DC's ALABAMA NOVEMBER RECAP
There's definitely been a change of energy for Alabama basketball. Every game I have seen this month has been very competitive. There's been some blowouts, some game-winners, and multiple players hitting new career highs in points scored in a single game.
Mountain Brook High closes out the month as one of the top teams in the state, and Grissom High slashes through all the competition in the 7A region. Here is the November recap for Alabama.
Spartans Remain at the Top
It's no secret that Mountain Brook is known for its winning tradition, but after losing some key seniors and losing some size in the post with the injury to highly ranked Julius Clark, it was predicted that the Spartans would be in rebuild mode.
I am here to tell you that this team has regrouped and has come back stronger than ever. One key value that I notice that this team will forever take pride in, is their amazing defense. Coach Davis has made some great changes, and one was putting 6-foot-3 sophomore Ty Davis as the starting PG. Davis has done a great job stepping into this new leadership role and has kept that same scoring ability that he showed last year.
Charlie McKimmon, a 6-foot-2 returning senior has also stepped with his play on the floor. Taking charges, fighting for loose balls, and trying to outrebound everyone, just doing all the things necessary to help his team win, as well as another solid senior Parks McLain. Kyle Layton has also continued to thrive in this new Mountain Brook offense being one of the premier scorers for the team.
All in all, this is a solid team with strong ambitions of making it back to state to capture yet another championship. Currently 9-0.
The Tiger’s Den
The Grissom Tigers that you all have seen in the past are long gone, this new powerhouse team is locked in and has been on a tear the entire month. Efrem “Butta” Johnson jr. has really upped his game this year and he has the potential to grab player of the year if he keeps up this incredible play.
RJ Johnson has done what is expected of an elite player. His pace for the game makes the team flow well and he can become a scoring threat if not defended closely. It is well known that I am a big fan of Izzy Miles. His energy on the floor is tough and he plays with a lot of flare, Miles is that spark that keeps this train going.
What started off as the “Big Three” has quickly emerged into “Strong Four” with some great play from DJ Thompson, a highly-skilled 6-foot-3 guard who has added more scoring to this Grissom offense.
The Tigers currently sit at the top of 7A with an 8-1 record and are on track to have a solid December as well.
Eufaula Holds Spot #3
Eufaula High School currently holds the number three spot in the state rankings presented by MaxPreps. Finishing the month out with a 7-1 record, Eufaula has definitely been one of the teams to watch. They have already knocked off some of the elite teams in the state, and Eufaula continues to thrive.
This is another team that will get after you on the defensive end. Eufaula will hound players up and down the floor and guarantee no easy baskets.
Caleb Paige, a 6-foot-5 SF, is one of the key reasons for this team’s success. Paige has averaged almost 19 points pg., pulled down six board pg., and has done some great work on defense with two steals pg. He is very athletic and explosive off the wing, not to mention his killer shot from the three.
Joshua Paige has been another forward that has provided some excellent scoring for Eufaula. So far, he’s averaged almost 17 points a game and grabbed six rebounds as well. The duo of these two brothers on the floor is like no other. They mesh very well together and are an unstoppable force once they get going.
Eufaula is scheduled to play the undefeated Enterprise tonight, and that should be a good one.
Enterprise vs Eufaula - Boys Varsity Basketball 12/07/2021 | Live & On Demand (nfhsnetwork.com)
HoopSeen Alabama Player of the Month
Corey Stephenson has taken that same energy from the summer and has carried that same elite play into the reference season. Standing at 6-foot-5, this guard is a scoring machine.
He averaged a double-double with 34 points this month and pulled down 12 rebounds. Stephenson has become more comfortable with taking his from the top of the key, and his vocal leadership on the floor is an incredible sight to see.
One of his best games of the month was up against Midfield, where he dropped 45 points, 15 rebounds, and had a block party with five total. Hueytown is currently sitting at a 5-2 record.
Stephenson was just recently named one of the top players available in the state, and with the season he’s had, his recruitment should really start to pick up.
MAXPREPS STATE RANKINGS
4 Spain Park (Hoover) 6-1
5 Hoover 7-1
6 Cottage Hill Christian Academy (Mobile) 9-1
7 Cullman 6-0
8 Sparkman (Harvest) 5-1
9 Vestavia Hills 6-0
10 Oak Mountain (Birmingham) 5-2
11 Northridge (Tuscaloosa) 6-2
12 Huffman (Birmingham) 9-2
13 McGill-Toolen (Mobile) 5-2
14 Smiths Station (Smiths) 7-0
15 Spanish Fort 6-2
16 Pelham 7-1
17 Baker (Mobile) 7-2
18 Paul W. Bryant (Cottondale) 5-2
19 Jefferson Davis (Montgomery) 6-2
20 North Sand Mountain (Higdon) 6-0
Full Ranking: Alabama High School Basketball Rankings - MaxPreps
Standout Players
Haaziq Loftin jr. Colin Turner Martavious Russell
John Broom Salim London William Hawkins
Anthony Johnson Zach Gray Kolby Horace
Josh Price Myles Murphy Brady Dunn
Calen Lightford Kendal Parker MJ Jones
Caleb White Knute Wood Colby McAllister
Reese Gurner Barry Dunning Donte Bacchus
CJ Blount
