Glue Guys of the Week (January Week 2)

Every team has one or more glue guys that don’t always get the recognition they deserve, but without teammates willing to do the dirty work, the stars don’t shine and the team doesn’t win. Here are some players whose impact went beyond the box score.

Alexander

2022 6-0 G Zion Fruster

Not playing in the first half could cause a young player to lose focus. That was not the case however for Zion Fruster. When he was inserted into the second half of an intense rivalry game with region seeding implications, Fruster flourished by hitting big shots in the third and fourth quarter. Fruster sank two threes and finished with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal as Alexander knocked off Douglas County in overtime 82-80. More solid performances like that will earn the sophomore more minutes down the home stretch of the season.

2022 6-3 F Tayshaun Bolton Tayshaun Bolton 6'3" | SF Douglas County | 2022 State GA

Alexander was in need of a play after seeing a double-digit road lead dissipate and turn into a two-point deficit with 12 seconds remaining against Douglas County.  Coach Jason Slate’s final play went off the hinges as Jaylon Brown Jaylon Brown 6'2" | CG Alexander | 2020 State GA heaved up a 30-foot prayer with seconds left down 71-69. He missed badly, not even hitting the rim but burly sophomore Tayshaun Bolton Tayshaun Bolton 6'3" | SF Douglas County | 2022 State GA was right there in a sea of white jerseys to collect the rebound and draw a foul with 0.3 seconds remaining to earn a trip to the line. Bolton, who didn’t play his best game and looked young at times, showed his mental fortitude by sinking both free throws to send the game to overtime where the Cougars would end up winning. Bolton had 8 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals, scoring six of his points in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Douglas County

2021 6-4 PF Adonis Jennings

Adonis Jennings didn’t see much burn if any at all in the first half but the physical power forward made a difference for Coach Hollis Bethea. Entering the game averaging 1.2 points and 1.6 rebounds, Jennings pounded the glass for 6 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists. Jennings provided some toughness in his newfound minutes after the ejection of Omarion Smith Omarion Smith 6'5" | PF Douglas County | 2021 State GA and capitalized in his time on the floor.

Woodward Academy

2020 5-9 PG Michael Whitmore Michael Whitmore 5'9" | PG Woodward Academy | 2020 State GA

With the addition of Emory Lanier Emory Lanier 6'3" | PG Woodward Academy | 2020 State #370 Nation GA (Davidson) and Will Richard Will Richard 6'5" | SF Woodward Academy | 2021 State GA to the program, Michael Whitmore Michael Whitmore 5'9" | PG Woodward Academy | 2020 State GA ’s offensive role has diminished but his value to the War Eagles has not. The energetic point guard ran the show in No. 1 Woodward Academy’s 79-65 win over North Clayton. Whitmore collected 2 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 steals. He is a pesky defender and with his quickness, he can create havoc with the ball in his hands. The tough-nosed competitor kicked off his recruitment when he earned an offer from Maryville College on Monday.

North Clayton

2022 6-3 W Destin Logan

A long wing with a knack for making plays, Destin Logan had a nice game for North Clayton in their loss to No. 1 Woodward Academy with 5 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Logan is an active defender with good instincts. On offense he can stretch the defense with his outside shooting. Logan is averaging 3.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists and should take a huge leap in production next year after the graduation of Jermaine Lattimore and Xavier Valley Xavier Valley 6'7" | SF North Clayton | 2020 State GA .

2020 6-6 PF Onuma Dieke

When I first saw OD play back in the summer, I loved what he brought to the table. An athletic hard-nosed post presence that rebounds and can protect the rim. Dieke is headed to UMass to play wide receiver and those same great hands and leaping ability help him solidify North Clayton in the paint. While he’s not a guy who will get you 20 & 10, Dieke does everything you need out of a high school big. Against 7-footer Walker Kessler Walker Kessler 7'0" | PF Landmark Christian | 2020 State #17 Nation GA (UNC), Dieke battled his way to 12 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block with a handful of thunderous dunks. Dieke has quickly become a favorite of mine.

Wheeler

2020 6-0 PG Nash Kelly Nash Kelly 6'2" | PG Wheeler | 2020 State GA

In a hostile environment with first-place in Region 2-AAAAAAA on the line, Kelly was inserted into the lineup late in the first quarter after star freshman Isaiah Collier Isaiah Collier 6'4" | PG Wheeler | 2023 State #8 Nation GA broke his shoulder. Kelly didn’t provide the scoring that Wheeler is accustom to from Collier but he did everything he was asked of and contributed 3 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in a 60-52 win at No. 8 East Coweta. Kelly got the ball in the right hands and played a big role in the fourth quarter handling the Indians’ full court press. His rebounding came up big as he showed a nose for the ball and willingness to fight on the glass.