Thursday “Dagger” Sheet: Underhyped Impression Makers

<p>In the US, we love the eye-opening moment, that experience where you went somewhere to see one thing, and ended up seeing something completely unexpected (and pleasant). Some of these players may very well occupy a spot on one of our rankings lists, but with some of the incredible star power we’re blessed with in the Atlanta-area, these impression-makers may be best known only to those ardent supporters of their teams. Let’s meet a few from my last few weeks on the road.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">Joseph Scott (Denmark, 2021, PF)</span></strong> - I didn’t get to see Scott when I first saw Denmark over Thanksgiving at Westlake, but this past Tuesday against a rugged and well-drilled Marist club I saw some of the qualities that will potentially make him a star next year when frontcourt mate Adonnis Tolbert moves on. He’s a physical specimen that can create space with ease, moves really well with and without the ball, and has a nice pair of hands, and as he hones his offensive skills to augment his athleticism, the 6-6 junior will catch even more eyes than he currently does.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">Kevin Taylor (Allatoona, 2021, SF)</span></strong> - Taylor had a tough match last Saturday against an athletically gifted opponent in South Cobb, but I thought the long, 6-2 junior stood out on a floor full of talent on both sides. He shot it from deep, took his act to the block, hit the glass, and got out on the break for some smooth finishes, and he is a key piece for a Buccaneers team that will have quite a few components back with him for his senior season next fall.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">Camren Lee (Walnut Grove, 2021, SF)</span></strong> - The Grove has a litany of talented senior players who see a lot of the ball and probably the headlines as well, but it’ll be fascinating to watch the 6-2 junior Lee’s development before he gets to his senior campaign next year. He’s very much a part of this year’s team success for sure, and has an interesting game that jumped out to me - a mix of underrated physicality, smoothness, and smarts which amounts to a highly effective long-range shooter, driver and adept ball-handler all wrapped into one. </p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Kyle Duncan (Centennial, 2021, SG)</strong></span> - A lot of attention when watching Centennial deservedly goes to PG Kaleb Jordan, and not just because he’s former Atlanta Falcon Brian Jordan’s son. But when I left the Big South Shootout at Holy Innocents’ over Christmas break having seen the 6-4 Duncan take it at the host school, I immediately jotted down some notes. The junior can handle it from the wing, loves to get to the basket for contact and was an elite rebounder from the 2-guard spot. He’s as riser in the 2021 class for sure.</p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>TJ Clark (Newton, 2022, SG)</strong></span> - Clark had a bunch of wow moments also at the Big South Shootout, and he did it against top-flight competition in East Coweta. My pen could hardly keep up with his terrific athletic ability combined with a marvelous shooting touch from 3-land. Like all of his high-flying Newton cohorts, he crashed the glass with abandon as well, seemingly leaping onto and over opponents. It was a small display of what the exciting 6-4 sophomore is capable of as his game and body develops.</p> <p><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">Jet Horne (South Gwinnett, 2023, PG)</span></strong> - On any squad in town with the incredible depth of athletes all across the area, when a freshman not only cracks a lineup but is a clear leader, you take notice. Horne has such qualities, a true lead guard with all the moxie of someone playing for Coach K at Duke. An absolute lockdown defender already with a pretty floater game, he’ll be one to watch for sure over the next 3 years as his development unfolds.</p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>JaKobe Strozier (Drew Charter, 2022, SG)</strong></span> - In the same game with Horne was the 6-2 Strozier, who did a little bit of everything in their win over S Gwinnett. The silky left-hander is a high riser and true scorer, finding his way to points in a variety of ways - exploding for dunks, creating his own shot off the bounce and riding it all the way to the hoop off the break. Yet another sophomore in Atlanta with a ton of upside. </p> <p><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Zyair Greene (Miller Grove, 2021, SG)</strong></span> - Athletic and physical, Greene is complimented by a multitude of skilled players among his teammates, and on Day 2 of the Tournament of Champions I was glad I got to see Greene and a solid Miller Grove club. A classic inside-outside threat at a stout 6-2, he was a presence at both ends and on the glass with that physicality, and showed off a sweet shooting touch as well.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>