James Island 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. This week, I will be in Charleston, South Carolina, to visit an open practice for some of the best schools in the area. Check out this deep dive into James Island Charter High School, featuring notes on 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 Island Charter High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: Charleston, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Travis Smith</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Classification: SCHSL Class 5A Region 8 (Division 1)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Returning Prospects:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='2899212' first='Matthew' last='Gladden']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2420724' first='Joshua' last='Gladden']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2895538' first='Cal' last='Fairfield']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2821521' first='Jeremiah' last='Triplin']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Names to Know: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1669880' first='Bryce' last='Ward']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1714850' first='Melachi' last='Singleton']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2460128' first='Maison' last='Logan']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Potential Contributors: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 <strong>Owen Adler</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 <strong>Malachi Brooks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 <strong>Jay Morris</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Open Practice Evaluations:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2899212' first='Matthew' last='Gladden'] - First up on my open practice evaluations is [player_tooltip player_id='2899212' first='Matthew' last='Gladden']. He caught my eye at the end of the AAU Season with [program_tooltip program_id='2413030' first='Middleton' last='Hoops Elite'], but will now look to step up his game to a new level for his Senior Year. Gladden has improved as a jump shooter and is now a viable option in the mid-range and from three. He moves well along the perimeter, but can also work from the dunker spot or back down smaller wings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1714850' first='Melachi' last='Singleton'] - Singleton is one of the new names to know for James Island because of his transfer from Burke HS to join the Trojans. He is one of the best Guards in South Carolina's 2027 Class because of his smooth, well-rounded game. He has good touch in the mid-range, rarely forces the issue with the ball in his hands, and is a very active defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owen Adler</strong> - Owen will likely start off the ball for Coach Smith, but that doesn't mean he is purely a spot-up shooter. He can and will punish defenses that become to eye happy on his talented teammates. However, he can also pull up off one or two dribbles in the mid-range, is comfortable playing off two feet in the lane, and is a cerebral player when in attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Malachi Brooks</strong> - Like Adler, Brooks might not have some of the flash that his teammates do, but he will be a key player off the bench for this group. In Tuesday's practice, he was one of the hardest-working players and looked like the glue that held his team together in tough spots. He is a solid three-point shooter and makes hard, smart passes around the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2821521' first='Jeremiah' last='Triplin'] - Rounding out the list is not only one of the most gifted players on this team, but in the entire state. The 6'9" Freshman has already earned a D1 offer from SC State, with signs of many more down the line. Jeremiah moves very well for his size, both in quick bursts and in long sprints. His length allows him to finish at the rim with ease and get to rebounds high, but the next step for Triplin is being able to bring physicality on a daily basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Takeaway</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are some big shoes to fill in the James Island Locker Room with the departure of 2025 Graduates <strong>Gavin Ward</strong> and <strong>Parker Renault</strong>, but the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='1669880' first='Bryce' last='Ward'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1714850' first='Melachi' last='Singleton'] will be massive in the long run. Ward will likely miss a good portion of the 2025-26 Season and James Gladden is currently out with a minor injury, so it's on the experienced guys like [player_tooltip player_id='2899212' first='Matthew' last='Gladden'] and <strong>Owen Adler</strong> to carry more weight in practice. With size in the form of [player_tooltip player_id='2821521' first='Jeremiah' last='Triplin'], [player_tooltip player_id='2895538' first='Cal' last='Fairfield'], and <strong>Jay Morris</strong>, expect teams to really try to space out and run on the Trojans. If they can get [player_tooltip player_id='2460128' first='Maison' last='Logan'] to take some strides early on in the season and Ward is able to return at 100%, expect to see James Island High School make another deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->