#TerryTalks: AHSAA Class 1A Championship Game Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The class 1A Championship game is set, and here is a dive into Brantley vs RC Hatch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Brantley</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Brantley will be led into the championship game behind the following three standouts…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1936440' first='Jayden' last='Parks']</strong> (6'0/CG/'25/Brantley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">It all starts and ends with Jayden for Brantley. Can RC Hatch slow Jayden down is the question. He is a dynamic scorer who can score in a variety of ways from all over the court. If he gets it going early, it could be a long night for RC Hatch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2815028' first='Jon' last='Harper Kilcrease']</strong> (6'2/SF/'25/Brantley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jon is a really good shooter, and RC Hatch will have to respect him and know where he is at all times. He will be needed on the boards as well as on the defensive end of the floor with his ability to use his length. He is a senior who will look to put a lot of energy and effort into finishing his high school career with the blue map.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Julius Sylvester</strong> (6'3/F/'26/Brantley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Julius had a really good semi-final game, and for Brantley to capture the blue map, he will have to be better, duplicate, or at least come close to playing at the level he did in the semi-finals. He is highly athletic, runs the floor, and plays above the rim. His interior presence is going to be key.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I asked Coach Parks to give me two players who will need to have impactful performances, and he mentioned the following two:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Micheal Thompson</strong> (5'10/PG/'25/Brantley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Look for Micheal to be a key factor on defense, as Coach Parks likes to match him up against opponents' best backcourt talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Andre Wright</strong> (6'0/CG/'27/Brantley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Andre has the ability to be a two-way impacting guard. There are times on offense when he is looked upon to handle lead guard responsibilities on offense, while on defense he is looked upon to be a disruptive defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Brantley wants to play uptempo on both sides of the ball, and they look to shoot a lot of threes in transition. Coach Parks believes that if his team can play really great defense and rebound the ball, they will have a chance to capture the blue map.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>RC Hatch</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I was unable to speak with Coach Hood from RC Hatch, so I will highlight a couple of his guys from the semi-final game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2455022' first='Isiah' last='Thomas']</strong> (6'3/F|C/'26/RC Hatch)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: cntguard2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I am really looking forward to seeing the match-up between Isiah and Julius. While Julius tends to anchor down in the paint and on the low block, Isiah will extend his game out to the perimeter, create offense off the bounce, and show his ability to knock down the trey ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Frederick Wilson</strong> (5'11/PG/'25/RC Hatch)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Frederick will be looked upon to bring production on both ends of the floor. During the semi-final game, he made some momentum-swinging plays on both ends of the floor. He will need to bring energy and effort to balance the backcourt talent that Brantley will have on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I have already spoken about two key players for RC Hatch in an earlier article this week, but both players mentioned below will need to be at the top of their game for Coach Hood and his team to raise the blue map.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2815024' first='Merion' last='Jones']</strong> (6'1/CG/'25/RC Hatch)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: FTLmerion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Merionj07</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Merion will likely be matched up against Jayden early, and if so, the question will be how much energy he will have on the offensive end of the floor. This will be a key development early if Merion is in that match-up because his scoring will be needed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Theotis Dudley</strong> (6'4/CG/'27/RC Hatch)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: hbf.tj</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @iamtjdudley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The sophomore will need to bring his versatility and orchestrating ability to the championship game. He impressed many with his poise and playmaking ability during the semi-finals, and the question is, can the youngster follow up his performance with another solid one. He will have the ball in his hands, and his decision-making is going to be crucial.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Class 1A Championship Game</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 5:45pm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->