Blue Map Dreams: 1A Semifinals Set The Tone

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The doors opened at the AHSAA Final Four, and Class 1A wasted no time delivering fireworks. If the two boys semifinals were any indication of what is ahead, Birmingham is in for a week of high-level, high-drama basketball. In the boys opener, Hubbertville knocked off heavily favored RC Hatch 71–60 in a statement win that shook up the bracket. In the other semifinal, Brantley handled Wadley 62–47 behind size, poise, and execution. The big stage, with bright lights, saw several players rise to the moment and here are the standouts from the Class 1A semifinals…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2330460' first='Kane' last='Rushing']</strong> (6'0/SG/'27/Hubbertville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: kanerushing</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Kane had a really good offensive outing, leading his team to a chance to play for the blue map. He made winning plays, in addition to hustle plays, while showing multi-level scoring prowess. He is a skilled guard who can play on and off the ball, and he played a mature game, never allowing his team to crack under pressure. He has his entire scoring arsenal on display as well as his footwork and touch, and if he can duplicate this performance in the championship game, he will give Hubbertville an excellent chance of winning the blue map.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2847404' first='Cole' last='Brand']</strong> (6'0/PG/'27/Hubbertville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: cole_brand_11</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Cole brought tremendous energy to the game and made some early, impactful plays that boosted his teammates' and the Hubbertville fan base's confidence. He scored from all levels and showed an excellent feel for the game. His passing ability was impressive, as he showed innate vision and creativity, and the ability to make timely passes that put his teammates in situations for quality looks and high-end opportunities. His supporting role will be needed to help Hubbertville take home the blue map.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2455022' first='Isiah' last='Thomas']</strong> (6'3/F|C/'26/RC Hatch)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: cntguard2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Isiah had a solid outing and impacted the game with his positional size and length. He can score at all three levels, but he was at his best taking advantage of the mismatches he had in the game on the inside. He used his athleticism to shoot over defenders with pull-ups while also finishing through contact and above the rim. He played with a lot of energy early, but he remained consistent throughout the game with his rebounding, defense, and shot-altering.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Theotis Dudley</strong> (6'4/CG/'27/RC Hatch)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: hbf.tj</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @iamtjdudley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Theotis started off slow, but really got it going in the 2nd half and asserted himself on both ends of the floor. He is an athletic wing who, once he got it going, was tough to contain. He looked to impact the game with his ability to knife through the defense and use his athleticism to finish in the paint and at the rim. His team may have come out on the wrong side of the win or loss column, but he showed on the biggest stage of the year that his offensive game is smooth and versatile with shot-making ability from multiple levels, along with a canny ability to generate quality looks for himself and others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2889710' first='Devin' last='Melton']</strong> (6'9/PF/'29/Brantley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: nxtupd5vin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @D1_D5vin</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Devin showed as complete game as possible in the semi-final matchup. He showed versatility and a scoring prowess that make him a prospect to monitor closely over the next few years. He is a freshman with size and length, and he did a really good job exploiting the mismatches he created. He impacts the game across the stat sheet as his presence was felt on both ends of the floor. He was active on the glass and proved to be a rim protector who not just blocks shots but alters them as well. The only thing I could say Devein needed work on was his perimeter shooting and free throws, but outside of that, he showed a budding floor game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3070702' first='Julius' last='Sylvester']</strong> (6'3/Wing/'26/Brantley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Julius is an athletic wing who brought energy and effort to the floor. He is a multi-dimensional wing who scores it well off the bounce as he is really good in the open floor and attacking downhill. He was a steady presence and showed maturity throughout the game, which is obviously a result of his years of experience. He will be the key as Hubbertville looks to contain [player_tooltip player_id='2889710' first='Devin' last='Melton'], which could open up lanes for Julius to get to the cup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1959227' first='Demon' last='Spraddling']</strong> (5'10/PG/'26/Wadley)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Demon is a small guard who hurt his ankle early in the contest but returned to the game and finished. He is a shifty lead guard who lived in the paint and made plays in the heart of the defense. He did a good job balancing what his team needed from him: both scoring and facilitating the offense. He set the tone for his squad with his grit and toughness and impacted the game offensively with his ability to find ways to score and defensively with his instincts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->