ATL Timberwolves (Green)
2022 6-6 SF Aidan Hadaway – LaFayette
LaFayette can’t keep hiding from the rest of the state. After they nearly defeated eventual Class 4A State Runner-Up Cross Creek in the Elite 8, the secret is out – the Ramblers can play. LaFayette has still been hesitant to schedule strong teams in the regular season, but if there was ever a time to do so and help garner exposure for their players, it would be now. Aside from 2021 6-6 F DeCameron Porter (15.8 ppg, 13.4 rpg, 3.2 bpg), Aidan Hadaway is another budding star that averaged 21 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. On Saturday battling against an equally bouncy Jatarion Warren, Hadaway won the war posting 16 points, 13 rebounds, 1 steal and 4 blocks. Hadaway was everywhere on the floor. His motor and nose for the ball is near the best in the state. He always finds a way to affect plays. Not only was the lefty scoring from the mid-range and on drives but he was willing to challenge anyone at the rim, erasing dunk attempts. Hadaway is trending in the right direction.
2021 6-1 CG Jace Saxton & 2021 6-1 PG Dylan Garrington – North Oconee
The North Oconee duo forms a tough backcourt in Bogart. Saxton, a lefty, is a burly guard with a strong and stock bottom half. Saxton looks like he could play fullback but instead uses his frame to cut into the lane and finish at the rim. He came on strong in the second half against the North Atlanta Orangemen and scored 8 of his 10 points to go along with his 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Saxton averaged 16 points per game as a junior while Garrington poured in 18.7. Garrington has some meat on his bones as well and by no means be mistaken for a slender guard. Both players have been in the weight room and it shows. Garrington hit daggers from deep in the second half with three three-pointers. He finished with 15 points, 1 rebound and 3 assists. More than just his outside shooting, Garrington showcased his court vision and handed off some pretty assists in the win. Year 2 in Coach Rick Rasmussen’s system should produce plenty of wins in the newly formed Region 8-AAAA.
ATL Timberwolves (White)
When you have two of the state’s best passers on the same team, fun things happen. Class 6A Best Passer 2021 6-0 PG Will Kolker (Pope) and Class 4A Best Passer 2021 5-11 PG Brookes Kahlert (St. Pius X) team up with 2021 6-0 PG Jax Bouknight (Blessed Trinity) to form a breakneck offense that moves the ball in the blink of an eye which leads to easy baskets. The Timberwolves destroyed the GA Knights on Saturday 78-47. As a team, the Timberwolves compiled 19 assists.
Kolker finished with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal. The lefty makes jaw-dropping reads and riffles in bullets to teammates. He’s hunkered down in the weight room over the pandemic and is up to 190 pounds which gives him that much more strength when taking it to the basket.
Kahlert, already a viral sensation with his flashy dribbling and no-look passing, posted 3 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Just like Kolker, Kahlert can impact games without scoring with his setup passes.
The third head of the backcourt is Bouknight, who blends scoring with court vision. He’s a smooth shooter and quick driver that can hit floaters in the lane. He finished with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Bouknight and Kolker are a little ahead of Kahlert in terms of point production over the course of their careers.
The frontcourt of the Timberwolves is equally entertaining. 2021 6-6 W Max Hrdlicka (Glynn Academy) has been a trendy name from down on the coast, picking up his first offer from North Florida. One of the first words used to describe Hrdlicka’s game that everyone can agree upon is effortless. He has a simple, near set-shot three-point shot that is launched with a quick flick of the wrist. He’s a knockdown shooter with his feet set but also can elevate over defenders off the bounce. Hrdlicka’s blossomed versatility rounds him out as a strong slasher and rebounder as well. He went for a game-high 19 points (3 threes), 4 rebounds and 3 steals.
2021 6-3 SG Brendan Rigsbee (North Gwinnett) seems to be one of everyone’s favorite players on and off the court. Seeing him for the first time on Saturday, the springy lefty did not disappoint. Rigsbee is a great athlete with a quick first step and bouncy finish. His athleticism makes him a tough cover once he turns the corner when slashing to the basket. He can elevate over most shot blockers to get a clear look at the rim which pairs well with his soft touch. Rigsbee finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 blocks.
2020 6-6 F Ross Shepherd (Pope) turned down D-II and D-III looks to go to school at Georgia Tech and potentially walk-on with the Yellow Jackets. Another good athlete, Shepherd is active around the rim and battles for rebounds. He has nice footwork which he uses both on the low block and on the perimeter. Shepherd produced a productive game on both sides of the floor going for 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 5 blocks.