Game Stories, GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Will Washington Lifts No. 2 McIntosh Over IMG

5ANo. 2 McIntosh 61, IMG Academy (FL) 53

A game marred with questionable calls was eventually won by the play on the court. The fourth quarter belonged to Will Washington as the Chiefs rebounded from last night’s heartbreaking loss to down the internationally flavored Ascenders.

IMG Academy led 11-9 after one and rode star sophomore Emmitt Williams all game long. The big time athlete scored a game-high 24 points and pulled down 16 rebounds to keep the Ascenders in the game. He and guard Arseniy Andreev, who finished with 13 points, did most of the damage.

Emmitt Williams will only get better and that's scary
Emmitt Williams will only get better and that’s scary

The game was close throughout, but early in the third the momentum could have potentially swung all the way into IMG’s corner when Washington, for the second night in a row, ran into foul trouble as he picked up his third foul on a charge at the 7:17 mark of the third quarter. Just over two minutes later, he picked up his fourth foul on one of many controversial calls made by the officiating crew. On an inbounds, he and Andreev were jostling for position, not uncommon for guards, but for some reason the referee blew the whistle for a double foul and in the process saddled Washington with another foul causing him to sit at the 4:58 mark of the third and McIntosh up 33-32.

The Chiefs entered the fourth up 40-36 after Dishon Lowery cleaned up a miss and scored inside. The Wofford signee finished with five points and battled Williams inside all night and pulled down 15 rebounds of his own.

Minutes into the fourth with 5:08 left, Brendon Rowan took a big charge and Washington re-entered with the Chiefs trailing 43-42. From that point on, it was all Washington. He scored 16 of his team-high 18 points in the final quarter, going 12-of-16 from the line. With both teams in the bonus from the 4:55 mark on, Washington knew what to do. He went on a personal 9-0 run to extend the lead to 51-43 before Williams hit a free throw to break the drought.

With 1:59 remaining in regulation, the Ascenders cut the lead to 53-49. Furman signee Jordan Lyons hit Cole Guenther inside who finished a huge layup inside over Williams to put the game out of reach.

My Take: Jordan Lyons got cooking in the second quarter and hit three three-pointers and played an all-around strong floor game. Will Washington’s performance proves just how valuable he is to Coach Jason Eisele’s team. He is always in control of the ball and rarely makes mistakes. When he turned it on in the fourth quarter, IMG had no answer. From my two games watching the Chiefs, it just solidifies my opinion of them being a major threat to challenge Miller Grove for the title. If they can establish their low post presences in Chase Walter and Dishon Lowery, they will be tough to beat.  Lowery gobbles up rebounds at a major rate and finished with 15 more after a 20-board night on Friday. Ulysses Brown only scored three points, but he did an outstanding job while Washington was on the bench. He played good defense and didn’t force anything on offense while keeping his head when the Ascenders tried to get physical. He, Brendon Rowan and Cole Guenther are nice role players off the bench that help the flow of the offense and defense stay intact while the starters sit. Emmitt Williams of IMG is still just a sophomore and that is scary. He’s an exceptional athlete who can hang and glide to the basket. He doesn’t have too much help around him, but that will just help him gain experience as being “the man” while he moves on to the college ranks.

Top Performers:

McIntosh
Will Washington – 18 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Jordan Lyons – 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Dishon Lowery – 5 points, 15 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
Chase Walter – 6 points, 6 rebounds

IMG
Emmitt Williams – 24 points, 16 rebounds
Arseniy Andreev – 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Game Stories, GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Greenforest’s Size Dominates Smaller Falcons Inside

1ANo. 1 Greenforest 87, 6ANo. 6 Pebblebrook 59

Before the game, Greenforest’s size advantage was one major factor as to why Pebblebrook entered as a slight underdog. That size advantage was fully taken advantage of by Coach Larry Thompson’s team as the Eagles out-rebounded the Falcons 42-to-18 to blow past Pebblebrook at Holiday Hoopsgiving. At the end of one, the Falcons tried to stay close and trailed 29-19, but the second quarter became a microcosm of the game. Sophomore wide body Mohammed Abdulsalem entered the game and posted seven points and four rebounds before finishing with nine points and nine rebounds. Greenforest pounded the glass all night and came away with second-chance point after second-chance point.

Abdulsalem’s work inside was strong, but the astronomical improvement of five-star junior center Ikey Obiagu was one of the main storylines seen. The 7-footer scored 15 points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked four shots. Pebblebrook was powered by Auburn signee Jared Harper, but the 5-foot-11 guard couldn’t find much help outside of Collin Sexton and JJ Smith. Harper scored a game-high 29 points with four threes, while Sexton chipped in 12 points and Smith finished with 11.

Ikey Obiagu is a big presence in the middle
Ikey Obiagu is a big presence in the middle

Greenforest’s balance was unmatched as nine players scored led by New Hampshire bound guard John Ogwuche’s 19. Abayomi Iyiola posted a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Justin Forrest scored nine and dished out seven assists, Precious Ayah added seven points and nine rebounds and Jaden Duggan chipped in six, all from the line, to round out the Eagles’ top scorers.

My Take: Boy, oh boy. Greenforest is a terrifying team when they are clicking. They have frontcourt size that nearly every NCAA Division-One team would covet. Let’s start with the biggest of them all, Ikey Obiagu. This was just the second time I have ever seen the 7-footer play. I watched him come off the bench in the state championship a year ago and score two points, grab zero rebounds and foul out. When I heard he was a five-star prospect this summer I laughed. When I saw him tonight I was amazed. He showed a deft touch inside and some nice post moves to go along with advanced footwork for a man of his stature. I can totally see why every high major program in the country is hot after him. Abayomi Iyiola might have been the most impressive outside of Obiagu. His 17 points and 12 rebounds was just pure hustle. Put him alongside Ikey and Mohammed Abdulsalem who is an absolute bull in a china shop down low and you have a team that will massacre others on the glass. John Ogwuche and Justin Forrest did what they had to do from their guard spots and were as solid as it gets, simply making the right decisions on the floor and not trying to do too much. As far as things go for Pebblebrook, I expect them to be extremely dangerous when they aren’t playing NBA frontlines. Jared Harper is fun to watch and isn’t afraid to challenge in the lane with floaters or pull up for long threes. Against elite teams however, he will need some help. JJ Smith showed some flashes with some tough baskets, but he looks to be far too good of a player to only score 11 points. Collin Sexton will be a nice running mate and the trio should have some fun in the high scoring Region 3-AAAAAA. Productive size inside will be important to find, also a glue guy as well. Trhae Mitchell and Derek Ogbeide are missed, but so is Kevin Murph. The year is young however and I’m confident Coach George Washington will find someone to step up and fill those important roles.

Top Performers: 

Greenforest
Abayomi Iyiola – 17 points, 12 rebounds
John Ogwuche – 19 points, 2 assists, 2 steals
Ikey Obiagu – 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 blocks
Justin Forrest – 9 points, 7 assists
Mohammed Abdulsalem – 9 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block
Precious Ayah – 7 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks

Pebblebrook
Jared Harper – 29 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Collin Sexton – 12 points
JJ Smith – 11 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks

Game Stories, GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Brandon Robinson’s Big Day Enough to Hold Off No. 2 McIntosh

6A Douglas County 84, 5ANo. 2 McIntosh 81

Two looks at a three-pointer for Furman signee Jordan Lyons, who canned seven deep balls on the night, did not drop as Coach Hollis Bethea’s Douglas County Tigers survived in a thrilling afternoon tilt at Holiday Hoopsgiving. The game was played at a neck-break pace as the full court pressure of the Tigers bothered the Chiefs early on. Douglas County held a 24-18 lead at the end of one and foul trouble began to hurt the Chiefs. Will Washington, McIntosh’s floor general who finished with 17 points (9-of-10 FT) and seven assists, picked up a third foul with 4:46 to play in the second and had to sit the remainder of the half with McIntosh down 34-29.  The Chiefs fell behind by as many as 10 points, but would scrap their way back, using a 7-to-2 run to finish the half sparked by Brendon Rowan saving a ball underneath his basket to teammate Ben Bryant who laid it in to bring the game to single digits.

Jordan Lyons lining up one of his seven treys
Jordan Lyons lining up one of his seven treys

The two focal points of the game were Lyons and Douglas County’s Brandon Robinson, who is signed to play at UNC. Robinson scored 20 of his game-high 35 points in the first half and scored in a multitude of ways, drilling five threes and getting to basket and using pull ups in the lane. Lyons went for a team-high 34 for the Chiefs, as both stars were expected to get theirs, it was up to the supporting cast to be the difference makers. Coach Bethea got just that, as Devarion Davis scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Kalen Clifton added 14 points and five rebounds while Khayl Waters battled for 10 points and four rebounds.

McIntosh trailed for the majority of the game, struggling to get over the hump before they finally did so on a Braxton Shaw three-ball at the 6:05 mark of the third quarter which tied the game at 44. But every time the Chiefs would make a push, Robinson and the Tigers answered back to keep them at bay. The Chiefs took their first lead of the second half when Chase Walter grabbed one of his 12 rebounds and outletted the ball out to Lyons as time was expiring entering the fourth. All in one motion, Lyons caught the ball in midair and heaved it to the hoop, drilling a three from halfcourt to give the Chiefs a 61-60 lead entering the final frame.

McIntosh held onto a narrow lead until Douglas County recaptured the lead and led 77-75 with 2:30 to play. Clifton missed a pair of free throws with under 15 seconds to play, giving McIntosh an opportunity to tie. Lyons got two decent looks, albeit contested, but could not sink the game-tying long ball to send the game to overtime.

Dishon Lowery was a monster inside
Dishon Lowery was a monster inside

McIntosh, known for its balance, did not disappoint as Dishon Lowery scored 13 points and grabbed a game-high 20 rebounds. He and Walter were both saddled with foul trouble at points in the game. Walter finished with eight points, 12 rebounds and five blocks in the loss.

My Take: Well that was fun, wasn’t it?! What a game. I said going in that Jordan Lyons and Brandon Robinson would negate each other with their points (34 & 35), and that it would be up to the rest of the gang. Devarion Davis impressed me greatly and stepped up big time. His 18 points came off active rebounding and a feathery touch. McIntosh just couldn’t take control of the game, but they were exciting to watch. Jordan Lyons has unlimited range, Dishon Lowery is an absolute beast on the boards, Will Washington is a true point guard and Chase Walter loves to bend the rim with his dunks. Coach Hollis Bethea’s defense was active all night long and harassed the Chiefs, but wasn’t wild. They took numerous charges and got Washington, Lowery and Walter all in foul trouble. It’s not even fair how good Region 3-AAAAAA is. A loss like this could be good for McIntosh to gain that laser focus as they strive for a state title, and a win like this for Douglas County solidifies them as one of the best teams in the state when they work as a group.

Top Perfomers:

Douglas County
Brandon Robinson – 35 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
Devarion Davis – 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
Kalen Clifton – 14 points, 5 rebounds
Khayl Waters – 10 points, 4 rebounds

McIntosh
Jordan Lyons – 34 points
Dishon Lowery – 13 points, 20 rebounds
Will Washington – 17 points, 7 assists
Chase Walter – 8 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 blocks

GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Holiday Hoopsgiving Primer: No. 1 Greenforest (3-0) vs. No. 6 Pebblebrook (1-1)

1ANo. 1 Greenforest (3-0)  vs.  6ANo. 6 Pebblebrook (1-1) 

The fourth game of the day in Holy Innocents’ Gym 1 on Day 1 of Holiday Hoopsgiving at 4:30 PM presents one of many powerhouse matchups. Two state runner-ups from a year ago clash in a meeting between differing strengths.

No. 1 Greenforest has crushed its opponents thus far and notched a clean sweep in the Jared Cook Classic, highlighted by an 87-46 blowout of Lee (AL), a game in which the Eagles led 24-0 after the first period. First-year Head Coach Larry Thompson inherits a loaded group and the largest font court in the state that goes 6-7, 6-8, 6-9, 6-10 and 7-0 five-star junior center, Ikey Obiagu. Greenforest’s size inside makes them nearly impossible to score on, but their guard play is the unsung cornerstone of the foundation. Junior Justin Forrest averages 19.7 points while senior John Ogwuche is a New Hampshire-commit that pours in 17 per game. Abayomi Iyiola, Precious Ayah and Victor Enoh anchor the paint around Obiagu, who is thought of as the best shot blocker in the country after making leaps and bounds this offseason after showing flashes as a raw sophomore in 2014-15. The trees inside along with the savvy guard play has helped the Eagles allow just 46 points per game.

Coach Larry Thompson among the Greenforest trees
Coach Larry Thompson among the Greenforest trees

While the Eagles have the size inside, the Falcons of Pebblebrook counter with lightning quick guards who know how to score the ball. Jared Harper, all 5-foot-11 of him – which may be gracious, is often times the best player on the court. The Auburn signee can fill it up and has notched games of 29 points and 11 assists and a 38-point game in a win over Blanche Ely (FL), 64-63. Pebblebrook plays its first regular season game of the year against a Georgia based team after splitting in the Montverde Academy Invitational. Montverde (FL), the No. 2 ranked team in the nation, defeated the Falcons 76-70 in the season opener.

Jared Harper is a diminutive dynamo | Photo by Ty Freeman
Jared Harper is a diminutive dynamo | Photo by Ty Freeman

Aside from Harper, new additions Jatrious (JJ) Smith and Collin Sexton are electrifying on the perimeter. Smith can score when needed, rebound and also be a playmaker. He scored 11 points and handed out six assists in their win over Blanche Ely. Sexton comes from Hillgrove and has already produced a 40-point game in a scrimmage. Inside, 6-foot-8 Tyler Morman transfers over from Norcross to help fill the void left by Georgia Bulldog freshman Derek Ogbeide.

X-Factors: Stars are a plenty in this game, but I think the game will be won on the perimeter. If Pebblebrook’s guards can outplay Greenforest’s significantly, they may be able to negate the size advantage the Eagles have inside. I look for JJ Smith to show off his versatility and to emerge as a difference maker alongside Jared Harper and Collin Sexton. His elite athleticism makes him a threat to post a triple-double on any given night. For Greenforest, John Ogwuche will need to control the offense and corral the smaller and quicker guards of Pebblebrook.

GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Holiday Hoopsgiving Primer: No. 2 McIntosh (1-0) vs. Douglas County (2-0)

5ANo. 2 McIntosh (1-0) vs. 6A Douglas County (2-0)

The balance of No. 2 McIntosh will try to slow down the star power of North Carolina signee Brandon Robinson and the Tigers at 6:15 PM at Holy Innocents’, a part of the great event, Holiday Hoopsgiving. The Chiefs don’t have an ACC signee on their roster but they do have as efficient and explosive of any scorer in the state, Furman signee Jordan Lyons and high-motor big man, Wofford signee Dishon Lowery.

Each player in Head Coach Jason Eisele’s system knows their role and plays it to a T. Will Washington might be the best passing point guard in the state and picked up where he left off a year ago, scoring 20 points and dishing out eight assists in his first regular season game back since breaking his wrist in the playoffs last year. Lyons averaged 24.7 points a game in 2014-15, and to no surprise, poured in 24 in the Chiefs’ 89-68 opening win over Morrow. Chase Walter and Lowery are big bodies inside that control the glass and work for buckets inside. Walter went for 14 points and 12 rebounds in the season opener after nearly averaging a double-double last year.CTjagXjWsAA-FN9

After averaging just 9.4 points per game as a junior, Brandon Robinson has silenced any doubters – if there were any – on why he is going to be a Tar Heel next year. Through two games he is averaging 28 points per contest and has paced an explosive Douglas County team averaging 88.5 points.

Brandon Robinson is UNC bound | Scout.com
Brandon Robinson is UNC bound | Scout.com

Fellow senior Kalen Clifton is pitching in 14 points after chipping in 8.9 per game in 2014-15. Jahorie Copeland is another guard who has enjoyed a hot start. KJ Houston, one of many Duluth transfers, brings versatility at 6-foot-6 and is a nice running mate alongside Robinson and the rest of the backcourt. Reece Anderson solidifies the guard spot and leads the team in rebounds (6.5), assists (5.5) and steals (4.0) in his first season with Douglas County after starring at Chapel Hill.

X-Factors: I expect Jordan Lyons and Brandon Robinson to get their points, but it will be who’s supporting cast steps up that will decide the winner. I look for the play down low to potentialy be the deciding factor. Dishon Lowery and Chase Walter is one of the best 1-2 punches in the state inside. Devarion Davis of Douglas County will need to be up to the task of banging inside with the non-stop effort of the two Chiefs. Khalyl Waters and KJ Houston might also see time inside battling with McIntosh’s workhorses.

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