2025-26 Season Preview: Downstate X-Factors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Continuing the season previews, these players may not dominate the ball or put up the most points, but they will play critical roles for their teams. Here are a few x-factors from across Kent &amp; Sussex county:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2375226' first='Kaisan' last='Bacon'] | 6'0 G 2026 Milford </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bucs have the size and skill in the frontcourt to compete with anyone else's; so Bacon will be a major part of making sure their backcourt keeps pace. He was accustomed to having the ball in his hands and being able hit the talent button for two-point buckets at CR. But with the run that the Bucs are gearing up to make in the Henlopen, Bacon understanding when to look for his shot vs when to get off the ball or facilitate could tip the scale in their favor more times than not. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2371044' first='Geordan' last='Downing'] | 6'1 G 2027 Cape Henlopen </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With Sivels and Tingle holding down the defensive point of attack and the primary creation on offense, the Vikings will need Downing locked in off-ball. He has the potential to be weaponized as a play-finisher, hitting catch-and-shoot treys and attacking tilted defenses. And he has the movement skills effect drives as a help defender. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2746845' first='Areon' last='Purnell'] | 6'1 G 2026 Seaford </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a junior, Purnell was a glue guy, making the extra pass, playing team defense, and making hustle plays. But now he's in position to make his team even better as a senior. With the offense running through Evans III and Matthews, Purnell's ability to play off of closeouts and take key assignments on defense, on top of his energy on the boards, will be essential to the Bluejays getting over the hump and winning the Henlopen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2375189' first='Quamere' last='Redic'] | 6'4 F 2026 Smyrna</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles have a squad full of dogs, especially on defense, and Redic is the most important one. He plays bigger than his height suggests due to his effort and how tenacious he is on contests and when cleaning the glass. They'll need Redic to get his fair share of offensive boards to extend possessions and defensive boards to close things out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2843473' first='Troy' last='Spencer'] | 6'2 G 2027 Dover </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With an assortment of players who can play above the rim and space the floor vertically, Spencer can complement them with horizontal spacing from three. He's the perfect kind of player to have one pass away because he's not afraid to let it fly from deep. Spencer can also fit into most of their lineups by being the guy who makes quick decisions when his shot's not there and wins 50/50 balls. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2375230' first='Chris' last='Thomas'] | 6'5 W/F 2027 Sussex Central </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After spot duty during his sophomore season, Thomas is in line to be a versatile chess piece for the Golden Knights. The two-way wing can run-and-jump, causing havoc on defense and pressuring the rim vertically on the offense. But his ability to stretch the floor could allow the team to play five out and put defenses in conflict. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->