Grayson New Year Classic: Top Performers Pt. 2

<p><strong>Grayson New Year Classic: Top Performers Pt. 2</strong></p> <p><strong>2022 6-7 F [player_tooltip player_id="758360" first="RJ" last="Godfrey"] – North Gwinnett</strong></p> <p>Clemson is getting an action figure. [player_tooltip player_id="758360" first="RJ" last="Godfrey"] looks like a super hero with his chiseled physique. Godfrey isn’t just for show though, he’s got the game to back it up. When North Gwinnett needed him most he delivered, scoring seven of his team-high 18 points in overtime while collecting 15 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 4 blocks. Godfrey had to work hard against Eagle’s Landing. He got stripped and fouled countless times when trying to score inside. He finished 8-12 from the line and kept battling through the physical play. His best offensive move came late in overtime, spinning baseline and scoring a contested falling layup.</p> <p><strong>2023 6-2 PG [player_tooltip player_id="598781" first="David" last="Thomas"] – Eagle’s Landing</strong></p> <p>The leader of the most electrifying transition team in Georgia, [player_tooltip player_id="598781" first="David" last="Thomas"] put up 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals in another trademark stat sheet stuffing performance.  Thomas is lightning quick on the break and is an elite finisher through contact. His ability to locate the rim and balance himself in the air before taking a spill is impressive. David is a three-level scorer. He caught an alley-oop, nailed a three, scored from the mid-range and dropped in floaters, giving North Gwinnett the full [player_tooltip player_id="598781" first="David" last="Thomas"] experience. His on-ball defense and overall instincts on that side of the floor really make him a special two-way player. Thomas holds multiple Low Major offers and a bid from LSU. I view Thomas more as a Power 5 player than a Low Major.</p> <p><strong>2022 6-7 W [player_tooltip player_id="677695" first="Josh" last="Reed"] – Pace Academy</strong></p> <p>Cincinnati-bound swingman [player_tooltip player_id="677695" first="Josh" last="Reed"] was the difference in Pace Academy’s 56-43 win over South Gwinnett. The rugged lefty did yeoman’s work in the paint, posting 20 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block. Reed uses his strength around the rim to fight for position. He is crafty, able to subtly nudge opposing rebounders out of the way with his body in order to better position himself to grab 50/50 balls. On offense, Reed hit two threes and scored on a pair of drives. He went 6-8 from the foul line.</p> <p><strong>2025 6-8 F Bryson Tiller – Pace Academy</strong></p> <p>High Major is written all over Bryson Tiller. Wide shoulders with wiry muscle, Tiller has an elite frame with athletic mobility. He can attack off the dribble from the mid-range and has a pretty spin move into a jumper. Tiller spaces the floor with his three-point shooting and can pound away on the low block. His versatility and skill level are a complete mismatch. He posted 14 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.</p> <p><strong>2022 6-7 W [player_tooltip player_id="948807" first="D’ante" last="Bass"] – Windsor Forest</strong></p> <p>It looked like the trip to Gwinnett County would be wasted as Bass picked up two fouls two minutes into the game and had to sit nearly the entire first quarter, but the Georgetown-signee quickly got into a groove once he reentered and almost led the Knights back from a double-digit second half deficit before bowing out 75-67 at Grayson. Bass compiled 19 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. Bass thrives in an up-tempo game and is a real momentum player. He can shift the balance and flow of a game with a big dunk, block or three, getting the crowd into it. The lefty can hit the three off the bounce and is a high-flying slasher. He proved that he could sink tough turnarounds from the mid-range and score on putbacks. Bass has no issue guarding 1-5 with great switchability. His length, motor and athleticism coupled with his refined offensive game give him a high ceiling.</p> <p><strong>2024 6-4 SG [player_tooltip player_id="1131773" first="Gicarri" last="Harris"] – Grayson</strong></p> <p>It was a coming out party for [player_tooltip player_id="1131773" first="Gicarri" last="Harris"]. The sophomore has had a strong season, reinvigorating his stock. Saturday was the best I have seen him as he went for 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Harris played with aggressive confidence. He drilled three threes in near succession in the third quarter to spring Grayson to a double-digit lead. In the fourth quarter, he sliced his way to the hoop and drew fouls in the process. Harris is a valuable defender that can guard 1-3 and often draws some of the toughest assignments. With multiple High Major offers in hand, Harris is well on his way to becoming one of the top 2024s in Georgia.</p> <p>https://twitter.com/KyleSandy355/status/1480000493258747906</p> <p><strong>2022 6-2 PG [player_tooltip player_id="1050037" first="Tyrese" last="Elliott"] – Grayson</strong></p> <p>Dribble penetration was [player_tooltip player_id="1050037" first="Tyrese" last="Elliott"]’s calling card. Windsor Forest couldn’t keep the physical guard out of the lane. Tyrese would blow by his defender then use his strength to absorb contact and finish And-1s. When the North Carolina A&amp;T-signee got a head of steam, no one was willing to take a charge and the length of the Knights was ineffective in hindering his shots up close. Elliott poured in 19 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists. Grayson can win a state title when Elliott plays as well as he did on Saturday.</p>