Although a hefty majority of the roster remains the same, this will be the first look at the Spartans with Kaden Hammond on the court. Since we talked in-depth about what exactly he'll bring to this group, this provides us with an opportunity to highlight their specific matchups in the upcoming weekend. Guys like Cam Flippen and Zion Walker have been phenomenal leaders throughout the season; Jordan Durham, Ty Outlaw, Savion Taylor, and Josh Randolph continually get better and better; and their senior pairing of Steven Lassiter and Myles Hooker appear more comfortable with each passing contest.
They kick off the event against an intriguing Northwood Temple squad. After the recent departure of their head coach and a key player, it's unclear how the Eagles will perform. However, they still possess as much size as any roster within the state. The trio of John Baldwin, Harold Lee, and Daniel Mbaeteka can cause problems for opponents by simply being three legitimately massive individuals. The length of Lee combined with the strength of Baldwin and Mbaeteka is often too much for opponents to handle. Add in Kendell Cave, and they still have a nice collection of talented pieces.
The following evening, the Spartans face Calvary Day. The Cougars are a scrappy group with a variety of next-level prospects. Jaydin Spillman obviously has a ton of appeal as a skilled 6-foot-9 forward/big man. Isaiah Ramazani has quickly emerged as a leader while Dane Cassada continues to stand out as a reliable producer within the flow of the action. Guys like Owen Calvert, Jordin Richardson, and Bryson Mickey each make a consistent impact for this group. The Cougars only two losses have come against some of the top teams in the state, so expect an entertaining battle against The Burlington School.
