Sizzlin' Summer Shootout: Play-Making 2026s

USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION   It's June! The Scholastic Period has begun, meaning prospects across the Palmetto State are back with their High School programs for the next 30 days competing in various camps and events. This weekend I was in Greenville, South Carolina, for the annual Sizzlin' Summer Shootout hosted by Greenville High School. This year's champions were Greenville (Gold), Legacy Early College (Silver), and Southside (Bronze). Check out five prospects who made crucial plays in a variety of ways to help their teams win games this weekend:   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />    Leading off the Play-Making 2026s from the Sizzlin' Summer Shootout is [player_tooltip player_id='2469370' first='Keshun' last='McCoy'] from the hosts, Greenville. McCoy made the move from Woodmont High School to join the Red Raiders this Summer and was a key contributor in his role off the bench. Although he is strong in driving and finishing in the paint and can make plays for others, McCoy's most impressive playmaking came on the defensive end of the floor. Keshun was one of the best perimeter defenders at the event and has a nightmare combination of quick feet, strong hands, and high IQ. McCoy put up 15 points and 5 steals in Greenville's Gold Bracket Championship Game Win.     Jake is the lone big man on this list. He flirted with a triple-double in Oceanside's opening game, going for 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists in a win over Easley. Thomas is a strong rebounder on both ends of the floor, capable of finishing his teammates' misses or pushing the pace after another team's miss. Jake is also a solid ball-handler who can facilitate from the perimeter or pass out of double-teams. As the tournament went on, he showed that he could be a scorer too, doing so at all three levels with 12 points on 3 3PM in the the first half before picking up an injury in the Sizzlin' Summer Shootout Gold Championship Game.     [player_tooltip player_id='1621536' first='Lance' last='Barnes'] was by far the most outstanding player from the Sizzlin' Summer Shootout Silver Bracket. Barnes played more off of the ball for the new-look Legacy Lions and he was super decisive when catching the ball on the wing. Lance worked quickly, preventing defenses from sending help and often earning trips to the free-throw line. Barnes also had sets run for him as a three-point shooter, particularly in Game One. Despite going on to win the Silver Bracket, that first game was Lance's most impressive in front of me as he put up 23 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.     Rouse will be a new addition to the 2026 Rankings after a strong start to the AAU Season and continued good play into June. He was a big reason why the Eagles won by a combined 97 points across two games on Friday, including a 14-point, 4-assist performance in a win over Chesnee. Thomas is an all-around offensive threat, capable of creating scoring opportunities for himself and others off the bounce. He can run a pick-and-roll, pull-up in the mid-range, space with perimeter shooting, and make the extra pass. Rouse also makes things happen on defense with active hands and glass-cleaning.     Greer's [player_tooltip player_id='1486212' first='Mikey' last='Williams Jr'] rounds out the list of Play-Making 2026s. Mikey took over down the stretch to drag Greer back into their Pool-Play matchup with Easley. 17 of his 21 points came in the second half as he was determined in getting to the rim, the free-throw line, or both. Williams Jr is a blur with the ball and does a good job of playing through contact across the floor. Those two attributes make him a really difficult matchup, but add in his feel for the moment, and Mikey is one of the top scoring Guards in the Upstate.

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