#TerryTalks: AL State Finals Class 4A Impact Players

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Class 4A Semi-final had some talented players on the year's biggest stage which is the State Finals. Here are my thoughts from the semis...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Plainview Defeated Fairfield 51-42</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Fairfield</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2470518,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/PH-Jeff-Duncan-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/PH-Jeff-Duncan-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2470518" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1398727' first='Jeff' last='Duncan']</strong> (5'9/PG/'25/Fairfield HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Jeffglizzy5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">In a game where it was evident that Jeff's teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1958490' first='Milton' last='Jones'] was going to be Plainview's top priority, Jeff stepped up and provided much-needed scoring for the Tigers. The lead guard has always been known as a player who can go for huge numbers, and he quickly switched to that mindset when he saw the way Plainview defended Milton. He made some huge threes throughout the game that kept Fairfield in step with Plainview. He was really good at getting his offense as well as creating for others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2791206,"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-Milton-Jones-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Milton-Jones-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2791206" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958490' first='Milton' last='Jones'] </strong>(6'5/F|C/'26/Fairfield)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: chosen1_glizzzy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Milton is the primary scoring option for the Tigers, and Plainview came in determined to take that away. They sent double and triple teams his way all night long, and it disrupted Milton's rhythm early, but he finally got it going and got free to make plays. He got to the line early as his athleticism in the paint and around the rim could not be matched or contained at times. When scoring out of the offense was difficult he found other ways to impact the game and score, as he went to the offensive glass and kept plays alive, got put-backs, or got fouled on second attempts.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Plainview</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2791196,"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-Sawyer-Wilborn-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Sawyer-Wilborn-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2791196" /></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='2832731' first='Sawyer' last='Wilborn'] </strong>(6'0/PG/'26/Plainview) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: sawyerwilborn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Sawyer is a lead guard who puts constant pressure on the rim. He was really good at getting paint touches and creating offense out of tight windows in the paint. His ability to draw fouls and get to the line was a major factor for his squad as they shot over 85% from the free throw line, a stat that really impacted the game down the stretch. Sawyer is a really good iso scorer who Fairfield had trouble keeping out of the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2791200,"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-Grant-Nickelson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Grant-Nickelson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2791200" /></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>Grant Nickelson </strong>(6'1/CG/'27/Plainview) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: grant_nickelson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Plainview did a really good job scoring from the perimeter, and Grant was one who contributed a couple of timely threes. He is a multi-level scorer who kept Fairfield looking for someone to try and limit his production. He has shot-making ability from both inside and outside the arc. Grant will have to have another huge night as they will be matched up against another highly athletic team in the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jackson Defeated Brooks 37-34</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Jackson</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2791202,"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-Joseph-Taylor-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PH-Joseph-Taylor-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2791202" /></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='2832735' first='Joseph' last='Taylor'] </strong>(6'3/CG/'26/Jackson) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Joseph is a big body lead guard who was Mr. Do-It-All for Jackson. Everything that Jackson does goes through Joseph. Whether scoring from the perimeter, getting downhill and scoring at the cup, or creating for his teammates off the bounce, Joseph is the guy who makes everything go. He is a player who does whatever it takes to win, and he doesn't shy away from making tough plays on offense or guarding the opposing team's best scoring option.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Keeyun Chapmann </strong>(6'4/C/'26/Jackson) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Keeyun will be a huge factor in the championship game with his size, length, and aggressive nature. He brings a lot of energy and effort to the floor and is very active on the glass and on the defensive end of the floor. Keeyun is one of Jackson's scoring options, as he showed his multi-level scoring ability. He will be one of the most athletic players on the court in the championship game, and it will play a part in how things go toward determining the 4A champion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Brooks</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Clark Warren </strong>(6'3/PF/'25/Brooks)  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: clark_.warren</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Clark played a huge part for his squad, particularly early in the contest, as his scoring on the inside and activity on the glass helped Brooks stay close. There wasn't anything flashy about his game, but he was a steady source of production on the glass and in the scoring column. He competed at a high level, which was why Brooks had a chance to win it late.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2613863,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/PH-RJ-Gourley-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/10/PH-RJ-Gourley-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2613863" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2421379' first='RJ' last='Gourley'] </strong>(6'3/G|F/'25/Brooks) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: gourley_rj</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @gourley_rj4l</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">RJ was one of the best players in the semi-finals. I have covered RJ a few times and wrote a few evaluations on him, but I have never seen RJ compete at the level he competed in the semi-final game. He had a bounce in his game and an aggressiveness that was contagious. His combination of size and shot-making ability from both inside and outside the arc made him a tough cover for most of the night. He brought it on the year's biggest stage, and his stock rose.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->