2024-25 Season Recap: Most Improved Seniors

Andrew Baxley March 24, 2025 @ 08:30 PM

USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION   Now that we have all had time to take breath after a long and exciting High School Basketball Season, it's time to take a look at some notable prospects before our focus fully shifts to the Grassroots Season. First up, let's take a look at some of the Most Improved Seniors from the 2024-25 Season:   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   [player_tooltip player_id='2090536' first='TJ' last='Lewis'] (Blythewood) - Statistically, there were few bigger jumps this season than that of [player_tooltip player_id='2090536' first='TJ' last='Lewis']. The 6'4" Guard improved from 11.3 Points Per Game in his Junior Season to 25.8 Points Per Game in his Senior Season, which was good for top five in the state. Lewis' steals average also jumped by nearly a full steal per game, showing that he could be an impactful defender too. TJ is one of the state's best perimeter shooters but is also a good athlete and can make plays off the dribble. His team experienced success as well, making it to the Class 5A D1 State Championship Game, thanks in large part to TJ's efforts.   [player_tooltip player_id='2430896' first='RJ' last='Hill'] (South Pointe) - The future Vorhees Tiger had a monster Senior Season, helping South Pointe improve a 10-18 record to an 18-9 record that included an appearance in the third round of the Class 4A State Playoffs. Hill frequently put up monster statelines as he averaged 18.2 Points Per Game, 11.0 Rebounds Per Game, 20 double-doubles, and one 20-20 game. RJ was selected both All-Region and All-State and finished his career as South Pointe's all-time leading rebounder. He impressed me at the Cayce Roundball Classic in December because of his interior-minded scoring outing that featured both post moves and offensive putbacks.   [player_tooltip player_id='2461008' first='D'ontez' last='Walker'] (JL Mann) - Speaking of dominant stat lines, Walker is another player who put up several of those this year. Most notable was his 20-point, 13-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in February, but D'ontez averaged over 20 points per game and 10 rebounds per game in his Senior Season. He is an elite athlete with a strong frame and the ability to make impressive plays on both ends of the floor. Walker can finish above the rim from the dunker spot, work with his back to the basket, or comfortably catch and shoot from his spots on the floor.   [player_tooltip player_id='1630003' first='Bryson' last='Taylor'] (Dutch Fork) - Dutch Fork's Point Guard also took a big step in the 2024-25 season despite being a very experienced player. Taylor was a three-year starter for the Silver Foxes, making it to the All-Region Team all three years, All-State once, and going over 1,000 career points in February. Bryson's scoring average jumped by over three points from his junior season to his senior season, and he also helped boost them to 10 more wins than in the 2023-24 season. Taylor has a nice feel for the balance setting his teammates up, getting his own basket, and spotting up for catch-and-shoot threes.   [player_tooltip player_id='2716518' first='Tyj' last='Jones'] (Laurens) - Rounding out my list of most-improved Seniors is [player_tooltip player_id='2716518' first='Tyj' last='Jones']. Tyj was not on my radar prior to his Senior Season, but he was a standout at the 2025 Prep Hoops SC Showcase, making a name for himself and earning a spot in the final 2025 Rankings. Jones was a two-sport athlete at Laurens High School but desires to continue his basketball career at the next level. Jones is an explosive athlete, fierce competitor, and polished playmaker. He improved to 13.8 Points Per Game, 2.2 Assists Per Game, and 3.0 Steals Per Game while also helping the Raiders improve from 7-19 in 2023-24 to 19-8 in 2024-25.

USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION