CA Johnson 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. Tuesday, I was in Columbia, South Carolina, to check in with the defending Class A State Champions, C.A. Johnson. 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: C.A. Johnson High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: Columbia, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Robert McCray</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Classification: SCHSL Class 1A Region 2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Returning Prospects:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2149135' first='Milton' last='McCray']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2149134' first='Levon' last='Smith III']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3663090' first='Kaleb' last='Walker-Hair']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2459220' first='Elijah' last='Harper']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Names to Know:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1986982' first='Jeremy' last='Anderson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='3600934' first='Jordan' last='Jacobs']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Potential Contributors: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 <strong>Lucas Wages</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 <strong>Maurice Tucker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3784062' first='Jamison' last='Praylow']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3784064' first='Aaron' last='Goodwin']</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":["2149135"],"_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-6abd2283b5ba4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The reigning Class A Player of the Year looked very good in practice Tuesday morning. Milton continued to find a rhythm as practice went on, showing an improved feel for getting others involved while also knocking down shots at an efficient rate. There is no doubting McCray's offensive gifts, but if he continues to excel as an all-around player, he will be a Division 1 basketball player one day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1986982"],"_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-6abd2283b5c0e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1986982' first='Jeremy' last='Anderson'] showed some really good things as well. He is another one of their highly-touted senior prospects, capable of physically dominating the paint with his size and strength. However, his shooting is one of the more underrated attributes in the entire state, and it's something that college coaches should know about when recruiting him. Look for Rabb to have a big year back in the Palmetto State in 2026-27. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2149134"],"_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-6abd2283b5c7d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Hornets' Point Guard might not have the high ranking or regional attention yet, but he will be very soon. He fits into this unit extremely well, providing a fast and strong presence with the ball in his hands and a consistent perimeter threat when their other stars run the offense. Levon's combination of a high-level passing ability and a pretty outside stroke is what has me so high on him, and it will be on display for this team in big spots this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3663090"],"_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-6abd2283b5cc9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3663090' first='Kaleb' last='Walker-Hair'] is another key piece to the C.A. Johnson puzzle. He is their top catch-and-shoot threat, proving much-needed spacing from the corners and the wings while their other guys look to get to the paint. Kaleb is a very good stand-still shooter, but they are working on getting him more comfortable knocking down threes on the move and against stronger closeouts, which will only help this team and his long-term ceiling.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3600934"],"_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-6abd2283b5d12"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Capping off the list of open practice evaluations is an underclassman ready to break through. Jordan is a guard with solid size for his age, capable of finishing around the rim offensively when playing off two feet or getting out in transition. He will also make his presence felt defensively when engaged, and can defend multiple positions with his size. As Jacobs becomes more comfortable with the ball in his hands, improves his perimeter shot, and gets more situational experience, he could be a really good player for the Hornets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Takeaway:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a huge target on the backs of the C.A. Johnson Hornets in Class A heading into this season. They have been the standard in the division over the last couple of years, but they could be even better this year. The Hornets' depth is still learning and proving themselves, but their top-end talent in [player_tooltip player_id='2149135' first='Milton' last='McCray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1986982' first='Jeremy' last='Anderson'] are as good a duo as any in the state. Mix in the return of [player_tooltip player_id='2149134' first='Levon' last='Smith III'] from injury, giving them one of the best Point Guards in the state who can run the offense or take a back seat while McCray and Anderson work, and it's a three-headed snake that will be near impossible for any 1A school to stop. The shooting of [player_tooltip player_id='3663090' first='Kaleb' last='Walker-Hair'] and the motor of [player_tooltip player_id='2459220' first='Elijah' last='Harper'] will be crucial in tight games, plus there is room for younger guys like [player_tooltip player_id='3600934' first='Jordan' last='Jacobs'], [player_tooltip player_id='3784064' first='Aaron' last='Goodwin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3784062' first='Jamison' last='Praylow'] to break into the rotation and learn the ropes in certain matchups. Overall, the Hornets should be excited about where they stand heading into the season, and they will once again be in the conversation for one of the best teams in the state, regardless of class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->