Proving Grounds Team Review: Georgia Legacy
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It was a big year for the Georgia Legacy as they asserted themselves as one of the toughest teams to beat in the 16U division. Their execution and attention to detail on defense allowed them to play with the best…
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Continue ReadingIt was a big year for the Georgia Legacy as they asserted themselves as one of the toughest teams to beat in the 16U division. Their execution and attention to detail on defense allowed them to play with the best of the best. Georgia Legacy finished 2-1 this weekend and 5-2 on the circuit. They lost a late heartbreaker to the Hollywood Stars 56-54 in the semis, a matchup good enough to have been the title game.
The Legacy rode the sharpshooting of Dylan Wolle Dylan Wolle 6'3" | SG Sequoyah | 2022 State GA (Sequoyah) all season long. His ability to work off screens and find open cracks in the defense helped space the floor. He got hot in the second half to lift Legacy to a gutsy 49-43 win over the Auburn Raptors in their first game of the tournament. Legacy slept walked through the first half and trailed by eight, but Wolle’s nine second half points and 12 for the game were able to jump start the offense.
New addition Malachi Townsend (Starr’s Mill) provided a different dynamic with Caleb Richardson Caleb Richardson 6'7" | PF Cherokee | 2022 State GA (Cherokee) out of action. Townsend, an aggressive 6-foot-5 combo forward, attacked the defense in the second half on drives and got to the line. He finished with 8 points and 5 rebounds. Without his athleticism and mismatch making skills, Legacy could have been in trouble.
Lefty Trent Jackson (Creekview), not known for his scoring, came up big with 9 points and 2 steals. He’s a player that plays within the system and knows his limitations. He doesn’t try to do too much and inside is willing to take what the defense is giving him.
6-foot-10 Braden Pierce Braden Pierce 6'11" | C River Ridge | 2022 State GA (River Ridge) had some nice moments throughout the tournament. He had 4 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks vs. the Raptors but most impressive were his post touches against the Hollywood Stars. He scored on a strong hook shot in the lane, using his size to his advantage to drop in buckets over the defense. More confidence and consistency will help the big affect games. He has come a long way since his freshman season.
Grant Portera Grant Portera 6'4" | CG River Ridge | 2022 State GA (River Ridge) is an opportunistic scorer that uses his energy to provide chances. He’s got an improving three-point shot that has to be accounted for from the perimeter but he’s most known for his rebounding and his slashing. He’s a strong athlete that competes in the paint. He had 9 rebounds vs. the Raptors and provides value on the defensive end of the floor.
Alex Acosta Alex Acosta 6'5" | PF North Cobb | 2022 State GA (North Cobb) has blossomed into one of the most consistent rebounders in his age group. The lean athlete with a strong frame loves to mix it up on the glass and compete for 50/50 balls. He works hard to get into position and rebounds with both hands in traffic. Offensively, he’s solid from 15-feet and in. He can knock down the mid-range but also attack the basket and score in a crowd.
Fisher Mitchell (Sequoyah) is an underrated positional defender. He uses his body well in the post and has great timing when blocking shots. He doesn’t look like your prototypical shot blocker, but he waits till the last second to get off the ground and does a great job of protecting the rim. On offense, he’s got tools to work with in the low post with advanced foot work and a variety of moves. He’s a dangerous three-point shooter that can stretch out the defense and cause mismatches as well.
Ming Butler (Cherokee) and Kyle Keener (Lassiter) provide depth in the backcourt. Butler is more of a pass-first defensive minded point guard that keeps the offense flowing. Keener, a new addition, is known for his outside shooting. He struggled in his first game with Georgia Legacy but got more comfortable as the tournament went on and played key minutes down the stretch.