Though it’s probably not acknowledged much as it should be, high school coaches are given the massive challenge of restructuring their roster following the departure of prospects—whether transferred or graduated. Look at how effectively Coach Cooper is transitioning after replacing guys like Thomas McIntosh, Ethan Smith, Jack Garner, and others. The Cougars have endured some ups and downs thus far this season, but that’s somewhat expected between their youth and developing cohesion. However, Isaiah Sanders returns as a leader and polished scoring guard, Taft Johnson is fully healthy, and Darius Kane will be a huge x-factor once he’s back on the court. While those three seniors will be pivotal to the Cougars’ success, the freshman trio of Adam Grier, Toot Clay, and Tobius Baker should have folks particularly excited about the future.
Each guy brings their own very specific dynamic to this group. At 6-foot-3, Grier possesses the clear makings of a legitimate floor general with the blend of IQ, playmaking instincts, and general polish to reliably dictate the action with the ball in his hands. He plays with toughness and utilizes his body well to absorb contact when attacking the basket. Grier can already assert himself as a scorer in various different ways, but prioritizes creating for others as often as possible. He finishes well around the basket and understands how to consistently force defenses to shift or collapse to his advantage. Grier displays great awareness and reacts quickly to whatever the opposition throws his way. He’s a quality all-around defender and strong rebounder for his size/position. Add in his maturity, physical tools, and leadership qualities, and the Cougars definitely have someone worth noting.
Meanwhile, Clay is more indicative of what folks should expect from a blossoming freshman. Though slightly undersized for his position at the current time, he’s a tough, high-motor forward prospect with a low-maintenance identity and an excellent nose for the ball. He’s a useful finisher, rebounder, and interior defender who understands how to make an impact within the flow of the team structure on both ends of the floor. Clay is a solid athlete with touch, mobility, and a very calm demeanor. It’ll be interesting to see how his body and frame develop going forward, as his instincts are fairly impressive. He’s already quite productive, but should only continue to get better over the coming years.
Rounding out the trio, Baker is someone who possesses a nice blend of current ability and long-term potential. He’s a long, wiry forward prospect with a useful array of perimeter skill and interior ability. Baker plays hard, does the dirty work, and is willing to adapt to whatever role is needed. He’s a capable finisher and shooting threat who battles for rebounds, runs hard in transition, and can defend multiple positions. Baker is also a great teammate with a willingness to work hard and desire to progress his game. Expect all three of these guys to steadily improve and start turning heads throughout the state.