5 Players with Something to Prove Heading into the State Tournament
These 5 players come into the postseason with a slight chip on their shoulder:
DJ Murray (Pebblebrook)- DJ Murray (pictured) had a great regular season for Pebblebrook, averaging 18 points per game and leading them to region tournament champions against top-ranked Wheeler. He possesses a much bigger role this year now that Drue Drinnon (New Mexico commit) and Collin Sexton (freshman at Alabama) are both gone. So far, the unsigned senior has got it done and has made a name for himself along the way. In the region championship game, I was most impressed with his playmaking ability, but I also know him to be a very streaky shooter. Murray’s hot shooting could play a big factor late in the playoffs as Pebblebrook makes a run for the 7A state championship.
Jared Jones (McEachern)- Jared Jones, standing at 6’9, is a great complement to McEachern’s explosive backcourt of Isaac Okoro and Sharife Cooper. He recently transferred from Pebblebrook to McEachern this season and could possibly meet them in the state championship. Jones is a great finisher at the rim and also has the ability to step out and hit jump shots. He could very so be the X factor for championship-favorite McEachern in the playoffs.
Hunter McIntosh (Greater Atlanta Christian)- McIntosh is a very crafty guard who can score at all three levels with ease. The junior has led his team to 16 consecutive wins heading into the playoffs. The GAC Spartans have not won a state championship since the exit of Isaiah Wilkins (senior at UVA) and head coach Eddie Martin, but this could all change with McIntosh leading the charge.
Nick Edwards (Grayson)- As mentioned in my previous article, Edwards could open a lot of eyes heading into the postseason. The unsigned senior is a crafty finisher around the rim and has proven to be clutch late in the 4th quarter of games. Edwards played a key role in Grayson’s run in the Final Four last year and could play an even bigger role in this year’s playoffs.
Adam Flagler (Duluth)- Flagler has made a lot of noise at Duluth over the last couple years. Ranked at number 25 in the 2018 class, he is currently averaging 17 points and 5 rebounds. He led his team to the Sweet Sixteen last year but was defeated by Collin Sexton and Pebblebrook. Poised and experienced, I expect Flagler and Duluth to surprise many in 7A this postseason.