Eyes on Alabama: Bowen & Jones make statements as careers wind down
After Wednesday’s regional play action, the 2017 Final Four brackets for the AHSAA basketball playoffs will officially be set. As usual, several stories and players have emerged during the playoff run.
In this week’s edition of Eyes on Alabama, we discuss two seniors that have made statements, a highly anticipated 3A regional final, and the 6A gauntlet.
DREW JONES & HOLLY POND CONTINUES TO IMPRESS
I’ve watched Holly Pond a handful of times this season and each game I’ve left the gym more and more impressed with senior shooting guard Drew Jones (pictured above).
Jones, who signed with Division-II Lee University in the fall, is one of the toughest shot makers I have seen this high school season. Truth be told, he may be a more efficient shooter fading away from the basket with a hand in his face than he is spotting up. Either way, the Flames are getting someone that will be an instant contributor from the perimeter in a sniper role. I haven’t valued him enough to this point, but he will definitely find a spot inside my Alabama top-35 rankings in a few weeks.
Jones has helped pace a rolling Holly Pond offense that has put up video game-like numbers since Christmas. Prior to last week’s regional semi-final win against Lauderdale County, the Broncos were riding a 14-game winning streak. During that streak, they outscored their opponents 1,274-669 – and, yes, you are reading those numbers correctly.
Holly Pond takes on Locust Fork this afternoon for a chance to go to the Final Four. I’m not one to punch any tickets early, but the Broncos beat Locust Fork by fifty points last week. Their spot in Birmingham could be solidified this afternoon.
MIDFIELD-MONTEVALLO SET TO SQUARE OFF FOR FINAL FOUR SPOT
Two of the top 3A teams in the state – heck, two of the top teams in the state regardless of class – will matchup in the 3A Central Regional Final this afternoon. Midfield, who has been atop the 3A poll all season, will host Montevallo, who has also been a consistent top-5 team throughout the year.
We’ve already had several entertaining and intense regional games over the past few weeks. However, I’ve had this one marked on my calendar. This legitimately could be a state championship game, and it’s a shame that only one of these teams will make it to Birmingham next week.
But, I digress. If you’re in the Montgomery area, you don’t want to miss this game. It will be all about the guards. Midfield boasts Shy Cunningham, Kalon Williams, and Kam Woods, while Montevallo features Dashaunte Smith and Tavarus Hall.
Darrell Barber knows the BJCC like the back of his hand with the number of years he has had Midfield in the Final Four. Montevallo head coach Greg Dickinson has quietly helped build his program into one of the best 3A programs that no one in the state knows about.
Nevertheless, after today’s game, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear people talking about this game as one of the best games in this year’s playoff run. Catch it if you can!
COREY BOWEN SHOWS HE IS ONE OF STATE’S BEST AVAILABLE PLAYERS
Fayette, AL
At the end of July, I was thoroughly impressed with what I saw from 2017 Fayette County forward Corey Bowen. He really piqued my interest and was one of the guys I was excited to follow closely this high school season.
However, Bowen battled some nagging injuries throughout the year and never was 100% healthy. After seeing the 6-foot-7 forward lead his Fayette County team to a win over Deshler Saturday, it’s easy to see that he’s the real deal.
A long, lanky forward, Bowen is extremely versatile and oozes upside. He also brings production to the table, too. Despite his size, he has guard skills with the ability to handle the ball and shoot it from the perimeter. Bowen knocked down several shots from 15 to 18 feet, and he was also extremely comfortable from the free-throw line, where he only missed two free throws.
I’ll be honest, I missed the boat with Corey Bowen. A host of low-major, Division-II, and JUCO’s are in hot pursuit of him and it’s easy to see why. Buy stock in this kid now.
THE GAUNTLET THAT IS 6A
No one ever said winning a state championship was easy, but geez, the road to Birmingham has been a gauntlet for many of the 6A programs this year. With a Final Four of Paul Bryant, Austin, Spanish Fort, and Parker, we don’t have many of the teams that many considered to be some of the classification's top dogs.
Spanish Fort up-ended Carver-Montgomery and Daphne, both teams many pinned to be state title contenders. Paul Bryant pulled off a huge comeback to send Pelham home, and the Northeast Regional at Jacksonville literally was a toss-up with Parker, Oxford, Pinson Valley, and Fort Payne.
It’s always tough to make predictions with a large field, but I don’t think there were many that had Paul Bryant, Austin, Spanish Fort, and Parker as their four remaining teams to make it to Birmingham. If you did, kudos to you.
The 6A matchups are going to be entertaining next week. They could all go either way. Sit back and buckle up. It’s going to be a wild ride to end the season!
