Irmo 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 Irmo, South Carolina, to check out Irmo High School, a team that was one of my favorites to watch in June because of the multitude of fast-paced guards and high-flying athletes. 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: Irmo High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: Irmo, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Alex Quillen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Classification: SCHSL Class 4A Region 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Returning Prospects:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2908504' first='Christian' last='Brown']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3345741' first='Oshon' last='Browman']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2414076' first='Tanner' last='McCray']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='2816511' first='Khiry' last='White']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Names to Know</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2388275' first='Carson' last='Johnson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3670422' first='Kaleb' last='Copeland']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Potential Contributors:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2887293' first='Antwoine' last='Pierce']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='3772231' first='Joey' last='Covington']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2030 [player_tooltip player_id='3733643' first='Jaylen' last='Harmon']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2030 [player_tooltip player_id='3737850' first='Wesley' last='Samuel'] Jr. </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":["3345741"],"_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-6aad8b147ad0f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Yellow Jackets had a few seniors sidelined due to injury at Tuesday's practice, but [player_tooltip player_id='3345741' first='Oshon' last='Browman'] is one of four returning seniors who will play big minutes in 2026-27. Last season he was simply a bruising inside presence, but he's become much more mobile and skilled to add another element to his game. He will still be able to punish mismatches on a nightly basis, but his evolving game will make Irmo that much more difficult to beat. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2414076"],"_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-6aad8b147ad76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tanner is the Point Guard who will run the show for Irmo. He is one of my favorite under-the-radar 2027s in the Palmetto State, simply because of how well he fits in next to the pieces that the Yellow Jackets have. McCray loves to play at a fast pace and sees passing lanes extremely well. They don't need him to score much, but if he can add 8-10 points per game to go with 4+ assists, he will catch the eye of a college coach this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3670422"],"_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-6aad8b147ae09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It was a pleasant surprise to see [player_tooltip player_id='3670422' first='Kaleb' last='Copeland'] back at Irmo High School on Tuesday. After planning to transfer to TLAP Sports Academy (FL), Copeland is now back with the Yellow Jackets - a move that instantly boosts their stock as State-Championship contenders. Kaleb was his typical, active self at practice, impressing with his length, athleticism, and defensive impact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2816511"],"_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-6aad8b147ae5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another long, intriguing wing that the Yellow Jackets have at their disposal is White. Khiry had an excellent freshman season, earning a spot inside the Top 5 of the initial Prep Hoops SC Rankings, but he is continuing to get better every time I see him. His handle was the attribute that looked most improved in practice on Tuesday, which will allow him to create shots off the dribble instead of relying on others to set him up this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3772231"],"_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-6aad8b147aea7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3772231' first='Joey' last='Covington'] caps off my evaluations from open practice. He is nowhere near the finished product that the other players on this list are, but he is a player to note down the line. Listed at 6'9" with a big frame, Joey has the physical tools to dominate if he puts in the work to develop. He's got a soft touch and solid hands inside the paint, and could be given some game time in non-region games or late in blowouts. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Takeaway:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Given all the talent in their region and across Class 4A, it will be no easy task to make it to Colonial Life Arena in early March, but I think Irmo has the horses to get it done. In [player_tooltip player_id='2414076' first='Tanner' last='McCray'], [player_tooltip player_id='2908504' first='Christian' last='Brown'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2887293' first='Antwoine' last='Pierce'], they have the experience at the guard position, and in [player_tooltip player_id='2816511' first='Khiry' last='White'], [player_tooltip player_id='3670422' first='Kaleb' last='Copeland'], [player_tooltip player_id='3345741' first='Oshon' last='Browman'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2388275' first='Carson' last='Johnson'], they have the size and athleticism to cause defensive havoc on a nightly basis. Look for them to use a lot of defensive pressure and play in transition when they can. They did lose some depth to transfer late in the summer, but I'm still more than confident in the pieces that Coach Alex Quillen has at his disposal and in the continuity they will have from day one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->