Byrnes HS Open Practice Evaluations + Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The month of September provides a key chance for high schools to get back to work and display their prospects to College Coaches. Monday, I was in Duncan, South Carolina, to check out Byrnes High School, a team who has been one of the best in the state the last few years, lead by the current #1 player in our senior rankings. Check out this deep dive into some of their top players and what could be in store for the team as a whole in 2026-27:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Information:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>School: James F. Byrnes High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: Duncan, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Layne Fowler</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Classification: SCHSL Class 5A Region 1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Returning Prospects:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1982890' first='Colt' last='Fowler']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2446472' first='Kamden' last='Hack']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2687375' first='Fabian' last='McClintock']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2948735' first='Kellen' last='Leverett']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Names to Know</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679972' first='J'Sean' last='Sanders']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3775699' first='Walker' last='Greene']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2832848' first='Josh' last='Dixon']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Potential Contributors:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2973615' first='Noel' last='Santoni']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 <strong>Jack Bailey</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 <strong>Darius Stover</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Open Practice Evaluations:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1982890"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab2acfeee712"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leading off the evaluations from Byrnes' open practice yesterday is the #1 Player in the Prep Hoops South Carolina 2027 Rankings, [player_tooltip player_id='1982890' first='Colt' last='Fowler']. Fresh off his commitment to College of Charleston, Colt was his typical self on Monday morning. He controlled the game with his consistent speed, high-level passing, and spot-up shooting. However, as their live scrimmages got tighter, Fowler became more aggressive as a pull-up shooter, which is something to monitor heading into the year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1679972"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab2acfeee748"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This was the closest look I've got yet at J'Sean with the Runnin' Rebels. One of the state's elite bigs made a high-profile move to Byrnes from High Point Academy this summer, where he played for back-to-back 2A State Championships. They will need J'Sean to be much more consistent with his motor and production if they are to get to Columbia in March, but the length, skill, and fit are there for him to be one of the most impactful transfers in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2687375"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab2acfeee76b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another crucial piece for Byrnes who has shown highs and lows throughout his career is McClintock. Fabian had some excellent plays at practice on Monday - many of them coming against Sanders in open play - and would have had a case for the best player on the day if he finished around the rim more consistently. He was active on both sides of the glass, pushed the pass and made good decisions in transition, flashed some ability as a passer, and played well through contact. It will be interesting to see how these two bigs fit together this year, but don't count out the existing chemistry between Fowler and McClintock as a key factor of the Byrnes offense this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2832848"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab2acfeee789"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Josh is one of the potential breakout names to watch in the Upstate this year. He has really opened my eyes since early June, continuing to improve his jumper when he plays off the ball, as well as his processing and playmaking ability when he has more on-ball usage. Dixon excels in the high pace that the Runnin' Rebels like to play, which can often be difficult for young guards to adjust to until they get older and more experienced. He will likely begin the season in the 6th-Man role for this squad, but it wouldn't be a surprise to those close to the program if he starts or closes some games this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2948735"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ab2acfeee7a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out my player notes from Byrnes' open practice is [player_tooltip player_id='2948735' first='Kellen' last='Leverett']. Leverett will be the youngest player in their rotation this year, but he has a full year of consistent game time under his belt now. Kellen is one of the better spot-up shooters in his class, which allows him to fit in seamlessly to this offense. He will also be important as a secondary playmaker, with his ability to burn rotating defenses as a shooter, finisher, and passer becoming highlighted as teams game plan to stop Fowler. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Takeaway:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Byrnes Runnin' Rebels will once again be one of the best teams in the state in 2025-26. The landscape around them looks much different compared to the last two years, with them no longer being in a region with Dorman and Riverside, and Ridge View now being in the Lower State. That, along with [player_tooltip player_id='1982890' first='Colt' last='Fowler'] now being a senior and the clear favorite for Gatorade Player of the Year, has the stars aligning in Duncan, South Carolina. The additions of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1679972' first='J'Sean' last='Sanders']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3775699' first='Walker' last='Greene']</strong> via transfer boost their hopes significantly, plus the emergence of [player_tooltip player_id='2832848' first='Josh' last='Dixon'] only adds to some elite depth. [player_tooltip player_id='2948735' first='Kellen' last='Leverett'] will be the efficient backcourt guard who spaces the floor and helps with ball-handling responsibilities, but don't sleep on the impact of wing [player_tooltip player_id='2446472' first='Kamden' last='Hack'] as a glue guy who makes shots and makes his presence felt in a variety of ways. If Hack stays healthy, and Sanders and [player_tooltip player_id='2687375' first='Fabian' last='McClintock'] stay consistent down the stretch, Byrnes arguably has the best chance of any team to knock off the three-time defending champs in Columbia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->