Baseline “Drive” Club Report, Part 1: Georgia Legacy

<p>Like Mel Gibson in the film "The Road Warrior", PrepHoops Georgia ventured out, figuratively of course, into a psuedo-apocalyptic wasteland of sorts. Well, not truly. It was merely an emergence from nearly 3 months of prudent safety measures, now responsibly loosened, so kids can return to the joys of gyms, workouts and the grassroots tournament season.</p> <p>After seeing them workout the week before, I headed back out to see Georgia Legacy Basketball Club’s 16U’s, based out of Cherokee County and marshaled by coach Josh Fitzwater. They hosted North Metro Elite’s 17U’s this past Tuesday night at Furtah Prep in Acworth, and here are some of the top performers for Legacy from that solid effort.</p> <p><strong>Caleb Richardson (Cherokee, 2022, SF)</strong> - Can do a lot of things at a wiry yet strong 6-5, particularly good in space finishing near the basket and off the break, but can step out an knock down the trifecta in the 3-role or even a stretch-4, will see a much larger role in the Warrior frontcourt this year alongside 2021 stars [player_tooltip player_id="754245" first="Taihland" last="Owens"] and [player_tooltip player_id="869583" first="Elijah" last="Tucker"] which will likely lead to an apperance in our rankings list before long.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="870202" first="Dylan" last="Wolle"] (Sequoyah, 2022, SG)</strong> - A solidly built 6-2, Wolle is already known north of the perimeter as one of the Metro’s most dangerous shooters, and he showed it in spurts against an aggressive group of North Metro Elite defenders, not afraid as well to put it on the floor to create space, but can use some work on his foot speed getting past his man as teams lock him up beyond the 3-point line, he’ll emerge next winter as a key cog for the Chiefs with [player_tooltip player_id="868097" first="Jacksen" last="Greco"] and [player_tooltip player_id="868118" first="Donovan" last="Shipp"] graduated.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="870185" first="DJ" last="Potts-Heard"] (Woodstock, 2022, SG)</strong> - A tantalizing athlete with a strong safety build, Potts-Heard had a solid, under-the-radar season for the Wolverines this past winter, he can pretty much get his own shot anytime he wants it off the bounce, and at 6-2 with excellent legs he can elevate over a lot of defenders, like Wolle is deadly from 3-point land if unmarked, has to improve his motor a little, he can dominate a game in spurts at both ends but can drift in and out, yet with a more consistent focus his stock is near limitless.</p> <p><strong>Addarius Harshaw (Cherokee, 2022, PG)</strong> - Harshaw changed the game when he entered in the 2nd quarter for Legacy, his energy all over the floor was infectious, his 5-10 frame doesn’t inhibit him from giving people a hard time at the defensive end, and it’s his hustle on the offensive end which creates for others and inspires his teammates, he can score if sloppily unmarked but his work as a firebrand and facilitator is where he shined Tuesday.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="598745" first="Alex" last="Acosta"] (North Cobb, 2022, PF)</strong> - Acosta admitted to me after the game he didn’t have his best stuff, but what I saw in the team’s workout the week before was impressive from a standpoint of how hard he works to utilize his full stoutly built 6-4 in getting on the glass and chasing down every loose ball, he’s best in close to the basket as a scorer, so an improvement in his mid-range game could really see his stock take off from #76 this coming season and perhaps improve his chances for looks as a more height-appropriate small forward.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="870203" first="Braden" last="Pierce"] (River Ridge, 2022, C)</strong> - Pierce cuts an imposing figure between the lines at 6-10, and I was impressed with how he took it to a very athletic group of North Metro Elite frontcourt players, he’s a developing shot-blocker, able finisher at the rim and good rebounder, and with some improved upper body strength and the addition of a mid-range jumper, he could turn him into a major riser in a frontcourt alongside fellow Knight and 2022 stud [player_tooltip player_id="870150" first="Jared" last="Russo"].</p> <p><strong>Trent Jackson (Creekview, 2022, PG), Fisher Mitchell (Sequoyah, 2022, C)</strong> - Jackson and Mitchell are glue-type players who play hard, smart, instinctive basketball, the kinds of things coaches love and opponents dread. Jackson has a very good handle at the top of the offense, can shoot it from range and is an excellent distributor while not at all hindered at 6-0...Mitchell appears the type to have more growing to do, and certainly his body will mature, but even without either of those things he already does a lot of good things rebounding, passing and being in the right spot to affect the game almost every time down the floor.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>