Lexington 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 Lexington, South Carolina, to check out Lexington High School, one of the biggest rosters in the state featuring multiple players 6'8" or taller, as some well as some young guards ready to break out. 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: Lexington High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: Lexington, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Robert Wells</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Classification: SCHSL Class 5A Region 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Returning Prospects:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2405569' first='Sam' last='Mills']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3230783' first='DJ' last='Matthews']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Names to Know</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3771918' first='Paul' last='Waites']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3771915' first='Griffen' last='Hill']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2532638' first='Tyler' last='Washington']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='3643481' first='Jordan' last='Hall']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Potential Contributors:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2829671' first='Regan' last='Bryant']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2817707' first='Kwaisi' last='Daniels']</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":["2405569"],"_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-6aac61ba52683"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First up on the list is [player_tooltip player_id='2405569' first='Sam' last='Mills']. Sam is one of the best big men in the state, and he's had several visitors this month. He moved well in Tuesday morning's practice, looking active on both ends of the floor as a screener, cutter, and rim protector. Mills is getting more comfortable offensively finishing above the rim and playing with his back to the basket, so he could put up some big numbers in favorable matchups this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3771918"],"_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-6aac61ba52742"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Wildcats aren't just gifted with one true big man with elite size, they have two. Waites is the more raw and unpolished of the two bigs, but he's improved enough over the last 6 months to be a playable backup for Mills. He will be effective as a paint protector in a 2-3 zone and as a screener in the pick-and-roll. A prospect worth a shot as a project big at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3230783"],"_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-6aac61ba527d4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matthews had a strong day in the combo guard role on Tuesday morning. He is a solid perimeter shooter, driver, and facilitator, so his ability to be a versatile piece in the backcourt will be key depending on situation this year. If DJ can put all the pieces together on a consistent basis, he should push for an All-Region spot in 2026-27.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2532638"],"_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-6aac61ba52855"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another 2028 guard who impressed me at Lexington's Open Practice was Tyler. Washington was one of their best players at practice, excelling defensively and as a perimeter shooter. He could step into a lot of on-ball usage this season because of his strong handle and consistency in making the right play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3643481"],"_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-6aac61ba528c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3643481' first='Jordan' last='Hall'] caps off my evaluations. He is in the process of returning from a lower-body injury, so he was limited in practice on Tuesday, but when he did play, it was clear to see how important he could be for this team. Hall is Lexington's best outside shooter, which will be crucial in spacing the floor around all their size. As he continues to get older and more well-rounded, Jordan could become one of the better guards in the Columbia area.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Takeaway:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lexington Wildcats are in a very good spot heading into the 2026-27 season. With the changes that happened due to SCHSL Reclassification, there is potential for a team like Lexington to make a run to the Upper State Championship, depending on how the bracket sorts out. They are in a winnable region and would greatly benefit from home-court advantage. With guys like 6'10" [player_tooltip player_id='2405569' first='Sam' last='Mills'], 6'8" [player_tooltip player_id='2829671' first='Regan' last='Bryant'], and 6'9" [player_tooltip player_id='3771918' first='Paul' last='Waites'], they have the biggest front courts in the state, so it will be on the guards like [player_tooltip player_id='3230783' first='DJ' last='Matthews'], [player_tooltip player_id='2532638' first='Tyler' last='Washington'], [player_tooltip player_id='2817707' first='Kwaisi' last='Daniels'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3643481' first='Jordan' last='Hall'] to hit shots and set up the big men. 2028 Wing [player_tooltip player_id='3771915' first='Griffen' last='Hill'] will be the energy and glue guy to tie things together, so they definitely have the pieces on paper to pieces to push for the Elite 8 and potentially beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->