Best Players I Saw This Week (Jan 6-11)
Entering the home stretch of the regular season, the importance of region games is heightened with seeding on the line. It’s also the perfect time for players to standout on the big stage and show out when it matters most. From January 6-11, here are the best players I saw in person.
2020 7-0 C
Walker Kessler
Walker
Kessler
7'0" | PF
Landmark Christian | 2020
State
#17
Nation
GA
– Woodward Academy – UNC
Even though it was far from his best game, the five-star center did what all great players do: affect the game without having to score. Kessler did put up a game-high 22 points, but it was his defense and rebounding that gave North Clayton the most issues. He grabbed 10 rebounds and swatted away six shots. I’ve come accustom to big stat lines from Kessler, so 22-10-6 feels modest, but he was still a game-changer even when he didn’t have his A-game.
2021 6-5 W
Will Richard
Will
Richard
6'5" | SF
Woodward Academy | 2021
State
GA
– Woodward Academy
An inside-outside threat,
Will Richard
Will
Richard
6'5" | SF
Woodward Academy | 2021
State
GA
has flourished at Woodward Academy after serving as a sixth-man at Fayette County a season ago. Richard is a gifted athlete that provides an all-around floor game. Last season Richard showed the ability to play all over the floor for a Fayette County team that lacked a big man, seeing many minutes as the Tigers’ tallest player on the court. Now playing alongside
Walker Kessler
Walker
Kessler
7'0" | PF
Landmark Christian | 2020
State
#17
Nation
GA
, Richard has his defined role as small forward but has the playmaking ability to be considered a point-forward when needed. Richard had 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in the War Eagles’ win over North Clayton. Richard scored at the rim, knocked down two threes and made overall good decisions with the ball in his hands.
2020 6-3 CG
Emory Lanier
Emory
Lanier
6'3" | PG
Woodward Academy | 2020
State
#370
Nation
GA
– Woodward Academy – Davidson
My first glance at
Emory Lanier
Emory
Lanier
6'3" | PG
Woodward Academy | 2020
State
#370
Nation
GA
was an impressive one. A blend of speed, size and athleticism, Lanier got downhill in the blink of an eye for Woodward Academy and left defenders in the dust. He had a handful of acrobatic crafty finishes. I’m sure I’ll be seeing plenty more of Lanier during Woodward’s title run; he left a strong first impression.
2020 6-8 W
Xavier Valley
Xavier
Valley
6'7" | SF
North Clayton | 2020
State
GA
– North Clayton
Xavier Valley
Xavier
Valley
6'7" | SF
North Clayton | 2020
State
GA
’s stretch of back-to-back-to-back threes in the second quarter highlighted how quickly he can take over a game with his shooting stroke. Valley has areas of improvement to focus on such as his agility, ball handling and assertiveness but the toolsy wing is as naturally gifted as anyone in Georgia and has a handful of High Major offers to boot. He posted 21 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals against Woodward Academy. Influencing the game more on defense will make Valley a dynamic two-way player.
2021 6-7 F Ja’Hiem Hudson – Wheeler
One of Georgia’s best post presences in the 2021 class, it’s a bit surprising that Hudson doesn’t already have a handful of offers in his back pocket. Long, strong and mobile, Hudson is a skilled big man with some guard skills. Hudson can ignite his own fast breaks off the glass and has range out to the three-point line. He went to his bread and butter in Wheeler’s 60-52 win over East Coweta, exploiting the Indians lack of a rim protector and punishing East Coweta on the low block with 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 blocks. Circle Hudson as a potential blowup candidate this spring.
2020 6-6 F
Sam Hines
Sam
Hines
6'6" | SF
Wheeler | 2020
State
GA
– Wheeler – Denver
A hard hat and lunch pail guy,
Sam Hines
Sam
Hines
6'6" | SF
Wheeler | 2020
State
GA
never disappoints with his motor and nose for the ball. The Denver-signee outworked East Coweta with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Hines scored on post ups and the mid-range while also taking his man off the dribble when attacking from the wing. Defensively, he even sacrificed his body to take a charge, further proving he is willing to do whatever it takes to win.