Tag Archives: holiday hoopsgiving

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.