Richland Northeast 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 Columbia, South Carolina, to check out Richland Northeast, a team in the midst of a rebuild that could be sped up under new Head Coach Christian Savage. 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:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Information:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>School: Richland Northeast High School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: Columbia, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Christian Savage</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Classification: SCHSL Class 4A Region 4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Returning Prospects:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='3244799' first='Logan' last='Jacobs']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2817200' first='Reece' last='Jackson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Names to Know</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2149125' first='Brayden' last='Mack']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2892803' first='Noah' last='Smith']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3771535' first='Jonathon' last='Russell']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 [player_tooltip player_id='3578483' first='Prince' last='Earle']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Potential Contributors:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 <strong>Jaion Canty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 <strong>Antwane Gadson</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":["2149125"],"_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-6aabe9293e8e8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The guy running the show for Richland Northeast this year will be [player_tooltip player_id='2149125' first='Brayden' last='Mack']. Mack will be counted on to be both the vocal leader and the guy facilitating the offense on most possessions. He displayed a solid mid-range jumper and a decent feel attacking the paint on Monday, but it's still evident that the Cavaliers are learning exactly how they want to play together heading toward the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3244799"],"_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-6aabe9293e983"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the things that is unique about Richland Northeast in comparison to some other teams that struggled a year ago is their size. They have long athletes, like Jacobs, who showed flashes in the 2025-26 season. Those flashes were on display again on Monday in their open practice, as he looked to catch lobs and be a factor around the rim. Logan still has some raw pieces to his game, but I'm confident that with a full year of constant development, he could be a player worth a shot for a college program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2892803"],"_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-6aabe9293e9fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2892803' first='Noah' last='Smith'] also fits the mold of an intriguing athlete on this Richland Northeast roster. He transferred in from Keenan High School this summer, and he's really hit the ground running with his new team. Smith is an explosive finisher around the rim who is becoming more comfortable with on-ball responsibilities. With that improved decision-making and evolving perimeter shot, Noah could be one of the best wings in Class 4A this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2817200"],"_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-6aabe9293ea72"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Reece returns as the Cavaliers' leading scorer from a season ago. He's been unlocked in the combo guard role this summer, getting even more freedom to attack the paint and score the basketball. Jackson's composure, intensity, and overall engagement have improved as well, so he should be an important to piece to their puzzle again this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3771535"],"_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-6aabe9293eae6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out this list of my open practice evaluations is [player_tooltip player_id='3771535' first='Jonathon' last='Russell']. Russell does two things that every team at every level needs: space the floor and protect the rim. He's still got some work to do to be effective around the rim offensively, but his ability to knock down threes to open things up for all the other athletes is very important, plus he is a factor defensively with his length and athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Takeaway</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off a 7-19 2025-26 season where they finished on a nine-game losing streak, the Cavaliers were in a tough spot when Head Coach Christian Savage took the job. The rebuild was expedited with the additions of [player_tooltip player_id='2149125' first='Brayden' last='Mack'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2892803' first='Noah' last='Smith'], and there is evidence of a bright future with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='3578483' first='Prince' last='Earle'] and <strong>Antwane Gadson</strong>. Key returners [player_tooltip player_id='2817200' first='Reece' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3244799' first='Logan' last='Jacobs'] will look to build on the flashes they showed a year ago, while tightening up on some of the habits that didn't impact winning. The swing play of Smith and [player_tooltip player_id='3771535' first='Jonathon' last='Russell'], along with a potential fringe guard stepping into the rotation, will go a long way toward the potential of a playoff spot and deep run for the Cavaliers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->