Alabama's 5A Postseason Preview
The competition in the State of Alabama is at an all-time high this year, and many are looking forward to this stacked postseason play.
Before we make it to the playoffs bracket, teams will face off in an area tournament to determine who will represent their region.
The 2022 AHSAA Boys Area Basketball Tournaments for 5A kicked off last night, and some of my favorite teams have already taken the first step in a shot at the state finals.
Class 5A
Finishing off the regular season at the number one spot is the reigning state champs Lee-Huntsville High School. Lee has held the top spot for most of the season, and they are not looking to take their foot off the gas anytime soon.
Lee closed the season out with a solid 19-6 record going perfectly (6-0) in area play.
Jacari Lane, a 6-foot-2 PG committed to the University of North Alabama, returned this year with a vengeance. He stole the show with his incredible drives to the basket and swift handles whenever he stepped on the court.
Another key player for Lee has been 6-foot-2 guard Dexter Smith. He plays with a lot of energy on both sides of the floor and can really get downhill attacking the rim.
Lee will kick off their region play tonight against the Ardmore Tigers on their quest to repeat.
Top Contenders
The next team that comes to mind for a strong run a state is Ramsey High School. Last season Ramsey made it to state but came up short against Lee-Huntsville.
Eager to make it back to the big dance, Ramsey locked in this year and finished the regular season with a record of 20-9, crushing their area going (7-0).
After losing an elite player like Keshawn Murphy, Ramsey still had a strong core of young players ready to step up.
6-foot-5 SF Kerrington Kiel has picked up where he left off last season as the leading guy off the wing. Kiel is a fantastic shooter and a player who can provide many things on the floor, such as scoring, rebounding, and facilitating.
Jalen Jones is another quick guard that can really go with his solid playmaking and tough defense, but all in all, Ramsey plays excellent as a team and knows how to win.
Last night Ramsey got their first win in area play against Parker High and will be looking to play in the championship against Leeds High or Carver-Birmingham.
Charles Henderson (Troy) is another solid team in 5A basketball. No matter what ranking was posted this season, this team was always in the top five.
Charles Henderson finished the season on a seven-game winning streak closing out with a 21-5 record going unbeaten in area play.
They play with a lot of energy on both ends of the court and know how to win as a team. CHT got some strong wins against teams in 5A and showed up big time going outside of their conference.
Cody Youngblood, a 6-foot-3 guard, has been one of the leading guys when it comes to scoring off the wing. He is very explosive attacking the rim and has a great feel for the game.
Running things from the point is Akeives Shorts, a quick guard with solid handles and court vision. What helps CHT stand out is their size under the basket with 6-foot-6 center Tay Knox. He understands the ins and outs of the post-game and is always in place for the quick lob.
CHT has a bye for the first round and looks to play Greenville or Andalusia in the championship game.
Sleeper Team
If I had to pick a sleeper team, all signs would point to the Wenonah Dragons. They truly have a strong roster, and one of the key qualities that stands out about this team is their defense.
They finished the regular season with a 19-7 record going (4-1) in area play.
Wenonah has solid scorers coming off the wing with senior guard Thomas Sumpter and junior Dasean Sellers. Sumpter has a nice pull-up jumper, finishes strong at the basket, and has great awareness on defense.
Sellers play with a lot of flair and can really get above the rim on the attack. He is aggressive with the ball and is a streaky shooter if given enough room.
The real motor of this team is Cortlyn Clark. This kid is a coach’s dream with the tremendous energy and hustle he gives on both ends of the floor. He boxes out and constantly fights for rebounds. Clark puts himself in the correct position for easy put-back shots and is a tough shot blocker.
Wenonah will face off against Pleasant Grove in the first round, and if they can take that same energy into the postseason, this team may surprise some people.
