Evaluating the Players Who Will Decide the Postseason, Pt. 4

<!-- 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 4 of my breakdown on players poised to leave their fingerprints all over the postseason narrative…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2920210,"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-Tyjavian-Byrd-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/PH-Tyjavian-Byrd-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2920210" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2463394' first='Tyjavian' last='Byrd'] </strong>(6'8/G|F|C/'27/Paul W. Bryant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Tj.splaxxs0 / Stampedenationn</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Tjfor3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">TJ has been having an impactful season and continues to show his scoring versatility. He has become a more clever scorer and is really good at getting to his spots, showing the ability to use his length and rise up over the top to score. Look for TJ to be one of the main reasons why Paul Bryant will more than likely find their way back to Birmingham. His scoring prowess and growing presence on the defensive end of the floor are what many expect to be the key to a deep playoff run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2723218,"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-Kaleb-Carson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/01/PH-Kaleb-Carson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2723218" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832717' first='Kaleb' last='Carson']</strong> (5'11/PG/‘26/Homewood)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @KCarson10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Kaleb is a lead guard who is climbing the ranks as one of the top guards in the state. His leadership and ability to control the game have the Patriots playing at a high level at the right time of the year. Good guard play is crucial in the playoffs, and Kaleb consistently brings a brilliant floor game. He has the keys to the squad and a really good understanding of the coaching staff's expectations night in and night out. He will give the Patriots a chance down the stretch. &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2953634,"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-Jeremy-Chatman-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/PH-Jeremy-Chatman-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2953634" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1958751' first='Jeremy' last='Chatman']</strong> (6'2/'26/Shades Valley HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: li._chat</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Jchat.10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jeremy has been one of the most consistent players this season as he has produced with efficiency and at a high rate. He is playing with a maturity that has allowed the game to slow down for him, and he just seems to be at another speed than his peers. He draws a lot of attention and understands how to create for others with the gravity he creates. Many believe that Shades Valley is a sleeper team that can make some noise late, and Jeremy will be key to making it happen. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3424696,"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-Zyonte-Hubbard-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/PH-Zyonte-Hubbard-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3424696" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2839459' first='Zyonte' last='Hubbard']</strong> (6'3/CG/'27/Oak Grove)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Showtime_zy5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @ZyonteHubbard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Zyonte is a backcourt talent &nbsp;who has shown a potent scoring arsenal with an aggressive mindset, which makes him a difficult cover. He plays on and off the ball and has shown his ability to create his own offense as well as offense for his teammates. He has court vision and passing skills that help him to serve as a facilitator, while at the same time, his shot-making ability is one of the best in the Central Alabama area. &nbsp; For Oak Grove to have a chance down the stretch, Zyonte is going to have to be at the top of his game for 32 minutes. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3424704,"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-Sam-Fox-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/PH-Sam-Fox-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3424704" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2313920' first='Sam' last='Fox']</strong> (6'4/CG/'26/Spain Park)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: ygsammy4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @sammie2nice</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Sam has been producing at a high rate this season and has been one of the most productive players when it comes to scoring the rock. He has also shown his playmaking skills and is doing a really good job putting pressure on defenses as a scorer and as a facilitator. He is comfortable operating and taking shots off the dribble as well as in catch-and-shoot opportunities. He has shown shot-making ability from all levels, and he is a reason why Spain Park will be a team no one will want to face come playoff time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3424697,"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-Jamar-Brown-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/01/PH-Jamar-Brown-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3424697" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2737908' first='Jamar' last='Brown']</strong> (6'1/PG/'27/Marbury)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jamarb.6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jamar is the heartbeat of the Marbury squad and serves as an extension of the coaching staff on the floor. He handles pressure with composure, consistently getting his team into the right offensive and defensive sets while maintaining control of the game. While he is fully capable of scoring, he is selective and unselfish and willing to take over when needed or step back and feed the hot hand. That balance is invaluable in playoff basketball. For Marbury to make a deep push, Jamar will be the focal point, and everything he is shown to this point suggests he is more than ready to carry that responsibility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->