The Road To State: Georgia

<p>The teams continue to get better as we enter Georgia’s AAA Regional title game. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="754230" first="Jabari" last="Smith"]</strong> had a terrific offensive display heading a 45 point win over the <strong>Salem Seminoles</strong>.</p> <p>Opening up the game with a smooth catch n shoot 3, Smith fits his billing as a projectable stretch four. He finished the night 3-6 from deep, nearly racking up 20 points before the second half began. Smith blew by closeouts all game finishing at the rim or hitting pull-up jumpers around the free throw line. On one drive in particular the 6-10 Auburn commit ripped left to the baseline, escaping the closeout and sidestepping a man in a position to take a charge before exploding to the rim for an and1 finish.</p> <p>This was a total package game for Smith on the offensive end. The highlights of this game come from the pass fake that spent his defender in a circle before scoring on a drive. Another came as a steal led to a statue of liberty dunk that punctuated a game that was getting out of hand late.</p> <p>If <strong>Sandy Creek</strong> was looking to pass someone, the torch after [player_tooltip player_id="754230" first="Jabari" last="Smith"] leaves the school, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1050448" first="Micah" last="Smith"]</strong> could take it and run. At 6-8, he already has prototypical size for either forward position. The freshman finishes with length, displaying an ability to dive out of picks that led to a lay in over the outstretched arms of a 6-6 defender. He fights for offensive boards, drawing two fouls on the night with his physical play.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="869589" first="Myles" last="Rice"]</strong>, the Washington State commit is a defensive guard prospect. His defensive disruption led to several steals and deflections. He scores well in transition, racking up 5 points including an and1 on the break.</p> <p>2021 prospect <strong>Jeff Hood</strong> shows good athleticism and a solid physical frame. Attacking the closeout and finishing with a chin-up on the rim was his highlight of the night.</p> <p><strong>Vic Newsom</strong> represents the 2023 class in the regional final showdown. Newsom was in double figures before the third quarter began. His shooting chart varies, hitting shots on all three levels. He sank a corner three, hit floaters in the midrange, and scored in the rim with drives and a putback.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="806728" first="Deshon" last="Proctor"]</strong> will bring his bully ball style to Houston Baptist once his state title run ends, hopefully wearing a new ring. Besides rebounding, Proctor stepped out and hit the three. Like all the listed Sandy Creek players, he attacked closeout, finishing through contact. His putback dunk stamped a strong performance.</p> <p><strong>Brandon Kincaid</strong> brings a physical defensive presence to the game. Listed at just 6-6 Kincaid denied [player_tooltip player_id="754230" first="Jabari" last="Smith"] touches near the elbow, applying pressure in his minutes covering the 5-star. The physicality of this 2022 forward is impressive.</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="953075" first="Javen" last="Flowers-Smith"]</strong> has a killer pull-up jumper. He hit mid-range jumpers off screens taking advantage. Flowers-Smith got to the rim at will, building up steam around the volleyball, slicing through his way to the cup. As wired as the senior is to score, he can make plays for others when defenses focus on him. He passes with both hands, throwing darts with either. Though his team didn’t get the victory, he finished his high school career with double-digit scoring.</p> <p>A stocky 6-2 guard, <strong>Jarrod Taylor</strong> made plays as a third option in an older backcourt. He turned defense to offense, collecting a steal and earning an assist on the break. His floater connected with the bottom of the net after a give and go.</p> <p><strong>Avien Young</strong> had little impact on the first half due to foul trouble. However, his second half brought much needed scoring to Salem’s comeback attempt. His first action came from drawing a foul and knocking down both free throws. The next set of points came as a pull-up 3. He’d rain down another shot from the corner, giving him a 50% clip from three in a big win or go home game.</p>