Region 7-AA Semifinals Top Performers
#1 No. 9 Chattooga cruised to an 83-66 win over #4 Coosa while #2 Rockmart erased a 13-0 deficit to knock off #4 Model 58-52 to set up a Region 7-AA Championship rematch of last year’s 61-52 Chattooga overtime victory.…
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Continue Reading#1 No. 9 Chattooga cruised to an 83-66 win over #4 Coosa while #2 Rockmart erased a 13-0 deficit to knock off #4 Model 58-52 to set up a Region 7-AA Championship rematch of last year’s 61-52 Chattooga overtime victory.
2023 5-7 PG Damien Smith – Chattooga
The freshman put on a show. The undersized guard has a good strong frame on him for his age. He can take over games with his offense. Smith is dynamite from deep, splashing in seven threes. Smith has a quick trigger and doesn’t need much space to fire. He can create separation with his dribble and showed the ability to score off step-backs. Attacking the basket, Smith does a nice jump shielding the ball from shot blockers and using his body to play the angles. He finishes with both hands and is good enough ball handler to wiggle out of tight spots but still has room for improvement. He finished with 28 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. Smith is a name to remember.
2020 5-10 CG Malachi Jackson – Chattooga
Malachi Jackson was all over the floor for Coach Jared Groce and played with great energy. At times he can get a little over amped, but Jackson was Chattooga’s primary playmaker and helped the offense accrue 16 assists. Jackson tallied 18 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 steal. Jackson did his damage scoring at the rim. Developing a consistent three-point shot will help his offensive arsenal.
2020 5-10 G Tyler Rowland – Rockmart
Trailing 13-0 to start, Tyler Rowland’s three with 2:36 remaining in the first quarter was Rockmart’s first points of the game. It would signal the mark of a slow but steady comeback and the start of a terrific night for Rowland. Boasting an 1100 SAT and 4.0 GPA, Rowland carried the Yellow Jackets from deep with six threes. He finished with 26 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Rowland showed off deep range and the mettle to knock down big shots in pressure situations. He gave Rockmart the lead for good when he canned a corner three with 1:00 left to spark a 7-0 run to clinch a 58-52 win.
2020 6-3 W Juke Boozer – Rockmart
Though he can seem to coast at times, when Juke Boozer decides to go full-tilt, there’s no one in the region that can match his explosiveness. The football standout made key plays in spurts, highlighted by his rejection off the glass with 16 seconds left to erase a potential game-tying layup. Boozer finished with 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. Offensively, Boozer isn’t much of a threat to shoot from the outside but he’s a menace when he decides to attack the rim and battle for rebounds. He made a few nice drive and kick plays. Boozer’s greatest attribute is his athleticism and when he cranks up his motor, there’s not much he can’t accomplish on the court.
2020 6-8 C Jabari Burge – Model
Much like Boozer, Jabari Burge is likely to follow his football career instead of basketball at the next level, but Burge is the real deal on the low block. The dominant big man had four huge dunks on the night and punished anyone who tried to body him inside. Burge plays above the rim. He can drop step and dunk no problem. Burge isn’t a freak athlete, but he is a good one that gets off the ground easily and runs the floor well. He posted 15 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block. Other than his powerful drop step, Burge didn’t really show off too many post moves. If he wanted to play basketball in college, I would go as far as saying Burge is one of the better unsigned bigs in Georgia and a capable D-II player.
2020 6-6 F Jared Bomer – Model
A skilled forward, Jared Bomer stuffed the stat sheet for Model with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steaks and 3 blocks. Bomer is a good fit in Model’s offense and has a cerebral game which includes cutting to the basket and court vision when the ball is in his hands. Bomer isn’t gifted with the footspeed but he is a sneaky good athlete that can swat away shots. He can hit the jumper, knocking down a three. In the right system, Bomer looks like a quality option at the D-III level.
2020 6-3 W Keshawn Kindred – Coosa
The highlight of the night belonged to Keshawn Kindred when he posterized 6-foot-6 Cash Allen with a thunderous jam. Kindred is a strong-bodied wing with a funky stroke. The lefty is a grinder and plays hard. He had 11 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.