Early-Season Role Players Making a Winning Impact

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The season is underway, and teams across the state are beginning to form their identity. Coaches are learning their rotations, settling into their style of play, and discovering which players can be counted on night after night. While stars grab headlines, it's the "role players, the glue guys," who often dictate a team's success. These are the players coaches trust because they bring the same energy, effort, and reliability every single game. Here is a look at several players who have embraced their roles early in the season and are making a major impact for their programs…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3173517,"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-Cordairus-Dixon-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Cordairus-Dixon-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3173517" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2224450' first='Cordairus' last='Dixon']</strong> (5'9/PG/'26/Murphy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @_D1nuk</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Cordairus has been a consistently high level scorer, averaging 20 PPG and presenting constant problems for opposing defenses. More importantly, he controls the game as a true floor general, organizing the offense, managing tempo, and ensuring the game plan is executed at a high level. His leadership extends beyond the court. He sets the tone for Murphy's younger players, serving as a mentor, big brother, and example of what winning habits look like. Seeing him in action and talking to his coaches, I see why he is such a valuable piece to the success of Murphy's season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3173528,"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-Kinley-Simmons-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Kinley-Simmons-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3173528" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2314059' first='Kinley' last='Simmons']</strong> (5'11/SG/'26/Murphy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Kinley embodies everything a coach wants in a role player which is vocal leadership, effort, and competitive toughness. He embraces doing all the dirty work: defending the opponent's best player, grabbing timely rebounds, and making clutch plays when the moment demands it. Whether the team needs a stop, a bucket, or a spark, Kinley steps up. His positivity, selflessness, and team-first mentality elevate everyone around him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3173531,"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-Trey-Claridy-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Trey-Claridy-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3173531" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Trey Claridy</strong> (6'0/PG/Glenwood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Trey is Glenwood's lead guard, who brings steady shot-making, a reliable handle, and the poise to make winning plays under pressure. On the defensive end, he is the team's workhorse as he is physical, disciplined, and relentless. As team captain, he holds the group together with grit and determination. He does not need to be the top scorer or the highlight guy as he is the glue that keeps Glenwood connected.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3173533,"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-Brodey-Garrett-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Brodey-Garrett-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3173533" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2639379' first='Brodey' last='Garrett']</strong> (6'0/PG/'26/Jasper)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: brodey_garrett</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @BrodeyG5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Brodey is a player I have seen for the first time this year and he does a really good job playing his role. He plays extremely hard and is a relentless competitor on both ends of the floor. He showed his ability to knock down the three but he plays within the offense and helps to keep the offense fluid. He fights on the glass and is an aggressive on-ball defender. He impacts the game by making winning decisions without needing the ball. Effort is his identity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3173537,"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-Eli-St.Denny-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Eli-St.Denny-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3173537" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Eli St.Denny</strong> (6'3/SF/'27/Fairview)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: eli_stdenny15</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @EStdenny24810</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Eli brings solid guard play to the floor. There is nothing flashy about his game but he is highly productive and brings a few-mistake mentality to the floor. He does a good job balancing scoring and facilitating while valuing the ball, not forcing shots, staying solid defensively without gambling, and rarely breaking system rules. He has a good overall floor game with good court vision and awareness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3070690' first='Azerion' last='Jennings']</strong> (6'1/PG/'26/Valley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: cbg.az0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @pg1.azerionjennings</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Azerion is the a team captain, and he is disciplined, extremely coachable, and plays with unmatched effort. He brings defensive toughness, leadership, and consistency every night. Azerion wins 50/50 plays, secure extra possessions, and holds his grown on both ends of the floor. He adjusts his role based on what the team needs night in and night out. He does not need plays run for them, as he capitalizes on opportunities when they present themselves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Nolan Franklin</strong> (6'1/G/'27/West Point)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: nfranklin03</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @frank93323nolan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Nolan is a really solid two-way role player and impacts the game across the stat sheet. He is an aggressive on-ball defender, a reliable floor spacer from three, and surprisingly one of the team's best rebounders, averaging over seven boards a game at just 6'1. His versatility allows West Point to stay flexible with lineups and matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->