On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Toquan Hayes II gave himself the ultimate birthday gift — a statement performance that has the entire Top 25 Scouts network buzzing.

The Huntington, WV native and Class of 2035 standout dropped 22 points on his 9th birthday while playing up in the 5th grade division as a true 3rd grader — and he didn’t just score, he took over.

Facing older, bigger competition, TJ knocked down three deep triples, converted multiple tough and-1 finishes, and shifted the entire momentum of the game. With his team trailing by 16 midway through the second quarter, Hayes sparked a rally to cut the deficit to nine by halftime.

Then came the explosion.

TJ came out of the halftime break on fire, attacking gaps, knocking down shots, and turning defense into offense. By the end of the third quarter, he had powered his squad to a six-point lead. The game went down to the wire, but Hayes’ impact was undeniable.

He finished with:

• 22 points

• 4 assists

• 5 steals

• Playing up two full grade levels

Competing above his age group and dominating speaks volumes. His poise, confidence, and ability to control tempo against older competition continues to show why he’s firmly on the radar of Top 25 Scouts.

At just nine years old, TJ isn’t just playing up — he’s rising up.

The Class of 2035 guard out of Huntington is proving that age is just a number when skill, IQ, and competitive fire are already ahead of schedule.

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