No. 4 Temple-No. 8 Model Boys Top Performers
Analysis

No. 4 Temple-No. 8 Model Boys Top Performers


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Alexander Banks2025 6-3 F Alexander Banks – Temple
With the game on the line, Alexander Banks delivered time and time again in a wild 74-71 double overtime win against Model, rallying from down 11 points late in the third quarter. Banks, a two-time Region Player of the Year, showed his mettle with his consistency in clutch moments. The 6-foot-3 combo-forward plays inside and out, doing his best work from 12-feet and in, routinely cutting to find soft spots in Model’s 1-3-1 zone. Banks scores on drives, floaters and putbacks. He can finish with both hands and plays well through contact as he has seen his frame fill out physically over his four seasons at Temple. The always reliable Banks scored 19 points in the second half including sinking an And-1 three with 21.2 seconds left in regulation to knot the game up at 58. In overtime, after Temple pulled ahead 61-60, Model quickly responded with a 5-0 spurt to regain control but again, it was Banks who netted a three at the 2:18 mark to make the score a manageable 65-64. In double overtime with around 20 seconds left Banks flashed in the middle of the defense to score the game-winner. In total, Alex finished with 27 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, hitting two three-pointers. Banks is a tweener at the next level, but if he can consistently score from the perimeter, his motor and athleticism can help him produce in college. Improving his foul shooting will be important as well as he was cold from the line, just 1-9. JUCO, NAIA and D-III programs should investigate.

2025 5-6 PG Darren Drayton – Temple
While statistically speaking from a scoring standpoint Darren may be the Robin to Alexander Banks’ Batman, make no mistake that Drayton is the engine that makes Temple run. The hard-playing Tigers attack defensively until the final buzzer no matter what the score, Drayton often the lead dog setting the tone. Listed at just 5-foot-6, Darren’s lack of size doesn’t hinder his effectiveness. He’s an explosive athlete with great body control and understanding of how to attack size. After just a three-point first half which came on a buzzer beater to end the first quarter, Drayton stepped on the gas as the Tigers eventually wore on the Blue Devils, Darren scoring 14 points after the half. In overtime, Drayton went coast-to-coast to give the Tigers a 66-65 lead with 1:13 remaining. Just over a minute later, with the game hanging in the balance, Drayton showed his speed and his heart again, racing down the floor to score through the chest of 6-foot-6 Chase Allen with 2.4 seconds left to send the game to double overtime tied at 68. Drayton’s ability to create offense not only for himself but for others as well kept Model’s defenders off balance. His drive and laser beam dish to Maclann Metayer tied the game at 71 with 63 seconds left in double overtime. Drayton finished his night with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals. He buried a pair of threes and shot 1-3 from the foul line. Darren is starting to pursue college ball and is a JUCO candidate. His speed, poise, playmaking and outside shooting should draw attention along with his tenacious full court pressure defense and unwavering effort no matter the score.

2025 6-2 SG Josiah Williams – Temple
Josiah had a sneaky good game, making important plays down the stretch to lift the Tigers to victory. He knocked down a straightaway three with 1:20 left in the fourth quarter to trim the deficit to 56-55. In overtime with 1:13 remaining, it was Williams who came away with a blocked shot that sparked a Darren Drayton transition hoop to take a one-point lead. Josiah recorded 14 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks serving as a 3&D type swingman. He sank two threes, both in the fourth quarter and provided a spark offensively with his ability to get downhill, scoring on floaters and scooping layups out spin moves.

2025 6-6 F Chase Allen – Model
The anchor to Model’s 1-3-1 defense and the go-to guy offensively, Chase punished the smaller Tigers whenever they played behind him in the post. Allen got deep post position consistently and scored with his back to the basket, dropping in three hook shots and utilizing drop-steps. Allen helped beat the Temple press, handling the ball multiple times, protecting it against the scrappy Tigers. Chase put up 23 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks. While he didn’t show it on Tuesday, Allen is also a capable perimeter player that can spend time on the wing and shoot the three efficiently, netting 36.4% his junior season. Chase should be a priority for D-III and NAIA programs if he doesn’t end up at the D-II level. His positional versatility on both ends of the floor gives him value.

2027 6-1 W Bryson Denson – Model
Bryson Denson was great, providing an incredible lift for the Blue Devils as a slashing sophomore with high-level activity on both sides of the ball. Denson excelled at attacking baseline and squaring his shoulders to finish through contact. He tossed in a pair of floaters and had a huge sequence in the fourth quarter when he scored seven points highlighted by splitting a pair of free throws but collecting his miss and scoring a putback to put the Blue Devils ahead 56-49 with 2:55 left in regulation. Bryson’s stat sheet stuffing performance resulted in 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks. If he can add a consistent three-point jump shot to his arsenal, he could quickly ascend as one of Northwest Georgia’s better prospects.