4A State Tournament Contender: Bartlett

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PICTURED: [player_tooltip player_id='2083148' first='Axton' last='Perry']</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Enjoy the preview of the Bartlett Panthers (4A) of Region 8...a State Tournament Contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: <strong>Dion Real</strong> (11th season at Bartlett)<br>Last Season's Record: 22-8<br>Last Season's Ending: Loss to rival Whitehaven in Final Four</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194617"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6929f0ca2c277"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>12/7/25:</strong> Elite, elite athleticism. Though he played a lot of forward as a Bartlett High freshman last season, but through natural physical maturation and intense training he now defends the wing primarily. The transition occurred so, so fast. Stunningly fast. Often nimble young forwards take 3-4 years to make that switch and most never do necessitating the end of their basketball careers. Okoth is unique. College coaches are aware and Okoth is destined to play D1 basketball. Entering December's first weekend Okoth was averaging 21.5 ppg and 6.8 rpg. Okoth battles [player_tooltip player_id='2194485' first='Joshua' last='Huggins'] for #1 prospect in the Class of 2028.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194475"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6929f0ca2c31b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>12/7/25:</strong> Great scorer. Braylon plays low and keeps his eyes on the rim always. Williams was a breakout star for Bartlett as a freshman playing alongside vet KJ Neville. Well, Neville is gone to graduation and Braylon must be the backcourt leader now. His handle is special. Williams owns a willingness to get in the lane and mix it up. Brave guard with deep range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2678918"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6929f0ca2c3b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><strong>12/7/25:</strong></strong> [player_tooltip player_id='2678918' first='Amaury' last='St. Ann'] gives Bartlett a power wing. That the senior plays significant minutes on a roster littered with talent reveals how much respect Coach Real has for him. St. Ann is an effort guy that probably will not score much in a given game. Frankly, the team does not ask that of him. Rebounding, defending, and passing the pill are his duties.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2307628"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6934fb5645170"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>12/7/25:</strong> Feisty guard. Bartlett typically uses Sydney as a sparkplug guard, an energetic, quick speedster. Thompson can shoot it or push the pace, and Bartlett High prefers to play fast or faster. Thompson is the consummate team-guy. Many, many guards come through the doors for Bartlett and it takes an impressive talent to get on the floor as often as Sydney has throughout his career.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returners</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2678918' first='Amaury' last='St. Ann']<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2194617' first='DJ' last='Okoth']*<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2194475' first='Braylon' last='Williams']*<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2291122' first='Dylan' last='Jones']*<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2307628' first='Sydney' last='Thompson']*<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2083148' first='Axton' last='Perry']*<br>Ethan Gatewood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2767787' first='Kaleb' last='Taylor'] (Class of 2029)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2979284' first='Malachi' last='Hill'] (Class of 2029)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3184025' first='Eli' last='Turner'] (Class of 2029)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='2981248' first='Cooper' last='Tierce'] (2028)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3184038' first='Chase' last='Henry'] (2028)<br>[player_tooltip player_id='3184033' first='Jamonti' last='Williams'] (2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Departures</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elliot Driver (Graduated)<br>Austin Howard (Graduated)<br>KJ Neville (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->