#TerryTalks: #iBallTDB Showcase Immediate Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The iBall with Terry Drake Basketball Showcase will probably go down as the game of the year unless the playoffs treat us to something spectacular that can top what Pinson Valley and Jefferson Davis did on Thursday night in Pinson, AL. A highly anticipated match-up between two teams with high-powered offenses and elite-level players gave all in attendance a game for the ages. There were next-level athletes up and down both rosters, and here are a few that stood out…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1626332,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/PH-Caleb-White-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/PH-Caleb-White-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1626332" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1091947' first='Caleb' last='White']</strong>&nbsp;(5'11/PG/'24/Pinson Valley HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Caleb.glizzzy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @calebglizzzy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Caleb was hands down the Most Oustanding Player on the court during the showcase. He finished with 35pts and was nothing short of spectacular while doing it. He has complete reins of the offense and thrives with the responsibility that comes with it. He is one of the best playmaking guards in the state and has a chance to lead the Indians to a state championship and an undefeated season. Many people are starting to jump on the bandwagon and buying stock in the Caleb-led Indians team. After the early jitters that seemed to affect all the players, Caleb settled down, and from there, things just seemed to come easy for him. I have put countless amounts of ink on Caleb, but let me just say this is a game that I believe he took extremely personal and had a point to prove, and he was not going to allow his team to lose this game. I do believe that this Indians team has a chance to make history, and Caleb is one reason why.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/PinsonHoops/status/1619034487794593792","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/PinsonHoops/status/1619034487794593792 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1541788,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/PH-Ray-Ray-McCants-iBallTDB-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/PH-Ray-Ray-McCants-iBallTDB-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1541788" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ray Ray McCants</strong>&nbsp;(6'4/Wing/'25/Pinson Valley HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: rayray.glizxzy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Raymccants_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ray-Ray was a solid two-way player at the showcase and defended the 1-4. His length was a factor on both ends, especially defensively, as he sometimes completely covered up ball handlers. Known as a shooter, he had several finishes at the cup where he was playing big boy ball and finishing thru contact. He knocked down some big trey balls, but the way that he attacked the defense more off the bounce and not just limiting his game to c&amp;s opportunities showed signs of growth. Ray is becoming a legitimate scoring threat that keeps getting better, and if it finally all comes together, watch out. I was really impressed with Ray's play throughout the game, but I am enjoying watching his defensive improvement because I know what that can do for his stock when it comes to a landing spot at the next level.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JayClark1984/status/1609336130821922824","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JayClark1984/status/1609336130821922824 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1626356,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/PH-Clyde-Walters-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/PH-Clyde-Walters-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1626356" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Clyde Walters</strong>&nbsp;(6'6/G|F/'26/Pinson Valley HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: clyde.glizzzy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">I said earlier that Caleb was the Most Outstanding Player of the showcase, but the Most Valuable Player had to be Clyde. His stock rose exponentially with his play at the showcase. If he can provide that level of production for the remainder of the season, I do not see anyone beating Pinson Valley. There is no wonder why Clyde is garnering so much attention from Power 5 teams, and let me go ahead and say if there are teams that have not taken a look at Clyde, then you are not doing your program justice. With the promise that he is showing and the untapped potential that is there, he is going to one day be able to be that caliber player that changes the direction of a program. Clyde was one of the better defenders on the court as he literally guarded the 1-5. Sometimes because of his phenomenal play on the offensive end of the floor as a playmaker, his defensive contributions go unnoticed, but no longer can his two-way production not be highlighted. As a freshman, he has already proven that he can be counted on to take on key responsibilities. He even showed developing leadership skills, as when Jeff Davis went on a run and got a lead, it was Clyde who motioned to his team to just settle down, and it is those traits that are going to take him a long way.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"textColor":"primary","fontSize":"medium"} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-primary-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size"><!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> His stock rose exponentially with his play at the showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1722072,"width":256,"height":256,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-JaMicah-Adair-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-JaMicah-Adair-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1722072" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1091952' first='Ja'Micah' last='Adair']</strong>&nbsp;(5'10/CG/'24/Jeff Davis)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: thejamicahadair</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Iamjamicahadair</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">What can I say that I have not already said about Ja'Micah, but he is an absolute gamer. Say what you want about his size, but he has learned to use his body to create his shot and create space for his shot. He is a shifty, clever, and explosive guard who can get anywhere on the court and get any shot he desires. He is a multi-level scorer with deep range and excellent finishing abilities in the paint and at the cup. He does not back down from the big stage and performs his best when the lights are the brightest. Everyone thought he would come into the showcase and try to go for 40 plus, but he played a brilliant game and used his ability to draw double and triple teams to create open and easy looks for his teammates. He did get in foul trouble, but still, during those times, he exhibited leadership skills that helped push his team to a near upset over the #1-ranked team in the state, regardless of class.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/iamjamicahadair/status/1501019566666833921","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/iamjamicahadair/status/1501019566666833921 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ladarius Givan</strong>&nbsp;(6'8/G|F|C/'26/Jeff Davis)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: Ladariusgivan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Ladariusgivan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ladarius was a young bright spot that showed a lot of promise during the classic, and YES, he is a 6'8 prospect that plays the 1-5. The upside on LG is unreal, and college coaches are already starting to take notice. Truthfully Ladarius has had to play in the shadow of Ja'Micah because Ja'Micah is an overwhelming presence that draws all 10-eyes. This has led to LG being able to develop his game in the shadows and silently emerge into one of the top players in the state in the '26 class. He brings so much to the floor as he hinders opposing offenses from attacking the paint, scores at all levels, is an effective passer from the high post, can score off the bounce, and basically is a 6'8 weapon that is going to be the talk of the state over the next couple of years.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/LadariusGivan/status/1569873857766637569","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LadariusGivan/status/1569873857766637569 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Zee Edmond</strong>&nbsp;(6'1/CG/'23/Jeff Davis)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: d1.zeeee</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @ZEdmond4</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Zee is a perfect compliment to Ja'Micah as he is a senior guard with a very mature game. He had a nice rhythm during the showcase and had a solid offensive performance as he finished with 19pts. He is a downhill attacking guard that gets all the way to the rim and is a strong finisher thru contact. He has a quick burst, often initiates contact off the bounce, and sells the contact well, often drawing the foul on the defender. When Ja'Micah got in foul trouble, it was Zee that put JD on his back and led his squad during that stretch. This was my first time seeing Zee in action, and he solidified himself as a playmaker, scorer, and perimeter defender who can definitely help a program at the next level.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Jacob_Shames/status/1611526963193159682","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jacob_Shames/status/1611526963193159682 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->