Ben Lippen 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. Thursday, I was in Columbia, South Carolina, to check out some SCISA schools. The second stop for the day was Ben Lippen, one of the deepest and most talented schools in the league. 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: Ben Lippen School</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City: Columbia, South Carolina</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Jay Reid</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Classification: SCISA Class 4A Region 3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Notable Returning Prospects:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='1806932' first='Maddox' last='Stockman']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3067621' first='DJ' last='Slaughter']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>New Names to Know:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2815871' first='Braxton' last='Redding']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2816680' first='Kyler' last='Fair']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3785747' first='Grady' last='Edgren']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Potential Contributors:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3669372' first='Gannon' last='Sorensen']</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 <strong>Jackson Langston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2030 <strong>Crews Crane</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":["1806932"],"_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-6ac0297c6b954"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First up on the list of open practice evaluations from Ben Lippen on Thursday night is [player_tooltip player_id='1806932' first='Maddox' last='Stockman']. Stockman is one of the quickest and most creative guards in the state, and he plays that way every time he steps on the floor. He plays with a ton of flair, always looking for a crafty bucket or highlight-reel pass. Because he is so gifted as a scorer, his playmaking ability can often get overlooked, but that will be something that should get highlighted with a much deeper squad for the Falcons this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2815871"],"_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-6ac0297c6b996"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Braxton is one of two key transfers for Ben Lippen this season. He comes over from American Leadership Academy, where he was a key piece in a 20-win season and run to the Upper State Championship. Redding is still finding this place in his group offensively, but there's no questioning the defensive impact he will have for them. His ability to protect the rim and clean the glass, while also being a screener and interior-scoring threat, will allow some of their other pieces to play their more natural positions and excel as a unit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3067621"],"_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-6ac0297c6b9b9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of those players who will benefit from the addition of Redding is Slaughter. DJ is one of the best stretch-bigs in the entire state, and now he's even more free to roam the perimeter and space the floor. With his high release point and soft touch, Slaughter is capable of hitting shots in the pick-and-pop, from deep range, and over hard contests. The next step for him will be developing an ability to beat defenders off the dribble consistently, which will make him that much more of a headache for defenses to stop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2816680"],"_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-6ac0297c6b9d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Kyler is the other new addition who will make his presence felt immediately. He fits in next to their existing pieces well because of his desire to defend, ability to create shots for others, and solid spot-up shot. Fair is an excellent secondary playmaker for this team and will allow them to be a little more creative defensively. Overall, I'm a big fan of what Kyler will bring to this team and am excited to see how he will impact games for them this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3785747"],"_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-6ac0297c6b9f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Capping off my evaluations from Tuesday evening at Ben Lippen School is Gardy Edgren. Edgren is an emerging name in my eyes heading into the season. His shooting ability is his #1 attribute in terms of long-term ceiling and current impact. He will likely be the 5th starter for the Falcons, with his role being to knock down open shots and space the floor for others. His volume should improve as the season goes on and the scouting reports get tighter, so it's a good time to buy stock in this 2028 lefty shooter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Takeaway:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Falcons have easily the biggest and arguably the deepest roster in SCISA this season. With 6'8" [player_tooltip player_id='2815871' first='Braxton' last='Redding'] and 6'5" [player_tooltip player_id='3067621' first='DJ' last='Slaughter'] in the first five, plus 6'6" [player_tooltip player_id='3669372' first='Gannon' last='Sorensen'] and 6'7" <strong>Jackson Langston</strong> off the bench, they have plenty of big bodies to throw at opponents and protect the rim. However, you can't overlook their guards, either. With the spacing of Slaughter and [player_tooltip player_id='3785747' first='Grady' last='Edgren'] around [player_tooltip player_id='1806932' first='Maddox' last='Stockman'], he should thrive as the primary playmaker in his senior season. The addition of [player_tooltip player_id='2816680' first='Kyler' last='Fair'] into the backcourt is also crucial, giving them a very complimentary piece on both ends of the floor. If they can get another guard off the bench to emerge, they become an extremely tough team to beat and will cement themselves as one of the top-tier contenders in SCISA Class 4A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->