GBCA Live Session I
Analysis

GBCA Live Session I: 2022 Top Performers

Asher Woods2022 6-3 CG Asher Woods – Parkview
With every passing event, Asher Woods gets better and better. Woods has cemented himself as one of the best scorers in Gwinnett County and possibly the entire state. His summer scoring binge continued at GBCA as he averaged 30.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4 assists, anchored by a massive 41-point outburst on Friday night where he went 7-10 from three and added 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Asher plays with great energy on both ends of the court, using his defensive pressure to help set the tone for his offensive onslaught. The dynamic scorer should be on Low Major and Mid-Major radars.

Ashton Blackwell2022 6-1 PG Ashton Blackwell – Christian Heritage
Moving in from neighboring Dalton High School, Ashton Blackwell will make an immediate impact and will be one of the most important transfers at the Class A-Private level. Blackwell may not be a household name outside of Northwest Georgia, but he is a game-changer with his floor game and improving scoring touch. He was the engine that helped make Dalton go over the past few seasons. While Franklin Almonte got all the stats and headlines, it was Blackwell’s steady play at guard that made Dalton more than just a one-dimensional team. Blackwell quickly proved his value in a competitive game against Augusta Christian, dropping in 17 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Ashton looked good getting downhill, using a shifty attack that implemented spins and eurosteps. Adding Blackwell’s smooth approach to sophomores Zundra Jackson and 2021 A-Private Freshman of the Year Jax Abernathy gives Coach Tyler Watkins one of the best backcourts in the classification.

Zion Fruster2022 6-2 G Zion Fruster – Alexander
Zion Fruster got hot in the second half, helping guide Alexander to a last second victory over Rockdale County. Fruster is a long wiry guard that gets his offense from the perimeter. He’s a very good jump shooter that can create off the dribble.  Fruster uses his length to shoot over contests and to earn steals and deflections. He finished with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals.

Kedar Bodie2022 6-3 G Kedar Bodie – Butler
It’s hard to find tough-nosed two-way players like Kedar Bodie. He’s an attacking guard on both sides of the ball. Bodie has no problem defending other teams’ best players and using his physicality and quickness to bother them. Kedar has proven to be a stat sheet stuffer that helps out in a variety of ways. He’s a solid rebounder and a versatile defender that can guard multiple spots. On offense, Bodie loves to work the angles. He’s a got herky-jerky movements, jab stepping constantly with the ball, trying to get defenders to bite and turn their hips so he can blow past them to the rim. Bodie produced 15 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks in a win over Hardaway. I expect his recruitment to pick up soon.

Chance Finklin2022 6-5 F Chance Finklin – Butler
It was my first time watching Chance Finklin. I came away impressed. Finklin has a good motor inside. He has terrific hands, able to pluck rebounds in traffic and catch tough passes. Finklin has a solid frame with wide shoulders that looks capable of packing on even more muscle at the next level. He battles for every ball and can score with either hand up close. His rim protection for a 6-foot-5 forward was great. He finished with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 5 blocks. I would like to see more of Finklin. He holds great value as a tough forward that plays bigger than his size.

2022 6-5 W Sebastian Tidor – East Paulding
East Paulding’s surprise summer has come on the shoulders of Sebastian Tidor, a long swingman that has improved his skill each year to match his always red-hot motor. In a rare loss, Tidor wasn’t to blame with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Sebastian changes games on both ends. His lateral quickness and length help him get to passes and wreak havoc atop East Paulding’s press and half court defense. Tidor has long strides that cover a lot of ground when he decides to get to the rim and finish with authority. Tidor’s jump shot isn’t picture-perfect but it is effective. He can shoot the three well and has shown the ability to create space on the perimeter to hit the mid-range. As far as talent and raw skill goes, Sebastian’s upside is quite high. The sleeper has a chance to put up monster numbers his final season and attract schools from all different levels.

2022 6-9 F Malique Ewin – Berkmar
When I first saw Malique Ewin at this camp two years ago, I noted how he had a skyscraper ceiling. Ewin hasn’t disappointed as he is the most skilled big man we have in Georgia. The way he runs the floor, handles the ball, shoots from the perimeter, rebounds and protects the rim screams not only High Major, but if he continues to develop in college, possibly pro. He did everything imaginable in a destruction of overmatched Forest Park, outscoring the Panthers with 19 points to go along with 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and 1 block. When Ewin is focused and being fed the ball, there’s not much defenses can do to stop him.

JaKobe Strozier2022 6-4 G JaKobe Strozier – Drew Charter
In a 47-38 win over Hart County, JaKobe Strozier was aggressive attacking the rim and looking for his offense – a good sign. Strozier tallied 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. He’s a big guard with major athleticism. He can overpower defenders when he makes his way to the basket, his main source of offense. Strozier doesn’t get knocked off course when he gets to the hoop using his strength to fend off defenders.

Ja'Quez Thornton2022 6-0 PG Ja’Quez Thornton – Drew Charter
While JaKobe Strozier may have Ja’Quez Thornton beat when it comes to offers, make no mistake Drew Charter is Thornton’s team. The heart-and-soul of the Eagles is their vocal leader, a tenacious competitor on the floor. Named the Class A-Public Player of the Year, the lefty is electric with the ball. Thornton has great speed, able to change directions in the blink of an eye and slither his way to the basket. He’s a creative ball handler that gets to his spots in the mid-range and has deadly three-point stroke. Ja’Quez has good vision and isn’t afraid to make the tough pass through traffic. Thornton is an aggressive defender that takes away air space and has active hands. He finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals. Low Major and Mid-Major schools should be piling in offers for the dynamic point.

2022 6-1 PG Travion Solomon – Northeast-Macon
The poise and precision of Travion Solomon has attracted offers Mercer, Columbus State and Voorhees, nearly every level represented. Solomon is cool and composed with the ball. He handles pressure and can get his team into their offensive sets. Travion does an outstanding job getting to his spots. He lives in the mid-range with his pull-up jumper. His ability to score at all three levels makes him tough to solve. He can get to the basket with hard takes and finish through contact while also having a respectable three-point shot in his arsenal. He put up 20 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block.

Isaiah Josey2022 6-2 CG Isaiah Josey – Stratford Academy
Isaiah Josey finished Day 1 in impressive fashion with 22 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal. Josey was in attack mode from the opening tip, slicing his way to the hoop over and over again. Isaiah scored on six drives and mixed in three jumpers, two via the mid-range pull-up.  As good as he can be on offense, Josey can do the little things as well. He’s a willing defender that isn’t afraid to step in and sacrifice his body for a charge.

JC Curry2022 6-4 SG JC Curry – Hart County
I’m very interested to see how JC Curry does now as the focal point of the Hart County offense with Shone Webb graduated. The explosive guard scored well in two losses, posting 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals against River Ridge and 19 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals vs. Drew Charter. Curry is a downhill attacker that loves to show off his athleticism and get to the rim. He used his bounce to crash the offensive glass and come away with second chance points. JC is a streaky three-point shooter that can catch fire after seeing the ball go in the basket. His defense leads to run outs for slams that energizes he and his team. Curry has all the measurables and skills to be a D-I player. Consistency will be key.

Anthony Arrington2022 6-3 G Anthony Arrington – Galloway
Anthony Arrington is as steady as they come. The rock-solid guard always produces no matter what. He may not have as many highlight plays as others, but his savvy and effort take him to another level. Arrington excels at getting to his spots. He’s one of the best mid-range shooters Georgia has. Arrington’s range extends to the three-point line and he’s also capable of putting the ball on the deck to create toward the hoop. Arrington has heavy lifting to do on a good Galloway team. He’s a great rebounder for his size and has proven to be a very good on-ball defender. Arrington totaled 19 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals in a win over North Cobb Christian.

2022 6-6 W Josh Reed – Pace Academy
Locked in a physical game with Etowah, it was Josh Reed’s toughness in the post that stood out. Known for his great scoring touch, especially from the three-point line, Reed got down and dirty in the paint as he collected a hard-fought 11 points, 14 rebounds and 1 block. Reed has added muscle every year to his once slender frame. The southpaw was able to fight for offensive rebounds and would score with his back to the basket. Seeing how rugged Reed could play under the rim, only adds to his value as a multi-dimensional High Major wing.

2022 6-5 W RJ Simmons – Whitefield Academy
The versatility of RJ Simmons was on full display in a narrow loss to Portal. Simmons poured in 22 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. RJ attacked in a variety of ways. He hit 3 threes, was able to get to the basket and did a good job drawing the defense and kicking to open teammates. He took advantage of a small Portal team and would rush the glass to gobble up rebounds. Simmons has a nice feel for the game and provides upside as a multi-positional player that can spend time all over the floor.