Hazel Green’s Veteran Core Is Locked In And Ready

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Hazel Green High School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Class 6A Area 16&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Head Coach: Jeremy Crutcher</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Last Season Record: 19-12&nbsp;(According to maxpreps.com)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: hgboysbball</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @HGHSBoysBBall</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Key Players:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2639327' first='Legend' last='Martin']</strong> (6'5/CG/'26/Hazel Green HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @LegendMartin07</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Legend sets the tone with his leadership, experience, and team-first mentality. He is willing to do whatever it takes to win whether that means scoring, facilitating, or defending the opposing team's best player. His versatility and unselfish approach make him the emotional anchor of this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2639330' first='Austin' last='Nance']</strong> (5'10/PG/'26/Hazel Green HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: austinnance555</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @anance555</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Austin is the floor general who makes everything go. His combination of leadership, poise, and high-level playmaking allows him to control tempo and keep teammates involved. His experience running the show is invaluable, and his decision-making under pressure will be critical to the Trojans' success this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>KJ Lee</strong> (5'11/CG/'26/Hazel Green HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: kjlee07</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @kjlee2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">KJ brings a steady presence on both ends of the floor. He is a proven scorer and elite perimeter defender who thrives on competing every possession. His experience and defensive intensity set a high standard, while his ability to generate offense from multiple spots adds balance to Hazel Green's backcourt attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Key Role Players to Watch:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Terence Short</strong> (6'4/Wing/Hazel Green)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Terence is a versatile athlete with explosiveness, shot-blocking instincts, and shooting touch. His ability to impact the game defensively and stretch the floor offensively makes him an important piece in the rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Makhi Hammond</strong> (6'4/Wing/Hazel Green)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Makhi's length, shooting ability, and unselfish play provide valuable depth on the wing. He plays within the system, makes smart decisions, and adds size and versatility to both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Returning Starters:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='2639327' first='Legend' last='Martin'] (G/12th Grade)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='2639330' first='Austin' last='Nance'] (PG/12th Grade)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">KJ Lee (G/12th Grade)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>New Additions:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">Jaden Hasberry (6'1/G/9th Grade)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">Hayden Hyatt (6'6/F/11th Grade)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">[player_tooltip player_id='2464259' first='Christian' last='Allen'] (6'2/G/9th Grade)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <li class="has-medium-font-size">Kareem Thomas (6'4/G/9th Grade)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>What To Expect From The Trojans This Season:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Hazel Green will once again play fast, aggressive, and intelligent basketball. Their combination of veteran guards, defensive pressure, and balanced scoring gives them the tools to dictate tempo and control games. Expect a team that thrives on energy, discipline, and togetherness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>What Will It Take for The Trojans To Win State?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach Crutcher understands the expectations are sky-high and rightfully so. The Trojans have the talent, depth, and leadership to make a legitimate run at a state title. The biggest challenge will be blocking out outside noise and maintaining focus on the day-to-day process. If Hazel Green stays disciplined, plays to its strengths, and leans on its experienced core, they have everything needed to contend for the championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->