North Georgia Nighthawk Shootout
Analysis

North Georgia Nighthawk Shootout Standouts

2022 5-11 PG Malachi Dooley – Habersham Central
No stranger to carrying the load offensively, Malachi Dooley had it all working on Tuesday. The compact playmaker was able to get to the basket with his trademark first step but it was his outside shooting that really rose his level of play. Dooley sank 3 threes over the course of two games and was money with his stop-and-pop off the dribble from the mid-range. Malachi finished with 22 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals vs. Mountain View before following up with 23 points and 3 rebounds in a hard fought 57-56 win over Providence Christian.

2022 6-5 W Mekhi Mawdesley – Habersham Central
Maybe the perfect complement to play next to a crafty guard that knows how to get into the lane like Malachi Dooley, Mekhi Mawdesley will surely benefit from drive and kick opportunities. Few players can shift the momentum of a game with their three-point shooting like Mawdesley does. Once the gangly shooter sees one drop, more are soon to follow. He poured in 6 threes against Mountain View to finish with 22 points. Mawdesley was held without a triple against Providence Christian, but still managed to finish with 15 points, scoring from the mid-range and getting to the line, a good sign of his development of becoming more than just a catch and shoot wing. Mawdesley came up big defensively against Providence Christian, using his length to block three shots.

2024 5-8 PG Tyler Jewell – Walnut Grove
You can never enough shooters. Tyler Jewell’s move from Grayson to Walnut Grove will pay dividends for the Warriors as the undersized guard is a threat to catch fire from beyond the arc. He was one of the most consistent shooters at camp.

2022 6-2 CG Lewis Robertson – Trinity Christian
In from Northgate, Lewis Robertson looked extremely comfortable handling the vast majority of ball handling duties for the Lions. Robertson is a strongly built guard that can use his body to shield defenders away from the ball. Lewis was effective as a rebounder against North Oconee and relied on his outside shot to carry the offense, finishing with 22 points (6 threes) and 9 rebounds. Robertson has a high release on his jumper making it harder to contest.

2022 6-7 F Jake Mooney – West Forsyth
A great offseason continued for Jake Mooney up in Dahlonega. The high academic big man poured in 21 points and 5 rebounds in a narrow loss to Walnut Grove. Mooney has a diverse skill set. He’s good with his back to the basket but also is smooth enough to beat his man off the dribble and can also hit from the mid-range. Mooney runs the floor well and can catch and finish with ease. Though 6-foot-7, Mooney doesn’t try to wildly block everything around him. He is willing to sacrifice his body and draw charges.

2022 7-0 C Braden Pierce – River Ridge
The growth of Braden Pierce over the course of his career has been nothing short of outstanding. Pierce had everything working in a blow out of Riverwood, posting 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Pierce has made strides this offseason with being able to put the ball on the deck. He can attack from the high post and use his soft touch to shoot over defenders. Pierce knocked down shots from the mid-range and three-point line and also scored with his back to the basket using his unguardable hook shot. Braden has improved his agility and coordination leading to a much higher ceiling. Kennesaw State offered last week.

2022 6-10 PF Jared Russo – River Ridge
It has been an interesting career for Jared Russo, a polished two-way game changer. A broken arm in the middle of his career was a setback, but what Russo was able to do at UNG camp was exactly what I expect of him. Russo was passive in the game I saw at Kennesaw State camp, looking for others instead of his own shot, but that changed vs. Riverwood as he made it a point to be aggressive. Russo double-doubled in dominant fashion with 20 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. He scored on post turnarounds, hook shots and more. Russo plays above the rim easily and had a thunderous baseline jam. He did a nice job defensively when defending on the perimeter, able to move his feet and use his length to help force turnovers. I’ve always been a big fan of Russo’s game and skill level. He is a D-I prospect that is among the best posts in Georgia when he stays aggressive and plays with confidence.

2022 6-0 PG Ethan Underwood – South Forsyth
There’s something to be said about being able to count on a player night in and night out to produce. That is what Ethan Underwood does for South Forsyth. He is not overly flashy, but he is consistently solid. He is a very good shooter but also is a smart driver that patiently probes the defense before finding cracks and making his move. He drilled 4 threes and netted 16 points in a loss to Parkview.

2022 6-3 CG Asher Woods – Parkview
Don’t be surprised if another Parkview Panther leads Gwinnett County in scoring. That title has belonged to Jason Edwards the past two seasons but now it’s Asher Woods’ turn to fully step into the spotlight. Woods is a well-rounded scorer with a sweet jump shot and a nose for the rim. He is a good slasher with impressive athleticism to finish with authority. Woods uses those same quick twitch instincts to cause issues on defense. He moves side to side and has active hands that convert turnovers into points. Woods scored 19 of his 21 points in the first half and added 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals and 1 block in a 54-46 win over South Forsyth.

2022 6-8 PF Tony Carpio – Providence Christian
Firmly entrenched in the conversation as one of the best big men in Georgia, Tony Carpio plays with a mean streak. He’s a physical player that rebounds out of his area and can power through contact inside. Carpio has a balanced offensive game that includes scoring from the mid-range, attacking off the dribble and posting up. He tallied 20 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block vs. Habersham Central.

2022 6-4 G Chance Thacker – Providence Christian
Another physically strong competitor, Chance Thacker has the strength to get to his spots with ease. A three-level scorer, Thacker overpowers smaller defenders as he makes his way to the rim where he finishes with both hands. Chance is a good shooter from the beyond the arc. He handled a bulk of the point guard duties as he finished with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.

2022 6-6 W Kamren Heathington – South Gwinnett
Kamren Heathington caught my eye with his size and approach. He’s a long wing with a smooth attack, able to get downhill and put pressure on the defense. Heathington can defend 1-4 and is valuable in switch situations. Kamren is a sneaky good player with some upside.

2022 6-7 W Jaylon Taylor – Buford
Jaylon Taylor had 13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in a 59-57 win over South Gwinnett. As he’s done throughout his career, Jaylon showed flashes of his upside. Taylor hit a pair of threes, a leaner from the mid-range and soared in for a putback dunk. Jaylon has the complete package as a two-way player that scores at all three-levels and can defend nearly any position. Taylor’s been knocking on the door of being recognized one of the best wings in Georgia. If he can stay aggressive and remain consistent, he could take the next step and really cement himself as a highly sought-after D-I target.