Grayson New Year's Classic Top Performers
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Grayson New Year’s Classic Top Performers


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2023 6-3 G Seth Fitzgerald – Milton
Seth Fitzgerald was great for Milton in their 64-58 win against Mountain View. Fitzgerald scored from all three levels, using his strength mixed with finesse touch to torch the defense. Seth really likes getting to his jumper, whether off the pull-up or out of the post. He did a great job of attacking off the dribble, putting his shoulder into the defender’s chest then stepping back into an uncontested fadeaway. Seth also used a spin move to free himself when getting into jumpers. In total, Fitzgerald hit six jump shots including a three as he totaled a game-high 23 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. Seth is a great leaper and his ability to hang in the air helps him when finishing at the rim or when shooting from the perimeter as he rises over contests. What also caught my eye was how much Fitzgerald handled point guard duties and got Milton into sets. He was extremely comfortable handling with his left hand. Fitzgerald’s ability to play multiple positions on the perimeter gives him great value at the next level. D-II programs should be courting him seriously if D-I offers don’t materialize.

2024 6-2 G Mike White – Mountain View
White is a bowling ball of a guard. More of a wing with how Mountain View’s four-guard lineup is constructed, Mike is a do-everything presence for the Bears. He’s a shot maker on the perimeter, but can also get inside and use his strength to score on putbacks and drives. His physicality makes him a good rebounder for his size. White finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals against Milton. He will be an attractive prospect his senior season for smaller schools looking for a versatile piece in their backcourt.

2024 6-0 G Justin Redmond – South Gwinnett
South Gwinnett doesn’t have high profile stars and the D-I recruits like other programs in Gwinnett County, but they have proven over the past three years they don’t need them in order to be successful. Instead, they have players like Justin Redmond, a hardnosed veteran that gets after it on both ends of the floor. The lefty set the tone early for South Gwinnett in their 62-52 win over Cedar Grove. Redmond finished with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal, netting 10 points in the opening frame. Justin has a shifty crossover with a quick burst to the basket. He scores the ball in multiple ways, hitting floaters, converting at the rim and connecting with his jumper, sinking three threes on Saturday. With Ansar Osman out, Redmond shouldered the extra load as a scorer while pestering Cedar Grove’s backcourt.

2026 6-6 W Manny Green – Cedar Grove
Emmanuel Green has all the makings of becoming one of the best players in all of Georgia. Cincinnati offered right before 2022 and rightfully so. Green is a special athlete, smooth yet explosive. He’s a highlight waiting to happen when he gets to the rim. Manny isn’t just a superior athlete however, he’s got an easy and effortless looking three-point shot which he can knock down in bunches. Green can play all over the floor and create mismatches. On the wing, he utilizes his jab step well and can create space when getting into his shot. Green is an impactful rebounder and has upside to become a very good defender. He tallied 19 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks vs. South Gwinnett.

2023 6-10 C Alex Cannon – Walnut Grove
In the running for Class 4A Most Improved Player, Alex Cannon went from riding the bench as a junior into becoming one of the state’s most dominant shot blockers. Alex has elite size and length but more importantly knows how to use it. He blocks shots with both hands, a skill harder than it sounds. Cannon plays within himself on offense, primarily asked to score on putbacks and dunks but has shown a hook shot in his arsenal. Alex finished with 8 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks in a 51-39 win over Central Gwinnett. Cannon is still scratching the surface of his upside. The Hampden-Sydney signee could be an immediate game-changer at the D-III level.

2024 6-6 F Xavier Shegog – Mt. Vernon
It was my first time watching Shegog play after hearing good things about him over the summer and fall.  Xavier is a hard working forward with impressive athleticism. He has a nose for the ball with a reliable motor. He battles on the glass and has the strength to score through contact up close. Xavier does his best work in the paint, but can step outside and hit the mid-range jumper. His effort can overwhelm most opponents. He runs the floor hard and has switchability on defense. He tallied 18 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal in a 68-61 loss to Parkview.

2024 5-11 PG Chasz Holmes – Parkview
While Mike Matthews and Jacob Wilkins get the majority of the headlines at Parkview, Chasz Holmes’ steady play can’t be overlooked. He’s a well-balanced guard that can score while also influencing contests with his floor game. Holmes led Parkview in scoring with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in their 68-61 win over Mt. Vernon. Chasz sank three threes, hitting two off the dribble while using a step-back to create space. Holmes might not have the measurables of some of his higher profile teammates, but his intangibles will take him a long way.

2024 6-3 G David Thomas – Eagle’s Landing
Langston Hughes tried face guarding David Thomas from the opening tip, but to no avail as the Mercer-signee dumped in 29 points and 12 rebounds in Eagle’s Landing’s 66-50 win. Thomas was locked in with his shot early, hitting a pair of mid-range jumpers as he opened with eight points in the first eight minutes. David’s range expanded as the game went on, sinking a pair of threes before closing the night with his trademark electric drives to the rim, finishing through contact for And-1s. Thomas is as elite as they come in transition. What has always made David so special is his ability to do more than just score. He’s a future All-Conference player in Macon.

2023 6-7 PF Hassane Diallo – Langston Hughes
With Langston Hughes’ star football players forgoing their senior seasons on the hardwood, Hassane Diallo becomes that much more important. He stepped up in a big way Saturday, posting 10 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. I loved how he rebounded out of area, crashing in for boards to give the Panthers second chances. Diallo showed some footwork offensively, scoring on a spin move. Hassane can play above the rim and is an effective post defender with his length. Small schools and JUCO programs should take a look at the 3.4 GPA student. Southern Union State offered back in March.

2023 6-0 PG Da’Avion Thomas – McDonough
The reigning Class 4A Player of the Year had a vintage performance in a 56-54 loss to Greenforest recording 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. He was aggressive early on, knocking down pull-ups. In total, Thomas would net six jumpers, four from beyond the arc. When Da’Avion is clicking, he has one of the most devastating mid-range jumpers in the state, always able to get to his spots. I love Thomas at the D-II level.

2023 6-3 W Avante Nichols – McDonough
Avante Nichols showed a lot of heart and just how hard he competes on Saturday. Tasked with defending Greenforest’s 7-footers, Nichols was able to pester the towering trees with his strength and more importantly his leaping ability. Nichols’ elite athleticism helps him play bigger than his size and no more was it apparent then against Greenforest as he broke up passes inside, collected rebounds and blocked shots. On offense, he scored on a putback, a pull-up jumper, a steal and a baseline floater while falling down. Nichols finished with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 5 steals and 1 block. Avante is becoming one of my favorite hustle players to watch. His game continues to grow.

2024 6-3 G Anthony Alston – Grayson
Alston carried the Rams in spurts with his shot making from the perimeter. He did a good of splitting traps and getting the defense on their heels as he would pull-up for jumpers. Alston hit two threes and pair of mid-range shots, one going to his left and the other going to his right. Alston at 6-foot-3, has a good frame and athleticism that helps when he attacks the hoop or when he goes after rebounds. Anthony finished with a team-high 19 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. D-I offers could be on the precipice.

2024 6-4 G Gicarri Harris – Grayson
When the game was on the line in the fourth quarter and overtime, I said it’s time for Gicarri Harris to put his mark on the game. With just eight points in the first quarter and none since, Harris finished with a flurry to end with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in a 71-67 OT win over Kell. Gicarri was aggressive getting downhill, going 8-8 from the line in the fourth quarter and overtime. As Kell made their late surge in the fourth quarter with the press, Harris played a big role in helping get the ball over half court and find points in crunch time. Gicarri showed his mettle when it mattered most. His mental makeup is a big reason why he is a High Major recruit.

2023 6-8 PF Chad Moodie – Grayson
I love what Chad Moodie brings on defense. The Alabama A&M-signee is a terrific rim protector. Moodie provides reliable production night in and night out, willing to do the dirty work when it comes to rebounding and banging down low. He’s a fluid athlete with quick reflexes and springy lift. Chad doesn’t get a ton of post plays run for him, but he’s able to score on alley-oops and putbacks like he did on Saturday. He also showed his ability to put the ball on the floor from 15-feet out and attack downhill. Moodie was an interesting prospect as an underclassmen, showing signs of being a potential combo-forward that could eventually transition to the wing. He grew a few more inches and has blossomed into an impact defender and a threat to score from 10-feet and in. I wouldn’t be surprised if Chad’s offensive game opens up a little more at the next level. Moodie posted 7 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 blocks against Kell.

2023 7-0 C Peyton Marshall – Kell
Peyton Marshall simply tries to overpower opponents inside, something he does as successfully as any big man in the nation. He dunked five times as he posted 23 points, 8 rebounds, 5 steals and 5 blocks. Marshall is a bulldozer with his drop step. The Auburn-commit carves out space with methodical moves and tries to dunk everything. He did show a quick spin baseline which should continue to develop into a serious weapon. Marshall is obviously a foul magnet and shoots the ball well from the line, going 7-10, although somehow the official book docked him a free throw which ultimately loomed large as the Longhorns lost to Grayson in overtime 71-67. Continuing to quicken his feet will be important for Marshall. He struggled to get up the floor a few times, stopping short at half court. As he keeps trimming down and working on his agility, he will get better at closing out on shooters and can be more effective in defending ball screens.  Marshall isn’t a finished product just yet which lends great hope to how dominant he could eventually become in college.