#TerryTalks: NW Regional Semi-Final Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The NW Region included Cullman vs. Buckhorn and Pinson Valley vs. Muscle Shoals, and here are a few players that stood out in the semifinal games…</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">With Pinson's unbeaten record and quest to win the 6A State championship on the line and things not looking good for Pinson, Caleb put on his superman cape and took over the game leading a come-from-behind victory late in the game. I have seen Caleb several times this year, and he brings it every single night, and as long as he is on the court, Pinson will not only have a chance but will be the favorite in every game they are in. He is a flat-out winner and has proven it the entire year. Defenses still do not know how to contain one of the best scorers in the state, and Caleb continues to be everything that Pinson needs in the scoring column, as they are now 3 games away from their goal. Every night Caleb has the toolkit open with all the tools on full display, and he has everything he needs to carve up and torture defenses. He finished the game against Muscle Shoals with the following stat line. 20pts (7-16|0-2 [3-Ptr])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/CWhite1973/status/1623688134612422658","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/CWhite1973/status/1623688134612422658 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1805108,"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/2/2023/02/PH-Luke-Mosley-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/PH-Luke-Mosley-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1805108" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1091936' first='Luke' last='Mosley']</strong>&nbsp;(6'2/PG/'24/Muscle Shoals HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: lukemmosley23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @lukemmosley23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">This was my first time putting eyes on Luke, and I was highly impressed with his play. He is a skilled guard that can score the rock from three. He has an excellent feel for the game and plays with a high IQ. He is one of the most frustrating covers in the region because of the offensive skill he brings to the floor. He is a talented scorer, a lethal shooter, and a massive contributing factor to the Muscle Shoals' success this year. For 3/4 of the game, he was leading his team to an upset bid over the #1-ranked team regardless of classification. Luke is the caliber player that makes offensive systems great. Put the ball in his hands, put a couple of shooters on the floor with him, and throw in a center that can set screens, and you have a frightening offensive attack led by Luke. For many, Luke made his mark and let the grassroots basketball community know that his game cannot be ignored. You can definitely look for Luke to be on the move in our end-of-the-season rankings. His stat line from the semifinal game was: 14pts (5-12|4-8 [3-Ptr])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/FoxSportsShoals/status/1620953943453929474","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/FoxSportsShoals/status/1620953943453929474 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1407281,"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/2/2022/03/Tucker-Cagle-2023.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/Tucker-Cagle-2023.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1407281" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Tucker Cagle</strong>&nbsp;(6'3/CG/'23/Cullman HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: tucker_cagle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Tuckercagl2</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Tucker did not have the kind of game we have become accustomed to him having, but he still contributed in all facets against Buckhorn. He shot 50% from the field, which definitely was not bad, but Cullman's overall team rhythm just was not there. Tucker showed his two-way play and offensively probably should have looked to score more, while defensively, he gave maximum effort in the system in which the Bearcats play. Even though the story did not end the way he wanted, he demonstrated that he was an invaluable piece to the building of the culture that has been established at Cullman. His semifinal stat line was: 11pts (5-10|1-4 [3-Ptr])&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/winfreyjake/status/1625918917309759491","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/winfreyjake/status/1625918917309759491 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1495539,"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/2/2022/06/PH-Caleb-Holt-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/06/PH-Caleb-Holt-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1495539" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Caleb Holt&nbsp;</strong>(6'5/SG/'26/Buckhorn HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: iamcalebholt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @iamcalebholt</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Caleb proved in the semifinal game against Cullman why he is considered by so many as the #1 player in the 2026 class. To be such an elite player as a freshman, he is one of the most unselfish players I have seen in a long time. Caleb's ability can often be viewed as unfair at times as he is just heads and shoulders better than opponents. He has a solid handle, great elevation on his jump shot, deep range, hesi moves that keep defenders off balance, explosiveness off the bounce, ability to hit turnarounds jumpers, and a killer late-game mentality when the game is on the line. There isn't much that Caleb cannot do, but the biggest challenge of his career awaits him in the NW finals as he attempts to lead his team to victory over unbeaten and highly favored Pinson Valley. He finished the game against Cullman with the following stat line: </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>12pts (6-13|0-3 [3-Ptr]); 6rebs; 5-assist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1714482,"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-Jeremiah-Wilson-C.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/PH-Jeremiah-Wilson-C.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1714482" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1599779' first='Jeremiah' last='Wilson']&nbsp;</strong>(6'3/PG/'25/Buckhorn HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: jwilso567</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Bucketboi_j</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">With all eyes on the sensational Caleb Holt, sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1599779' first='Jeremiah' last='Wilson'] stepped up and played a fantastic game. His play was timely and needed, as Buckhorn looked very impressive in their win over Cullman. He was efficient from the field, as you see in the stat line below. He scores it from all levels and is playing with a lot of confidence right now. As the second scoring option on the squad, he is able to take the scoring load off of Caleb and carry his squad during stretches of the game. He has matured at a rapid pace throughout the season and has made Buckhorn a viable threat in class 6A. Jeremiah's shooting stroke and offensive sophistication were a thing of beauty, and he will have to bring that level of play and more if Buckhorn is going to take down Pinson Valley. </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>Semifinal stat line: 13pts (5-10|3-5 [3-Ptr]); 5-reb; 4-assist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- 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&nbsp;</strong>(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">Twitter: @clydewalters_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">In the match-up against Muscle Shoals, Clyde was once again the best player on the court for Pinson. This is starting to be a repeated theme when I say Clyde was the best player on the court, but [player_tooltip player_id='1091947' first='Caleb' last='White'] was the MVP. Clyde is just absolutely a sensational freshman with so much upside. Offensively he initiates the offense, is a playmaker, creates for others, and scores it at all levels. Defensively he guards every position. Every time I have seen him this year, he has gotten better. He has immense basketball intelligence and extraordinary skill and has shown that he can raise the level of his play over an entire season. If Pinson is going to accomplish the feat of an undefeated season and a 6A State championship, Clyde will be a determining factor. He finished the game against Muscle Shoals with the following stat line: 14pts (6-13|2-6 [3-Ptr]); 10rebs</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>In the match-up against Muscle Shoals, Clyde was once again the best player on the court for Pinson. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1805111,"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/2/2023/02/PH-Jaxton-Vandiver-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/02/PH-Jaxton-Vandiver-C.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1805111" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jaxton Vandiver</strong>&nbsp;(6'3/SG/'23/Muscle Shoals HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Jaxton was the complimentary piece to his backcourt partner [player_tooltip player_id='1091936' first='Luke' last='Mosley'] and made some huge buckets late in the contest against Pinson. He is a player that shoots it well from beyond the arc and, with his length, disrupted Pinson's flow. He doesn't depend on scoring to be seen or to be impactful and was a huge part of the game plan and the success that Muscle Shoals experienced this year. His ability to knock down the trey ball was a factor because Pinson had to keep tabs on him throughout the contest, and because they were playing on a bigger floor than usual, it created space for his teammates to work in gaps. </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>Jaxton finished the contest with the following stat line: 10pts (4-9|2-3 [3-Ptr])</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote -->