GE8TOC Standouts Part 1
Powder Springs, Georgia – The 3rd annual Georgia Elite 8 Tip Off Classic tipped off Saturday and what a great slay of games it gave us. The 2018 GE8TOC was filled with great games from start to finish, including two games that went into overtime, and the finale between Anthony Edwards and Holy Spirit against Okoro, Cooper, and McEachern. There was talent displayed all over the floor all day long and below I have listed my standouts from the loaded event.
Note: Part 1 of 4
2020 PG Sharife Cooper – McEachern High School
The 6-foot-1 floor general Sharife Cooper bought his summer circuit hype into the high school season. Cooper and his McEachern squad were coming into this season with a vengance to get back to where they left off last year. Sharife put his talents on display on Saturday by dropping 23 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds and where half his points came in the second half to lead the Indians past Holy Spirit. He showed and proved once again why he is the best point guard in the peach state. His quickness off the dribble and vision in the open floor always seems to standout every game. Sharife was able to show he can penetrate and get inside the paint even with bigger defenders down low. He also put his three point shooting skills on display by knocking down three three’s.
2020 SG Anthony Edwards – Holy Spirit Prep
All the hype to end the night did not just include McEachern but this kid here right here and he did not disappoint. Even though the Cougars of Holy Spirit fell short in their matchup with McEachern, Anthony “Ant-Man” Edwards dropped a monster 31 points and 10 rebounds in Saturday’s showcase. Edwards had a standout and phenomenal summer circuit this past summer and where he put the nation on notice. Some say he is the best player in the nation regardless of class and that is hard to argue cause the 6-foot-5 shooting guard proves it every time. He is a big bodied two-guard who is smooth with the ball in his hands. Anthony is an explosive and powerful dunker and he certainly put that on display in the GE8TOC. Anthony Edwards was the most valuable player at Saturday’s event.
2019 F Isaac Okoro (Auburn) – McEachern High School
Besides the 2020 show between Cooper and Edwards, Auburn commit Isaac Okoro did his damage as well. Okoro finished with 19 points and 7 rebounds in their win over Holy Spirit. What makes Isaac so special is not only his abilities to get to the rim but his on ball defense. Nobody during Saturday’s showcase had a harder job on defense then Isaac as he was matched up man-to-man with Edwards of Holy Spirit. Okoro has a huge frame sitting at 6-foot-6 or maybe 6-foot-7. He is good at moving without the ball and once he posses the ball he is able to use his strength and power to get to the rim. Isaac had him a couple “sportscenter top 10” plays as well. Okoro and Cooper have never lost on their home floor in a McEachern uniform. Let that sink in for a second.
2020 PG Myson Lowe – Cumberland Christian
The 5-foot-8 point guard Myson Lowe started the day off on Saturday with a 24 point performance in his team’s lost to The Walker School. After transferring from North Cobb Christian to Whitefield Academy, Myson decided to finally transfer to Cumberland Christian. He is undersized but he can defintely ball. Myson is a good outside shooter on the perimeter and in the mid range area. He is also able to attack and penetrate off the dribble and showed he can draw defenders in and find his open teammates.
2020 F Giancarlo Bastiaonni-Sanchez – Trinity Christian School
Giancarlo Bastiaonni-Sanchez had a great performance in Saturday’s tip off classic. The junior forward is certainly underrated right now and barely talked about. After watching Giancarlo that last two weeks, he has been very impressive. He is not, as of right now, a “wow” you type of player but he is a smart basketball player and does what he does best. He is a 6-foot-7 forward with a big frame and is best when he is around the rim. Sanchez has somewhat good foot work for a kid his size and his most underrated skill might be his passing. The junior forward showed his passing skills just a bit but he just has a nice feel for the game. He finished with 21 points total in Trinity Christian’s win over Miller Grove.