Sandy’s Spiel Shootout Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sandy's Spiel Shootout tips off this Saturday (12/17) at Monroe Area High School in Monroe, Georgia. The event features six ranked teams and a pair of Top 10 matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1697707,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/sandy-spiel-3.1.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/12/sandy-spiel-3.1.png?w=819" alt="" class="wp-image-1697707" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>12:00 – 1A D-I No. 5 Social Circle vs. 7A No. 8 Archer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two tough, physical teams hook up to start the day with Social Circle and Archer. Both teams are comfortable picking up full-court and dictating tempo. The Redskins like to play fast with [player_tooltip player_id='1594263' first='Phillip' last='Baynes'], a Northern Illinois football-commit, typically at the head of the press, wreaking havoc at 6-foot-3. Baynes' role in the offense has grown this year as his ball skills and perimeter play have improved.&nbsp; When a bucket is needed, [player_tooltip player_id='1359903' first='Lamarius' last='Jackson'] is the top option. The twin had a huge offseason and has already had some loud scoring outbursts. He has transformed into a deadly three-point shooter that can score in bunches while mixing in slices to the rim. Brother [player_tooltip player_id='1359904' first='Quindarius' last='Jackson'], is a great rebounder for his size and another jumping jack that is full of energy on defense. Dashon Hyman has stepped up his senior season to provide some scoring in the backcourt while 6-foot-6, 270-pound [player_tooltip player_id='1045877' first='AJ' last='Vinson'] is a mountain inside that can't be moved off the block. Social Circle will have to handle pressure against Archer, whose physical defense travels. The move-in of [player_tooltip player_id='1155729' first='Kahmare' last='Holmes'] changed the outlook of the Tigers in the offseason. The 6-foot-4 guard leads Archer in scoring (18.0), rebounding (5.7), steals (2.9) and blocks (0.7).&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='1617612' first='Darrian' last='Joseph'] averages 9.1 points and a team-best 3.1 assists per game while Elijah Davis (8.6 ppg) and Seth Means (6.2 ppg) are the Tigers' two best shooters leading the team in makes with 14 and 11, respectively. Josh Mathurin (5.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.7 apg) provides depth in the backcourt while 6-foot-5 Dominick Wright is a long-armed forward that chips in 4.8 points and 5 rebounds per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>1:30 – Tattnall County vs. 1A D-II No. 2 Christian Heritage</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tattnall County has had some heart-breaking losses this season, their latest coming to Windsor Forest on a beyond halfcourt buzzer beater. Things won't get easier with a long trip up north to play Christian Heritage, but if the Warriors are able to steal a victory, it could be a springboard moving forward. [player_tooltip player_id='1589708' first='Nook' last='Prigeon'] will be the focal point for the Warrior offense coming off a career-high 28 points vs. Windsor Forest. The guard is averaging 13 points, 6 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 2.4 steals per game. Jeremiah Mayner (7.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2 spg) and Shavar Carter (7.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg) are key pieces on a veteran team that's top six are all seniors. 6-foot-2 Aaron Proctor is a physical rebounder averaging 4.4 points and 7 boards a night while Malcolm Addison is netting over 6 points per game. The Warriors have a lot of strength on the roster with a handful of dual sport athletes that thrive on the football field. The biggest tasks for Tattnall County will be limiting turnovers, defending the three-point line and holding [player_tooltip player_id='1055485' first='Jax' last='Abernathy'] in check. Abernathy, who is receiving interest from D-I schools, is pouring in over 20 points per game. The 6-foot-4 guard is possibly the state's most efficient scorer, capable of putting up points from all three levels without typically missing many shots. The Lions move the ball well on offense and have a lot of motion, leading to backdoor cuts. Dontae Crowder is a big sophomore swingman that is starting to make a consistent impact on both ends of the floor while [player_tooltip player_id='1558576' first='Isaac' last='Plavich'] is a knockdown shooter that opens up the court. [player_tooltip player_id='1055486' first='Cash' last='Hare'] is one of the most consistent rebounders around and also a scoring threat that can produce double-doubles all while serving as a point-forward in spurts with his ability to pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>3:00 – 5A No. 7 Lithonia vs. 4A No. 6 Baldwin</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No matter who is on the roster, Lithonia always finds a way to compete at a high level. The Bulldogs have battled through adversity and find themselves with their best basketball still ahead. 6-foot-2 senior [player_tooltip player_id='1201505' first='Caleb' last='Taylor'] leads Lithonia averaging 12.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals. Fellow seniors Joshua Daniels (8.9 ppg), Cortez Vaughn (7.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg) and [player_tooltip player_id='1212006' first='Chase' last='Lawrence'] (7 ppg, 2.6 spg) are all trusted commodities. 6-foot-2 sophomore Marcus Calhoun has a bright future, contributing 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. The Bulldogs have a fun test in Baldwin, another scrappy senior-heavy team that has won big games throughout the course of their career. Baldwin's only loss of the season came to Warner Robins 45-44 but the Braves were without leading scoring [player_tooltip player_id='1050122' first='Rudolph' last='Satcher']. Satcher, the engine that makes Baldwin go, is piling in 20.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Quamond Dennis has stepped up as a junior guard to form the second-head of the attack, pouring in 17.2 points per game. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1131537' first='Jacobi' last='Nixon'] is a physical 6-foot-3 forward that sets the tone inside with his aggression, flirting with a double-double at 9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Tremarius Lawrence (8.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.7 spg) and Kenneth Kelsey (7.5 ppg) round out the primary attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>4:30 – 3A No. 10 Monroe Area vs. Habersham Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monroe Area's athleticism and pressure defense will try to rattle Habersham Central, a team playing with great confidence behind the big four of [player_tooltip player_id='1363541' first='Bryce' last='Pittman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1492782' first='Cole' last='Gary'], [player_tooltip player_id='1055502' first='Brannon' last='Gaines'] and 6-foot-6 sophomore Josiah McCurry, a burgeoning post presence. Pittman holds offers from Toccoa Falls, Oglethorpe, Piedmont, Wilmington College and Dean College. Gary is a strong slasher while Gaines is a pass-first point guard and a tenacious defender. Jalen Davis is another talented sophomore that has a 29-point performance under his belt. Justus Gober and Brighton Paul have played big roles for Coach Tommy Yancey in his first year on the job. Monroe Area's speed and playmaking between brothers [player_tooltip player_id='1062212' first='Vonte' last='Newell'] and Dre Newell will keep Habersham on their toes with how they can find open teammates at the last second while in the teeth of the defense. Jeremy Anderson leads Monroe Area in scoring, the 6-foot-3 forward already with games of 28, 22 and 18 points. Anderson excels at playing in the dunker spot and being available for drop offs at the rim. 6-foot-7 [player_tooltip player_id='2301460' first='Jaiven' last='Todd'] and Jakyri Jones provide outside shooting while Alan Jones brings toughness as a perimeter defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->