The 2025 Sandy’s Spiel Tip-Off Classic was sponsored by Redline Girls Basketball Club

2027 6-2 G PJ Rosser – South Paulding
South Paulding outmanned a shorthanded Pickens team with their athleticism and ability to control the action in the paint. PJ Rosser played a big role in the Spartans’ 87-41 win, overpowering the Dragons with his bounciness. The lefty thrived going west, getting to his strong hand at will. Rosser exploded the rim to score through contact. He scored on a drive, a putback and a post-up. Rosser stepped outside to sink a three in the third quarter, part of his game-high 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Improving his right hand and continuing to gain consistency on his shooting range will help him become a complete player. Regardless, PJ should enjoy a breakout year in a newfound elevated role his junior season.

2029 6-2 G Ethan Moore – South Paulding
Ethan Moore immediately went to work upon entering the game, pouring in 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block in limited minutes. The freshman looks the part. He’s got a strong build in the backcourt and matches it with confidence, eager to attack defenses. Moore has smooth fluidity with the ball. He showed the ability to grab-and-go off misses, attacking full court. Ethan buried three threes and found another bucket on a putback. In a crowded backcourt full of experienced players, Ethan may make it hard to keep him out of the rotation for long. Moore may gain more and more minutes as the season unfolds.

2027 6-0 G Brody Bryant – Pickens
Brody was a bright spot for Pickens in their 46-point loss to South Paulding. Bryant drilled five threes to lead all scorers with 15 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 block. Brody’s shot-ready approach and quick release burned South Paulding when they were slow on closeouts.

2028 6-0 PG KD Hernandez – Walker
Following a first half which saw KD go 4-4 from the foul line for his only points and Walker trail Johns Creek 36-35, Hernandez flipped a switch the final 16 minutes to propel the Wolverines to a hard-fought 67-53 win, closing on an 8-0 run over the final 61 seconds. The High Major recruit was masterful with his floor vision and decision making throughout the day but when he sensed his team needed him to score, Hernandez mashed on the gas and took over. KD netted 12 second half points to finish with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 steal. Hernandez went 8-8 from the foul line while converting a pair of And-1s. He dropped in floaters over Johns Creek’s length, snaking his way to the hoop while also serving as a drive-and-dish playmaker. King’s high understanding and mature feel are why SEC schools have already offered.

2026 6-3 G Devan Fernande – Walker
Johns Creek came out of the gates hot hunting for a signature win. Midway through the first frame, the Gladiators doubled up Walker 14-7 but from that point on, Devan Fernande shot the Wolverines back in it sinking three of his four threes over the first eight minutes. Fernande totaled a team-high 20 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal, buoying Walker as they found their footing. While Devan made hay in the corners, he also was effective off the bounce. The sturdy guard was able to penetrate to create hockey assists and in the full court, thrived in transition by running the floor for three layups. Devan is a rock-solid performer who should have plenty of college options to choose from. Non-D-I schools of all levels should be engaged.

2027 6-6 W Lorenzo McCorvey – Walker
Among the state’s best Swiss Army Knives, the true 1-5 game wrecker provided Walker with 8 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 5 blocks – all of his points coming after halftime. McCorvey proved once again that he didn’t need to lead his team in scoring in order to have one of the biggest influences in winning the game. The elite energy pogo stick puts his fingerprints on nearly every possession. He is capable of initiating the offense with his passing, he’s a dynamic defender with length, quickness and a springy second leap and is a physical rebounder who can snag boards from outside of his area. He drew a charge, went 6-6 from the foul line and caught an alley-oop for a dunk, his only field goal of the game. McCorvey’s D-I upside is getting harder and harder to ignore.

2026 6-5 W Tatum Holmes – Johns Creek
Possibly the most under recruited senior in the state in my eyes, Tatum Holmes shined in a loss to Walker, powering the Gladiators with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Holmes is a complete player. Tatum is a great athlete, a three-level scorer who fills up the box score on both ends with his relentless motor. Tatum hit tough shots along the perimeter against Walker in a 67-53 loss. Holmes worked the mid-range for two jumpers while mixing in three three-pointers, a putback, two drives and 5-6 shooting from the foul line. I’ve long been a fan of Holmes’ game. If he ends up at the D-II level, I think he has a chance to be an All-Conference player sooner rather than later. He is a workhorse.

2029 6-6 W MaKari Townsend – Heritage School
You have to love the freshman’s upside. MaKari came on strong against Sequoyah in a 66-56 win, putting up 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. At 6-foot-6, Townsend plays inside and out. Blessed with an athletic frame, MaKari has nimble footwork off the dribble. He scored off a spin move on a coast-to-coast take, utilized a pair of eurosteps and had a handful of other downhill drives both in the halfcourt and full court. In the paint, MaKari scored on a post-up, an And-1 putback and sank a post turnaround for his first basket of the night. Townsend’s diverse offensive game also included a soft touch at the foul line, shooting 5-5. MaKari should become a household name soon. As his shooting range extends out to the three-point line with consistency, Townsend’s ceiling will continue to heighten.

2027 6-4 W Coleman Hellgeth – Heritage School
It was all Coleman early on as Hellgeth dropped in 14 of Heritage’s 29 first half points before finishing with a game-high 26 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. The strong-body wing was too physical for the Chiefs, converting through contact for a pair of And-1s as he attacked inside and out. Hellgeth muscled his way to hoops but also showed a finesse about his game, sinking two threes to help space to the floor. Coleman is a mismatch who identifies his advantages well.

2026 6-3 G Alec Eckerman – Sequoyah
The southpaw got hot in the fourth quarter as he tried to help Sequoyah erase a 14-point deficit but ultimately it wasn’t enough as the Chiefs lost to The Heritage School 66-56. Eckerman poured in nine of his team-high 14 points in the fourth quarter to go with his 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. The lean lefty netted a pair of threes, a putback, a floater, went coast-to-coast after a steal and shot 2-4 from the charity stripe. Eckerman is an interesting late bloomer. His smooth lanky approach off the dribble can be effective, especially being left-handed.