Breakout Talents in The Glass House

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>PICTURED: [player_tooltip player_id='2865808' first='Miles' last='Helton']</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every spring several players unknown, or virtually unknown to basketball fans statewide, make a sizable splash under the brightest lights of Murfreesboro's Murphy Center. You can always rely upon Prep Hoops to share emerging talents with you. These guys are worth tracking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='3544709' first='Colby' last='Clark'] / Hampton / 2029 SF</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colby is a guy we spotted in the winter. Seeing him play in-person for the first time was really fun. He is all of 6-foot-5 and very agile. Obviously still growing into his body. Colby is going to be one of those Hampton High stars that you just have to watch. Sometimes casting directors like to say, 'The TV loves him'. Well, basketball viewers are going to love watching [player_tooltip player_id='3544709' first='Colby' last='Clark'] hoop. Colby scored 16 points. "He is very talented," said Hampton Head Coach Ned Smith. "He has size. He has handles. He listens really well. He has got good players around him. He comes in and falls right in with us. Good attitude."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2865808' first='Miles' last='Helton'] / Middle College / 2027 PF-SF</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The speed of Middle College completely upended Wayne County. Though Wayne County dominated the first half Middle College's frenetic on-ball defense and transition game flipped it on its head.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Credit [player_tooltip player_id='2865808' first='Miles' last='Helton'] for finishing off those opportunities. Helton was speedy and dynamic in the open floor. For Middle College to succeed they needed to score in the open floor because their halfcourt offense lacked punch, laced effectiveness. In the game Miles scored 17 points on 8-10 shooting. He also blocked four shots. In all, Middle College blocked seven of Wayne County's shots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2417949' first='Alex' last='Meadows'] / Jackson County / 2026 G</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson County's enter [player_tooltip player_id='2364080' first='Will' last='McCrary'] gets all of the headlines, and he deserves them. But Jackson County's Blue Devils do not win Thursday night without steady play from their guards. Hampton pressed and pressed plenty. The Blue Devil guards held their composure. Handled the traps. [player_tooltip player_id='2417949' first='Alex' last='Meadows'] did a great job in tight spaces and kept his head up and eyes scanning.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"He is our quickest kid of the dribble," said Jackson County Head Coach Kevin Thomas. "Hard-nosed. Athletic kid. He just played tremendous. He is just instrumental to us. Keeping us under control. Calling stuff. He kind of called the game offensively."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jackson County advanced to the state semifinals with solid play from all of their guards. They have so many proud fans and Mr. Basketball [player_tooltip player_id='2364080' first='Will' last='McCrary'] gets another day in his blue-and-white jersey.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Matthew Manuel / Middle College / 2029 G</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle College's team is pretty young. Matthew Manuel is a freshman...a starting freshman. The team won the Region 8 Tournament and dispatched of Wayne County Thursday thanks to Helton's points and Manuel's 14. He did struggle to shoot the ball though (4-13 FG). With active hands Manuel collected one stel and rebounded four times.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->