Friday in Atlanta – Ramsey’s Notebook
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It was another day full of hoops down in Atlanta and the surrounding area on Friday. I’ve been burning up the road making it to all three events today to provide the best wall-to-wall coverage possible. Friday began at the…
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Continue ReadingIt was another day full of hoops down in Atlanta and the surrounding area on Friday. I’ve been burning up the road making it to all three events today to provide the best wall-to-wall coverage possible. Friday began at the Georgia World Congress Center for NY2LA Best of the South, then went to the Cobb Galleria Center for a quick afternoon stop at Prep Hoops Live Atlanta, before ultimately finishing at Woodlan High School for UAA/UA Rise Session III. Let’s run through some of the games, top performers, and more from my Friday in Atlanta.
Dramatic Comeback for 94 Feet Elite 16u
The morning got off with a bang for those who joined the 8:00 a.m. crew on Friday morning at the Best of the South. This game was all Tennessee Blazers early on. They built a 15-point lead as Tanner Kirk (McNairy Central H.S. 2024) and Ace Mahaffey Ace Mahaffey 6'0" | PG Dyersburg | 2024 State TN (Dyersburg H.S. 2024) were scoring the ball at will. 94 Feet Elite still trailed by double figures with eight minutes to play in the game. However, that is when the fortunes started to turn.
5’9″ point guard Lamontae Cross Lamontae Cross 5'10" | PG Bowman Academy | 2024 IN (Bowman Academy 2024) started getting to the basket and scored on three straight possessions to cut into the lead. Then, it was Jerimya Sims (Gary 21st Century 2024) who continued to chip away and put some serious game pressure on the Blazers. A steal and layup with under a minute to go gave 94 Feet their first lead which grew to three points after a couple of free throws. The drama wasn’t done yet though.
Blazers sharp-shooter Ace Mahaffey Ace Mahaffey 6'0" | PG Dyersburg | 2024 State TN nailed a 35-foot three-pointer as time expired to send the game into overtime. However, 94 Feet took control during the two minute period and escaped with an 87-81 victory. Jermiya Sims led the way with 25 points in the game while Lamontae Cross Lamontae Cross 5'10" | PG Bowman Academy | 2024 IN added 21 points.
Evan Haywood Goes Off
On Thursday night it was Cam Casky (Pike H.S. 2024) who went for 26 points to help lead Progeny Blue 16u to victory. On Friday morning, it was Evan Haywood’s (Brebeuf Jesuit 2024) turn. The 6’3″ guard scored 30 points in the contest as Progeny cruised to an easy 61-40 win over SR1 All-Stars.
Kyle Guy 17’s Feature Balanced Scoring Attacks
Both the Kyle Guy Elite 17u Black and Kyle Guy Elite 17u White squads won on Friday afternoon featuring several scorers in double-figures. Kyle Guy White cruised to a 71-42 victory over the Smyrna Stars on the back of 14 points from Drew Cook Drew Cook 6'0" | SG Northview | 2023 State IN (Northview H.S. 2023), 12 from Cade Brenner Cade Brenner 6'3" | SG NorthWood | 2023 State IN (NorthWood H.S. 2023), 11 from Logan Webb Logan Webb 6'3" | SG Linton-Stockton | 2023 State IN (Linton-Stockton H.S. 2023), and 10 from Logan Reinhart Logan Reinhart 6'0" | PG Carmel | 2023 IN (Carmel H.S. 2023).
As for Kyle Guy Black, their game was much more competitive but they still came away with a 52-45 win against a talented No Guts No Glory squad. Dylan Moles Dylan Moles 6'3" | PG Greenfield-Central | 2023 State IN (Greenfield-Central H.S. 2023) led the team with 15 points while Jacob Cherry Jacob Cherry 6'9" | C Eastern-Pekin | 2023 State IN (Eastern Pekin H.S. 2024) added 14 points and Preston Roberts Preston Roberts 6'5" | SF Noblesville | 2023 State IN (Noblesville H.S. 2023) chipped in 11 points.
George Hill All Indy 17u Rolls On
It isn’t really hyperbole to consider George Hill All Indy one of the most talented teams in the country at this point. Led by 5-star Xavier Booker Xavier Booker 6'11" | PF Cathedral | 2023 State #4 Nation IN (Cathedral H.S. 2023) this group is absolutely loaded and has been imposing their will on opponents at The Best of the South. On Friday afternoon they rolled past G1 17u by the score of 57-30.
In front of a contingent of assistant coaches from the likes of Kansas, Oregon, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio, and Purdue, Booker scored a team-leading 13 points in the blowout victory. Under recruited point going guard Keyon Garrett-Miller Keyon Garrett-Miller 6'1" | PG Southport | 2023 State IN (Southport H.S. 2023) was excellent in the second half finishing with 11 points and Joey Brown Joey Brown 6'6" | SG North Central | 2023 State #280 Nation IN (North Central H.S. 2023) provided the spark in the first half also scoring 11 points.
Notes From Prep Hoops Live Atlanta
On Friday afternoon I made the quick trip over to the Cobb Galleria Center to catch EG10 16u and EG10 17u, but also was able to get eyes on a few additional prospects. Let’s run through some of what I saw at this event.
- Ahmere Carson Ahmere Carson 6'2" | PG Anderson | 2023 State IN (Anderson H.S. 2023) was doing what he does best from the tip. The 6’2″ left-handed guard was scoring the basketball offensively, stealing it defensively, and mixed in a couple of beautiful assists. Carson finished with 26 points but EG10 17u fell to P.L.U.T.O Prospects 66-62.
- 5’10″ point guard Devon Woods Devon Woods 5'10" | PG Pike | 2023 State IN (Pike H.S. 2023) and 6’5″ forward Shaun Arnold Shaun Arnold 6'5" | PF Ben Davis | 2023 State IN (Ben Davis H.S. 2023) were also bright spots in the loss for EG10 17u.
- Speaking of prospects showcasing their best skills, 6’5″ guard Jake Fiegen Jake Fiegen 6'3" | SG New Trier | 2023 State IL (New Trier H.S. 2023) had his shooting ability on full display for Full Package Black. His physicality helps him finish at the rim off of the dribble and in the rebounding department as well.
- I had the chance to see him for the first time out at our Prep Hoops event in Kansas City, but 6’7″ forward Trey’Dez Green Trey’Dez Green 6'8" | PF Zachary | 2024 State #54 Nation LA (East Feliciana H.S. 2024) out of Louisiana has become one of my favorites to watch. Also a Top 100 football prospect, Green lives above the rim on both ends of the floor. He is always involved in the action. The LA Broncos are one of the best teams, especially in the 2024 class, at Prep Hoops Live Atlanta.
- 6’7″ forward Malcolm Morris Malcolm Morris 6'7" | C Urbana | 2024 State IL (Urbana H.S. 2024) was one that stood out for EG10 16u on Friday afternoon. The big body forward is a very good rebounder, physical on the block, and has a nice touch around the basket. Was very active on both ends of the floor against the talented front court of the LA Broncos.