guys on the team who are system-oriented, as long as they stay true to the system, they are able to shine. Gray's perimeter shooting will be needed, especially against Jonesboro and the size lurking in the paint, ready to contest any and all shots coming in the paint off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2697820,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/PH-Jonah-Jones-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/PH-Jonah-Jones-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2697820" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2291698' first='Jonah' last='Jones'] </strong>(6'4/F|C/'25/Central-Phenix HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jonah_j_12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Jones__Jonah</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jonah is considered an undersized post player, but for the past couple of years, he has continued to be Central's physical athletic interior presence. He is a really good finisher at and above the rim. Many have tried to take advantage of his size and post him, but he does a good job holding his ground and walling up. Offensively, he is good at pulling bigger post players out of their comfort zone and attacking them off the bounce.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Josh Taylor</strong> (5'9/PG/'25/Lausanne Collegiate School)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Jltaylor_2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @2025taylor</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Josh is a lead guard with a mature floor game. He brings experience, toughness, and a high PG IQ to the floor. He is a lead guard who can facilitate the offense and go get buckets. He shoots the ball extremely well from behind the arc, averaging 42% from the three last year. He makes Lausanne go, and he will lead his team into battle as a solid floor general.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1330881' first='KJ' last='Neville']</strong> (6'2/CG/'25/Bartlett HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: kylan_hoops2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">KJ is a senior backcourt prospect who brings two years of starting varsity experience to the floor. He is a caliber player willing to do whatever it takes to win. He leads by example, and his teammates look to him for guidance on and off the floor. He balances scoring and facilitating, and he is the guy who makes everything go for his squad. He makes everyone around him better, and it will be a joy to watch him compete.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2859657' first='Zuri' last='McClure']</strong> (6'2/Wing/' 28/Lausanne Collegiate School)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Cbg.zuri2.0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Cbg_zuwop</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Zuri is a wing who brings a high IQ to the court every time he steps onto it. He is a talented scorer with multiple ways to score in his scoring repertoire. He is a two-way force who has shown his ability to defend every guard spot, offensively play on and off the ball, and produce in both spots. I am looking forward to seeing him compete against Jasper on the second day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2291122' first='Dylan' last='Jones']</strong> (6'6/Wing/'27/Bartlett HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: rylldyll</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Dylan has really good positional size, a strong frame, athleticism, and versatility. He is a talented scorer who can get it done from all levels in a variety of ways. He is comfortable putting the rock on the floor and getting to his spots. It is going to be a good match-up when Bartlett takes on Hoover during the final game of the classic. He can be a real match-up problem because of his size and skill set.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->