Birmingham Bound: Elite 8 Standouts Help Teams Punch Ticket

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">More teams punched their ticket to the Final Four, and with it came statement performances from players who refused to let their season end. The Elite 8 wasn't just about surviving it was about taking control. These guys didn't just help their teams win they set the tone for what could be championship runs. Here's who's carrying serious momentum into the biggest stage of the year…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sam Dorough</strong> (6'5/SG/'26/Cullman)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: _samdorough</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Sam is the leader of the Bearcats squad, and his scoring prowess, along with his ability to be a playmaker, has Cullman playing their best basketball at the right time. He showed his multi-level scoring arsenal and did a really good job keeping Lee guards off-balance and, at times, frustrated. He is showing a mature and poised floor game heading into Birmingham.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2748278' first='Brooks' last='Loftin'] </strong>(6'7/C/'28/Cullman)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Brooks.l6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Brooks has been playing with a lot of confidence, and it is because of his play that many are now saying Cullman could be the Cinderella story in their classification. His size and physical play on the inside made him a tough cover for Lee-Huntsville frontcourt players, as there were times when Brooks just bullied his way to scoring around the rim. He will be key in Birmingham if Cullman hopes to see their journey continue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Milton 'MJ' Jones</strong> (6'5/Wing/'26/Fairfield)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: mjeezzy3_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Milton helped the Tigers punch their ticket to Birmingham, doing so in impressive fashion with 30pts and 7rebs. He showed what he has been showing all season: his versatility and expansion of his overall floor game. Montgomery Catholic did not have anyone who could contend with MJ, as his athleticism and scoring prowess were just too much. Looks like MJ is leading his squad to a rematch with defending state champions Jackson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2832735' first='Joseph' last='Taylor']</strong> (6'3/CG/'26/Jackson)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: strife.jo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @JosephT2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Joseph has the defending 4A state champions back in Birmingham, looking to go back-to-back. He had an efficient night from the field and put constant pressure on New Brockton guards, who had no answer for containing him. He is a big body guard who is tough to cover when he gets going downhill, because he is one of the best straight-line drivers headed to Birmingham. His dribble-drive game is strong, as he lives in the paint and draws fouls. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2293361' first='Ford' last='Traweek']</strong> (6'0/CG/2026/Tuscaloosa County HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Fordt_1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @fordtraweek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ford went for huge numbers, helping his team punch their ticket to Birmingham. Despite going for 27pts and showing his ability to score from all levels, he made a tremendous impact on the defensive end of the floor. His experience and maturity are key to his level of play, as he has a good feel for and understanding of the game. Ford showed the ability to score when given the slightest bit of space, and he is really crafty, with a knack for scoring.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Derrick Surles, Jr.</strong> (6'0/PG/'26/Southside-Selma)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @igotsix6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Derrick had an efficient night from the floor while he balanced facilitating the offense. He was a tough cover as he scored from all levels and earned trips to the line. He has a mature floor game and showed why he is trusted with the keys to the squad. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Brayln Taylor</strong> (6'1/CG/'27/LeFlore)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Brayln continued his tear in the regionals, leading his squad to a birth in Birmingham. He is a crafty guard with multi-level scoring ability and did a really good job looking for his offense, as well as being a playmaker who used his gravity to get his teammates involved. He puts relentless pressure on the rim, forces defenders into tough decisions, and punishes them when they make the wrong one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Corbyn Patterson</strong> (6'1/CG/'26/Sylacauga)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: 1k.cp2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Corbyn is a gifted scorer who helped his team punch their ticket to Birmingham. His scoring production from behind the arc helped set the tone and allowed his squad to cruise their way to the regional title. He showed his ability to attack inside and out, and he has good court vision and passing skills when he is creating offense off the bounce. His scoring prowess will be needed in Birmingham.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->