Southern Spring Invitational: Breaking Down The Class of 2021
By Clarence Williams
BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Southern Spring Invitational, hosted by Team Carroll Premier, is one of the best events in the south hosting over 300 teams at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center. It’s a good measuring tool to evaluate most of the young talent in the state as they go ahead to ahead. We recently launched our initial player rankings for the class of 2021 and we will tell you now, we won’t make the mistake of releasing player rankings for the frosh class until after this event. Although the release of the rankings did initiate a spark for some kids to prove why they should be ranked higher.
Keshawn Murphy has a good chance of being the next best thing.
Keyshawn Murphy 6’7 SF (Ramsay/Team Carroll Premier 2021) the long wing has a high ceiling that’s for sure and looks like he is the best long term prospect in that class. Can play inside & out and after breaking his man down, can find open teammates. He’s a three level scorer with a nice stroke. Murphy needs to add strength like most kids his age but his skill set at that size is unique.
GaQuincy McKinstry 6’2” SG (Pinson Valley/WACG 2021) is extremely athletic and he showed it off quite often. He skied for alley-oops and finished above the rim well in transition. McKinstry also used his quickness to get in the lane and finish through defenders as well as knocking down the open three. He’s a big time football prospect but is a solidified two-sport athlete.
PJ Eason 6’8 PF (Dadeville/JSI Storm 2021) is clearly the best big in the class and it was evident this past weekend. He ran the floor, finished around the basket & protected the rim. Eason rebounded really well in & out of his space and it came off the rim, he thought it belonged to him. Finishes plays above the rim, mainly with two hands which is a good sign and showed a mean streak. Future is bright for the young big man.
GaQuincy McKinstry 6’2” SG (Pinson Valley/WACG 2021) is extremely athletic and he showed it off quite often. He skied for alley-oops and finished above the rim well in transition. McKinstry also used his quickness to get in the lane and finish through defenders as well as knocking down the open three. He’s a big time football prospect but is a solidified two-sport athlete.
PJ Eason 6’8 PF (Dadeville/JSI Storm 2021) is clearly the best big in the class and it was evident this past weekend. He ran the floor, finished around the basket & protected the rim. Eason rebounded really well in & out of his space and it came off the rim, he thought it belonged to him. Finishes plays above the rim, mainly with two hands which is a good sign and showed a mean streak. Future is bright for the young big man.
GaQuincy McKinstry goes by the name Kool-Aid and he definitely added some flavor.
Jerdarrian “JD” Davison 6’2” PG (Calhoun/Alabama Fusion 2021) is a walking bucket. Kid thrives in transition and in the half court set, his strength is getting in the lane. Davison used his athleticism to finish through contact & around defenders. He’s the Russell Westbrook in the class.
Brooks Barnhizer 6’5” SF (Alma Bryant/JSI Storm 2021) is really skilled on the wing. Has a high IQ and seems to always make the right play. Barnhizer played with energy & is a lights out shooter. It was natural for him to score at every level as he carried his successful high school season over to the travel circuit. Would like to see him continue to increase his athleticism as it will increase projection at the next level.
BJ Harris 5’8” PG (Scottsboro/JSI Storm 2021) the small floor general was very impressive this weekend. With a tight handle, he was able to operate regardless of the defense or who was guarding him. For his size, he was able to get in the lane and finish through contact or find his bigs on drop offs for easy buckets. Harris also showed he could knock down the trey ball at will. Great on ball defender with active hands that led to multiple steals.
Brooks Barnhizer 6’5” SF (Alma Bryant/JSI Storm 2021) is really skilled on the wing. Has a high IQ and seems to always make the right play. Barnhizer played with energy & is a lights out shooter. It was natural for him to score at every level as he carried his successful high school season over to the travel circuit. Would like to see him continue to increase his athleticism as it will increase projection at the next level.
BJ Harris 5’8” PG (Scottsboro/JSI Storm 2021) the small floor general was very impressive this weekend. With a tight handle, he was able to operate regardless of the defense or who was guarding him. For his size, he was able to get in the lane and finish through contact or find his bigs on drop offs for easy buckets. Harris also showed he could knock down the trey ball at will. Great on ball defender with active hands that led to multiple steals.
PJ Eason is the best big man in the class of 2021 and has a promising future.
Cameron Silmon 5’10” PG (Fultondale/JSI Storm 2021) is another PG at 5’10 playing alongside Harris in the back-court for JSI. Smart & savvy player who plays with a chip on his shoulder. At his size, he got in the lane at will knocked down shots from three and had a nice mid-range pull-up. Like Harris, Silmon is aggressive on defense that led to steals & easy buckets.
Trinity Bell 6’7” F (Albertville/Team Tuff 2021) didn’t get the touches we expected he would due to the lack of guard play but he showed flashes of his potential. Strong body, great athleticism and loves to play above the rim. He caught a few lobs and put-backs off the rim and also rebounded well. When he did get the ball on the block, he bullied defenders for easy buckets.
Brody Peebles 6’2” (Hartselle/Pro One-Navy 2021) is a skilled guard with a High IQ. Seems to always make the right plays and his pull up game is smooth. Has a good handle, creates his own shot and can score at every level. Reminds us of a young Lawson Schaffer who is a preferred walk-on at Alabama.
Trinity Bell 6’7” F (Albertville/Team Tuff 2021) didn’t get the touches we expected he would due to the lack of guard play but he showed flashes of his potential. Strong body, great athleticism and loves to play above the rim. He caught a few lobs and put-backs off the rim and also rebounded well. When he did get the ball on the block, he bullied defenders for easy buckets.
Brody Peebles 6’2” (Hartselle/Pro One-Navy 2021) is a skilled guard with a High IQ. Seems to always make the right plays and his pull up game is smooth. Has a good handle, creates his own shot and can score at every level. Reminds us of a young Lawson Schaffer who is a preferred walk-on at Alabama.
Jerdarrian Davison is the young Russell Westbrook in the state.
Landen Williams 6’8” PF (Alexandria/Pro One-Navy 2021) the skilled post possesses soft hands and good footwork in the post. He used a number of moves and counters against more athletic defenders. Rebounds well, good post defender and finished around the rim.
Rocafella Taylor 6’5 F (Oxford/JSI Storm 2021) is a young Dennis Rodman type player. He does all the dirty work for his team. Strong body and over powers taller defenders in the post. Taylor rebounds well in or out of space and goes after every ball off the rim with tenacity.
Kendan Maddox 6’5” PF (Pelham/Team Carroll Premier 2021) undersized big man isn’t so undersized for his age group and has a high motor. Runs the floor, gets after it on the glass and finished well around the rim. Surprising he didn’t play on the varsity squad for Pelham but that will likely change next season.
Marques McConico Jr. 6’0” PG (Central Park/Team Carroll Premier 2021) excelled in transition but scored multiple ways this weekend. Shot the ball well on the perimeter and could get in the lane for easy buckets.
Overall, it was a good weekend for the 2021 class which is starting to show some promise for the future. Murphy passed the eye test as the best prospect. McKinstry stole the show and played with a chip on his shoulder. Eason is the next best big in the class right now while Davison’s athleticism and slashing ability was exciting to watch. Would like to see most of these kids compete on one team one day to see how they would match-up nationally.
Rocafella Taylor 6’5 F (Oxford/JSI Storm 2021) is a young Dennis Rodman type player. He does all the dirty work for his team. Strong body and over powers taller defenders in the post. Taylor rebounds well in or out of space and goes after every ball off the rim with tenacity.
Kendan Maddox 6’5” PF (Pelham/Team Carroll Premier 2021) undersized big man isn’t so undersized for his age group and has a high motor. Runs the floor, gets after it on the glass and finished well around the rim. Surprising he didn’t play on the varsity squad for Pelham but that will likely change next season.
Marques McConico Jr. 6’0” PG (Central Park/Team Carroll Premier 2021) excelled in transition but scored multiple ways this weekend. Shot the ball well on the perimeter and could get in the lane for easy buckets.
Overall, it was a good weekend for the 2021 class which is starting to show some promise for the future. Murphy passed the eye test as the best prospect. McKinstry stole the show and played with a chip on his shoulder. Eason is the next best big in the class right now while Davison’s athleticism and slashing ability was exciting to watch. Would like to see most of these kids compete on one team one day to see how they would match-up nationally.