Tag Archives: Sam Hines

Analysis, GHSA, GHSA Basketball

HoopSeen Tip-Off notes

Georgia Knights Elite

Roman Son2020 6-0 PG Roman Son (Therrell): The state champion picked up where he left off at Therrell using his blinding speed to blow past some of the most highly sought-after prospects in Georgia en route to 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals in a 78-74 win over Game Elite. Son is a floor general and vocal leader not shy to bark out orders. He knocked down a few pull-up jumpers in the lane – a good sign – but his overall shooting outside of 15-feet is still a heavy work in progress. He went 2-10 from the line, missing three late free throws. Son has the intangibles to be considered a top 10-15 point guard in the 2020 class for Georgia, but to fully cement himself as a top dog he will need to get up as many shots as possible to shore up his one offensive weakness.

Chris Youngblood2020 6-4 SG Chris Youngblood (East Coweta): East Coweta’s climb from nearly worst to first in Region 2-AAAAAAA was well-documented this season. Youngblood’s perimeter prowess and strong frame have made college coaches take note. Coming off of a GACA All-Star Game MVP performance, Youngblood was locked in again dropping 26 points (3 threes), 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block. At first glance, Youngblood has a stocky frame but it’s a college-ready build that’s equipped for the rigors of the next level, especially once he gets into a college weight room and tones up. He isn’t super long, but his understanding of how to defend helps him block shots when attacked. Youngblood is sneaky athletic and with his size, can post up smaller defenders and punish them inside.

Kirshon Thrash2020 6-3 G/F Kirshon Thrash (Eagle’s Landing): Since seeing him last summer at Georgia State Team Camp, Kirshon Thrash has slowly begun to grow on me. His uniqueness and physicality make him a jack-of-all-trades at the high school level. Standing 6-foot-3, Thrash plays at the guard position but honestly could play 1 through 4 with his strength allowing him to defend multiple positions. Much like Youngblood, Thrash is a bully on the low block when needed but what separates him from most guards in his class is his outright productivity all over the floor. Thrash is an exceptional passer that riffles assists into tight quarters. His powerful build makes him a menace on the glass and defensively, he seems to always have his hands on loose balls. Against Game Elite he tallied 11 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. If Thrash is able to add a consistent three-point shot to his arsenal, expect the human wrecking ball to be even tougher to stop offensively.

Game Elite

2020 6-6 F Sam Hines (Wheeler): Sam Hines might not ever be the “best” player on his team but he will always be the most reliable. Transferring from St. Francis to Wheeler cost him a state championship but Hines was able to prove that he could produce no matter the competition level. Hines is more steak than sizzle, always positively affecting games while teammates garner the headlines. He was terrific in Game Elite’s loss to the Georgia Knights, posting 19 points, 9 rebounds and 1 assist. Hines simply knows how to play the game and understands what he is best at. He can hit the occasional three, but he is most adept at working from 15-feet and in and pounding the glass. You never have to question his motor or his willingness to compete. Named Class 7A Most Underrated, Hines shined again. He should be in play at the Mid-Major level and should excel as a low maintenance energy glue-guy.

Team Forrest

Trashawn Wilson2020 6-5 W Trashawn Wilson (New Manchester): The biggest stock riser from the HoopSeen Tip-Off had to be Trashawn Wilson from New Manchester. The Jaguars were the most talented 11-16 team in the state last year and having Wilson as a fourth leading scorer is something most coaches in the state would dream of. Wilson had a big game in Team Forrest’s 69-68 OT win over AC Georgia, scoring 22 points, grabbing 5 rebounds and snatching 2 steals. The 6-foot-5 wing was smooth, hitting jumpers all over the floor while also attacking the rim and finishing 5-5 from the line. His And-1 jumper in OT sealed the win. Going from unknown to head-turner, Wilson left me wanting to see more and that’s definitely a good thing.

2020 6-10 C Christian Fussell (Greenforest): Fussell has bounced from school to school over his first three seasons but the big man has still found time to work on his game. He’s an intriguing prospect no doubt, especially with his ability to step out and shoot the three. He nailed four deep balls on his way to 18 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block. Fussell didn’t show much of a feel for scoring with his back to the basket and is a true stretch-big. As he continues to get reps and opportunities to show what he can do, his recruitment will be one of the more interesting storylines to unfold.

2020 6-6 F Melvin Edwards (Carrollton): After first laying eyes on Melvin Edwards last June, there was no questioning his upside. After watching his play this weekend, I think it’s time to seriously consider the Carrollton Trojan as a potential D-I prospect. Edwards has the athleticism coming off winning the West Georgia All-Star Game Dunk Contest but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. He can shoot the ball from deep, he can put it on the floor and finish in traffic and he can protect the rim when asked. He put together a strong game against AC Georgia with 17 points (5-5 FT), 7 rebounds and 1 assist. Edwards is trending in the right direction and needs to be tracked by college programs.

AC Georgia

2020 6-5 PF Adonnis Tolbert (Denmark): Adonnis Tolbert is a sturdy and strong athlete that puts the power in power forward. He brings his football toughness to the hardwood and knows how to use his body. He has a strong vertical explosion when finishing strong in the paint and has a very trusty mid-range jump shot. Tolbert had 14 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block in a 69-68 OT loss to Team Forrest.

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.