Byrnes HS Open Practice Evaluations + Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The month of September provides a key chance for High Schools to get back to work and display their prospects to College Coaches. Friday, I was in Duncan, South Carolina, to check out Byrnes High School. Check out this deep dive into some of their top players and what could be in store for the team as a whole in 2025-26:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Information:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>School: James F. Byrnes High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: Duncan, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Layne Fowler</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Classification: SCHSL Class 5A Region 2 (Division 1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Returning Prospects:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2434057' first='Sukhi' last='Singh']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1982890' first='Colt' last='Fowler']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2687375' first='Fabian' last='McClintock']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Names to Know</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2446472' first='Kamden' last='Hack']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2973615' first='Noel' last='Santoni']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2948735' first='Kellen' last='Leverett']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Potential Contributors:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 <strong>Freddie Lowery</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 <strong>Darius Stover</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2832848' first='Josh' last='Dixon']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2537653' first='Jeramie' last='Lewis']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Open Practice Evaluations:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2434057' first='Sukhi' last='Singh'] - First up on my list of evaluations from the Byrnes Open Practice is [player_tooltip player_id='2434057' first='Sukhi' last='Singh']. Singh has seen his stock rise, both in the Prep Hoops Rankings and with College Coaches, over the last few months. He had a great morning on Friday, showing off his elite shooting ability again. Sukhi is comfortable pulling up off the dribble or moving around the wings for catch-and-shoot threes. He also has deep range beyond the arc, but when defenses overplay his shooting, he has developed the ability to slash and finish at the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1982890' first='Colt' last='Fowler'] - Colt has had numerous College Coaches stop by to see him during this September, including a Presbyterian College Assistant on Friday. Fowler's playmaking ability is what has these coaches so excited, and he had some elite reads and passes during scrimmages. He is also a terrific shooter and is continuing to work on his consistency. However, one other key part of Colt's game is his intensity. He worked extremely hard defensively at practice, causing several turnovers through his on-ball pressure. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2446472' first='Kamden' last='Hack'] - This was my first look at Hack at his new school after recently transferring in to play next to Fowler. It was clear to see there is already some chemistry between the two, especially as Kamden has always done a good job of spotting up for threes or attacking closeouts. His pump fake was particularly effective, but he also chipped in with some good play on the defensive end and the boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2973615' first='Noel' last='Santoni'] - I became familiar with Noel during the AAU Season with FCA Upstate, and he had a few strong games during pick up on Friday. He played well on and off the ball, knocking down open threes or using his quickness to get to the rim. Santoni also has decent positional size at the High School level, which allowed him to control the defensive glass and hit some contested shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2948735' first='Kellen' last='Leverett'] - Rounding out the list is a Freshman who could sneak into a big role for the Runnin' Rebels in 2025-26, [player_tooltip player_id='2948735' first='Kellen' last='Leverett']. He has a chance to be one of the better players in the 2029 Class as well. Kellen is quite comfortable with the ball in his hands and flashed some elite passing ability on a pick-and-roll pocket pass and a nice transition assist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Takeaway</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='2446472' first='Kamden' last='Hack'] to a backcourt already consisting of [player_tooltip player_id='1982890' first='Colt' last='Fowler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2434057' first='Sukhi' last='Singh'] is arguably the biggest move of the Summer. He fits in perfectly with what the Runnin' Rebels want to do and reminds me of what <strong>Jamari Cullen</strong> was for this team the past two years. Byrnes certainly isn't the biggest team in the state, but guys like <strong>Freddie Lowery</strong>, <strong>Darius Stover</strong>, and <strong>Jack Bailey</strong> will look to hold down the paint defensively and add a little bit of production offensively. Fowler and Singh alone will be able to win games for <strong>Coach Layne Fowler</strong>, but if Fabian McClinktock takes a step, [player_tooltip player_id='2948735' first='Kellen' last='Leverett'] grows up quickly, and they get production off the bench from [player_tooltip player_id='2973615' first='Noel' last='Santoni'], [player_tooltip player_id='2832848' first='Josh' last='Dixon'], or <strong>King Gaston</strong>, this will be one of the best teams in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->