Players To Watch In the Class 6A Elite 8

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The class 6A Elite 8 is set, and here are a few players to watch as they try to lead their team to the Final 48…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1626344,"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-Terry-Coner-Jr.-C-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/PH-Terry-Coner-Jr.-C-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1626344" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Terry Coner Jr.</strong>&nbsp;(6'0/PG/'23/Pinson Valley HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: iamt3rryconer_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Terryconerjr1</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">TC has played solid, and if you have not followed Pinson Valley, you would think that he is not playing to the level at which he is capable when in actuality, he is providing his squad with what is needed. He stabilizes and keeps Pinson flowing in what Coach Barber wants possession after possession. TC hasn't had to score the rock, as [player_tooltip player_id='1091947' first='Caleb' last='White'] and Clyde Walters have been carrying the scoring load. However, with TC's little brother Austin coming back from a broken arm and can resume handling the orchestrating responsibilities, look for TC to look for his offense a little more against Buckhorn. Look for TC to continue being a calming and stabilizing factor but also to be more aggressive in the Elite 8 match-up against Buckhorn.&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>He stabilizes and keeps Pinson flowing in what Coach Barber wants possession after possession.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1386199' first='Terrence' last='Robinson']</strong>&nbsp;(6'1/F/'23/Buckhorn)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Many people may be wondering why Terrence is in this article, but he played a very good game for Buckhorn in the Sweet 16 against Cullman. He finished with 12pts and 5-rebs, but he is the epitome of a glue guy that does all the dirty work for his squad. He is an undersized post, but the strength of the Buckhorn crew is their guard play, so whatever point production T-Rob can give is a bonus. His ability to bang and be physical in the paint is going to be a necessity for Buckhorn as they try to take down the undefeated Indians.&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>He finished with 12pts and 5-rebs, but he is the epitome of a glue guy that does all the dirty work for his squad. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1284052,"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/2/2021/09/PH-Peyton-Wiggins.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/09/PH-Peyton-Wiggins.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1284052" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1398555' first='Peyton' last='Wiggins']</strong>&nbsp;(6'1/PG/'25/Huffman HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: peytonpnutwigg13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @Wiggins_peyton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Peyton has stepped up this year and taken full control of the Huffman squad. He is the undeniable leader and will have the team on his shoulder as they try to punch their ticket to the Final 48 for the second year in a row. In a game that has become a rival game over the years, Pnut has been in the heart of several of these rivalry games, so he knows what it is going to take for his team to advance. He joined the 1K point scoring club this year, and many believe that he will have to score into the mid-20s if his squad is going to have a chance to make it to the Final 48 for the second year in a row. He has proven throughout this year that he can score the rock, but can he do it on the biggest stage of this season? We shall see.&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>Peyton has stepped up this year and taken full control of the Huffman squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1324687,"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/2/2021/11/PH-Kyle-Layton.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/11/PH-Kyle-Layton.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1324687" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='957937' first='Kyle' last='Layton']</strong>&nbsp;(6'0/CG/'23/Mountain Brook HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: kyle_layton_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @kb_layton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">The story outside of the story of the path that Pinson Valley is on is the return of Kyle. His return comes as Mountain Brook seeks to punch their ticket to the Final 48. His return puts things back in balance for the Spartans as he can step back into the primary ball-handler responsibility. His presence settles the offense and allows backcourt teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1091949' first='Ty' last='Davis'] to get back to focusing on doing what he does, and that is scoring the rock and being lethal from beyond the arc. Since his return, the Spartans are playing with a lot more confidence and have their sights on the 6A State Championship. After sitting the entire year and rehabbing from his injury, he looks sharp and is facilitating and scoring the rock. I believe he will be the difference in the Elite 8 match-up against Huffman.</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 return puts things back in balance for the Spartans as he can step back into the primary ball-handler responsibility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1548549,"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-Osa-Alohan-iBallTDB-C-1.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/08/PH-Osa-Alohan-iBallTDB-C-1.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1548549" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Osa Aloha</strong>&nbsp;(6'2/CG/'25/Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa HS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: laylow._ik</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Twitter: @OsaAlohan07</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Osa is a player that can absolutely get it done from beyond the arc. I have written about the contrast that happens when he is at his school as he focuses a lot more on facilitating. He is a floor general who can score in bunches if he ever needs to provide it. The match-up against Bryant is going to be highly contested at the guard spot, as there will be some outstanding guard play on display. He's wired to score the ball and has the tools to make it happen, but he has been a steady presence for his squad at the lead guard spot this year. He will be instrumental in what should be an exciting game in the Elite 8.&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>Osa is a player that can absolutely get it done from beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1091935' first='Adrian' last='Wooley']</strong>&nbsp;(6'1/SG/'24/Paul Bryant)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Adrian is a lefty that can absolutely score the rock. He plays a feisty and aggressive game and is always putting a ton of pressure on the opposing team. He can create his own shot and can be a volume scorer when needed. He is an athletic wing that excels at penetrating the lane and scoring from mid-range and at the rim, and if you are not careful, he will seek to posterize you. He will definitely have the entire bag open as he looks to get his team to the Final 48 in the Elite 8 match-up against Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa.</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>Adrian is a lefty that can absolutely score the rock. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":1317190,"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/2/2021/10/PH-Bennett-Russ.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/10/PH-Bennett-Russ.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1317190" width="256" height="256" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Bennett Russ</strong>&nbsp;(6'0/PG/'23/McGill-Toolen)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Instagram: bennettwruss</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Bennett is going to be highly needed for McGill to punch their ticket to the Final 48. He is the source for everything McGill desires to do on both ends of the floor. He plays with his head up, sees the floor well, and excels at running the offense. He is an efficient scorer and the orchestrator for his team and will be called on to balance his scoring and his facilitating role if McGill hopes to punch their ticket to the Final 48 against Blount. Look for his leadership and experience to be huge keys in the Elite 8. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"></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>Bennett is going to be highly needed for McGill to punch their ticket to the Final 48.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Terry J. Drake</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote -->