JV Corner: #SpartanInvitational A Look At Next Year Varsity Guys

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The #SpartanInvitational was loaded with teams looking to cap off the season with a championship. Many talented players competed, and here are a few guys who will definitely be making the jump to varsity next year…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2759390,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Kendaris-Steele-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Kendaris-Steele-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2759390" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2540343' first='Kendaris' last='Steele']</strong> (6'7/PF|C/'27/Hoover) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Kingkj_32</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @KingKJ_24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">If I was naming an MVP of the #SpartanInvitational, it would have been Kendaris. His play on both ends of the floor made him one of the most impactful players throughout the tourney, and his dominance on the inside helped Hoover secure the title. He is dominant on the boards, is really good at contesting shots, and is steadily developing his interior offensive game. He has to continue working on playing over both shoulders, scoring out of the face-up, and expanding his game to the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2640300,"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-Xavier-Beavers-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/PH-Xavier-Beavers-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2640300" /></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>(5'10/CG/'29/Clay-Chalkville)<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 dynamic lead guard and the future of the Cougars program. He has already got varsity action as an 8th-grader and will be moved up for the remainder of the season. His playmaking upside is through the roof, and he is really good at creating his own or creating for his teammates. He has a quick first step and excels at getting downhill in the open floor. He is good at penetrating off the dribble and gets paint touches at a high rate. He is a multi-level scorer who plays with a lot of passion. Strength and speed will be two major points of focus this off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2732881,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/PH-Bastian-Carroll-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/PH-Bastian-Carroll-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2732881" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2729525' first='Bastian' last='Carroll']</strong> (5'10/PG/'27/Spain Park) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: bastian.carroll.219</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Bastian is a multi-level scorer with a budding PG IQ. He is a young playmaker with vision and passing skills. He handles the ball with a crafty handle that keeps players off balance. With his ability to knock down the trey ball, defenders have to respect his jumper and play him close, which he utilizes to get into the heart of the defense. He is really good at balancing scoring and facilitating and will be a nice addition at the varsity level next year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2759391,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Brayden-Freeman-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Brayden-Freeman-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2759391" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Brayden Freeman</strong> (6'1/PF/'27/Mortimer Jordan) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: braydenfreeman367</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Brayden is an interior presence on the JV level, and he constantly makes winning plays that are not necessarily scoring plays. He always seems to be in the right place, and the ball always seems to find him. He is active on the glass and showed that he can stretch the floor with the trey ball. He will have to continue expanding his game to the perimeter as he eyes life at the next level. One thing is for sure, he has no problem doing what it takes to help his team win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2759392,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Cornel-Warren-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Cornel-Warren-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2759392" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cornel Warren</strong> (5'11/SF/'27/Homewood) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: _.corne1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Cornel456440</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Cornel had a really good showing on day one of the tournament. He was identified as the player of the game with his offensive performance. He was aggressive with his offensive opportunities, and when getting downhill, he handled contact and physical defenders well. Despite being aggressive, he didn't force his scoring and did a good job making the right reads when attacking off the dribble.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2759393,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Price-Bittner-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Price-Bittner-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2759393" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Price Bittner</strong> (6'0/PG/'27/Leeds) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: pricebittner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Pricebittner10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Price is a lead guard who initially caught my eye with his range from behind the arc. He has a nice stroke from the perimeter, and defenders must always be aware of his presence. He has shifty handles, vision, and a PG IQ that makes him a reliable lead guard. He has a scoring prowess that could push him to look for his offense more, but he is really good at facilitating as well, making him a lead guard whose coach wants the ball in his hands.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2759394,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Griffin-Allen-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Griffin-Allen-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2759394" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Griffin Allen</strong> (6'0/SG/'27/Mountain Brook) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Griffin_allen_5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Griffin was probably, and I am considering removing the probably, the best scorer throughout the entire tournament. Mountain Brook has an offensive weapon stepping up to the varsity next year. His offensive repertoire is highly robust, as he can score from all levels. He can make shots in bunches and can get it done off the bounce and when spotting up. He is going to be a welcomed addition at the varsity level next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2759395,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Price-LaMaster-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Price-LaMaster-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2759395" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Price LaMaster </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 impacted both ends of the floor and was a significant two-way threat. He is really tough off the dribble and is at his best when he has the ball in his hands and the freedom to get downhill. He has decent ball-handling skills and showed that he can effectively get his shot off the dribble and create for teammates. He has an aggressive mindset and competes at a high level on both ends of the floor.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->