North Georgia Showcase Boys Top Performers
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North Georgia Showcase: Boys Top Performers


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Byrd Carter2024 6-1 G Byrd Carter – North Oconee
A sluggish first half saw North Oconee down 31-25 to Clarke Central and the Titans down 46-45 after three quarters. While momentum was clearly swinging in the home team’s favor, there was still work to be done to get over the hump. Byrd Carter proved why he is an All-State guard in the fourth quarter, dumping in 13 points to lift North Oconee to a 72-65 win. Byrd, the closer, sliced up the Gladiators with five downhill baskets in the fourth quarter. Carter’s knack for scoring in traffic was on full display, using terrific extension to keep the ball away from his body and at the rim where no one could block his shot. Byrd mixed in a pair of threes earlier in the game and accounted for a game-high 25 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block. Carter is a no-brainer option for D-III and NAIA programs.

Justin Payne2024 5-10 PG Justin Payne – North Oconee
The growth of Justin Payne was apparent on Saturday. Stepping into an even bigger role his senior season, Payne netted 15 of his 17 points in the second half to couple with his 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Justin started finding soft spots in Clarke Central’s defense, mixing in mid-range pull-up jumpers with drives to the basket. Payne’s jump shooting and ability to get to his spots off the dribble give the Titans important perimeter offense.

2024 6-4 F Tom Gilley – Clarke Central
Clarke Central got outstanding contributions up and down their lineup as six players scored seven points or more with eight threes being hit. Gilley served a valuable role as a stretch-forward that could open up the floor along with his twin Sam. Tom sank a pair of threes and scored on a short-range post pull-up. Gilley provided important effort on the glass as well, finishing with 8 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal while brother Sam came off the bench to hit three threes and snag three rebounds.

2024 6-1 G Drew Williamson – Jefferson
With four players missing including two projected starters, Drew Williamson shouldered the load against North Forsyth, leading Jefferson to a never-in-doubt 66-50 win. Williamson scored 13 of the Dragons’ 14 first quarter points, aggressively seeking his offense by getting to the basket. Drew would finish with 25 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. His ability to finish through contact downhill led to two And-1s and 10-12 free throw shooting.

2025 6-0 G Brogen Casey – North Forsyth
Casey was a bright spot for North Forsyth. He got hot in the third quarter, dumping in 11 of his team-high 18 points in the frame, scoring at the rim and with his three-point shot. Brogen does a really nice job attacking the hoop under control playing off two feet.

2024 6-0 PG Bronson Blair – Mountain View
Bronson beautifully blended his scoring chances with getting others involved in a 73-60 win over Rabun Gap. Blair, a potent scorer, never rushed into getting his shots up and instead let his offense come within the flow of the game. Blair scored 12 points in the second half, doing his damage inside the arc with floaters and transition offense against Rabun Gap’s imposing length. Bronson’s dribble penetration crumbled the Eagles’ defense, leading to kick outs for open threes. Blair finished with 18 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.

2024 6-2 W Kadon Crawford – Mountain View
I loved the effort Kadon brought on Saturday. Listed at around 6-foot-2, Crawford plays a combo-forward position, asked to do the dirty work inside as a rebounder. With Rabun Gap’s size lumbering to stick with Crawford, Kadon did a great job moving without the ball, cutting to open spots on the floor for layups and dunks. His energy defensively helped set the tone, collecting 13 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Kadon’s versatility and willingness to do what the team asks of him is a major boon for the Bears.

2024 6-6 W Andria Siamashvili – Rabun Gap
I came away impressed with Siamashvili’s game. At 6-foot-6, Andria is a crafty inside-out wing. He has nice moves in the low post, able to sweep across the lane with long strides and finish with either hand. Siamashvili utilizes his pivot well and is patient when carving out space to score. He is a dangerous shooter, canning three threes on the day. Siamashvili led Rabun Gap with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist. Andria warrants college looks. He could fit on a D-II or D-III roster.

2024 6-4 W Chase Roux – Walnut Grove
Chase Roux looked great in his season debut at Walnut Grove, helping the Warriors to a convincing 76-62 win over Lanier. Roux scores the ball all three levels. Blessed with good size on the perimeter, Chase has a variety of ways he chooses to attack the defense. He hit tough step-back jumpers throughout the game, knocking down five outside shots in total. Roux buried two threes, his most impressive using a crossover to get into a corner three. Chase also scored on cuts, putbacks and in the post en route to tallying a game-high 24 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks.

2024 5-10 G Tyler Jewell – Walnut Grove
It looked like Tyler never missed a beat, coming back from missing nearly his entire junior season to put up 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block while nailing three three-pointers in the first quarter to get off to a hot start. With Jewell back healthy, him paired with Meadowcreek transfer Chase Roux and All-State junior Marcus Smith II gives Walnut Grove one of the strongest backcourts Class 4A has to offer.

2024 6-0 PG Tahai Morgan – Lanier
With DeAndre Cowan ruled ineligible, even more scoring burden falls upon Boogie’s shoulders this season. Morgan was at his best against Walnut Grove when he was able to create off the dribble and get downhill. Tahai has a strong foundation and great balance when attacking the hoop. He can score through contact and convert from the foul line, shooting 5-5. Morgan added a one-dribble mid-range pull-up and nailed a corner three as part of his team-high 20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

2024 6-4 W Jullien Cole – Shiloh
The Richmond, NC transfer is an immediate game-changer in Class 6A. Shiloh held off Winder-Barrow 69-61 large in part due to the play of Jullien Cole, who piled in 19 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Cole is a physically strong wing that does a lot well. He is a well-balanced scorer that creates off the dribble. Jullien can bully his way to the hoop and absorb contact downhill or he can get separation with his dribble combos to make room for his three-point shot. Cole’s most impressive bucket came when he went behind the back into a step-back three. Aside from Jullien’s scoring, he’s a really good passer as well. He sees the floor and puts zip on his passes to cut through the defense. Cole currently holds offers from Shaw and Elizabeth City State. Expect tons more to roll in now that coaches know he’s in Georgia.

2025 6-9 F Tylis Jordan – Shiloh
Tylis compiled 19 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 blocks. Jordan is long and athletic. He found himself in the dunker spot often, scoring from the short corner. Tylis is a springy rebounder, quick off his feet to elevate above all others. Jordan is a bit thin still and sometimes struggled to score through contact, but his activity in the paint often led to opponents having to foul him to stop Jordan from finishing with a dunk. Tylis shot 9-14 from the line including 6-8 in the fourth quarter. Tylis has tons of potential and is swimming in High Major offers.

2024 6-6 PF Jaden Baskin – Winder-Barrow
A move from Athens Christian to Winder-Barrow to see more competition will likely benefit Baskin’s exposure. He took full advantage of the stage against Shiloh, battling inside for a team-high 15 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Jaden plays with a high-motor in the paint. He’s strong and rebounds well in traffic. Jaden finishes through contact and plays above the rim, picking up two dunks against the Generals. Baskin was utilized with slips to the basket out of screens and did a good job of hunting down the ball once it came off the rim, scoring on a pair of putbacks. Voorhees and East Georgia State have offered.