“Emergers”: Breakouts from Dec 13-19

<p>As we close out a busy month on the GA basketball scene, we take a look at some breakouts from the late December holiday slate.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="873089" first="Aidan" last="Temple"], 6-4, Sophomore, PF, Johns Creek</strong></em></span></p> <p>Second chance seeing him at the Lambert Holiday Classic after a summer where he turned heads for the ATL T-Wolves, great feet and understanding of positioning for a young low post player, can beat you with both craftiness and power near the basket, becomes an even greater weapon with his ability to knock down 3’s, stepping out on a pick and roll or converting off the break as a trailer.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Duke Clayton (2022) and [player_tooltip player_id="598759" first="Jairus" last="Griffin"] (2022), Peachtree Ridge</strong></em></span></p> <p>The 6-6 post Clayton showed pretty good feet of his own for a big guy (stepping into that post spot for the departed [player_tooltip player_id="869631" first="Navaughn" last="Maise"]), dancing his way through traffic with a classic back to the basket game, a force on the glass too, Griffin is a A+ athlete at 6-4 who is so gifted physically that he sometimes needs to dial it down a speed, but when he does (12 fourth-qtr points against Providence C at the LHC), he can power his way to points and rebounds in bunches.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>Nico Wilson, 6-0, Sophomore, CG, Lambert</strong></em></span></p> <p>A superb athlete who flies with the ball, can really get up and guard you, particularly aggressive driving it to the basket, adds energy and fight in his time on the floor, can play either guard position, had 11 key points off the bench for the host Longhorns at their Holiday Classic.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050121" first="Dre" last="Raven"], 6-0, Sophomore, PG, Cherokee Bluff</strong></em></span></p> <p>What you see with Raven is a clearly refined PG game and understanding of the position, he’s never rushed, has great vision and a superb handle, can score from multiple spots, strong build, an absolute riser in the class and combos well with fellow 2023 and 3-point bomber [player_tooltip player_id="953621" first="Cade" last="Simmons"] in the backcourt.  </p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1059030" first="Jaylen" last="Priester"], 5-9, Sophomore, PG, Creekside Christian (pictured above)</strong></em></span></p> <p>Exciting potential oozes from Priester who just looks and moves like a polished player, advanced handle gets him through traffic and when he turns it up a notch he can be a pure blow-by scorer, doesn’t mind getting to the rim but has all the long and mid-range shots in the arsenal, superb one-on-one defender, even with his diminutive size a must-watch riser in the 2023 class.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1059031" first="Caleb" last="McCoy"], 6-3, Junior, SG, Creekside Christian</strong></em></span></p> <p>Pure shooter with a scorer’s mentality, always ready to launch which is an unteachable asset, plenty of  confidence and game to back it up, range well out past the line with accuracy, good size, great attitude and infectious enthusiasm on the floor.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>