Elijah Coles Elijah Coles 6'0" | CG St. James | 2027 State SC made a strong case for most dynamic guard in the gym on Sunday. He consistently used his quick-twitch burst and excellent athleticism to attack the rim. Although he was very good in transition, he also had success in the half-court, beating set defenses and finishing around bodies. Coles was very engaged defensively, too, with active hands and sound feet on ball, making him a two-way guard who frequently stood out over the course of the day.

There aren’t many players in the 2027 class who had a bigger breakout year than this St. James guard. He was named All-State and 5A Region 6 Player of the Year, helping lead the Sharks to a 20-win season and a deep playoff run. Elijah is an elite scorer, capable of hitting tough shots off the bounce against even the best of defenders.

Preseason, it might have been a surprise to see Elijah’s name on the All-State list, but after having seen what he did for the Sharks all season long, it is no surprise at all. He was one of the best scorers in the Beach Region all year long, winning a very tight Region 6-5A Player of the Year race after St. James went 10-0 in region play. I’m excited to follow Elijah through the offseason and see what he can develop into for his senior year.

Another player whom I was introduced to at the Battle of the Bay Showcase is Elijah. He has had some monster scoring games so far this season, including a 31-point outing against Hanahan on day two. Coles just seems to have a knack for scoring the ball and gets it done in many ways. He has an excellent feel for changing pace with the ball in his hands and a gifted ability to hang in the air at the rim. Elijah is also a shifty ball-handler, comfortable hitting jumpers from range off the dribble, and finishes through contact. Keep an eye on him to make a push to be one of the state’s top scorers this season if he continues on this trajectory throughout region play.