Games to Watch: Player’s Matchups That Matter This Week

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pell City vs Pelham — Senior Night, Identity Night</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams hovering around .500 meet with urgency on the line —<br>this isn't just a ceremony game, it's a narrative shifter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🔥 **Matchup 1:</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zaniya Mitchell (Pell City) vs Tee King (Pelham)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Zaniya Mitchell ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Pell City","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69389910ec7c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">➡️ <strong>Player Profile:</strong><br><strong>Zaniya Mitchell | JR | Combo Guard | Pell City</strong><br><strong>13 PPG, 5 RPG, 3 SPG</strong><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>Two-way slasher with mature rim finishing and turnover creation value. A guard whose competitiveness shapes games more than shot volume.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mitchell is a downhill competitor — she <strong>attacks space, lives in the paint, and weaponizes physicality.</strong><br>Her strength isn't a jumper-first approach but <strong>craft around the rim</strong>, with defensive aggression translating into transition chances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["371481"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-69389910ec85a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">➡️ <strong>Player Profile:</strong><br><strong>Tee King | JR | Point Guard | Pelham | Troy Commit</strong><br><strong>23 PPG, 5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.8 SPG</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">King enters as the most accomplished player on the floor — a <strong>Troy commit</strong> averaging 23 PPG with three-level scoring and defensive disruption. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em>A scalable college guard with pace control, creation efficiency, and defensive anticipation that plays in any system.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🔥 **Matchup 2:</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saniya McFarland (Pell City) vs [player_tooltip player_id='884275' first='Ally' last='Barfield'] (Pelham)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Saniya MacFarland ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Pell City","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69389910ec915"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">➡️ <strong>Player Profile:</strong><br><strong>Saniya McFarland | SR | Guard | Pell City</strong><br><strong>12 PPG, 3 RPG, 1.7 SPG</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><br><em>A shot-maker with streak potential, defense-to-offense instincts, and scoring burst that can flip quarters.</em> McFarland is a rhythm scorer — two 20+ outings already, plus a <strong>six-steal game</strong> proving she flashes momentum swings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["884275"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-69389910ec974"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='884275' first='Ally' last='Barfield'] | JR | Guard | Pelham</strong><br><strong>9 PPG | 48% from three</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><br><em>One of the state's most efficient movement shooters — floor spacer who warps coverages and punishes late help.</em> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Barfield, is a <strong>sniper — 48% from three with 75% of shots coming from deep.</strong> Defenses treat her like gravity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Fort Payne vs Albertville — Freshman Rivalry Part II</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first matchup was a one-possession finish.<br>Tonight feels like a <strong>recruiting bookmark game.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🔥 **Matchup:</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1207449' first='Naomi' last='Wise'] (Fort Payne) vs [player_tooltip player_id='1207455' first='Whitley' last='Booker'] (Albertville)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1207449"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-69389910ec9db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">➡️ <strong>Player Profile:</strong><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1207449' first='Naomi' last='Wise'] | FR | Guard/Fwd | Fort Payne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wise is a <strong>5'10 freshman guard/forward</strong> who plays with physicality and maturity that belies her age — a <strong>two-way presence and possession winner.</strong> <em>An all-around freshman producer with defensive toughness, contact play, and three-level scoring traits — early stock-builder.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1207455"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-69389910eca36"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">➡️ <strong>Player Profile:</strong><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1207455' first='Whitley' last='Booker'] | FR | Forward | Albertville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Versatile three level scorer on offense. Who shows the abilty to be an impactful defender changing or blocking shots. Booker continues to be a player that plays with energy on side of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Scottsboro vs Guntersville — Undefeated Stakes &amp; 5A Narrative Control</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A showdown that affects <strong>ranking perception, postseason confidence, and identity messaging.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🔥 **Matchup 1:</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1227634' first='Izzy' last='Nelson'] (Scottsboro) vs Guntersville Forwards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1227634"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-69389910eca96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">➡️ <strong>Player Profile:</strong><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1227634' first='Izzy' last='Nelson'] | JR | Forward | Scottsboro</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Scottsboro is culture — <strong>30–5 last season and still rolling.</strong><br>Nelson is the tone-setter — scoring at three levels, defending both ends, and playing like an All-State lead.<em>Three-level scorer with physicality and defensive versatility — a winning engine for a championship program.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">🔥 **Matchup 2:</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Addison Hammond (Albertville) vs Scottsboro Guards </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1227641"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","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-69389910ecafe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>Addison Hammond | JR | Guard | Albertville</strong><br><strong>14.7 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.3 RPG, 2.8 SPG, 42% from three</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hammond most known for her excellent shooting abilities, what is often overlooked is her playmaking abilites for herself and teaamtes. Averaging 5.9 assist a game Hammond does a great job of being aggressive and taking what the dfense gives her. <em>Elite efficiency guard — floor spacer, decision maker, and advantage creator who elevates teammates.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->