MACON – It was a big win for GHSA basketball as the board cured a long-standing headache for coaches across Georgia, the 2-on-1 rule. By-Law 2.69 (b) in the Georgia High School Association Constitution long has restricted coaches to conducting offseason skill-building workouts with just two players at a time. On Monday, the board of directors passed the proposal to increase the player limit to four athletes at a time.
Another change for the upcoming season will be a universal coin toss to decide who receives home court advantage when teams with the same seed meet each other in the playoffs. Determined by a single flip of a coin, “upper or lower line” teams on the bracket will have their travel fate decided at one time as a whole instead of having multiple coin flips for each individual game.
The GHSA marketing report revealed that there was a 24% increase in tickets sold at the basketball state championships this season thanks to the move to Georgia and Georgia Tech.
While it’s easy to focus in on the blue chippers at an event like the Norman Parker Showcase, instead I took the time to try and uncover the sleepers; the underexposed, underappreciated players that just need a stage to perform. I found exactly what I was looking for from the Middle Georgia Raptors program.
Unless you live in the area or attend a small school, nobody really knows what Class A-Public has to offer. Trying to GPS some of these schools can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack, and once you get there, what you come to find might not always be what you were expecting for one reason or another.
All-State Duo
JaQuavius Smith & ZyTavian Hill
In the tiny city of Talbotton with a population of under 1,000, an hour and 45 minutes southwest of Atlanta, two beasts call Central-Talbotton High School home. 2018 wings JaQuavius “Tayne” Smith and ZyTavian Hill helped the Hawks to a 17-8 finish and a trip to the Sweet 16 and both play with the 17U Middle Georgia Raptors. Smith, 6-foot-5, was Second Team All-State after averaging 17.3 points while Hill, 6-foot-4, was an Honorable Mention selection in Class A-Public, averaging 16.4 points per game as a junior.
Smith is at his best when attacking the hoop. He is long and can cover ground when getting to the rim. He produced 26 points while going 13-of-19 from the line on Friday night. Against the 16U EYBL Georgia Stars, a team loaded with future High Major D-I players, Smith was a bit tentative, but became more involved in the offense in the second half. He finished with 9 points, 4 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. At the Class A-Public level, he is a handful to stop once he gets going. He has a decent outside shot that keeps defenses honest. He saw interest from Kansas last summer and also claims Arkansas State and Kennesaw State as those who have checked in.
At first glance, Hill looks like a grown man amongst boys. The muscular inside-outside multi-positional athlete is country strong and not afraid to stick his nose into loose balls. He has a quick first step but isn’t an above the rim player without max effort. Hill, much like Smith, can knockdown the corner three when left open. Hill plays extremely hard and is an above average rebounder for his size. On Friday he had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals in a 76-45 blowout, but his play against the EYBL Stars was even more impressive. Battling a plethora of 6-foot-9 and taller big men like DJ Burns, Issa Muhammad and Daniel Ramsey, Hill brought his lunch pail and hard hat to work, posting a team-high 17 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal in their 72-64 loss. Hill names South Alabama and Middle Tennessee State as being in on him early.
Smith and Hill compose of possibly the best one-two punch in Class A-Public. If they can find some help around them, there is no reason why the 1982 and 1990 state champion Hawks can’t make a state tournament run.
If you’re looking to take a flier on a team who could win a state title next year not named Wilkinson County, Macon County could be your squad. An hour East of Central-Talbotton and a fellow Region 4 foe, the Bulldogs fell to Wilkinson County in the Final Four 61-47 and are set to return everyone except for leading rebounder Tahj Reese. Leading scorer Clayton Jenkins suited up with the 17U Raptors last weekend and provided a major spark off the bench against the EYBL Stars. Standing 5-foot-11, the slender 2018 All-State First Teamer is a gunslinger from deep. The southpaw has range three steps across half court and will pull if left open. As the Raptors began to make a late surge against the Stars, it was Jenkins who was a catalyst before fouling out. He drilled three of his four three-pointers in the second half and finished with 12 points and 1 block. Against larger bodies like the Stars flaunted inside, Jenkins knew his bread was buttered on the perimeter. He will have to add some mass in order to challenge elite rim protectors. During the high school season he poured in 22.3 points per game and got to the line at will, going 151-of-183 (83%) from the stripe.
Jenkins has some help in the form of 16U Raptors Lakeviyon Walker and Makevion Bonner. Walker is a 2020 guard that doubles as a state champion cornerback and linebacker for the Bulldogs football team. At 5-foot-11, Walker is a burly physical scorer. He netted 22 points in a win and drained five three balls as the athlete can overwhelm unexpecting adversaries. His energy and strength allows him to affect games in different ways. As a freshman he averaged 9.5 points, 6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting a respectable 34% from three.
Bonner could be the ace in the back pocket for Macon County if he continues to improve. At 6-foot-4 he is another long and lanky combo forward that can assault rims. He had a strong weekend with the Raptors and is coming off a sophomore campaign where he averaged 6.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1.2 blocks per game as a versatile piece.
Throw in 6-foot-4 Trey Brown, a rising senior that plays wide out on the football team and the Bulldogs have a strong core. Brown was the team’s second leading scorer this season at 14.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
The Best of the Best
Khalyn Weekley
A GISA special! Nobody took advantage of the Norman Parker Showcase stage more than 17U Middle Georgia Raptors point guard Khalyn Weekley. Coming into the event as virtually an unknown, the 2018 First Presbyterian Christian Academy product made a name for himself in a major way. Standing 6-foot-3, Weekley has good size for a lead guard. Offensively, he catches defenders off balance with a quick burst to the basket and nifty lateral movements to maneuver around bodies once he slides into the lane. Weekley rebounds the ball well and can ignite fast breaks while going coast-to-coast. He piled in 29 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals in a blowout win on Friday but really cemented his status with a standout performance against the 16U Georgia Stars EYBL on Sunday. Weekley went toe-to-toe with ballyhooed 2019 point guard Ashton Hagans and went right at the four-star recruit, playing with a chip on his shoulder. Though the Raptors ran out of gas and fell 72-64, Weekley finished with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block. He attacked off the bounce like he did Friday night, but showed even more juice, pulling up from deep off the dribble and canning two three-pointers.
Toughness has long been a staple in Middle Georgia basketball and even though he is from the coast in Hinesville, Weekley is no exception. Currently he has no offers and the only interest he has received has been from Mercer. With more weekends like this, Weekley is bound to thrust himself into the conversation as one of Georgia’s top 2018 guards.
In an effort to enhance the coverage of girls basketball over the spring and summer, Sandy’s Spiel has added Bre’ana Singleton as an intern lead content producer. Singleton, an upcoming graduate of West Georgia, was starting point guard and Team Captain for the Wolves this season. She is a 4.0 GPA student majoring in Mass Communications. A 2013 Collins Hill graduate, Singleton brings knowledge of the GHSA landscape to Sandy’s Spiel and a keen eye for talent at the girls prep level. She will oversee events throughout the off-season and evaluate high school talent. She can be found on Twitter @bre_singleton.
Long County – Sheron Jones-Daniel – Bradwell Institute asst. Woodstock – Jared Hughes – Rome HC Habersham Central – Bill Bradley Jackson –Tony Watkins – Franklin County HC Johnson-Gainesville– Duke Mullis – Former Flowery Branch boys HC North Gwinnett – Amanda Heil – Asst. on staff Oconee County– Thad Burgess – Boys HC Villa Rica – Tammy Norred – Haralson County HC Morrow– Rachel Henry Arabia Mountain – Jerry Jackson – Redan HC Lumpkin County – David Dowse – McIntosh HC Jackson County – Monte McClure – Asst. at Winder-Barrow Mt. Vernon – Rita Williams – Former Galloway asst. Jones County – ChoRhonda Gwaltney – Glynn Academy HC Adairsville – Michael Roberson – Adairsville Middle Baldwin – Kizzie Walker – Asst. on staff Greenbrier –Brandon Dotson – Former Laney boys asst. Glynn Academy –Sharnesha Smith – Bishop Kenny, FL asst. ELCA – Glenn Cassell – Stratford Academy asst. East Coweta –Karen Frady – Former Starr’s Mill coach Thomas County Central – Thomas McAboy – Coffe HC Mary Persons –Lamon McElhaney – Asst. on staff Brookwood – Carolyn Whitney – Lambert asst. Winder-Barrow – Kimberly Garren – Asst. on staff Pickens– Brandon Thomas – Winder-Barrow HC Pope – Bill Blythe – Varsity boys asst.
Walton – Matt Kelterborn – Asst. on staff Mt. Paran– Stephanie Dunn – Berry College HC Redan – Robert Welton – Westside-Macon football RB coach Haralson County– Levi Wigley – Asst. on staff Rome – Jason Harris – Henry County HC
Langston Hughes – Xavier Trice – East Coweta asst. Hardaway – Kelly Ellison – Carver-Columbus asst. Chattahoochee – Randy Clemons – Creekview asst. McIntosh – Jessica Carlyle – Former Landmark Christian Calhoun – Kayla Ralston – Asst. on staff Coffee – Tasha Kimble – Former Turner County HC Westminster– Katie Argall – Asst. on staff Walnut Grove – Byron Farmer – Apalachee boys asst. Franklin County – John Strickland – Blackman, TN asst. Macon County –Dr. George McElroy – Manchester boys HC Vidalia – Matt Huddleston – Georgia Metros Henry County – Greg Shook – Locust Grove HC Salem –Delvin Wilson – Asst. on staff Spencer – Pamela Smith – South Girard Middle School Hapeville Charter – DeMarcus Acree – Lovejoy asst. Mill Creek – Trisha Collier/Tania Washington – Assts. on staff
Roswell– Antonio Wade – Thomasville HC Thomasville – Carmenoique Dawson Carver-Atlanta –Thameena Azziz Locust Grove – Tim Knecht Elite Scholars – Kevin Davis Union County – Corey Garrett – Asst. on staff Bradwell Institute North Murray –Randy Watson – Dade County HC Dade County –Regena Logan – Asst. on staff New Hampstead – Bob Klofenstine – Former Hephzibah boys HC Fellowship Christian –Troy Schulz – Asst. on staff Pepperell – JeffRickman Lincoln County – Michael Williams – Thomson HC Thomson – Christian Wilder – Asst. on staff Monroe Area – David Radford – Discovery
Boys
Long County – Reggie Wilkes – Adairsville HC Habersham Central – Jeremy York – Mill Creek asst. Ola – Chris Gardner Social Circle – Brian Anderson – Cross Creek HC George Walton Academy – Tommy Yancey – Coastal Georgia asst. Mt. Vernon – Tarrik Mabon – Asst. on staff Holy Innocents’ – Adrian Collins – 2016-17 Interim HC Mt. Pisgah –Patrick Johnson – Citrus College HC Adairsville – Alex Disbrow – Gordon Lee HC Milton – Allen Whitehart – Etowah HC
Jefferson – Kevin Morris – Apalachee HC Central Gwinnett –Emmett Rouse – Former Osborne HC Sandy Creek – Jon-Michael Nickerson – Faulkner University asst. Thomas County Central – Levi Williams – Former Savannah State AC Drew – Joe Weems Lanier – Branden Mayweather – Central Gwinnett HC
West Laurens – Chuck Hill – Asst. on staff Armuchee –Clint Decker – Asst. on staff. Henry County – BJ Thomas – Monticello HC Commerce – Russ Gregg – Eskrine women’s HC Spalding – Joseph Wilder – Henry County asst. Lovejoy – Quantavias Allen – Macon County girls HC Whitefield Academy – Courtney Brooks – Former SACA/Banneker HC Houston County – Don Hudson – Football coach Taylor County –Thad Williams – Bacon County asst. Randolph-Clay – Laberton Sims – Toombs County HC Tift County – Chris Wade – Asst. on staff Apalachee – Spencer Bernstein – Hillgrove asst. Darlington – Bradley Pierson – Sewanee HC Arabia Mountain – Norman Brown – Former Providence Christian HC Rome – Eric Holland – Tift County HC
Cross Creek – Lawrence Kelly – Saluda, SC HC Monticello – Chris Pennamon – Heritage-Conyers asst. Parkview– Jon Collins – Asst. on staff Chattahoochee – Chris Short – Roswell asst.
Troup – Blake Craft – LaGrange asst.
Rockmart – Steve Luke – Softball HC Manchester – Anzy Hardman – Former Taylor County HC Jackson – Virgil Amey – Duluth asst. Etowah –Jason Dasinger – Alpharetta HC Oglethorpe County – Matt Allen – Apalachee girls asst.
Lincoln County – Christian Tiller – Thomson asst.
Westside-Augusta – John Gordon – Pine Hill Middle School Hapeville Charter – Keydrick Barlow – Former Hapeville girls coach KIPP Atlanta – Bo Bivens – MoneyballATL Bleckley County – Randall Owens – Baldwin girls HC Toombs County – Ryan Lewis – Statesboro asst. Alpharetta – Eric Blair – Kennesaw Mountain asst. Walton – Bo Abney – Former McEachern asst. Johnson-Gainesville – Tyler Whitlock – West Forsyth asst. Perry – Reggie West – Girls HC ML King –Gregory Boatwright – Asst. of staff Gordon Lee – Matt Smith
Haralson County – Anthony Angle – Asst. on staff Wheeler – Larry Thompson – Greenforest HC Our Lady of Mercy – Bill Schmitz – Athletic Director Woodville-Tompkins – Lenny Williams – Former Brandon Hall HC Monroe Area – Bolling DuBose – Jefferson HC Greenforest –Rory Griffin – Asst. on staff Excel Christian – Shannon Boatfield Benedictine – Bob Williams – Niles West, IL HC
Mt. Zion-Carroll – Tyler Wright – Asst. on staff Southwest Atlanta Christian –Emzie Penny Worth County Drew Charter – James Williams – Norcross Asst.
