Sandy's Spiel Showdown Boys Top Performers
Analysis

Sandy’s Spiel Showdown Boys Top Performers


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The 2024 Sandy’s Spiel Showdown was sponsored by Redline Girls Basketball Club and Kings and Gents.

 

Zach Bleshoy2025 6-5 PG Zach Bleshoy – Pope
In an utterly dominant performance, Zach Bleshoy saved the best for last as the Chattanooga-signee shined in the primetime game collecting a triple-double as Pope held off Mt. Paran 58-50. Bleshoy recorded 18 points, 13 rebounds, 12 assists, 5 steals and 1 block, staking his claim to be considered the best point guard in all of Georgia. The lefty is an elite athlete, physical and explosive downhill. Zach absorbs contact with ease as he elevates to finish at the rim. He creates nearly everything for the Greyhounds, whipping in one-handed laser beam passes that sometimes even surprise his own teammates when they are expecting it. Bleshoy delivers perfect skip pass assists over the defense right into the shot pocket of shooters camped out in the corners. He shows terrific touch when wrapping around assists out of the pick-and-roll. With his size and physical gifts, Bleshoy is an impactful rebounder and a bully of a defender when needed. In a long history of great Pope Greyhounds, Zach will go down as one of the very best to ever do it.

2026 6-4 W Stanton German – Pope
A major beneficiary of Zach Bleshoy’s greatness, Stanton found himself at the right place at the right time throughout the night as he gathered 16 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 3 blocks. German presented himself for easy buckets out of the pick-and-roll, scoring twice as the diver. He ran the floor for a pair of hoops and converted around the rim. German had a nice showing defensively, blocking shots and stripping opponents in the paint.

Andric Parent2025 5-11 G Andric Parent – Mt. Paran
I was impressed with how well Andric Parent shot the ball. He came out red-hot in the first quarter with three long balls including two deep pull-ups. Parent netted four three-pointers on the night as he finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Andric can play both on and off the ball, giving him nice value at the next level. While his outside shooting is his primary source of offense, his savvy as a playmaking facilitator is key to Mt. Paran’s success.

Cameron Hewling2025 6-2 W Cameron Hewling – Mt. Paran
Hewling stands out right away with his broad shoulders and muscular wiry frame. Cameron is a big-time athlete with a reliable motor. The swingman runs the floor in transition and doesn’t take plays for granted, crashing the glass for offensive rebounds whether in the half court or full court. Hewling plays bigger than his listed 6-foot-2 height with his springy leaping. Cam collected 16 points, 10 rebounds and 1 steal, 12 of his points coming after halftime. I like his energy and capabilities as a slasher.

Kaeden Gilstrap2025 6-2 G Kaeden Gilstrap – Walton
In three games I have watched in person this season, Kaeden Gilstrap has been arguably Walton’s best guard averaging 15 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4 assists. Signed to play football and baseball at Wofford, Gilstrap has the skill to add basketball to the list if he wanted. Gilstrap plays with such poise. He doesn’t get rattled against pressure and uses his strength and ball skills to get to his spots routinely. On Saturday, it was his ability to get to the basket which Mays couldn’t slow down, shooting 8-9 from the line to finish with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in three quarters of work in a 69-59 win which was a 24-point game heading into the fourth. Gilstrap is quietly putting together an All-State caliber season.

CJ Jordan2027 6-7 F CJ Jordan – Walton
Walton has a legit chance to make a serious run in Class 6A thanks to a veteran backcourt and the growth of CJ Jordan in Year 2. A game-altering presence down low, Jordan affords the Raiders the ability to play inside-out. CJ does a great job passing out of the post, either dropping off to cutters or swinging the ball opposite for open three-point looks. Jordan has control of his body, able to bump and bang defenders whether backing down his man or attacking off the dribble while finishing through contact. I like CJ more and more each time I watch him. He finished with 8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks. With the tools he possesses and the polish he already shows, I think Jordan is well on his way to becoming a D-I prospect.

2025 6-5 W Davenport Cox – Mays
DJ Cox can create mismatches with his offensive arsenal. Cox shoots the ball well from the perimeter, getting good lift on his jump shot, but also can use his length and athleticism to get to the rim. Against Walton, Cox hit two mid-range jumpers, scored on a pair of floaters and had a putback and an And-1. Davenport has a wiry frame, but has strength which allows him to score in traffic and get to his spots in the mid-range. He finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds and 1 steal.

Taj Saragba2027 6-7 F Taj Saragba – Woodstock
It was a tale of two halves in Woodstock’s methodical come from behind win over Allatoona, trailing after each of the first three quarters including down 32-19 at the half before clinching a much-needed 52-49 win with multiple players unavailable. Taj was held in check at the half with just two points, zero rebounds and two blocks. As Woodstock increased their team physicality and looked to exploit Saragba’s strengths, Taj dominated the final 16 minutes, finishing with 14 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 4 blocks. The foul magnet shot 6-11 from the free throw line as the Buccaneers fell behind in the foul count quickly. While it was a slog scoring the ball for most of the game, Taj’s defense was impressive. Saragba had breathtaking blocks, rejecting shot attempts at their pinnacle and slamming other shots away with volleyball spikes. When Saragba’s motor is revved up, he can be a complete game wrecker on both ends of the floor, showing why multiple D-I schools have already offered.

Joseph Tully
2025 6-2 SG Joseph Tully – Woodstock
While Woodstock struggled to find a groove early in the game, it was Joseph Tully who helped keep the Wolverines afloat. Tully posted a game-high 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal as he created offense on the perimeter with his jumper. Tully is a smooth operator when given space. He can pull-up from the mid-range and snipe from beyond the arc but also has some craftiness attacking the paint and drawing fouls. Tully went 6-7 from the line and scored nine points in the second half to help pace the Wolverine comeback.

Matthew McAuley
2025 5-10 PG Matthew McAuley – Allatoona
The floor general drained four three-pointers, three from the corners as he led Allatoona in scoring with 14 points. McAuley is a heady decision maker with the ball who often makes surehanded passes when creating for his teammates. Matthew has shown over the course of his career the ability to toss in high arcing floaters and burn defenders with stop-and-pop pull-ups.