Three things I learned from Scottsboro's win over Plainview
Supreme Courts was the place to be on Thursday evening, as Jonathan Hyde and his team hosted two of the best teams from the northeastern part of the state, 3A Plainview and 5A Scottsboro.
As expected, this was a high-scoring affair that ultimately saw the Scottsboro Wildcats prevail by a score of 86-77.
You can watch a replay of the game on YouTube via Hyche Hoops here.
Here are three things I learned from Thursday night’s action…
1.) Scottsboro is a state title contender in 5A
The Wildcats fell to eventual 6A state champion Cullman last season in the Northwest Regional Final at Wallace State-Hanceville and returned most of their squad for the 2022-23 campaign. Obviously, expectations are high this season at Scottsboro – and rightfully so.
If there’s one thing I learned on Thursday, it’s this: Scottsboro is better than I gave them credit for, and they’re going to compete for a state championship as they moved down to class 5A.
Scottsboro has an exciting, upbeat style of play that many opposing teams will have problems containing. They also have a nice mixture of length, size, and depth that play to their benefit. And if there’s a loose ball on the floor, you better believe there’s going to be a couple of Wildcats’ going all out and diving on the floor. That’s what I loved the most.
I have beat the drum for 2023 wing Tyson Sexton for the past few weeks, but the talented senior isn’t Scottsboro’s only weapon. Guards Parker Bell and Ethan Roberts are dangerous and together, the trio make a formidable three-headed monster on both ends of the floor.
Sexton made three treys en route to 21 points for Scottsboro. He also caused havoc on defense with his length by jumping ball screens and hand-offs. It was a solid game overall for the senior, and he was rewarded with a scholarship offer from Snead State following the game.
I’ve also become a big fan of Parker Bell, a legitimate stat-stuffer for Scottsboro. The senior is a heady player that seemingly makes the correct play each time down the floor and he’s capable of going for a triple-double each night. Bell led the way for Scottsboro with 23 points, and I’ll be honest, if I’m a Division III school looking for a point guard, he would be high on my list.
2.) Luke Smith has been under-valued and under-recruited to this point
I’m not sure what I’ve been doing the past few months, but Plainview forward Luke Smith is a stud. After seeing the Bears in two games this week, I’ll go out on a limb and say the senior is the most under-valued prospect in the state.
The 6-foot-5 forward is a legitimate Swiss army knife for Plainview – and he does everything. Need a bucket? He can do that. In fact, he scored 40 points in the Bears’ loss and it could have easily been 60. The senior is the definition of a dribble-pass-shoot player.
Luke Smith is worthy of attention from Division II and NAIA programs going forward. In-state programs should make him a priority and I think he’s going to help someone win a lot of games at the next level.
3.) 2024 PF Landon White is a nice sleeper for Plainview
I’m really intrigued by 2024 big man Landon White for Plainview. The 6-foot-6 forward is lengthy and bouncy for the Bears and should be a consistent double-double guy throughout the year.
With his size and length, White has the ability to guard multiple positions, whether it is post players or guards on the perimeter. I can see him getting a lot of easy baskets in transition this season because he sprints the length of the floor and gets to scoring opportunities.
However, White has some skill-level to his game, too. He’s comfortable with the ball in his hands and score around the basket in a variety of ways. He also knocked down a three-pointer at one point. I like what the junior brings to the table and will definitely be following him closely.
