Potential Breakout Players in Class 3A State Playoffs
The bigger the stage, the brighter the spotlight. Here are some players who have a chance to make breakout postseason runs, ranging from established household names to those you might not have heard as much about. Class 3A 2020 6-4…
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Continue ReadingThe bigger the stage, the brighter the spotlight. Here are some players who have a chance to make breakout postseason runs, ranging from established household names to those you might not have heard as much about.
Class 3A
2020 6-4 W Trajan Weatherspoon – Long County
A key ingredient to Long County’s 23-4 season – their best in over a decade – has been physical forward Trajan Weatherspoon. Since his freshman year, Weatherspoon has rode the roller coaster of up and down seasons over the course of his four years and now his final stop could be Macon if the Blue Tide can surge at the right time. The 225-pound wide receiver has offers in football but was also named Region 2 Co-Player of the Year. He’s not a familiar name north of Ludowici, but a breakout run in the state tournament could garner the attention he’s earned.
2022 6-2 G Domonic Henderson – Monroe
Named Class 3A Freshman of the Year last season, Henderson has continued his ascent his sophomore season winning Region 1 Defensive Player of the Year. Henderson is an aggressive high-motor defender with long active arms. He’s athletically gifted and competes hard on both ends of the floor. He possesses the ability to lock down an opposing team’s best player and is one of the better sophomores in the entire state of Georgia. Henderson was robbed of a chance of making noise in February last year as Monroe was disqualified from postseason play having to forfeit 23 games. Henderson will make fans of many if the Golden Tornadoes go deep in state.
2023 6-2 G Brent Bowman – Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe
Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe has enjoyed an 11-win increase this season, jumping to 23-4 with a Region 6 title. A pair of freshmen have turned the once fledgling program’s fortunes around. Brent Bowman has been the go-to guy on offense averaging 14 points. The dangerous three-point shooter connects at a 42% clip. The Warriors have a chance to shock the state as they host four-seed Hart County in the first-round.
2020 6-0 G Derek Edwards – Johnson-Savannah
A change of scenery hasn’t changed much for the professional scorer. Derek Edwards left Islands for Johnson-Savannah and has carried over his game-changing scoring ability with him, averaging close to 20 points per game. The lefty can fill it up from deep and has formed a dynamic duo with Emondre Bowles. Recruitment hasn’t lifted off yet, but the Atomsmashers have a chance to shatter brackets as they are in a quadrant with Franklin County, Long County and Dawson County.
2022 6-3 PF Keylan Rutledge – Franklin County
The Cinderella story last year as an At-Large bid that made it to the Elite Eight, Franklin County has been a favorite this year and has played with a target on their back. The Lions have made the jump from 15-14 to 20-8 behind their tremendous backcourt and the improvement of Big Red – Keylan Rutledge. The wide-body post has provided a diverse scoring option on the low block, able to score with nimble foot work around the rim. Rutledge has a variety of moves with his back to the basket and has an understanding of how to play in the paint. For Franklin County to take another deep run at state, Rutledge has to provide consistent double digit scoring to balance the offense, something I believe he is capable of doing.
2023 6-7 F Tahj Johnson – Hart County
Limping into the postseason on a four-game losing streak is 22-5 Hart County. Did they peak at the Sandy’s Spiel Showcase? For the sake of Class 3A, lets hope not. Tahj Johnson will take his talents on the road this postseason and could help snap Hart County out of their funk. Johnson is athletic and skilled to play both inside and out. The uber-talented freshman can knock down threes and swat away shots. The Bulldogs have one of the most talented lineups in Class 3A and one of the biggest frontlines. The combination of Johnson and Shone Webb should be good enough for a handful of wins in state, but whether they get the job done or not is up to them.
2021 5-10 G Shamar Norman – Windsor Forest
Windsor Forest has emerged as the coast’s top team this year behind sharpshooting Shamar Norman. He’s averaged 16.8 points per game to go along with 4 assists and 2 steals. Norman has hit 66-135 (49%) from deep. The Knights are a favorite to get back to the Final Four as Norman looks to grow his historic career in green.