Evaluating the Players Who Will Decide the Postseason, Pt. 3

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">As postseason play approaches, a select group of elite prospects aren't just putting up numbers but they are dictating outcomes. These are the players who swing momentum, bend defensive game plans, and ultimately decide who is still standing when the lights are the brightest. When the lights get brighter and possessions matter more, these are the names coaches circle first. Below is Part 3 of my breakdown on players poised to leave their fingerprints all over the postseason narrative…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2631801,"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-Keegan-Keeton-C1.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/PH-Keegan-Keeton-C1.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2631801" /></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Jasper Athletics Jasper Athletics</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194997' first='Keegan' last='Keeton']</strong> (6'0/CG/2028/Jasper HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: K3egan.k3eton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @keegan524352</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">If Jasper is going to have success going down the stretch, they are going to have to find a way to get Keegan involved, as he is one of the top three-point shooters not just in the state but in the country. He has the ability to get hot and shoot his team to a victory. He will have to do a good job finding ways to get his shots as well as score off the bounce, as no one is going to allow him to see the light of day when he crosses half-court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2638421,"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-Aaron-Adams-Martin-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/PH-Aaron-Adams-Martin-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2638421" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1959252' first='Aaron' last='Adams-Martin']</strong> (6'0/PG/'26/Midfield) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: _gleeaaron3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @gleeaaron03</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Aaron is the centerpiece for the Patriots squad and their hopes of getting back to their championship ways. Unless they hit a bump in the road, they should make it back to Birmingham, and with Aaron's experience, he will have his squad clicking on all cylinders headed into the playoffs. He is really good at balancing scoring and facilitating, and both areas of his game will be needed to accomplish the goal that they set out for at the beginning of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2878228,"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-Isaiah-Mcclain-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/06/PH-Isaiah-Mcclain-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2878228" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2314066' first='Isaiah' last='McClain']</strong> (5'10/CG/2026/Minor HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Isaiah2lucky</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @IsaiahM52290840</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Isaiah is a three-level 3 scorer with a very high IQ who plays on and off the ball. However, when he is running the show and operating with the ball in his hands and the freedom to create, he is dangerous, and he makes his team a real tough opponent. Many are looking at Minor to make a deep run in the playoffs, and much of the expectations come from the fact that Isaiah is in the driver's seat. Even though he is not talked about a lot, he is also a factor on the defensive end of the floor with his on-ball pressure. There is no reason to bet against Minor, as Isaiah has shown the significant impact that he has on the team and their success up to this point.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3417409,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/PH-Dequan-Johnson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/PH-Dequan-Johnson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3417409" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Dequan Johnson</strong> (5'9/PG/'26/Percy Julian)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Dequan is the definition of a steady floor general. He is fundamentally sound and composed, understands exactly what his team needs from him and delivers it. He is a playmaker for both himself and others, and is capable of scoring at all three levels while keeping everyone involved. Despite his size, he plays with confidence and toughness, never shying away from big moments. His decision-making and leadership will be pivotal as Percy Julian navigates the postseason. When games slow down and execution becomes everything, having a guard who values possessions and controls the game can be the difference between surviving and going home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2749347,"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-Leartist-Williams-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/PH-Leartist-Williams-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2749347" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Leartist Williams</strong> (6'8/F/'28/Saraland)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: 5.star._lj</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Leartist is the caliber player that can have Saraland holding the blue map in a few weeks. He is a versatile talent with a scoring arsenal that many have difficulty trying to contain. He has really good positional size and a skill set to accompany, which often creates mismatches that he does a really good job exploiting. He has a budding frame that helps him get to his spots and rise over defenders to score. He also is not afraid to mix it up with front-line players in the paint, which makes his impact even greater. So look for Saraland to go as far as LJ will take them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2952142,"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-Khalil-Luster-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/PH-Khalil-Luster-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2952142" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194652' first='Khalil' last='Luster']</strong> (6'8/F|C/'28/Red Bay HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: khalil_oneal</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @KhalilLuster</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Few players in the state have had a more impressive seven-month stretch than Khalil. His offensive skill set is advanced for his age as he is scoring comfortably in the paint, knocking down midrange shots, and stepping out beyond the arc. That versatility makes him the focal point of every defensive game plan Red Bay faces. Khalil's impact will directly shape how far Red Bay goes this postseason. The talent is unquestioned; the challenge now is leadership. Can he carry the responsibility of being the guy and guide his team to Birmingham as a sophomore? If he answers that question with his play, Red Bay becomes a team no one wants to see down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->