The second day of the Best of the South tipped off on Friday, with hundreds of college coaches looking on. Throughout the day, a number of prospects made their mark.

Here are the top storylines from Friday from Garrett Tucker’s point of view…

HOOVER DUO SEIZES THE STAGE

Playing on their different and respective teams, Hoover (AL) natives Marion Humphrey and C.J. Melton seized the stage and took advantage of the spotlight on Friday.

Humphrey, an ultra-athletic guard, put together an impressive day on the floor, as he was the headliner in JSI Elite’s narrow victory over Nashville-based EAB. The 6-foot-2 guard made a living at the rim, using his athleticism and speed to his advantage. He utilized his physical tools and differentiated himself from his peers and college coaches from a variety of different levels took notice. Humphrey mentioned UNC-Asheville, Drexel, St. Joseph’s, Santa Clara, and Kent State as some of the schools currently involved.

Originally a 2018 prospect, Humphrey will do a post-grad season at Taylored Made this year to help aid his recruitment. The former Hoover product was one of the primary weapons on a state championship caliber squad last season before breaking his wrist in the Northwest Regional game against Sparkman in February. He is also the brother of former Alabama and current Baltimore Raven defensive back Marlon Humphrey.  

C.J. Melton, a long, wiry wing man, used a different aspect of the game to impress onlooking coaches throughout the day. The skilled, 6-foot-4 wing picked defenses apart with his mid-range touch and shooting on Friday, as he excelled in hitting shots off the bounce from 15 to 18 feet away. Melton still has a ways to go physically, but it’s hard not to like what he brings to the table. He isn’t an eye-popping athlete, but the smooth scorer operates with fluidity and has a high IQ and feel for the game.

UNC-Asheville and Presbyterian were among the Division I programs tracking him throughout the day, along with a handful of Division II programs.

THE KIDS CAN PLAY, TOO

The PSB program has become notorious for producing talented, high academic prospects at all levels for the past decade. The young prospects in their organization is right on track with that sentiment, as two players made their case on Saturday afternoon.

Jackson Threadgill, a 2020 guard out of Concord (NC) Davidson Day, first caught onlookers’ eyes with his shooting capabilities from behind the arc. The rising junior made a handful of triples throughout the game, but, as the game progressed, he made sure he was not to be labeled as just a shooter. At 6-foot-5, Threadgill has sneaky athleticism, an excellent feel for the game, and is deceptively quick off the bounce. He was able to keep defenders on their toes with his offensive arsenal. James Madison has extended an early offer, while Liberty, Charlotte, Davidson, Lipscomb and others are also in pursuit.

2020 Concord (NC) Davidson Day big man C.J. Huntley was also impressive on Saturday, but -  the scary part is - he isn’t even close to the monster he is going to be when all is said and done. At 6-foot-9 and wearing a 16-size shoe, the long, lanky big man oozes with upside and potential.

Huntley showed intrigue with his offensive skill-set. Despite being in the awkward stage of his game, the rising junior has good hands and touch and he even stepped out and hit a long-range 3. He definitely needs to go to work in the weight room, but with time and patience, there’s no reason why this kid can’t be a prospect high-major programs are checking in on by next year. Remember the name.

HELLO MY NAME IS…

I received a tip prior to the high school season about an intriguing and talented prospect from a small town in Alabama. After forgetting about him throughout the season, 2020 Brundige (AL) Pike County forward Andres Burney (pictured) emerged at #BOTS on Saturday with the Alabama Fusion-Jones.

Burney, a long, fluid athlete at 6-foot-7, showed flashes of some things you just can’t teach. He has instincts, plays hard, and even has some creativity with his game. In today’s up-and-down game with positionless prospects, Burney is a player that can find a spot on a roster because of his length, versatility, and hard-nosed motor.

Burney’s teammate, Braxton Williams, a native of Thomasville (AL), also impressed throughout the day. The 6-foot-3 power wing is physical and excelled at finishing at the rim with contact.