Survive and Advance: Sweet 16 Standouts Deliver

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The Sweet 16 is where reputations are tested and legacies begin to form. Win and you are one step closer to Birmingham. Lose and it's over. The urgency was real, the lights were bright, and these players rose to the moment powering their teams into the Elite 8 with statement performances…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3173528,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Kinley-Simmons-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/PH-Kinley-Simmons-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3173528" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2314059' first='Kinley' last='Simmons']</strong> (6'0/SG/'26/Murphy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @goatkinly3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Kinley had an efficient Sweet 16 performance, leading his squad into the Elite 8. Known for his 3-point scoring prowess, he displayed today his ability to create off the bounce and generate offense in the paint and at the rim. His overall floor game continues to expand, and he is the catalyst that has Murphy playing their best basketball at the right time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2985273,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/PH-Kobe-Brothers-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/PH-Kobe-Brothers-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2985273" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2748297' first='Kobe' last='Brothers']</strong> (6'3/SG/'28/Guntersville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Kobebrothers2028</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Kobebrothers3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Kobe continues to increase his stock as he led his team to an Elite 8 birth on one of the biggest stages of the year. He had an impressive 25pt performance that led the way, and he was clicking on all cylinders today. He scored from all levels and kept defenders off balance as they tried to slow him down, yet without much success. Kobe played beyond his years, attacking the rim, stepping into shots comfortably, and doing a good job as a leader on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3509689,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/PH-Keelan-Howard-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/02/PH-Keelan-Howard-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-3509689" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Keelan Howard</strong> (6'2/Wing/'26/Calera)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: lil.kee1k</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Keeanhoward4467</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Keelan showed his two-way impact in helping his squad take down who most believed was one of the favorites to raise the blue map. He is a talented wing who impacted the stat sheet across multiple categories. It is easy to say he was able to put his team on his back and carry them into the Elite 8. His play on both ends of the floor helped his team to be in position where they were able to make the game-winning shot at the buzzer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2706342,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/PH-Sam-Dorough-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/12/PH-Sam-Dorough-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2706342" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- 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 helped Cullman take down Clay-Chalkville, and despite not being able to get it going from behind the arc, he showed the vast scoring tools he possesses. He put constant pressure on the defense and was drawing fouls early and often. He lived at the line and was a tough iso scorer who came out very aggressive. His experience was clearly seen against some of the younger Clay guards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2313924' first='Reid' last='Winton']</strong> (6'7/F|C/'26/Whitesburg Christian Academy)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Reid showed his skills as a big man and his feel for the game as he led his squad into the Elite 8. He was a mismatch problem for whom Geraldine had very few answers. He showed his ability to score from all levels, but it was his play on the inside of the arc where he did most of his damage. He showcased a smooth, experienced, and poised floor game and will be key to a possible birth to Birmingham.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Chris Fitts</strong> (6'3/F/'26/East Limestone)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Chris had an efficient night helping his team to secure a spot in the Elite 8. He showed his all-around game, with many facets, both inside and out. He brought energy, effort, and toughness as he provided efficient offensive production and was one rebound shy of a double-double. If East Limestone gets past the Elite 8, Chris will be key.</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 helped his squad reach the Elite 8 by putting tremendous pressure on the defense, drawing fouls, and living at the line. He did not have the best day from the field, but he was able to impact the game with his ability to produce off the bounce and create plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->