Sandy’s Spiel Showdown Boys Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Sandy's Spiel Showdown tips-off at 11:00 AM at Cherokee High School this Saturday (12/3).</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1677093,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/Sandys-Spiel-Showdown-Schedule.png"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/11/Sandys-Spiel-Showdown-Schedule.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1677093" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>12:30 – No. 9 North Cobb Christian vs. Chattooga</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How will Chattooga stop [player_tooltip player_id='1359902' first='Albert' last='Wilson'] III? That is the simple key to the game. Wilson already has single-handedly torn apart teams, averaging 29.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3 blocks through his first two games. If Wilson begins to draw a crowd, he can kick out to three-point shooters Christian Hernandez and [player_tooltip player_id='1049233' first='CJ' last='Wallace']. [player_tooltip player_id='1264062' first='Samuel' last='Ayegunle'] could be another area of concern for Chattooga with his aggressive rebounding and interior defense. Chattooga, always plucky, will be playing for the community after the loss of three student-athletes, two from the basketball program. [player_tooltip player_id='2731345' first='Dan' last='Meyer'], Trey Smith and Bowden Heathcock will play elevated roles in the backcourt. 6-foot-6 senior Brady Groce will be important in dictating the action in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>3:30 – Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe vs. Kennesaw Mountain</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The transfer bug bit LFO in the offseason but the Warriors still have star power in [player_tooltip player_id='873081' first='Brent' last='Bowman'], a 6-foot-3 knockdown jump shooter who excels at getting to his spots in the mid-range. Fellow senior 6-foot-3 Amari Burnett will play a big role as an inside-out forward that is a valuable rebounder. The Warriors battle an improved Kennesaw Mountain team that is starting to find their identity. [player_tooltip player_id='1300675' first='Jake' last='Whitaker'] can be a mismatch at 6-foot-5 with the ability to stretch the floor with his three-point shot. [player_tooltip player_id='1267167' first='Elijah' last='Ford'] helps set the tone defensively and is an improving playmaker off the dribble. Keep an eye on Hayden Hall if the game comes down to the wire. He's a big-shot maker that doesn't shy away from the moment. His three-point shooting can torch opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>6:30 – Cherokee vs. No. 8 Darlington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Little nagging injuries have bothered Cherokee early in the season but they haven't held the Warriors back as the high-octane offense cracked 80 points twice in their first three games. Cherokee has great offensive firepower in the backcourt with [player_tooltip player_id='793816' first='Cameron' last='Pope'], [player_tooltip player_id='1020689' first='Tayden' last='Owens'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1534489' first='Lawrence' last='Sanford']. At the Sandy's Spiel Tip-Off Classic, the Warriors blasted White County 82-48 with Owens netted 21 points and Pope collecting 18 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Cherokee is very unselfish and loves to work the ball around for open threes. [player_tooltip player_id='1565018' first='Mason' last='Bennett'] is a pitbull defender that can also score in spurts. [player_tooltip player_id='1525609' first='Braylin' last='Giddens'] is an unsung hero with his on-ball defense and scoring touch. He tallied 5 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 7 steals vs. White County. [player_tooltip player_id='1201526' first='Dastin' last='Hart'] has missed time due to an ankle injury, but when healthy, the 6-foot-5 forward can shoot the corner three and play above the rim inside. Class A D-I No. 8 Darlington doesn't have the individual offensive fireworks that Cherokee does but the Tigers do have a solid system that spreads the floor on offense and will play hardnosed defense. Darlington is getting a late start to the season, but will have their football players back. [player_tooltip player_id='1227101' first='D'marion' last='Floyd'] is a dynamic athlete that can get downhill and create for others. [player_tooltip player_id='1492781' first='Szymon' last='Paluch'], [player_tooltip player_id='1227098' first='Jack' last='Bell'] and Asa Shepard look to space out the defense with their three-point shooting. Joseph Womack has shown signs of taking a major step forward in the backcourt while Braden Bell is a trusted floor general that is an extension of Coach Nathan West. 6-foot-5 stretch forward Charlie Bell and high-energy slasher Quin McClarity could be wild cards along with Mackay Rush.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->