Sandy's Spiel Tip-Off Classic Boys Top Performers
Analysis

Sandy’s Spiel Tip-Off Classic Boys Top Performers


PRO Movement

Da'Avion Thomas2023 6-0 PG Da’Avion Thomas – McDonough
If Da’Avion Thomas didn’t have to sit out last year due to transfer, the result in Class 4A may have looked different. Thomas is a legit game-changer in the classification with his constant movement and high IQ. Thomas made play after play down the stretch and was key in helping McDonough hold off South Paulding 55-47, closing on an 11-3 run.  Da’Avion is a quick-twitch athlete that is tough to slow down in transition. He’s a strong decision maker that balances when to look for his offense and when to get others involved. The little things add up. Thomas is willing to sacrifice his body on defense to draw charges and has the peace of mind to immediately look to toss ahead outlet passes whenever he grabs a defensive rebound. He ignited two crucial transition runouts which helped put the game away in the fourth. Thomas finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. He hit one three off the dribble and was able to get into the lane consistently, finishing at the rim and with floaters all while managing to draw fouls, shooting 6-9 from the line. Thomas should be on D-I and D-II radars. He could see his stock rise quickly over his final two seasons.

Jeremiah Taylor2023 6-2 CG Jeremiah Taylor – South Paulding
While McDonough had the size advantage across the board, that didn’t stop Jeremiah Taylor from going toe-to-toe with the state title favorite. Taylor’s explosive athleticism popped off as he routinely found himself at the rim with slashes to the hoop. Taylor’s non-stop energy and quick second leap led to multiple offensive rebounds and tip-ins. Jeremiah does a great job of getting skinny on drives and contorting his body to avoid contact and use finger-rolls to evade shot blockers. Taylor finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. He hit one mid-range jumper. If he can consistently knock down outside shots and extend his range, Taylor could pop up on more college radars.

Amir Jackson2024 6-5 PF Amir Jackson – Portal
Amir Jackson does not look like a sophomore. He does not play like one either. The double-double machine is a man-child. If he didn’t hurt his wrist in the state playoffs, Portal could have found themselves in Macon instead of being bounced in the Elite Eight last year. Jackson was a monster against Forest Park in a 52-40 win, posting 23 points, 11 rebounds and 2 steals. The chiseled big man caught two alley-oops, scored on rolls to the basket, putbacks and even drove the ball from the high post, finishing through contact. Jackson has a chance to be special, especially at the Class A-Public level. If he is able to take care of his grades and continue to get better each year, Jackson will no doubt play in college. He’s a young sleeper that schools need to start tracking soon.

Elijah Coleman2024 5-8 PG Elijah Coleman – Portal
While Amir Jackson got Portal off to a quick start, Elijah Coleman proved to be the closer, netting 12 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. The foul magnet went 10-11 from the line and collected 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. He opened his scoring with a three-pointer and eased himself into the game. Coleman’s ball handling, quickness and bounciness make him a nightmare to defend. He excels at beating his man off the dribble and using angles to draw fouls and finish in the paint. The All-State point guard is another prospect college coaches need to familiarize themselves with.

Ted Hurst2022 6-4 W Ted Hurst – Johnson-Savannah
Fresh off the football field the night before, Ted Hurst’s quick leaping and ability to finish through contact left West Forsyth searching for answers. Hurst had 24 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals, scoring 15 points in a 32-14 fourth quarter that rallied the Atomsmashers past the Wolverines 70-62. Hurst had four dunks, receiving three drop off passes and catching one lob. The lefty knocked down a three, was able to glide to the hoop on drives and went 5-8 from the line. Hurst is a good looking wiry strong athlete. He may need to improve his ball handling and outside shot to play at the wing in college, but his effectiveness nonetheless is impressive at the high school level.

Antonio Baker2023 6-3 SG Antonio Baker – Johnson-Savannah
Steady throughout the game, it was the fourth quarter when Antonio Baker Jr. stepped on the gas and made plays to lift the Atomsmashers to an impressive season opening win. Baker dropped 13 of his 22 points in the final frame and finished with 1 rebound, 2 assists and 5 steals. Baker mixed in his scoring from all three levels. He scored on three drives, hit two threes including a step-back and made a nice backdoor cut for a layup. Baker has good size on the perimeter and can get creative with the ball when probing the defense. He’s a quality passer and has quick instincts on defense when intercepting passes. Baker is one of the best prospects in Savannah. D-II programs should start checking him out. Expect Baker to really blow up over the next two seasons.

Jake Mooney2022 6-7 F Jake Mooney – West Forsyth
Foul trouble limited the Georgia College-signee but Jake Mooney did produce 15 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks before fouling out in the fourth. During spurts of the game when West Forsyth was able to feed him the ball, Mooney was the Wolverines’ most effective scorer. He hit a pair of threes in the third quarter and scored on two cuts during the game. He had one strong post bucket that came in the second quarter. His inside-out capabilities along with his shot altering length make Mooney one of the best senior big men in Georgia.