City Rankings: Hunstville Area 1-5
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We’re moving to the Top 5 in the Hunstville area. We took a look at the Top 21 players in Huntsville beginning with 11-21 followed by 6-10 last week. Take a look at the players selected here in our City Rankings:…
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Continue ReadingWe’re moving to the Top 5 in the Hunstville area. We took a look at the Top 21 players in Huntsville beginning with 11-21 followed by 6-10 last week. Take a look at the players selected here in our City Rankings: Hunstville Area 11-21 and City Rankings: Huntsville Area 6-10 review.
I emphasized the strength of this group in the previous content, but there is no question that the Top 5 are very talented athletes. While we are confident the Top 21 players selected have the potential to add value to a college roster at some level, the Top 5 are sure D1 athletes. It should come as no surprise that
Leah Brooks
Leah
Brooks
6'1" | C
Hazel Green | 2024
State
AL
and
Kennedy Langham
Kennedy
Langham
5'7" | PG
Sparkman | 2023
State
AL
come in high on this list. The Alabama and Samford committees, respectively, both decided to keep their talents in the home state. Coaches that have not had a chase to watch the three others listed should try to get eyes on them this high school season with all currently holding D1 offers.
Without further delay, let’s check out the Top 5.
#2 Kennedy grabs the number two spot. Selecting #1 and #2 is always a splitting of hairs and usually comes down to preference. Others may have her at the top spot and would likely be able to make a valid case. Here’s what I know, Kennedy is an infusion to any offense when she’s on the floor. She brings toughness and skill to the perimeter. A true three-level scorer, she uses her dribble moves well to create for herself and, with good vision, for her teammates as well. She reads developing plays and can place her passes on point and on time. She has college range on her three-point shot and is a good defender. The Samford commit will likely have a very productive career at the next level.
Kaylee heads into her sophomore season after a very productive freshman year. A savvy point guard with a high understanding of the game she’s a part of New Hope’s 1-2 punch with the #6 player on this list Jada Bates. Shoots the three well and has great touch on her running floater. Ball security is not a concern even under pressure and passes well with both hands. Good vision and is an unselfish player even though she knows how and when to score it. New Hope’s offense provides players with a lot of opportunities to create, and she is the type of guard that you can trust to make the correct read.
#4 Abethany is the second player from Sparkman to make an appearance in the Top 5. She does whatever is needed from the point guard spot. She is good at facilitating within the offense and keeps her same effectiveness when it is time to make something happen. On film, I picked up on her understanding of when to let her teammates cook, getting them the ball in their spots. She’s quick when putting it on the floor to the rim and uses her length well to get finishes around defenders. She has good vision and passes well with both hands off the bounce. Plays out of the pick and roll very well where her IQ and decision making is on display. She is still available and is worth the drive this season to see live.
#5 Ja’Kyah rounds out the Top 5. She has started her first year of high school under head coach Jazmine Powers-Carr at Bob Jones with big expectations to make an immediate impact. Watching some of her films from travel season, I anticipate her recruitment to pick up quite a bit. She is a smooth and steady scoring threat on the perimeter and has a rhythm to her game. She does a good job creating space for herself consistently, with stepbacks and hesitations before she gets into her shot with the range extended well beyond the three-point line. When getting to the rim she makes quick last-minute reads and has a lot of touch on her layup package. She can get some tough ones to fall. She is a smarter passer and knows how to make help defenders fully commit before hitting teammates for, oftentimes, wide-open scoring opportunities.
Overall the Huntsville Area girls basketball landscape is solid. A lot of talented players and outstanding coaching.
Keydrick Barlow (@CoachKBarlow) joined the Prep Girls Hoops team as the Senior Contributor for Georgia in 2019. Since the first day, Keydrick’s commitment to providing exposure for girls basketball has been apparent. A native of Atlanta, GA, Keydrick has served as Associate Editor and Regional Event Director for Prep Girls Hoops and PGH Circuit and is now a covering in both Georgia and Alabama.