#TerryTalks: AL State Finals Class 1A Impact Players

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Class 1A Semi-final had some talented players on the year's biggest stage on day 1 of the State Finals. Here are my thoughts from the semis...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Brantley Defeats Hubbertville 78-67</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Hubbertville</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Cole Brand</strong> (6'0/G/'27/Hubbertville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">If I was doing a sniper school article, Cole would definitely be in, as he knocked down four threes in the semi-final game against Brantley. He was really good at shooting the trey ball, but he also made a significant impact across the stat sheet with his play. He made winning plays on both ends of the floor as he was very competitive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Tracee Cowan, III</strong> (5'10/G/'27/Hubbertville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tracee is a small guard but showed his ability to score the rock, especially from deep. Like his backcourt teammate, Tracee would have been in my sniper school article as he made three threes in the game against Brantley. He is a gritty lead guard and does not back down from anything. He was reliable initiating the offense as he has a good feel for the game, sees the floor well, and can make on-time and on-target passes. Both Tracee and Cole are sophomores and will have a chance to get Hubbertville back to Birmingham.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Brantley</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2790237,"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-Jayden-Parks-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Jayden-Parks-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2790237" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Average Joe Sports, Average Joe Sports</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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">IG: jayden3parks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @jaydenmparks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jayden is one of the most dynamic scorers in not just Class 1A but the entire state. He was the #2-scorer in the state this year, regardless of class. His scoring prowess was unmatched in the semi-final game, as he had his entire bag open and on display. He has open-floor speed, quick-twitch movements, burst off the bounce, and a really good ability to create space in order to get into his shot. He plays with a competitive edge and will need his entire scoring arsenal operational in the championship game.&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 has good positional size for class 1A and flashed his athleticism throughout the game. He was a dominant factor on the glass and played with a lot of energy and effort on the glass as well as on both ends of the floor. Defensively, his presence was felt in the paint as he made it hard for potential scorers to get clear looks with his constant contesting of shots. He was efficient with his scoring opportunities in the semi-final game, and he will need to bring the same yet more energy in the finals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RC Hatch Defeats Oakwood Adventist 65-61</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Oakwood Adventist</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2790244,"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-Austin-Germono-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Austin-Germono-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2790244" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Average Joe Sports, Average Joe Sports</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2786973' first='Austin' last='Germono']</strong> (5'8/PG/'25/Oakwood Adventist)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: austingermono2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Austin is a small lead guard who had a huge semi-final game despite the loss. He showed his ability to facilitate and score. On the biggest stage of the year, he had a score-first mentality, and his team needed every bit of scoring production that he provided. His size may be a question, but what cannot be questioned is his heart. He plays with grit and puts pressure on opponents on both ends of the floor. He was giving RC Hatch problems off the bounce as he was difficult to keep out of the paint.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2786974' first='Dylon' last='Pognon']</strong> (6'6/F/'25/Oakwood Adventist)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Dylon had an efficient night from the field, finishing with 22pts (10-14 FG, 2-4 FT) and 10rebs. His interior production was a major key to Oakwood having a chance to win the game late. He has a strong body and can really bump down low, which was an advantage for him throughout most of the game. He is a threat to score with his back to the basket as well as out of the face-ups. He brought energy and effort on both ends of the floor and on the glass. He had a mature performance on the biggest stage of the year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</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"><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 is a high-volume shot taker constantly putting pressure on the rim. I could stop right there with my evaluation for Merion because he lived in the paint. He takes and makes tough shots, but his aggressive scoring nature is needed for his team to have success. Scoring off the bounce is the strength of his game and look for him to continue his aggressive style of play in the championship game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2790246,"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-TJ-Dudley-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-TJ-Dudley-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2790246" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Average Joe Sports, Average Joe Sports</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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">Theotis, also known as TJ, is a promising-looking prospect. He has positional size, length, and ball-handling skills. He did a good job orchestrating the offense and controlling tempo at the lead guard spot. He is at his best when he is out in the open floor and can make decisions while attacking downhill. He showed to have a two-way impact as he was really good using his length to contest shots. To be a sophmore and play with the poise which he did, speaks volumes of what is to come from him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->