The Greatest Underclassmen in AAA Quarterfinals
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Check out the underclassmen that made a tremendous impact in the Class AAA Quarterfinal games. Jasen Brooks Jasen Brooks 6'1" | PG Cleveland | 2023 State TN (Cleveland 2023) Jasen was not flawless Thursday. He played flat-footed defensively much of…
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Continue ReadingCheck out the underclassmen that made a tremendous impact in the Class AAA Quarterfinal games.
Jasen Brooks Jasen Brooks 6'1" | PG Cleveland | 2023 State TN (Cleveland 2023)
Jasen was not flawless Thursday. He played flat-footed defensively much of the early evening. Brooks power usually enjoys the benefit of plus lateral movement, placing him in front of dribblers. Collierville’s guards broke by Brooks more than usual. He did find big ways to contribute from the field. Brooks hit some open shots. His free throws showed off his shooting touch, a skill many extremely muscular young players like him do not have. His ceiling remains high. The court awareness defensively was beneath his own standard. “Our defense was poor,” said Cleveland Head Coach Reggie Tucker. Brooks was not the only player to suffer lapses, but he has historically done better. Expect him to in the future.
Alex Vandenbergh (Collierville 2023)
Alex does not have a big scoring role with Collierville. His major contributions are defensive and on the glass. Vandenbergh got caught out when a Dragon switch resulted in him outside the lane. His future might include some perimeter defense, but that is certainly not his strength now. It must be said that Vandenbergh is an efficient player with CHS. He scores often on the touches that he does get.
Judah Sault Judah Sault 6'5" | SF Cleveland | 2023 State TN (Cleveland 2023)
Sault emerged as a critical starter after Rodney Broadnax Rodney Broadnax 6'5" | PF Cleveland | 2023 TN sustained an injury earlier in the season. Sault is needed as a wing or forward defender. The team doesn’t get much scoring from him as Kley McGowan Kley McGowan 6'4" | SG Cleveland | 2021 State TN , Brooks, and Grant Hurst Grant Hurst 6'1" | CG Cleveland | 2021 State TN relish those roles. Sault projects as an athletic wing with some mid-range prowess and solid handle. In the coming years he needs to improve his confidence away from the basketball.
Alex Hyder Alex Hyder 6'3" | SG Cleveland | 2023 State TN (Cleveland 2023)
In a game without much scoring balance, Hyder helped Grant Hurst Grant Hurst 6'1" | CG Cleveland | 2021 State TN a bit. His three-pointer in the fourth quarter was certainly helpful. Hyder’s strengths are scoring, shooting, and agility. He is probably a 2-guard or classic wing at the college level.
Brandon Miller Brandon Miller 6'8" | SF Cane Ridge | 2022 State #18 Nation TN (Cane Ridge 2022)
Miller is a junior and perhaps ill-fitting for this article. Something needs to be sad for the incredible physical gifts and now great delivery of those gifts to the game. Facing Bearden, Miller scored 21 points including two made free throws in the waning, fourth quarter moments. The elegant, lean wing scorer showed off his mid-air acrobatics. He showed off his velvety shooting touch. He did everything fans and observers have come to expect from the superstar.
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