Tag Archives: Demetrius Rives

Analysis, GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Georgia State Team Camp Session II notes

Carrollton

2020 6-6 F Melvin Edwards: Every time there was a rim being rocked on another court, I’d turn my head and see that it was Edwards doing the damage. The high-rising combo forward continued his blow-up summer by dunking everything possible and running the floor in transition. I identified Edwards as a possible D-I recruit at the HoopSeen Tip-Off back in March and college coaches have wisely agreed with Kennesaw State, Georgia Southern and Presbyterian all offering. Edwards is a match-up problem with his versatility scoring inside and out. He has the feel of becoming a special player once he gets to college.

2020 6-3 CG Marcellious Lockett: In an early morning bout with Grayson, Lockett shined with his play on both sides of the ball. He turned defense into offense by playing the passing lanes and getting after it with his on-ball defense. When he had the ball in his hands, he created offense for himself and others, riffling in some no look passes for easy buckets when he wasn’t hunting his own shot. Lockett scored from all three levels and completed some tough finishes at the rim. Lockett hasn’t garnered the D-I offers that Edwards has gotten yet, but if he is patient, I wouldn’t be surprised if some schools start his recruitment if he puts together a strong showing at the NCAA Georgia Live Period Event this weekend.

Grayson

2020 6-4 SG Caleb Murphy: In a 68-53 win over Tri-Cities, the Norcross transfer looked like he was more than capable of being a number one option on a top team, posting 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal with Deivon Smith out of town. Murphy operated in tight spaces with the ball on a string as he wriggled his way out of traps to find freedom. He’s got a quick first step that helps him get into the paint and finish at the rim. He had a nice day with Georgia State’s staff attentively watching.

2021 6-7 PF Ian Schieffelin: Often lost in the shuffle with the great high-flying backcourt of Grayson, since Day 1 when he first dawned the Green and Gold, Ian Schieffelin has been a hard-nosed lunch pail type of post willing to do the dirty work inside. In their win over Tri-Cities, he contributed 5 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 3 blocks. Schieffelin snatched down some grown-man rebounds that not even the peskiest of guards would consider swiping at once he controlled it. The former quarterback has a soft touch with the ball and can extend his range to the three-point line when asked to stretch the floor. Schieffelin understands his role and flourishes in it. He was rewarded with an offer from James Madison last weekend; his first scholarship offer.

Tri-Cities

2020 6-4 W Demetrius Rives: One of Fulton’s counties premier fearless slashers, Demetrius Rives, battled Grayson’s high-profile front court and came away with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block. Rives is a strong well-built athlete that’s primary goal on offense is to get to the rim. He attacks the basket with bad intentions. He is a strong rebounder for his wing position, using his strength to stay on the glass. Being able to consistently knock down jump shots is an area he will need to improve upon his senior year.

2021 6-2 CG Peyton Daniels: Though he didn’t have his strongest game, Peyton Daniels still hit three threes and finished with 13 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists vs. Grayson. Daniels has a smooth stroke that he can get off the dribble. With DaMarcus Johnson graduating, the team officially belongs to Daniels now. He will be relied upon to score but also create for teammates as well.

Douglass

Angelo Grimes2020 6-1 PG Angelo Grimes: A solid athlete with a calm floor general demeanor, Angelo Grimes averaged 11.5 points over two games and stuffed the stat sheet in a 64-57 win over Johns Creek with 11 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. Grimes did a good job of getting into the paint and kicking out to teammates. He is a pass-first point guard who does his scoring at the rim.

2021 6-2 W JaCorye Favors: The lefty was one of Georgia State Team Camp’s best discoveries on the day. Against Johns Creek he tallied 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block and vs. Mt. Pisgah added 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Favors is an active guard that crashes the glass and plays bigger than his size. He can knock down the open three but did most of his damage slashing to the basket and on the offensive glass. He is transferring in from Maynard Jackson and should be able to give Douglass an immediate lift in Region 6-AA.

Johns Creek

2021 6-3 G Steven Lyles: Just looking at Steven Lyles, the upside he possesses is apparent. Lyles is a gifted athlete with a tremendous frame for a guard. He had 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block in a loss to Douglass. He drained two threes but his most eye-opening play was his acrobatic 360 layup on a defender. Lyles is a name to keep in the back of your mind for the next two years.

Mt. Pisgah

2021 5-11 G Chase Tucker: No one was more impressive with their jump shot than Chase Tucker was. The three-point specialist was dialed in, banging in eight threes for 24 points in a 53-41 win over Douglass. Tucker was in a special zone, sinking nearly every attempt he fired up. He carried the load without JoJo Peterson available.

2021 6-7 PF Nate Gordon: Nate Gordon put up 6 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block against Douglass. At times Gordon still looks a little raw around the basket but he had a few strong finishes when powering up for dunks. Improving his footwork with his back to the basket will open up more scoring opportunities.

Chapel Hill

2021 6-2 G Micah Bell: I’d heard good things about Micah Bell over the past year and the wiry guard did not disappoint, albeit vs. a JV Lovejoy team. Bell is excellent in transition and gets downhill when attacking the basket. He is a bit slight of frame, but takes contact extremely well and finishes through defenders. Bell has some wiggle and bounce to his game and has a knack for scoring. He knocked down two threes in his 25-point outburst to go along with his 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Bell reminds me just a little bit of 2020 Lithonia PG Eric Gaines.

2020 6-1 G Mike Bell: The older brother of Micah, Mike Bell is a stout guard with a three-point stroke. He hit three en route to 15 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists and 3 steals. He showed good instincts with his on-ball defense and turned over his opponents. Mike might not be as electric athletically as Micah, but he’s still a reliable guard that helps the offense flow.

Peachtree Ridge

2021 6-4 F Navaughn Maise: Defensively is where Navaughn Maise made his strongest impact against Parkview. The strong framed forward contributed 10 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. He plays bigger than his size and has good hands in traffic. Maise is the type of player that coaches can trust to battle in the trenches.

Parkview

2021 6-3 W Miles Kelly: Miles Kelly heated up in the second half, scoring 11 of his game-high 15 points to lead Parkview past Peachtree Ridge 49-46. He hit two threes before going 5-of-6 from the line to close the game. Kelly has nice length on the perimeter and a good future ahead.

2020 6-2 G Allen Terrell: Allen Terrell kept constant pressure on opposing ball handlers and played a key role in Parkview’s comeback. Terrell had 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 6 steals and 1 block. His willingness to defend sparked the Panthers and his energy was contagious in the second half.

South Gwinnett

2021 6-7 PF Ja’Heim Hudson: Already known as a double-double threat, Ja’Heim Hudson could be on his way to becoming a D-I recruit. Hudson looked good in a 55-25 win over Marietta, scoring 8 points to go with his 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Hudson showed off a baby hook with both hands and had a strong drop step to square his shoulders and finish with authority. Hudson plays above the rim with powerful finishes and has nice court awareness when passing out of the post. By this time next year, expect Hudson to have a handful of offers.

Marietta

2021 6-0 PG Travis Burrus: Six seniors graduate from last year’s surprise Sweet 16 team, meaning it’s Travis Burrus’ time to take over the reins as a leader and go-to player. Burrus scored 8 points in a shorthanded loss to South Gwinnett. Burrus got into the paint with his quickness but also showed the ability to hit the three, drilling two. The lefty will need to balance finding his own offense with setting up teammates his junior season.

Analysis, GHSA Basketball

Battle For Georgia 16U Notes

Atlanta Xpress (Champions)

6-1 PG Eric Gaines (Lithonia) was named 16U Most Valuable Player and rightfully so. The svelte springy guard came up big down the stretch in the Xpress’ 72-68 championship victory over Game Elite Black, hitting 3 threes in the second half including scoring six crucial points in the fourth quarter. Gaines had 14 points in both the finals and the semifinals and used his electric athleticism to keep defenses on their heels.

6-5 F Jamaine Mann (ELCA) did his usual work in the paint. Too powerful to stop inside, Mann converted tough hoops up close. Right now, Mann is best suited to play inside as a power forward, but his athleticism and bloodlines may help him find an eventual future as a swingman. His quickness and explosion as a face-up 4 causes matchup problems. He had 18 points, 6 rebounds and 1 block against Infinite Skillz before totaling 15 points – 9 in the fourth – in the 16U title game.

6-2 SG Deandre Brown (Holy Spirit Prep) found buckets on the perimeter as he did all season long at Therrell. The lefty drilled 3 threes en route to 11 points and 4 rebounds against Infinite Skillz before scoring 7 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter in the championship. Brown is a crafty scorer that can find the bottom of the net in a variety of ways.

Game Elite Black (Runner-Up)

6-1 PG KD Johnson (Southwest DeKalb) was hands down by far and away the best 16U player in attendance and he was rewarded by receiving Most Outstanding Player and an offer from Seton Hall. Johnson was brilliant to open up the tournament, pouring in 37 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Johnson was the epitome of a “man among boys”, doing whatever he wanted in a 99-71 win over ATL Hoops. Most impressively, Johnson drilled 6 three-pointers, hardly hitting the rim on his first four attempts. After a 5-point first half in the championship game, Johnson revved it up in a losing effort to finish with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal. Johnson was outstanding all day long. As he matures, he will need to learn when to take his foot off the throttle and change speeds. Johnson can tend to be an emotional player as well, usually for the good, but when adversity hits with a bad call or an off night, he must respond appropriately. Johnson is a sure-fire High Major prospect.

6-6 F Sam Hines (Wheeler) is a winning player that does both the little things and the big things. He is a consistent threat to reach double figures offensively while still providing tough rebounding and good ball movement. He posted 10 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal against ATL Hoops. In the championship game, Hines tallied 14 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block. Hines’ value is as a stretch-4. He is skilled enough to provide minutes on the wing and his versatility as a guy that can do a little bit of everything makes him a piece that can play multiple positions. He reminds me of former St. Francis standout Chance Anderson who signed with San Francisco, who served a similar role and put up comparable numbers in Coach Drew Catlett’s system. Now at Wheeler, Hines doesn’t need to try to do too much or try to prove himself. He just needs to play his game and continue to make winning plays.

6-7 C Darius Gaddy (Wheeler) is a space eating post with soft hands. He is ambidextrous, shooting almost exclusively with his left hand in the paint while jumpers and free throws are delivered with his right hand. Gaddy is big and physical. He can carve out space and uses the glass well on baby hooks. He had 8 points and 5 rebounds against ATL Hoops. Gaddy dominated in the first half of the title game, scoring all 8 of his points before Game Elite went away from getting him touches in the second half. He gobbled up 8 rebounds to boot. Defensively, Gaddy has to move his feet more and focus on blocking out. Right now his offense is ahead of his defense.

Infinite Skillz

5-7 PG DJ Wright (Greene County) did it again. If you listened to last week’s Spielin’ & Dealin’, it should come to no surprise that Wright carried over his outstanding play from Georgia State Team Camp into the Battle For Georgia. In a semi-final loss, the dynmo poured in 29 points, hitting 4 threes. Wright is such a tough cover with his quickness and shot making. He is one of the best undersized guards in the state, regardless of class.

6-4 W Demetrius Rives (Tri-Cities) deserves more statewide publicity coming off of a sophomore season in which he was named Clayton County Underclassman of the Year, All-Clayton County First Team and Region 4-AAAAAA Third Team after averaging 15 points, 8.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Rives has a strong body on the perimeter and a nose for the ball. He finished with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks in the semifinals against the Atlanta Xpress, showcasing his versatility.

6-3 G Tyler Johnson (Cedar Shoals) is a big guard that can do it all. Since seeing him for the first time two years ago, you can always count on Johnson to produce on both ends of the floor. Johnson is a true stat sheet stuffer and he didn’t disappoint at the Battle For Georgia. In their tournament ending loss to the Atlanta Xpress, Johnson collected 13 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. Even when Johnson has an off-shooting night, he knows how to find a way to affect the game in a positive manner.

ATL Hoops

6-1 PG Rod Jones (Dougherty) led the Trojans in scoring as a sophomore, averaging 14.9 points per game. With an overmatched ATL Hoops team at Battle For Georgia, Jones was fearless and played end-to-end, trying to provide a spark which never came in a 99-71 loss to Game Elite Black. Jones brought great energy, finishing with 9 points, 4 assists, 5 steals and 1 block. He plays bigger than his listed height and has the trademark South Georgia toughness. He will be a player to keep tabs on.

6-7 C Jared Ivey (North Gwinnett) had a couple nice moments down low, throwing down three dunks and finishing with 12 points and 6 rebounds. Ivey is a naturally strong athlete that plays defensive end on the football team. On the hardwood he is still a little raw with his footwork and balance. If he can run rim to rim, he should be able to give the Bulldogs a couple easy hoops per game and be a nuisance on the glass.