#TerryTalks Catching Up With The Huffman Vikings

<p>The last time we saw the Vikings was at the 2022 Final Four Class 6A Championship game, where they came up short in their quest for the 6A title. The Vikings fell to Cullman HS 50-57 in a match-up that many had predicted that they would come out on top.</p> <p>So the Huffman Vikings led by head coach Steve Ward, is gearing up for the month of June, looking to build the foundation for the 2022-2023 season. I asked Coach Ward, what are three things that he wants to see from his team throughout the month of June, and he replied:</p> <ol> <li>Cohesiveness</li> <li>Communication Skills</li> <li>How well they pay attention to detail</li> </ol> <p>All three of these characteristics are building blocks for an eventual state championship run. The Vikings lost a lot of production across the board, but they were not completely depleted.</p> <blockquote> <p><b>Key Returning Players:</b></p> </blockquote> <p><b><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/PH-Peyton-Wiggins.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1284052 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/PH-Peyton-Wiggins-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1398555" first="Peyton" last="Wiggins"]</b> (6’1/Point Guard)</p> <p>Instagram: peytonpnutwigg13</p> <p>Twitter: @Wiggins_peyton</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I have put ink on Peyton many times in the past and he has consistently lived up to the caliber player I think that he is becoming. One thing that Coach Ward likes about his rising sophomore is his IQ for his age. Peyton had his freshman moments last season, but by the time playoffs came around, he was not playing as a freshman would. By that time he had a lot of game experience, and it showed by his play throughout the playoffs. He is undoubtedly the leader of the Vikings moving forward, and what I will be looking for during the month of June is not necessarily his scoring acumen, but his leadership skills on and off the floor. I encourage Peyton to take a moment and read Jon Gordon’s book Row The Boat (<a href="https://jongordon.com/books/row-boat/">https://jongordon.com/books/row-boat/</a>)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>[player_tooltip player_id="1070794" first="Brandon" last="Tinsley"]</b> (6’5/PF)</p> <p>Instagram: N/A</p> <p>Twitter: N/A</p> <p>With the departure of [player_tooltip player_id="1129573" first="Michael" last="Johnson"] who was the man in the middle for the Vikings, Brandon will be looked upon to provide size and a presence in the middle. Brandon will be called upon to step into the role that MJ leaves vacant, but Brandon will have to do it as him, and not try to be what MJ was. Brandon has a a skillset that will benefit the Vikings as he is an excellent passer and is highly versatile on both ends of the court. June will give Brandon time to settle in and find his way with the new expectations upon him.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Jamarion Ezell</b> (6’2/Wing)</p> <p>Instagram: N/A</p> <p>Twitter: N/A</p> <p>With the lost of Christopher Blount and the level of production that the Vikings is losing with Chris, Jamarion is going to have to come with it out the gate. Coach Ward, refers to Jamrion as the junk yard dog of the team, and as you know about junk yard dogs they are mean and nasty, and Jamarion is going to have to bring that toughness and ’dawg’ to the court. June will show whether or not Jamarion can bring that toughness to the Vikings.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <blockquote> <p><b>Players Ready To Make A Difference: </b></p> </blockquote> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Brian Brown, Jr.</strong> (N/A|Guard)</p> <p>Instagram: N/A</p> <p>Twitter: N/A</p> <p>I have heard about Brian transferring from IMG, and the word is that he can absolutely go. I have not done much research on him, but we will see what he is bringing to the court in June. If what I have heard is true, Huffman could have one the best backcourt tandems in Wiggins and Brown, and could have the Vikings back in the mix next season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Jamel Williams</b> (6’2/Wing)</p> <p>Instagram: N/A</p> <p>Twitter: N/A</p> <p>Jamel was the Vikings 6th man that came off the bench. Coach Ward spoke highly of Jamel and the stability that he brings to the Vikings. Many times production is lost with teams when they go to the bench, but the Vikings are not placed in a deficit when Jamel comes on the court. Coach Ward is expecting a boost with Williams on the floor based off his experience from last season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <blockquote> <p><b>Here’s Where You Can Catch The Vikings In June:</b></p> </blockquote> <p>Fairfield HS: June 4th</p> <p>Paul Bryant HS: June 15th</p> <p>Vestavia HS: June 16th</p> <p>AHSAA Event: June 17th &amp; 18th</p> <p>Hazel Green HS: June 21st</p> <p>Birmingham Southern College: June 22nd</p> <p>Homewood HS: June 24th</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>