Dogfight In Pelham Top Performers From Loaded Matchup vs. Hoover

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">One of the most anticipated matchups of the week took place last night, as Hoover traveled to Pelham in a game featuring next-level talent on both sides of the floor. Pelham pulled out a hard-fought 70–63 victory, improving to 9–0 on the season. Here's a look at some of the top performers from this marquee contest…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Pelham</em></strong> (9-0 After Last Night's Win)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3191654,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-DaeShaun-Morrissette-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-DaeShaun-Morrissette-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3191654" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Pelham Basketball Program, Pelham Basketball Program</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DaeShaun Morrissette </strong>(6'0/PG/'26/Pelham)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: ballinwithdae</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @ballinwithdae</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">DaeShaun was hands down the best player on the floor for Pelham last night. I have seen him before during the AAU season, and I know he is a tough, gritty lead guard, but what I saw last night elevated his stock, and he moved up a few notches in the rankings in his class. He is a physical guard who can score and facilitate, but last night he was in scoring mode, punishing Hoover's guards with his physical play. He elevated his play in high-stakes, momentum-changing moments, showing composure and leadership. He is a fearless competitor, and if he can maintain his level of play, Pelham has a good chance of making it to Birmingham.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2638408,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/PH-Anderius-Deshaun-Olds-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/PH-Anderius-Deshaun-Olds-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2638408" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Anderius Deshaun Olds</strong> (6'0/CG/'26/Pelham)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: smb.andy_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Anderius had a solid game, bringing energy on both ends. He impacted the game with his scoring, playmaking instincts, and on-ball defense I hadn't seen previously. He is more poised and settled as a player. He maintained efficiency despite defensive pressure and contributed to the win beyond scoring by providing leadership, contagious energy, and stability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3191678,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Jayden-Robinson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Jayden-Robinson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3191678" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2314045' first='Jayden' last='Robinson']</strong> (6'8/PF|C/'26/Pelham)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jayfromda_.408</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jayden had his hands full last night going up against [player_tooltip player_id='2224458' first='Jackson' last='Sheffield'], but he did not back down in what was a physical match-up. The paint was not for the weak of heart, as there was a lot of banging going on, and Jayden was right in the middle of it. He is surrounded by really good scoring guards, so his offensive production was limited to points off of drop-off passes and put-backs on the glass. I have seen his scoring production as a back-to-the-basket post player, but last night was a challenge. Defensively, he showed his shot-blocking ability, recording at least 4 blocks, which I counted.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2886683,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/PH-Tre-Pittman-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/PH-Tre-Pittman-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2886683" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194716' first='Tre' last='Pittman'] </strong>(6'3/CG/'28/Pelham)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Tp3.tre_day</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tre continues to emerge as a young playmaker with multi-level scoring ability. He was aggressive last night, hunting his shot and making plays with the rock in his hands. There were moments when he made tough shots, even when an easier read was available, but that comes with players who have a scoring mentality, as Tre does. He was tough to deal with in space, as he broke defenders down off the dribble and made some really good buckets in transition and the half-court. His scoring instincts popped, and he is playing with a chip on his shoulder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Hoover</em></strong> (7-4 After Last Night's Loss)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2714861,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/PH-Jackson-Sheffield-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/PH-Jackson-Sheffield-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2714861" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Hoover Basketball Program Hoover Basketball Program</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2224458' first='Jackson' last='Sheffield']</strong> (6'9/C/'26/Hoover)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jackson_sheffield32</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @jsheffield2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I have said it before, and he continues to prove it: Jackson is a beast on the inside. He is physical and nasty and brings a level of toughness to the paint that Pelham and most teams in the state of Alabama will struggle with. His touch around the rim is improving, and he showed he has been working on putting the ball on the floor out of the face-up and attacking the cup. Both still need work, but he showed comfort in his game in both areas. Free throws remain an area of growth.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2643643,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/PH-Riley-Kent-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/PH-Riley-Kent-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2643643" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2339496' first='Riley' last='Kent']</strong> (5'10/SG/'26/Hoover HS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: rileybkent</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @rileybkent</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Riley brought his instinctive nature to the floor, making an impact on both ends. He is a heady player and plays with poise, and he did a good job balancing scoring and facilitating. He has really good court awareness and knows how to make others around him better. He functions as a triple-threat player that can contribute as a shooter, passer, and driver, and as this senior-led backcourt, who had to wait their turn, grows up through the ups and downs of the season, this may not be a team many want to face down the stretch, and Riley will be a big reason why.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2949413,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/PH-Messiah-Millin-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/PH-Messiah-Millin-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2949413" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3070696' first='Messiah' last='Millin']</strong> (6'0/PG/'26/Hoover)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: messiahmillin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @messiahmillin3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Messiah was tough to contain throughout the night. He is quick off the bounce with end-to-end speed and constantly puts pressure on the rim. He consistently got paint touches and made plays in the heart of the defense by making the right read with what to do with the rock. &nbsp;He impacted the game on both ends of the floor, as defensively he has active hands and gave up his body by standing in there and taking a charge. He has a game that draws fouls, which allows him to get trips to the line. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3191684,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Michael-Gates-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Michael-Gates-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3191684" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Hoover Basketball Program, Hoover Basketball Program</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2889571' first='Michael' last='Gates']</strong> (6'2/Wing/'29/Hoover)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: miketheglitch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I have been hearing about Michael, and I saw him last night. He is definitely an up-and-coming prospect to keep an eye on. He has positional size and length, and showed a budding scoring arsenal. There are some inconsistencies to be expected from a freshman on varsity. The floor game is evident, and if he stays in the lab, his name will be spoken of at a high clip throughout basketball in Alabama. He showed he can create his own shot off the dribble, create offense off the bounce, score in isolation, and get to the line. His footwork, balance, and body control are developing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->