Stars Shine Bright in Class 7A NE Sweet 16 Showdowns

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The class 7A NE Regional delivered everything you could ask for: drama, physicality, shot-making, and momentum swings that had the gym buzzing from start to finish. Sparkman survived Vestavia Hills in a 52-51 thriller, while Hoover flipped the script and knocked off Huntsville 61-54. In two Sweet 16 matchups packed with intensity, several players elevated their play and here is who made lasting impressions…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2844963' first='Landen' last='Malone']</strong> (6'4/F/'27/Sparkman)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: landenmalone09</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Malonelanden091</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Landen showed efficiency from the field and energy on the glass, and it was his versatility that helped him to impact the game inside and out. His athleticism and activity across the floor helped him make winning plays and get to the charity stripe. His size created mismatches at times, which he was able to exploit. His interior presence will be needed come Wednesday against Hoover.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Landon Howard</strong> (6'2/SG/'28/Sparkman)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Landon was aggressive throughout the game and, despite his splits, had to look for his offense and be a high-volume shot-taker to give his squad a chance, which paid off in the end. He showed himself to be a good ball handler who could get to his spots and get separation on his perimeter jumpers as well as looks in the paint. He can really dance with the ball and shake his man, which helped him to constantly get paint touches and make decisions in the heart of the defense. He is going to have to have a similar game in the Elite 8 for his squad to get past Hoover. Don't let the high-volume shots fool you, as his team needs that from him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2610210' first='Johnny' last='Towry']</strong> (6'7/F|C/'27/Vestavia Hills)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: johnnytowry</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @JohnnyTowry9236</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Johnny had an efficient night providing interior production across the stat sheet. His play around the rim made life hard for Sparkman's frontcourt players as they struggled to combat his length. Johnny showed a strong interior scoring instinct with soft touch and was an active rebounder on both ends. He used his size and length well in the post and is on an upward trajectory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2313914' first='Emory' last='Bear'] </strong>(6'2/CG/'26/Vestavia HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: emorybear</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @EmoryBear01</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Emory had an efficient night in a game that went down to the wire. In a heart-breaker, Vestavia came up short, and the senior guard left it all out on the floor. He displayed a mature floor game and made plays that gave Vestavia a chance late. He handled the ball well, displayed shot-creation and scoring flexibility, and showed poise. He is a versatile scoring guard who has thrived in the Rebels' system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2224458' first='Jackson' last='Sheffield']</strong> (6'9/C/'26/Hoover)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: jackson_sheffield32</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @jsheffield2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The question for the past week was on the status of Jackson and if he would be able to play due to his hand injury. I found out an hour before tip that he would be playing, and that changed my outlook on how I thought the game was going to turn out. From the tip, Jackson set the tone with a monstrous dunk, and from there, with his physical play on both ends of the floor. He did a good job playing thru foul trouble and making plays on both ends of the floor, which played a huge role in taking down Huntsville. Truth be told, if Jackson can stay out of foul trouble, and the Hoover backcourt can duplicate today's performance, they will be the favorite in the match-up against Sparkman.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Michael Glass</strong> (6'1/CG/'26/Hoover)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">With [player_tooltip player_id='2224458' first='Jackson' last='Sheffield'] playing in spurts due to foul trouble, Michael stepped up and was the key factor to what many thought was an upset. When Hoover needed buckets, Michael stepped up and either provided scoring or found teammates for timely buckets. He controlled pace and was often the player who slowed the Panthers' run and kept Hoover with the lead. Michael was aggressive as he attacked the basket with confidence, and his game drew fouls and got him to the free-throw line. If he can follow up with another high-level performance on Wednesday, Hoover, surprisingly, could find themselves back in Birmingham.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2748353' first='Graham' last='Gossett']</strong> (6'1/CG/'28/Huntsville HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: grahamgossett.0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Graham showed his offensive scoring repertoire and ability to create his own offense off the bounce. He is a talented, gifted scorer with one of the highest ceilings among players in both 7A games at the NE Regional. He had his talent and potential on full display, showing excellent off-ball movement and an understanding of how to get open. Once he got the ball in his hands, he was firing on all cylinders as he played with IQ and a high-level skill set. I truly believe that Graham is just starting to scratch the surface of his potential, and he should be a stock riser over the last two seasons, but I am looking forward to seeing his play this spring and summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2472355' first='Evan' last='Toms']</strong> (6'9/PF/2027/Huntsville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: evan.toms34</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @EvanToms</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Evan had a solid outing in the Sweet 16 as he was often matched up against [player_tooltip player_id='2224458' first='Jackson' last='Sheffield']. Evan showed an array of offensive tools, from shooting the three to scoring on the low block with exceptional footwork to being a playmaker in the high post. He was a match-up problem for Hoover's defenders, not named Sheffield. I loved Evan's efficiency and productivity, as well as his physical tools and potential, which continue to make him a high-profile prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->