PrepHoops Georgia Top 250 Expo: Steady Seniors
- ’19 Mekhail Bethea (Dacula) – From the tip of the opening game I saw, it was clear who was head and shoulders above
Mekhail Bethea
everyone on the floor in this particular match-up, and it was Bethea. The senior guard from Dacula made big time plays on both ends and used his defensive awareness to score instant baskets on the other end. Bethea is a good user of the pick and roll as he was at his best when getting downhill and attacking the rim with a lot of steam. He was able to finish through contact but also found teammates when the defense started giving him more attention on penetration. It will be an interesting season for the Falcons as Bethea and recent College of Charleston commit Brenden Tucker will make up one of the quicker backcourts in the state of Georgia this season. - ’19 Kendall Lewis (Shiloh) – Lewis enjoyed a solid afternoon at the Prep Hoops Georgia Top 250 Expo. The forward from Shiloh has Division I length at 6’6” and displayed a versatile offensive package in his two games; putting the ball on the floor and going coast to coast with his dribble as well as posting up smaller defenders on the low block. His lanky frame gives him an advantage to get past bigger defenders attempting to guard him with the ball in his hands and his ability to move in transition with or without the ball towards the rim for impressive finishes is what I felt put him above most during this showcase.
- ’19 Terrell Ard (Allatoona) – Ard was one of the more physically imposing prospects at Top 250 Expo, and used that to score the basketball at will at the rim. Whether in transition or the half court, it always seemed as if Ard was coming away with some type of basket from 3 feet and closer, sometimes with defenders corralling him on the way there. The forward from Allatoona excels at controlling his body at the rim but his shot making ability can’t go unnoticed as he was a steady shooter afternoon especially off the catch. Ard can flat out score the basketball and was consistent in doing so in both of his games.
- ”19 Austin Sloan (Houston County) – Sloan was a prospect that I had never seen play coming into this event, but I walked away impressed with him as I did with any other prospect. Sloan is oozing with potential and plays the game the right way from his power forward or center position. The Houston County product has great hands, ran the floor better than any big man I saw on
Kendall Lewis
this day, and was on the receiving end of a lot of interior passes for above the rim finishes in transition. Sloan, even though slender in his build, cleaned up the glass nicely and was an excellent passer from anywhere on the floor. Sloan understands court awareness and how to play the game with that awareness while using his length at 6’8” which should prove beneficial during his senior campaign. - ’19 Jon Morgan (Combine Academy) – The former Lafayette Rambler will make you do a double take if you’re watching him play from afar. He is a sneaky athletic lefty that has a quick twitch first step on his way to the basket. His ball handling skills were on display when getting by defenders, particularly on the baseline drive, and he was one of the best acrobatic finishers I saw especially on his strong side. Morgan at 6’3” has good size, a good feel for the game, and is a capable shot maker from the outside.
- ’19 Mitch Ganote (Lambert) – Ganote is a cerebral guard that can get it done with or without the basketball. He goes all out of the defensive end which is something I know the coaches in attendance loved to see. Ganote made a living catching passes for knock down threes but also made plays and found teammates for easy looks as well. Ganote plays the game an intense pace but knows how to finish with finesse and when his offensive game isn’t on is someone you can rely to impact the game in some way, especially on the defensive end.
Honorable Mention:
- ’19 Tay Howard (East Jackson) – A smooth visionary is how I would describe the game of the East Jackson senior
Austin Sloan
point guard. Howard had an impressive series of moves in transition that could not go ignored, giving a brief look on what his game is all about. An in and out left handed dribble to keep an aggressive defender honest, getting up the floor in a timely manner but without rushing, and delivering a no look dime to a cutting teammate for an easy two points on the fast break. Howard made several great passes in tight spaces Saturday but was also able to use his 6’3” build to get to the rack as well.