Game Preview: Mountain Brook HS vs Mortimer Jordan HS
After an impressive 77-30 performance against Jamison HS, Mortimer Jordan faces an early-season match-up against defending 6A State Champions Mountain Brook HS. When speaking with Coach Josh Golden, Mortimer Jordan’s head coach, he is fully aware of tonight’s contest’s opportunity…
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Continue ReadingAfter an impressive 77-30 performance against Jamison HS, Mortimer Jordan faces an early-season match-up against defending 6A State Champions Mountain Brook HS. When speaking with Coach Josh Golden, Mortimer Jordan’s head coach, he is fully aware of tonight’s contest’s opportunity yet daunting task. He is aware of the intense pressure, the athletes, and somewhat of the mystic that Mountain Brook will bring into the game.
However, Coach Golden after seeing his team against Jemison last week is confident heading into the match-up.
He understands that it will be a battle for four quarters and hopes the Mortimer Jordan fans can make it a tough place to play for the Spartans.
Mountain Brook comes into tonight’s contest, with it being their first game of the season. The Spartans open up on the road without one of their key players, Julius Clark Julius Clark 6'5" | PF Mountain Brook | 2023 State AL , who has a knee injury. Coach Tyler Davis is excited about his second season at the helm of the ship and has fully understood the expectations that surround his program. I had a chance to talk with Coach Davis recently, and he understands that coming into the season, he will get every opponent’s best shot. After spending last year in the shadow of Bucky McMillan, Coach Davis talked about trying to find the team’s identity under his leadership.
Through their mantra of ‘1% Better,’ the Spartans were able to get 1% better every day throughout the season until Coach Davis saw everything come together.
With that year over and the success his team experienced by winning the state championship, the Spartans look to repeat. The first step of their journey to the blue map begins with a solid Mortimer Jordan team, looking to take down the defending state champions.
There are going to be some talented players on the court tonight.
For The Visiting Mountain Brook Spartans
As mentioned earlier, the Spartans will be without Jr forward Julius Clark Julius Clark 6'5" | PF Mountain Brook | 2023 State AL , but they will still bring a talented group into tonight’s match-up.
Ty Davis Ty Davis 6'5" | SG Mountain Brook | 2024 State #191 Nation AL (6’3 / Combo Guard / 2024)
Instagram: tydfor3
Twitter: @tydavis_3
Key Characteristics:
For those that do not know but see the name, yes, this is the coach’s son, but make no mistake about it; he has to earn the PT. Everyone knows when you talk about Ty, you talk about how dangerous he is from behind the arc. He doesn’t need much time or space to get his shot off, and when he is on, he is one of the best shooters in the state of Alabama. Last year as a freshman, Ty had to go through the challenges that a young player can find himself going through in a program like Mountain Brook. He struggled to find his role while at the same time working to adjust to the strength and speed of the game.
This year, the ball will be in his hands more as he understands what his team needs from him, whether he is on the ball or off.
His basketball equity is beginning to pay off, and he will be a huge piece of the puzzle if the Spartans are going to repeat.
Offers:
Samford
Kyle Layton (6’0 / Combo Guard / 2023)
Instagram: kyle_layton_
Twitter: @kb_layton
Key Characteristics:
Dynamic guard
Can light it up
Sniper from behind the arc
Great off dribble
Unselfish
Sees the floor very well
High IQ
Fits into system
Loves to play D
Will pick up opposing guards 94 feet.
Offers:
Samford
Old Dominion
For The Host Mortimer Jordan HS
Aaron Devine (5’10 / Point Guard / 2022)
Instagram: N/A
Twitter: N/A
Aaron is coming off a fantastic 1st night of production against Jemison HS last week. He finished with 19pts (4-8 from 3) and 4 steals. He made some tough shots and dropped some tough dimes. Offensively, he shot the ball from deep with a lot of confidence and got into the paint off the dribble, being a playmaker for his squad. He played a mature game and is poised to have a great senior year, looking to land a few offers soon.
Before the season, Coach Golden told me that Aaron is a player that shows up in big games; it gets no bigger than having the defending state champions coming into your house early in the season.
Offers:
No
Austin Morris (6’4 / Forward / 2022)
Instagram: Austin_morris02
Twitter: @AustinMo22
Austin was huge last week against Jemison HS, finishing with 26pts and 10reb. He got it done at all levels while flashing his athleticism with a good size body. He was highly active on both ends of the court and impacted both ends in the stats sheet and not in the stats sheet. I was impressed with his level of play and his production. He brought a lot of energy to the court and displayed a variety of tools in the toolbox.
If Austin can give the type of production that he did on opening night, Mortimer Jordan will have a chance to surprise some people this year.
Offers:
No
Keys To Victory:
For Mountain Brook HS:
- Everyone has to do their job.
- Bench production.
- Win every possession.
- Control the tempo.
For Mortimer Jordan HS:
- Production from the Big 3 (Devine, Morris, Speights).
- Limit turnovers.
- Rebound Rebound Rebound.
- Transition Defense.
- With the Spartans down Clark, if Mortimer Jordan can get what they expect from the Big 3, then find production in a few more places, feed off the crowd for four quarters, then they may give themselves a chance.