2025-26 Season Preview: Upstate X-Factors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>By this point, everyone is familiar with most of - if not all - the marque players throughout the state. And while they will have to be at their best for teams to reach their respective ceilings, there are other players who play complimentary roles and could swing games for those teams throughout the season. Here are some of those x-factors in New Castle:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2411598' first='Dominic' last='Awahmukalah'] | 6'5 F 2026 Howard </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Awahmukalah can stretch the floor and defend in space, but the Wildcats need his toughness around the basket. He plays with a ton of effort down low, fighting for putbacks and protecting the rim. In the bigger games, Awahmukalah will have to win his matches, whether that means drawing his opposing bigs out to the perimeter on offense or outworking him on the glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2352454' first='Kevin' last='Coleman'] | 6'3 G/W 2026 Salesianum </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coleman is on a short list for top defenders in the state and he gets it done with his athleticism and instincts. Like a shutdown cornerback, you can't shake him off with screens and if you try to put him on an island, that's exactly where he wants you. Finding ways to turn defense into offense and to leverage his downhill burst in the halfcourt could tip the scale in Sallies' big time matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bashir Holmes Jr | 5'10 G 2027 Middletown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cavs have all that talent and depth, but who is going to be that coach on the floor who gets them organized and controls the pace of every possession? As their point guard and their most experienced player, Holmes is the ideal person for the job. His split-second decision-making and ability to get into the lane will be important in clutch moments. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2703278' first='Bryce' last='Jackson'] | 5'7 G 2027 Wilmington Friends </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson is going from the guy teammates looked for when the Quakers needed a three to the guy who will have to set others up. His quick release and quickness off-the-bounce will be foundational to their attack. But he'll have to pick his spots and leverage those abilities to draw extra defenders before dishing to his teammates. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2633962' first='Jordan' last='Kennedy'] | 5'10 G 2026 Conrad </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A dynamic athlete, Kennedy doesn't have to score in the halfcourt in order to impact winning. He plays bigger than he is on defense, running and jumping for rebounds, steals, and blocks that generate extra possessions. And when Kennedy catches the ball with an advantage, he hits the spot up three or uses his first step to burst into the lane. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2773627' first='Ayinde' last='McLendon'] | 6'2 G 2026 Tatnall </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Hornets have a lot of young talent with upside, McLendon is one of a few experienced upperclassmen. Also one of their bigger guards, he has the strength to take a variety of match ups on defense and to play through contact. So when you add in his versatile shotmaking, McLendon raises the team's floor and makes them a contender in the upper tier of teams this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->