Why Florence Is a Team You Don’t Want to Face

Florence High School   Class 7A Area 8    Head Coach: Dylan Burleson   Record Entering Into 2nd Half of Season: 4-13 (According to maxpreps.com)   IG: fhsfalconsmbb   X: @FHSFalconsMBB   Key Players:   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Jaiysyion-Payne-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Jaiysyion-Payne-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3276431" /></a></figure>   Jaiysyion Payne (5'11/PG/'27/Florence)   IG: jaisyionpayne   Jaiysyion is the engine of this Florence squad. He is a natural scorer with deep shooting range as he stretches defenses the moment he crosses half court. What separates him, however, is not just his shot-making but it is his high basketball IQ. He understands timing, spacing, and when to flip the switch from facilitator to scorer. He can score in bunches, but he also reads the game at a mature level.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Jayshod-Pearson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Jayshod-Pearson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3281140" /></a></figure>   Jayshod Pearson (5'8/PG/'26/Florence HS)   IG: Jayshodp3   X: @Jayshod2   Jayshod is the emotional and vocal leader of the Falcons. He leads with confidence, toughness, and a commanding presence despite his size. He is an alpha by nature, he organizes the offense, keeps teammates engaged, and raises the competitive level of everyone on the floor. His court vision and willingness to set others up make him a stabilizing force, and his leadership shows up most when adversity hits. He is the kind of player every coach trusts to keep the team connected.   <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Cavonte-Green-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Cavonte-Green-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3281142" /></a></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='2472441' first='Cavonte' last='Green'] (6'3/G/'27/Florence)   Cavonte brings a physical edge that Florence relies on. He impacts the game in areas that don't always make the stat sheet such as crashing the offensive glass, defending with force, and attacking the rim with intent. He plays through contact, finishes strong, and sets a tone with his physicality on both ends. His ability to rebound from the guard spot and defend multiple positions gives Florence lineup flexibility and toughness.     Key Role Players to Watch:   Taylen Jones (6'3/G|F/'27/Florence)   Taylen is a long, athletic left-hander who consistently impacts the game on the glass. He rebounds above his size, finishes well around the rim, and has the ability to stretch the floor when left open. His versatility allows him to guard multiple positions, and his energy provides a spark that Florence needs in tight stretches.   Temarrion Skipworth (6'2/G/'27/Florence)   Temarrion is a perimeter weapon who can heat up quickly. He shoots the ball with confidence, rebounds well for his position, and brings effort on both ends. His ability to space the floor and make timely shots gives Florence another scoring option and keeps defenses honest. He impacts winning with activity, not just shooting.   How Can Florence Make a Push Toward the Final Four?   Florence's path forward is not about flash, it is about habits, toughness, and belief. This is a blue-collar, fearless, unselfish group that understands the value of details. The Falcons emphasize the little things such as deflections, box-outs, extra passes, and defensive discipline, because they know those are the margins that decide playoff games.   Coach Burleson's message is clear:   'Be the hammer, not the nail. Improve daily. Trust the work.'   Florence was in Birmingham last season so they understand as the season progresses, it will be their daily habits, guard leadership, and relentless effort that determine how dangerous they become when it matters most.   Don't let the record fool you, this is a team that is learning how to win the hard way, and those are often the teams no one wants to see in when the playoffs role around.   #TerryTalks…My Thoughts On The Florence Falcons:   The record may not jump off the page, but anyone who has watched Florence this season knows this is a team that competes every possession and refuses to fold. The Falcons are young, guard-driven, and battle-tested, leaning into a blue-collar identity built on toughness, effort, and unselfish play. As the second half of the season approaches, Florence is laying the foundation for growth, both now and long term.

Florence High School