2023 6-4 PF Eli Underwood – Union County
There’s a different atmosphere and style of play up in North Georgia, three balls flying left and right, but Eli Underwood Union County’s elder statesman is a throwback post presence that stands out by not trying to fit in. Underwood came to life in the second half helping the Panthers race away from Athens Academy, turning a 33-28 halftime lead into a 77-59 victory as he scored all 12 of his points in the second half to pair with his 18 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block. Eli is a physical workhorse inside, packed with muscle. He moves bodies out of the way when attacking rebounds. Underwood clears out space, using back-to-the-basket moves to score around the rim, implementing baseline drop steps and back downs. Eli plays with a good base, able to maintain his balance when surrounded by defenders, taking his time to gather himself and finish strong. Underwood has been in contact with Truett McConnell while Mississippi University for Women is the latest program to show interest.
2025 6-0 PG Houston Henry – Union County
Henry didn’t light up the scoreboard with his scoring, but he still managed to account for a large chunk of Union County’s points. Houston is a true point guard, a pass-first facilitator that makes the Panthers offense go. He’s a heady playmaker that constantly is surveying the floor. Henry pushes the ball well in transition, identifying where the ball needs to go and is savvy in the screen game, capable of hitting the slip or kicking out to the pop man. Houston controlled the game against Athens Academy, recording 6 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists and 3 steals.
2025 6-1 SG Hayden Hughes – Union County
History was made on Wednesday night as Hayden Hughes became the school’s all-time leader in threes made in a single season becoming the first Panther to ever eclipse 80 made. Hughes is a specialist that has a simple repeatable release. He is a threat in guard-to-guard screens, able to pick and pop for open looks. While outside shooting is his forte, Hughes can also put the ball on the floor in spurts. He scored on a baseline drive and later freed himself on a spin move for a bucket. Hayden netted six of Union County’s 10 threes, finishing with a game-high 22 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
2025 6-0 PG Jude Ellis – Union County
Jude Ellis may be Union County’s most well-rounded player. The sophomore can play either on or off the ball. He’s got good physical strength, able to get downhill and finish through contact. Ellis hit a pair of threes and netted two pull-ups from the mid-range. The three-level scorer provided 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Part of a talented sophomore class that also features gritty glue-guy Maddox Young, the Panthers have a bright future with their four horsemen in the backcourt.
2024 6-3 W Westbrook Adams – Athens Academy
Westbrook Adams was Athens Academy’s most consistent source of offense. I liked how aggressive he was from the wing, a versatile scorer that drove hard to the basket but also spaced the floor with his outside shot, nailing three three-pointers. Westbrook was active in the paint, scoring on a pair of putbacks. Adams finished with 21 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
2024 5-11 PG Samuel Thacker – Providence Christian
It’s been a breakout season for Samuel Thacker, stepping out of the shadows cast by his brother Chance (Gardner-Webb). As the lone Thacker on the roster, all Samuel has done his first year as a full-time starter is set the school-record for most threes in a season. On Wednesday, he added to his mark drilling five of Providence Christian’s 10 threes in their 92-75 win. The Storm torched Banks County’s zone, hitting six deep balls in the first quarter, Thacker contributing three quick ones. He scored both off the catch and off the dribble, pulling up from deep whenever the 3-2 zone didn’t extend out to him. Up 62-50 to start the fourth quarter with Banks County threatening with mini surges here and there, it was Thacker that finally put the game to bed by netting 14 of his game-high 28 points in the final period. Samuel did it from all over the floor, hitting a three, scoring on a pull-up, two drives and going 5-6 from the foul line. Thacker wasn’t just a designated scorer however, he also added 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Samuel is a certain stock riser that has another year to develop even more.
2023 6-3 W Thomas Malcolm – Providence Christian
There isn’t a ton of size in Region 8-2A and there aren’t too many jaw-dropping athletes playing above the rim. Thomas Malcolm however, is one of the best mixes of both, an effective lefty swingman that did damage on the perimeter as slasher and in the high post. Malcolm collected 22 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal before fouling out. He was tough to guard once he got a head of steam, able to get to the hoop, elevate and finish through contact. Thomas scored on a pair of And-1 takes and ate up the glass for three putbacks. He even was able to score with his back to the basket, using a baby hook off the glass to score inside. When Malcolm is aggressive and providing inside the arc scoring to balance the Storm’s prolific three-point shooting offense, Providence Christian is tough to beat.
2025 5-11 G Hunter Youngblood – Banks County
After a quiet first half with just two points, Hunter Youngblood found a groove, finishing with 19 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block. Youngblood is a slender guard with a scorer’s touch and a quick release. He moves well without the ball, curling his way into three-point looks and cutting for layups. He’s subtly crafty as a driver, drawing fouls in the process. Hunter went 7-7 from the line, hit a pair of threes, scored on a floater, an And-1 drive and a putback.
2023 5-11 PG Mason Adams – Banks County
Adams is a reliable stalwart in the backcourt, built of muscle. He provides a well-rounded scoring presence, strong enough to finish at the rim and a good enough shooter to let it fly through out. Mason netted three of Banks County’s 10 threes and scored on three drives, one an And-1. Mason finished with 17 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.