CTC Classic: Top Forwards Pt. 2
12 teams from across Georgia met at Cass High School for the Create The Culture Classic. Nine of the 12 teams were ranked in the Top 10. Here’s who stood out from the star-studded event. 2022 6-8 PF Tony Carpio…
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Continue Reading12 teams from across Georgia met at Cass High School for the Create The Culture Classic. Nine of the 12 teams were ranked in the Top 10. Here’s who stood out from the star-studded event.
2022 6-8 PF Tony Carpio Tony Carpio 6'7" | PF Providence | 2022 State GA – Providence Christian
Tony Carpio Tony Carpio 6'7" | PF Providence | 2022 State GA has the skills of a burgeoning D-I prospect. He plays big in the paint, able to finish everything off with a dunk. Carpio has a solid low post repertoire complete with hook shots and foot work. He can stretch the floor to the three-point line and is a very good shot blocker. With another year of development ahead of him, I think Carpio could be near the top of his class when it comes to complete post players. He recorded 14 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks vs. St. Anne-Pacelli.
2021 6-4 PF Jareden Kelly – Upson-Lee
Little went right for Upson-Lee vs. Richmond Hill but Jareden Kelly was a bright spot. The lanky post scored in the paint with step throughs and hook shots. He blocked a shot and provided effort inside. Kelly finished with a team-high 10 points.
2022 6-4 PF Leighton Finley – Richmond Hill
The UGA baseball-commit wowed me. A physical specimen inside with burly shoulders, Finley tossed his weight around but did so skillfully. He powered up for tough buckets inside and always made sure to gather himself to go up strong. He’s a tough-nosed rebounder and an all-around impressive athlete that fills his role to a T. He piled on 12 points and 13 rebounds.
2021 6-6 PF Carrieun Mathis – South Paulding
The gangly lefty gave me flashbacks of JaCori Wilson. They are nowhere near the same player but that body type, the left-handedness and the ability to play above the rim stands out. Mathis is a late-blooming post with an intriguing set of skills. He’s a solid rebounder and does a good job altering shots up close. Offensively, he can put the ball on the floor in spurts but gets a lot of his offense up close. He can stretch the floor to the three-point line when left open and when the right matchup presents itself. He had 11 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Duluth. Small schools should keep tabs on Mathis. He’s got some more developing to do but he has some promise at the right level.
2023 6-4 F Gio Thomas Gio Thomas 6'4" | PF South Paulding | 2023 State GA – South Paulding
Only a sophomore, Gio Thomas Gio Thomas 6'4" | PF South Paulding | 2023 State GA had some glimpses in the first half. Thomas is an exceptional athlete that explodes to the rim when leaping. He finished strong at the basket for 10 points and 7 rebounds. He likely will develop into more of a wing, but on Saturday it was his ability to square his shoulders on dump offs and burst up for layups that keyed South Paulding’s early offense. He will need to work on his outside shot to stay on the wing full-time. Thomas is slasher when on the perimeter.