Sandy’s Spiel Showcase: Top Forwards
The first annual Sandy’s Spiel Showcase provided a stage for strong programs with underrecruited talent to be seen at Lanier High School. Many players capitalized on their opportunity and further helped their potential recruitment. Here is a list of top…
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Continue ReadingThe first annual Sandy’s Spiel Showcase provided a stage for strong programs with underrecruited talent to be seen at Lanier High School. Many players capitalized on their opportunity and further helped their potential recruitment. Here is a list of top performers.
Sandy’s Spiel Showcase Top Forwards
2023 6-7 F Tahj Johnson – Hart County
All throughout the summer I heard great things about Tahj Johnson but for one reason or another, I was never able to catch him in person, leaving me disappointed but also optimistic that Hart County was scheduled to play at the Sandy’s Spiel Showcase. As they say, patience is a virtue and that long wait paid off as Johnson showed his full arsenal in a mouth-watering performance of 15 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocks in Class 3A No. 6 Hart County’s 76-50 win over Class 6A No. 8 Evans. Johnson is obviously long but is a strong and fluid athlete that plays above the rim. Offensively he has an effortless jumper that plays out to the three-point line as he nailed two deep balls on the day. Johnson is a special talent that will get better and better as he gets more reps and improves his wing skills even more. Right now, its easy to see that he is a D-I talent if he continues to progress.
2020 6-5 PF Quay Randolph – Hart County
During Hart County’s state playoff run, Quay Randolph hardly saw the floor as Coach Harry Marsh played a group of hard-nosed undersized athletic seniors. Fast forward to present day and now Hart County has one of the longest frontcourts in Class 3A, going 6-1, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5 and 6-7 in the starting lineup. The emergence of Randolph gives the Bulldogs another athletic rim protector who can run the floor from block to block. Randolph finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 3 blocks vs. Evans. He even knocked down a three, but his value is undoubtedly felt most on the defensive side as a rebounder and shot blocker.
2021 6-5 PF Ian Mathews – St. Anne-Pacelli
Saddled with foul trouble for the entire game, when Ian Mathews stepped back on the court for the fourth quarter, his presence was felt immediately. The wide-body post player had a stretch where he took over in the fourth quarter scoring six of his 9 points in the frame while drawing fouls left and right, going 4-6 from the foul line in crunch time. Mathews is somewhat limited athletically and does the bulk of his damage below the rim, but he uses his frame exceptionally well and clears out space. He has a good feel with his back to the basket and makes forceful post moves that displace defenders. Mathews even has range out to the three-point line and can handle the ball in a pinch. He gobbled up 5 rebounds and collected an assist.
2020 6-8 F Izzy Momodu – ELCA
ELCA struggled in their loss to No. 8 GAC. Izzy Momodu came off the bench to chip in 5 points and 2 rebounds. His playing time has fluctuated since an injury earlier in the season. Izzy still has enough intrigue that will attract JUCOs and small schools. The big man knocked down a three-pointer and has a developing skill set. Momodu didn’t look as good as when I last saw him in the summer but some of that may be due to his sporadic play. The game seemed to be slowing down for him at that point. Momodu has yet to fulfill his potential and if he ever does, a school might get a skilled forward with good court vision and range out to the three-point line.