Week 3 Workout Review

Forsyth Central The Bulldogs impressed when I watched them in June and had numerous guys who performed well on their respective travel teams throughout the spring and summer. They should be a contender in Region 5-7A and others are taking notice. One coach in the region told me “They’re the team that scares me.” The 4 guards who I watched workout last Tuesday- Brandon Sherer, Jake Craft, Joakeim Celestin, and Dylan Carter, are a big reason why such things are being said. Sherer has progressed steadily since the summer of 2018, showing maturation in his game and improvement in multiple areas. After visiting Piedmont recently, Sherer was offered by their staff and has an upward trending recruitment. He is best as a scorer off the dribble but can also facilitate and connect on outside shots. Sherer is a good athlete who will surprise you with his leaping ability as well. His biggest area of growth has come in his decision-making and feel for the game. One of the prettiest shots in the state belongs to 2021 G Jake Craft. He has picture-perfect form and soft touch that leaves you thinking every shot will go in. Craft has pretty good range on his shot and looked comfortable on pull-ups during the workout. He looks to have grown a few inches since last fall and seems to be adding some strength to his frame. After a good summer, including a game in which he connected on 10 3’s, Craft should continue to burn nets this winter. Along with Craft in Central’s 2021 class are Joakeim Celestin and Dylan Carter, who also played on the Atlanta Wolfpack this summer like Craft did. You may not know of either but they are very important parts to this team. Both are active, athletic perimeter players who can fill a variety of roles. Celestin might be Central’s best long-term college prospect. He led the team in scoring last year and I’ve been told he has improved his consistency. Celestin is an exceptional leaper with long arms and a good motor. He looked particularly good on mid-range jumpers where he elevates well and has some touch. His progress over the next year will be worth tracking. Carter gives the Bulldogs an energetic, do-everything type of guy. He flies around the court and can impact the game on offense or defense. The 24-point 2nd half performance he had in July with the Wolfpack still sticks in my mind. During the workout, he was able to display his athleticism; Carter is pretty powerful off of two feet and always looks for opportunities to explode to the rim. He is a streaky shooter who could provide a big boost if he’s able to be a consistent shot-maker this season. On an undersized team, his rebounding and ability to guard multiple positions is very valuable.   West Forsyth The next morning, I found myself in Cumming again where I watched 4 of West Forsyth’s guards this time. Broc Bidwell, Jack Bock, and brothers Nick and Zack Zabetakis were in for the Wolverines on this day. West should be in store for another successful season and are looking to be a state playoff team for the 5th straight year. One of the most skilled players in the county, 2021 PG Broc Bidwell has done a lot for the Wolverines in each of his first 2 seasons. He handles scoring and distributing duties well, which is needed on a well-rounded roster of guards at West. Bidwell is an exceptional shooter from 3 and likes to utilize floaters off the dribble. Look for him to have a big year once again. Another player who will play on the ball for the Wolverines is Nick Zabetakis. He’s a small, speedy guard who likes to attack the basket despite his size. Although he didn’t shoot particularly well during the workout, he can get hot from deep. He’ll be able to create opportunities for West with his ability to penetrate the defense. Jack Bock had a steady summer and showed a good overall game with West and the Reach Higher Kings; he’s a pretty underrated player that colleges should look into. Bock has good size at the 2 spot and excels as a shooter off the bounce. He gets good lift on pull-ups and has a soft shot that gives him good rolls. Rebounding and defense are two areas he’ll help in as well. Like his brother, Zack Zabetakis has speed that’ll be an asset. He’s more of a defensive player, but will hit outside shots occasionally. Over the summer, Zabetakis gave West lots of energy on both ends and used his speed to fly around and get involved in plays.     Kennesaw Mountain After being an assistant at Kennesaw Mountain and then leading Alpharetta’s program the past two years, Coach Eric Blair has taken over as HC for the Mustangs and has some pieces to work with. KM will use numerous guards and forwards that should give solid production. The team’s best prospect, Perry Robinson, was not in attendance for the workout, but fellow senior Zyon Gaddis was and is someone who you should start to hear more about in 2019-20. Gaddis is 6’8” with a big body and massive legs; his physical attributes alone make college coaches wonder about him. He has some touch and footwork inside the paint and is able to rise above the rim off one or two feet despite his hefty frame. Gaddis could be one to produce at the college level if he continues to polish his skill and make strides with his body and conditioning. Alongside Gaddis in the frontcourt is Isaiah Pettigrew, a 2021 prospect who was at Hillgrove last year. He is still raw, but has really long arms and moves well. Pettigrew has decent form and does not mind taking perimeter jumpers. Gaining experience and staying active will be key for Pettigrew this year; he should give the Mustangs a rebounder, rim-protector, and finisher. MJ Matthews and Nick Hein made up the guards in the workout. Matthews is a 2022 PG who will have the ball in his hands a good bit. He has an effective, consistent shot that doesn’t have much extra movement or effort on its release. Matthews has a smooth, laid-back game and can make some things happen off the dribble. As he polishes up his decision-making and becomes more mature, he’ll be one to watch out for. Hein is a 2021 SG who can impact the game in multiple areas. He caught my eye as a shooter over the summer, but is more than that. He plays with some peskiness on defense and is becoming much better as a slasher and ball-handler. Hein will be a key piece to their success this year.     Pace Later on Thursday, I went to watch 2 of Pace’s 2021 studs in Matt Cleveland and Madison Durr. Both top perimeter prospects in the state, Cleveland and Durr are trying to ride momentum from the summer into the winter. Although there were some rough spots during the workout, they showed flashes of why they’re two of the best players in Georgia’s 2021 class. Cleveland did a lot of what you would expect him to do in the session. When they got into open court drills, he was very difficult to stop as a finisher on either side of the basket. Cleveland explodes well above the rim off of one or two feet easily and can do so without much prior momentum. His height and length as a perimeter player at 6’6” can also cause problems on defense. He is still improving his consistency from deep but has added a few new moves to his mid-range package off the bounce. When Cleveland is intense and locked in, there aren’t many at the high school level that can handle him. High-major coaches have come to see him left and right this week and for good reason. Durr had a very productive summer and is finally starting to get the attention from colleges that he is worthy, as evident by his recent visit to UGA. A 6’4 guard that can play on or off the ball, Durr has the size that coaches love. He is built well and initiates contact often on his way to the basket. Similar to Cleveland, Durr is able to get to his mid-range spots and shoot over smaller guards, but will need continued development from range. Durr plays with an edge to him and lots of intensity, he is usually one of the most vocal players on the court and tries to get in guys’ heads even in a workout environment.