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Analysis, GHSA, GHSA Basketball

Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions notes

SEBA FCI WARRIORS

The SEBA FCI Warriors scored a big 80-72 win over Pro One on the opening night of the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions. While the Warriors might not have any high-profile D-I level recruits, what they do have is a team full of heady players that play their roles and do what it takes to win.

Franklin Bailey2020 6-0 G Franklin Bailey (Chattahoochee) led the way with 31 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 steals. Bailey has emerged as one of Georgia’s premier three-point shooters as the catch-and-shoot guard drilled 8 threes on the night. Bailey was a relative unknown until carving his niche in the Chattahoochee system this past season as a specialist and has continue to grow his game, making an impact defensively. Bailey still isn’t a major threat to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket, but once teams start running him off the three-point line, those opportunities will be there. A school needing a plug-and-play floor stretcher should keep tabs on Bailey throughout his senior season.

Keon Sedgwick2020 6-0 G Keon Sedgwick (Paulding County) made plays down the stretch to help clinch the win, scoring nine of his 13 points in the second half while collecting 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals for the game. Sedgwick gets downhill in a hurry and keeps the pressure on defenses. Just when it looks like he might be barreling his way out of control to the basket, he can pull up on a dime from 10-feet to drop in a soft jumper. The more you watch Sedgwick play, the more you appreciate the little things he brings to the table on both offense and defense.

2020 6-4 F Ty Clark (Kell) is a bit of a late bloomer but his athleticism and motor have him catching up to the rest of the field. Clark is still raw in some facets of his game, but the good shone through with his output of 7 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks. The summer and upcoming varsity season will be key for his development.

2019 6-5 W Alex Forde (Etowah) came out hot, hitting two threes off the dribble before finishing with 8 points. The unsigned senior has a college-ready body and nice jump shot. Defensively, Forde can make a difference with his ability to guard multiple positions. He could be a solid late pick up for a small school looking for a player that competes and has been coached at a high level.

ATLANTA XPRESS

The Atlanta Xpress rolled over CKY Magic 69-48, outmanning the team from Kentucky at every position.

Jamaine Mann2020 6-5 F Jamaine Mann (Starr’s Mill) dominated the paint and racked up another double-double which has become a nightly expectation, especially during the high school season, as he went for 19 points, 12 rebounds and 1 block. Though he doesn’t have elite height, Mann is tough to stop when he’s up close with his explosion and overall thick frame. Mann knocked down a three in the second half but still projects as a quick powerful forward that can punish bigger/slower defenders off the dribble.

2020 6-6 F Jordan Smalls (ELCA) played possibly the best game I’ve ever seen out of him, posting 13 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Smalls was in the right place at the right time throughout the game and did a good job of finishing when he was around the rim. His length makes him a versatile defender that projects well. Aggressiveness and consistency are his two biggest areas of improvement and Friday night was a nice step in the right direction as he heads into his senior season.

2019 6-0 G Jevon Tatum (Grayson) tallied 11 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in the win. The unsigned senior has always been known for his scoring prowess but has gotten better and better at running an offense. Low Majors and D-II schools should take a quick look if they are in need of a sharp lead guard that can push the pace and score from all over.

TEAM GA MAGIC

Shorthanded without star guard Kowacie Reeves Jr. and down 38-17 at the half, Team GA Magic could have easily rolled over and taken a beating, but instead fought all the way back to have an opportunity to send the game into overtime but a turnover on an outlet pass after two missed Team Parsons CP25 free throws sealed their fate.

2021 6-4 G Javian Mosley (Westside-Macon) carried the Magic in the second half, pouring in 19 points on his way to finishing with a game-high 23 points, 5 rebounds and 1 steal. Mosley got aggressive but more importantly hot, hitting 4 threes to pace the comeback. Mosley converted a handful of tough drives through the teeth of the defense, using his own length to score on Team Parsons’ frontline consisting of 6-foot-9 forwards. The lefty can still stand to tighten up some areas of his game, but he’s got a knack for scoring and was up to the challenge against one of the best teams in the field without his running mate Reeves.

2020 6-1 G Bryson Wooten (Jones County) looked healthy and back to his normal self after injuries slowed down his junior season. Wooten brought major effort, competing on both sides of the ball. He slashed his way to 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. He led the Magic in rebounding and took on the task of battling Team Parsons’ stronger and longer frontcourt. For Wooten to really bring his offensive game to the next level, he will need to stretch out his range. After making just 11 threes his junior season, Wooten has to make sure he doesn’t earn the label of a non-shooter.

2021 6-6 F Quay Primas (Central-Macon) was hampered with foul trouble all game long and never found enough time to get into a groove, but when he was out there his skill level was apparent. Primas has continued to shed his baby fat and is rounding into one of Georgia’s best post presences. He knows how to score with his back to the basket with drop steps but also has a soft touch that extends all the way out to the three-point line. He can put the ball on the floor and spin his way to where he needs to go when attacking from the high post. Primas won’t win any slam dunk contests or high jump meets, but he is a great rebounder that snatches balls at their high point with two hands when coming off the rim. Primas finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block – a modest performance – but make no mistake, he has the makings of becoming a D-I recruit.

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.