Potential Breakout Players in Class 5A State Playoffs

<p>The bigger the stage, the brighter the spotlight. Here are some players who have a chance to make breakout postseason runs, ranging from established household names to those you might not have heard as much about.</p> <h2><strong>Class 5A</strong></h2> <p><strong>2020 5-10 G Jaiquez Smith – Clarke Central</strong></p> <p>A 1,000-point scorer and All-Region selection, Jaiquez Smith has Clarke Central back in the postseason as a dangerous three-seed. Smith is a solid three-point shooter but is good at finishing in traffic as well. The Gladiators have been battle-tested throughout the season. If a big shot is needed down the stretch, expect Smith to have his number called.</p> <p><strong>2023 6-1 G <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/david-thomas/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/david-thomas/">David Thomas</a></a> – Eagle's Landing</strong></p> <p>With <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keith-lamar/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keith-lamar/">Keith Lamar</a></a> ailing and Eagle's Landing having a recent history of struggling to get past the Sweet 16, freshman <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/david-thomas/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/david-thomas/">David Thomas</a></a> could be the X-Factor to get the Eagles playing in March. Thomas is a polished scorer from all three levels and has varsity experience dating back to his time at New Creation Christian. He's played at a high level since Day 1 and a March to Macon could be the first chapter in a potentially historic career at Eagle's Landing.</p> <p><strong>2020 6-0 PG <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keon-sedgwick/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keon-sedgwick/">Keon Sedgwick</a></a> – Paulding County</strong></p> <p>Lightning quick and sometimes unpredictable, you take the good with the bad with the electrifying <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keon-sedgwick/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keon-sedgwick/">Keon Sedgwick</a></a>. He can be a little too amped up at times, but once he settles into the game, Sedgwick can turn a contest upside down with his break-neck pace. He sent Carrollton home early when he dumped in 18 of his game-high 33 points in the fourth quarter. Sedgwick has elite lateral quickness and can stop on a dime when attacking the basket to hit his favorite pull-up. He is at his best in an up-and-down setting and will challenge Southwest DeKalb with his shiftiness.</p> <p><strong>2020 6-2 SG <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/deandre-brown/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/deandre-brown/">Deandre Brown</a></a> – Hiram</strong></p> <p>Schools still in need of a shot-maker need to check out <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/deandre-brown/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/deandre-brown/">Deandre Brown</a></a>, who has been doing it for a long time at Therrell, Holy Spirit Prep and now Hiram. The Southpaw has deep range from three and is an aggressive defender that can jump passing lanes. His arrival at Hiram has made the Hornets a title contender as they just knocked off Kell to grab the Region 7 title. Brown will have to be locked in as they host four-seed Lithonia who entered the Region 5 tournament at 24-1 and ranked No. 1 in the state before losing twice. With <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/eric-gaines/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/eric-gaines/">Eric Gaines</a></a> as the opposition, expect coaches to be lining up to see the guard matchup.</p> <p><strong>2020 6-0 CG <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-blossomgame/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-blossomgame/">Justin Blossomgame</a></a> – Riverdale</strong></p> <p>The biggest surprise in the state is 11-10 Riverdale winning the Region 3 title. Athletic scoring guard <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-blossomgame/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/justin-blossomgame/">Justin Blossomgame</a></a> will now have a big stage to showcase his abilities as the Raiders host Bainbridge. Blossomgame plays above the rim and is a highlight maker. One last push can set him up for a big spring as one of Georgia's more interesting unsigned seniors.</p> <p><strong>2022 6-6 F <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zaylan-chaney/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zaylan-chaney/">Zaylan Chaney</a></a> – Cass</strong></p> <p>Bartow County's next D-I prospect very well could be <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zaylan-chaney/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/zaylan-chaney/">Zaylan Chaney</a></a>. The gifted combo-forward has big game. He can breakdown his man off the dribble and finish in the lane but also has a good enough three-point shot that defenses have to respect. As he grows, Chaney will need to improve his effort on defense but all the natural tools are there for him to become a big-time player. Having an opportunity to see the postseason at a young age will only benefit him. He will run into some big bodies at Columbia which will pose a good test for the burgeoning star.</p> <p><strong>2020 6-3 G Zarion Griffin – Statesboro</strong></p> <p>A 20-game winning streak was snapped for Statesboro as they lost 49-46 to Wayne County in the Region 2 Championship. The offense runs through Zarion Griffin who posts 21.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.3 steals a night. Griffin has had interest from Georgia Southern, but he will likely be a JUCO candidate as his first offer just came through from South Georgia Tech. The talented scorer could reemerge as a D-I prospect if he does go the JUCO route.</p>