A-Town Showdown
Analysis

A-Town Showdown Stock Risers

Griffin Cherry2021 6-1 PG Griffin Cherry – SBT – North Paulding
A true point guard, Griffin Cherry impressed at the A-Town Showdown. He’s not flashy but he’s effective. Cherry masterfully works the pick-and-roll and found Trey Harris and Kervens Yacinthe plenty of open looks. Cherry makes great reads and is trustworthy with the ball. He doesn’t just play game manager however. Cherry, who has a strong frame for his size, uses his body exceptionally well when attacking the paint. He understands how to shield the ball away when opponents swipe in or try to block his shot. He’s a three-level scorer that hit 3 threes in the two games I watched. In Game 1 vs. MVA Outlawz he posted 8 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. In the Passion Bracket Championship vs. SEBA FCI Warriors, Cherry went for 14 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. The stat sheet stuffing guard should be a hot commodity for smaller schools.

Kervens Yacinthe2021 6-6 W Kervens Yacinthe – SBT – Paulding County
A lot of players in Kervens’ circle have been gaining great praise throughout the offseason and rightfully so, but I think Yacinthe might have the best long-term upside. Yacinthe has great size on the perimeter and his unorthodox lefty play can freeze defenders. While he was a bit of a volume shooter at times, Yacinthe filled it up. He went for 24 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals to start the weekend and then finished Day 2 with 39 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist in the title game. He hit 5 threes in the championship and nailed 8 over the two-game stretch. Yacinthe’s funky shot starts near his hip but once he’s in motion, he has a quick release. His outside shot opens up driving lanes which is Yacinthe’s go-to game. He’s got some nice dribble combinations and can freeze defenders with hesitations and head fakes. Kervens always finds a way to get to his left hand and finish with his signature glide and kiss off the glass which is nearly unblockable with the angles he can release the ball. When he can’t swoop all the way in, Yacinthe has a pretty floater that he can push over defenders. To improve his game, Yacinthe has to be able to utilize his right hand more often. If defenses can’t sit on his left, it will open up his game even more. Right now he’s a great option for D-II programs but with a strong summer and senior season, I wouldn’t be shocked to hear some D-I schools calling to check in.

Trey Harris2022 6-5 W Trey Harris – SBT – North Paulding
The silent assassin’s unassuming look and demeanor terrorized teams at LakePoint. Harris has one of the sweetest strokes in his class and was lighting it up from the mid-range and beyond the arc. He’s at his best when he stays in attack mode and is aggressive. In the championship game he got lost in the shuffle while Yacinthe was pouring in the points but on Saturday his 27 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks really turned heads. Harris is a great pick-and-pop player and has a terrific chemistry with North Paulding teammate Griffin Cherry. Harris slipped screens for easy hoops and flared out when needed. He got a lot of points around the paint on Saturday which was a welcome sign seeing that he was eager to attack the rim. In the title game, he scored the first five points of the game before the offense got away from him. Considering he’s only a 2022, Harris’ play further illuminates how bright his future is.

Shamar Norman2021 5-11 CG Shamar Norman – Savannah Select – Windsor Forest
I knew what to expect from Shamar Norman but SOH Elite did not and he didn’t disappoint. Norman went on a tear, scoring 19 of his game-high 26 points in the second half to power Savannah Select. He added on 5 rebounds and 1 assist, but it was his electric offense that made the lasting impression. Norman isn’t gifted with great height, but he’s been in the weight room and has a strong upper body which he uses when taking the ball to the basket. He scored at the rim through shot blockers and was tough to slow down in transition. It was his three-point shot that carried Savannah Select, draining four. He was pulling up from well beyond the lane and punished anyone who wouldn’t step up and guard him as soon as he crossed half court. Windsor Forest will be in the hunt for a state title this year with the inside-out duo of D’ante Bass and Shamar Norman.

Robert Reisman2021 6-3 SG Robert Reisman – ATL Timberwolves Green – Gainesville
Playing in the Atlanta Timberwolves system, Robert Reisman balanced scoring and playmaking all weekend as he averaged 18.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.8 assists. Reisman attacked on dribble drive opportunities vs. the MVA Outlawz and found matchups he liked. He posted 15 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal in the 84-73 win. Reisman’s athleticism plays bigger than his size. He is a good leaper which helps him rise up to clean the glass. Gainesville has a nice core between Reisman, Eli Pitts and younger brother Charlie Reisman, who lit it up vs. 15U Team Forrest, hitting 5 threes to finish with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 1 block.

JaHeim Robinson2021 6-6 PF JaHeim Robinson – Atlanta Celtics South – Johnson-Savannah
A heavy sleeper that didn’t get to play varsity last year after transferring in from Groves, JaHeim Robinson has had a huge offseason. Robinson is a unicorn at his size, strength and skill. At 263 pounds, Robinson legitimately handles the ball like a guard and even played point guard down the stretch in the Celtics’ 48-42 OT win over Rod Howard Select. Robinson moves incredibly well for his size and can play 1-5. He’s got outstanding feet both attacking from the perimeter and when posting up. Robinson has range out to the three-point line and has playmaking ability with his passing. He went for 21 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. A few more strong weekends and Robinson will need to be in the discussion as one of Georgia’s better “big” men.  He brings an entirely new dimension to the Atomsmashers and composes one of the best 1-2 punches in South Georgia between he and reigning Region Player of the Year Emondre Bowles. Sprinkle in some good young guards and Johnson-Savannah has the recipe to have a fun year.