The Warm Up: Alabama's 7A Postseason Preview
In just a few short weeks, the State of Alabama will be kicking off the 21-22 playoffs and teams are gearing up for one highly competitive postseason.
For this week’s edition of the Warm-Up, I give my top teams to watch in the 7A, along with my sleepers.
CLASS 7A
It's no secret that the 7A class is extremely loaded with talented teams this year so getting to the state championship won’t be a cakewalk.
In the recent release of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) school rankings, Baker high school sits at the top of the mountain, holding an impressive 23-3 record.
Sophomore Labraron Philon leads the team with 23 points a game and after crossing over to 1,000 in points, he has his sights set on making a strong run in the postseason.
Jayven Williams is another guard that has come up big for Baker averaging a solid 16 points and five rebounds. While Baker remains unbeaten in the area one league play, it is going to be interesting how they will do in the playoffs.
The Top Contenders
Before the season kicked off, the Grissom Tigers was one of my favorite teams to lock in on based on talent alone. They have elite guard play with the likes of Efrem Butta Johnson, one of the best available seniors who’s changed the culture of Grissom in just a short time.
Great leadership and aggressive play on offense have helped this team a 22-5 record. Beside him are two highly skilled juniors of Izzy Miles and top-ranked RJ Johnson. Johnson is one tough player to guard when he’s on the attack and his strength is unmatched as he finishes through contact with ease.
To complement his solid scoring and incredible defense, Miles possesses that great toughness and energy that makes it impossible to take this kid off the floor. A more emerging player has been DJ Thompson, at times he’s provided some top-notch defense and solid scoring down the stretch.
Despite being 2-2 in league play, Grissom definitely comes in a strong contender for the 7A championship.
Next team to watch is Vestavia Hills. I do not believe that no team has been as solid as this one, currently holding one of the best records in 7A at 22-2 record.
This team doesn’t have a lot of size in the post, but they make up for it with hard-noes defense and excellent scoring from off the wing. Vestavia Hills is strong, and they play with so much intensity that it is understandable why others quickly become rattled.
6-foot-3 junior Win Miller continues to lead them back, scoring with his incredible dribble-drive attacks and elite shooting from the wing.
Reese Gurner, another strong guard, has averaged almost 20 points a game, providing outstanding leadership on and off the floor. Gurner is a great talker, and the way he attacks the lane is truly at the elite level.
This duo is strong, and if they continue to play at this level, chances are high to make a solid run at state.
Sparkman is a team that should be considered a strong contender for the state title. During the offseason, they added some great pieces.
Josh Price was one who would bring over some fantastic shooting, great defense, and solid attacks to the rim. What sets Price apart is his ability to switch over to PG, making them a considerable threat even when Calen Lightford heads to the bench.
Lightford is currently averaging 17 points, five-assist, and three steals a game, making him the motor that makes this team go, but they just have so many players that could step up at any moment.
Junior William Hawkins is one of them; after popping on my radar at this year’s Alabama Preview camp, he’s had my attention ever since. Hawkins plays with an extremely high motor, and his energy and great scoring separate him from anyone in his class.
Another great addition to this squad was 6-foot-7 G/F Landon Jacobs. Jacobs is a beast at going for rebounds, his hustle is unmatched, and he’s constantly cleaning up around the glass.
Sparkman has all the right tools, but can they get it done in the postseason?
Sleeper Teams
After naming the top contenders, I believe some teams can sweep in and surprise us all.
The first team is Spain Park (Hoover). It is impossible to ignore how strong this team is from the point position to the great shooting from the wings and dominance in the post with North Georgia commit Colin Turner.
Spain Park currently sits at 21-7 going (3-2) in league play, and Turner has been the front man putting up solid buckets in the post, pulling down a great number of rebounds. To help him hold things down in the paint, junior Sam Wright has really shown his presence.
With his impressive shooting, Zach Gray has been the guy holding things down on the wing. Josh Harrington, at the point, is one of the many things that makes this team go; his energy is on another level, along with his intense defense.
The next team is Oak Mountain Eagles, who currently hold a 19-5 record, holding the number two spot behind Baker.
As reigning 7A state champs, they cannot be counted out completely. Even with the loss of big Will Shaver, who decided to enroll early at the University of North Carolina, this team is still holding strong as they head into the postseason.
Evan Smith has handled business from the point, running the offense and putting in some major wrong getting into the lane with his quickness.
Brady Dunn, a 6-foot-3 senior, continues to flourish at the guard position. He’s become truly solid, breaking down defenders and putting up great shots around the perimeter.
Another solid player is Wilder Evers; he’s been doing some great scoring as well and done great work around the glass, getting some good numbers in rebounding.
I refuse to take this team lightly; they still have some great personnel to get back to state.
