Battle For Georgia Impression-Makers: Part 1
Independents clashed with established shoe brands as LakePoint Sports hosted yet another marquee grassroots event Aug 28-30, as the Battle for Georgia had some of the state’s best talent on hand with qualifiers fighting it out on Friday and Saturday…
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Continue ReadingIndependents clashed with established shoe brands as LakePoint Sports hosted yet another marquee grassroots event Aug 28-30, as the Battle for Georgia had some of the state’s best talent on hand with qualifiers fighting it out on Friday and Saturday to advance to Sunday. Here are some performers who stood out:
TJ Grant TJ Grant 6'6" | SF Veterans | 2022 State GA (Veterans, 6-5, SF, Warner Robins All-Stars 17U) – My first look at Grant, a 2022 playing up with the 17s, by no means out of place, physical, skilled, great body, very smooth stroke from distance, can take his act inside with plenty of finishing ability in close, really has nose for the action and has excellent rebounding ability and versatility to guard multiple spots.
Kevin Taylor Kevin Taylor 6'5" | SF Allatoona | 2021 State GA (Allatoona, 6-5, SF, North Metro Elite 17U) – More of the same from Taylor who, like teammate Kristian Ford Kristian Ford 6'5" | SG East Paulding | 2021 State GA , has had the kind of summer that has vaulted him onto radars across the southeast college landscape, again showed his developing versatility from a mere spot-up bomber to all-around threat with the ball, showed an outside-inside combo game which is tough to match-up against, big enough to attack the rim and glass, high-level shooter from 3-land pulls the D way out from the hoop, good ballhandler can get out in space and make things happen.
Coen Carr Coen Carr 6'4" | SF Dutchtown | 2023 State #77 Nation GA (Dutchtown, 6-4, SF, Atlanta Xpress Wallace 15U) – Has used the back half of the summer to establish himself as a breakout star in the 2023 class, enormously gifted athletically, can fly up and down the floor and over defenders for dunks, showed increased range out past the arc to go with an advanced dribble-drive game, glass cleaner at both ends and elite defender be out on the perimeter or guarding the basket, teammate Gio Thomas Gio Thomas 6'4" | PF South Paulding | 2023 State GA of South Paulding had some similar wow moments athletically finishing at the cup and is a wing player to watch as well.
Brandon Rechsteiner Brandon Rechsteiner 6'0" | PG Etowah | 2023 State #193 Nation GA (Etowah, 5-11, PG, Atlanta Xpress Wallace 15U) – Continued showing the true PG instincts that have been on display at recent tournaments as well as fall league play with the Eagles, great confidence from well beyond the arc makes him a tough guard and superior vision means everyone’s head needs to be on a swivel, he got very able support from guards Joseph Edwards Joseph Edwards 5'11" | PG Campbell | 2023 GA (Campbell), Dante Harrison (Walker), and David Hansraj (River Ridge), Edwards looked solid handling the point and creating his own O, Harrison showed a fluid stroke from 3-point range, and Hansraj continued his fine all-around play doing it at both ends and inside-out.
Eduardo Hendricks Eduardo Hendricks 6'7" | PF Stephenson | 2023 State GA (Meadowcreek, 6-7, PF, Norcross Heat 15U) – Hendricks has been just dominant of late as the lone post presence among the Heat’s many perimeter young stars, so strong already he can take over a wide swath around the basket and finish with authority versus just about anyone in the age group, has great shot-blocking instincts and can really get off the floor, has displayed a seriously evolving face-up game from 15 feet plus and an improved handle allowing him to blow by you with power and speed, all of that making for a lethal combination for one of the true frontcourt risers in the 2023 class.
Colby Williams Colby Williams 6'7" | SF Discovery | 2023 State GA (Meadowcreek, 6-7, SF, Norcross Heat 15U) – Loved what I saw from Williams who’s turned up the aggressiveness from when I first saw them in June, already possessing a true stroke from range that is pure and converts at a high percentage he has begun to assert himself closer to the basket as well with activity particular on the glass and getting up into opposing forwards, with speed and athletic ability in spades around him to get him the ball he has shown a want to get out on the break and attack the rim more as well, something which as his body matures will only add to the attention he receives from the next-level.