Jr. EYBL Championships: 7th Grade Ball-Handlers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Augusta, SC —</strong> After breaking down the <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/jr-eybl-championships-7th-grade-all-tournament/"><strong>All-Tournament Team</strong> </a>and highlighting the top <strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/jr-eybl-championships-7th-grade-athletes/">athletes</a></strong> from the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam, we now shift our focus to the top ball-handlers. Throughout the week, guards and wings showed the ability to create advantages with the ball in their hands, using changes of pace, quickness, creativity, and tight control to navigate pressure and get where they wanted on the floor. The prospects featured below consistently showed advanced handle and the ability to create off the dribble, earning their place among the top ball-handlers from the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3735463"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3735900,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90660de34f9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">AJ Burns is quickly becoming one of the more notable lead guards in the Midwest, with his performance at the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam providing another example of why. His skill level is advanced, but Burns also plays with a strong sense of what is happening around him on the floor. He processes defensive coverages, makes good reads and has the versatility to create for himself or set up teammates. Burns brings a steady presence to the point guard position and can be counted on to make productive decisions with the basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3735464"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3735906,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90660de352e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ma'Khai Coles handled a large share of the playmaking duties for his team at the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam. Defenses had to account for him whenever he was in possession, as his handle and creativity allowed him to maneuver through pressure and get the offense moving. Coles was effective initiating sets, creating off the bounce and getting the ball where it needed to go. He played with confidence as a primary ball handler and consistently gave his team quality possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3735471"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3735907,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90660de354e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marley Galloway continued to establish himself as one of the better up-and-coming guards in the DMV with his play at the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam. His skill with the basketball allowed him to beat defenders off the bounce and consistently work his way into the paint. Galloway processed the floor well once he got penetration, finding teammates when help rotated while also recognizing opportunities to score. His handle, passing instincts and ability to create off the dribble gave him plenty of ways to impact possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3735474"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3735909,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90660de356c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brayden Holland brought a physical element to the guard position at the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam. A strong-bodied ball handler, Holland played through contact and had the balance to finish possessions after taking bumps on his way to the basket. He handled the ball well enough to create angles and find openings to attack rather than relying strictly on his strength. Holland's combination of physicality, handle and scoring ability made him a consistent offensive threat.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3735475"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3735910,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a90660de3588"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Judah Simmons showed high-level ball-handling ability throughout the 7th Grade Jr. EYBL Peach Jam. He used his handle, change of pace and ability to shift defenders to create space off the dribble, allowing him to get downhill, make plays for teammates and score in a variety of ways. Simmons was comfortable operating in tight spaces and maintained control of the ball when facing pressure. His combination of creativity with the ball and offensive skill gave him multiple ways to attack opposing defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for more from Prep Hoops Next!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->