Recapping the Saturday action from the AHSAA Team Camp
The Alabama High School Athletic Association hosted their scholastic team camp over the weekend, as some of the state’s premier teams made their way to the Finley Center in Hoover for three days of action.
I was on hand Saturday for the day’s action and there was plenty to be seen. I’ll touch on the exciting youth movement Alabama has coming up and my top teams later this week, but here are my top storylines from a busy Saturday…
COACHES COME OUT TO SEE PRIORITY PROSPECTS
In the past, Alabama prospects have typically seen recruitments that are limited to the Southeast. However, with some of the 2024 class, college coaches from all across the country are recruiting them and were in attendance over the weekend.
Take Mountain Brook guard Ty Davis for example — the four-star guard is being tracked closely by the likes of Creighton, Northwestern, and Oregon. All three programs had coaches in attendance to see Davis play both days, including Greg McDermott and Chris Collins.
If the head coach is coming to see you play on the first day of the scholastic live period, you’re a priority. Davis made an official visit to Creighton following the event and now he’s headed to Northwestern.
While high-major programs aren’t necessarily buzzing around his recruitment, 2024 Huntsville (AL) big man Caleb Harrison has become one of the most popular mid-major big men in the country. His resounding play has warranted the attention, as the 6-foot-9 big man has shown his fundamental skill-set, wide scoring arsenal, and overall improvement.
Belmont, Davidson, Lipscomb, Loyola-Chicago, Marshall, Samford, South Alabama, and Troy have all prioritized him to this point. However, after a big weekend that included an impressive couple of games in Georgia, high-major programs may enter the picture. Illinois reached out on Sunday afternoon after watching him play.
Harrison’s recruitment will be intriguing to watch in July.
Another interesting recruitment that is beginning to develop is 2024 Tuscaloosa (AL) Paul Bryant guard Adrian Wooley. The 6-foot-4 wing has been followed closely by a number of programs over the past few months, but Belmont and Murray State have both had him on campus within the past few weeks.
Wooley was impressive on Saturday evening against a talented Cullman squad who is known for wearing opponents down with their stingy, high-energy defense. Playing as the primary ball-handler, Wooley looked calm, cool and collected from start to finish, not being disrupted by the opponents’ defense.
It was yet another feather to add to Wooley’s cap. The rising senior showed he is more than capable of being a ball-handler in the backcourt, as he controlled the game and picked apart the defense with his passing and vision.
Kennesaw State extended a scholarship offer shortly after the game, so it should be fun to watch three really good programs (Belmont, Kennesaw State, and Murray State) duke it out for Wooley’s services. I don’t think Kennesaw will be the last program to throw their hat in the ring, either.
CULLMAN HAS PLENTY OF RECRUITABLE TALENT
Speaking of Cullman, the Bearcats have a nice roster filled with a variety of players to recruit at different levels. It doesn’t hurt that they play an upbeat, entertaining style of play, too.
I’ve spent a lot of time mentioning 2024 wing Sam Duskin for the last few months. I’m not going to spend a lot of time here, but I think he’s going to help a Division I program win some games at the next level. He’s that kind of dude.
However, Cullman also has another rising senior that is worthy of being recruited in Colton Echols. The 6-foot-5 forward made some tough shots from all three levels in a couple of games I watched. His skill and high basketball IQ should bring plenty of attention come July.
2025 point guard Jake Dorough is the guy that makes things go for the Bearcats. The 6-foot-1 playmaker constantly has his foot on the gas and puts pressure on opposing defenses, and it doesn’t hurt that he can fill it up with his scoring ability, too. Dorough’s quickness and shooting ability earned some interest from Belmont after they watched him play. As a paint-toucher and someone that can spray the ball around, that’s a scary good fit for both parties.
The best basketball is on the horizon for 2025 forward Evan Wilson. The 6-foot-6 big man has an intriguing skill-set that includes a fundamental game and the ability to stretch the floor. Wilson is young for his class, so I’m banking on him growing some more and adding to that game. He’s a guy I’m buying stock in for the next few years.
LABARON PHILON GOES OUT IN STYLE
The rumor mill had been swirling for months regarding 2024 guard Labaron Philon and where he would play his senior season. On Saturday, the 6-foot-4 scorer announced he would transfer to Link Prep in Missouri to finish out his high school career, but just before his announcement he was playing his last swan song in a Baker uniform.
And, as usual, Philon didn’t disappoint. The former Auburn commit put on a show against 7A state runner-up Central-Phenix City, scoring 57 points and leading Baker to a win.
Philon scored the basketball from all three levels, headlined by his slithery drives and playmaking ability in the lane. While many will lead with his scoring ability, the rising senior is a gifted passer that understands the game extremely well.
As Philon heads to Link Prep, he will play alongside some of the best players in the country. With more and more scoring options, things should open up for the four-star guard. It was a fun ride watching him at Baker and he will go down as one of the best players to ever play in the state of Alabama, but I’m excited to see his game continue to grow.
If you’re asking me, Philon is one of the best — if not the best — point guards in the 2024 class nationally.
NEW NAMES TO MONITOR
My favorite part of the weekend was getting familiar with some new players and teams that I typically don’t get to see a lot. Here’s my favorite new names from the event:
Dayln Jackson, 2024 CG, Demopolis: Jackson was a nightmare for opposing guards with his strength and size. He constantly got in the lane and converted tough finishes at the rim. After watching a couple of games, he looks like a college-level player to me.
Jack Bakken, 2025 F, Mountain Brook: Pushing 6-foot-5, Bakken has grown a couple of inches and come out of nowhere for the Spartans. The rising junior played with a motor and got tons of loose balls on Saturday. He’s also skilled with the ability to play inside and out. I think he’ll be a key piece for Mountain Brook during the season.
TJ Lamar, 2024 PF, Spain Park: Lamar has only been playing basketball for a couple of years and it’s evident. The 6-foot-5 forward has very few bad habits. His footwork in the post was terrific and he has some athleticism that should bring value to Spain Park. He’s one to keep an eye on.
Egypt Daniel, 2025 SF, Pelham: Daniel’s smooth game immediately stood out for Pelham. The 6-foot-5 wing has enough skill to play on the perimeter and he’s a worthy shot-maker, too. I’m excited to track him going forward.
Deijah Coleman, 2026 CG, Dothan: Coleman recently transferred in from Florida and he came to Hoover looking to make a statement. The slippery guard set the tone for Dothan, as pushed the ball in transition and played a high-tempo style of play. Dothan has a strong squad and we’ll definitely be following them more.
OTHER NOTES & TIDBITS
Bryce Dawson, 2025 SF, Central-Phenix City: Dawson was active and competed throughout the day on Saturday. The athletic, 6-foot-4 wing has a knack for finding the basketball, whether it’s on offense or defense. Dawson’ s length and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect on defense, too.
Ty Odom, 2025 CG, Hartselle: Typically known as a shooter, Odom spent a lot of time on the ball for the Tigers. The 5-foot-11 guard showed some shifty ball-handling and comfort with the ball in his hands, though. Hartselle will have some big shoes to fill after losing Ryan Dunn and Kiah Key, so Odom will be asked to play a bigger role this season.
Joseph King, 2025 PF, Helena: There aren’t many players in the state with more upside than King. The lengthy, 6-foot-8 big man showed a combination of potential and production for Helena on Saturday, as he had some tip-dunks and blocks in the lane. The rising junior also played on the perimeter and made a couple of shots. King was one of the more intriguing players I saw in Hoover.
Tristan Gilmore, 2024 SF, McAdory: Another intriguing prospect I liked was Tristan Gilmore. The 6-foot-4 forward is nimble on his feet and has tons of athleticism. He’s made some strides with his skill and understanding of the game. I spoke to a couple of Division II programs that are intrigued by Gilmore’s upside, so we’ll see where his recruitment goes from here.
Mehkai Menefee, 2024 SG, Dothan: I first caught a glimpse of Menefee during Dothan’s run to the 7A Final Four. Up until this weekend, I always referred to the senior as a shooter. However, after seeing him at the AHSAA Team Camp, Menefee was assertive and intentional with his play. He competed on both ends and showed there’s more to his game than just shooting. That’s a good thing for him going forward.
