Drivin’ the Lane with… South Gwinnett

Drivin&#8217; the Lane with&#8230; South Gwinnett

Keith Agran

November 28, 2024 @ 06:53 PM

As I build my own ladies program now in year 3 at Mt Bethel Christian Academy in a highly competitive A-D1 Region 5, always looking to learn from coaches whose teams and tactics have captivated me.   In year 6 on the trail for me, spending two hours in the gym with teams can be gold, observing coaches who operate in a manner that stand out, and get the most out of their players in an era where just keeping them on your own campus year to year is a challenge.   Took a "drive" out to Snellville this week to visit with Coach Qaree Howard and his Comets, at press time out at 6-0 to start, averaging better than 73 ppg while playing their typical suffocating defense.   ON THE FLOOR   The Comets go hard in practice, a level of energy and physicality that I understand is not unique to SGHS, but the way they compete almost to the point where injury is a concern is impressive. Despite being undefeated with quality wins over St Francis, Decatur, Winder-Barrow and Dacula, Howard had his guys shooting a lot of free throws, trying to lock that area down hoping to better close out games at the line with less dramatics.   Four of five starters are averaging in double figures, not atypical for Howard's Comets, who even with different lineups the last couple of years have always shared the wealth.   Rebounding has been a concern for the Comets as well, they play an undersized yet highly skilled 4-man in 6-foot-3 [player_tooltip player_id='2317753' first='Dwayne' last='Lawton'] and 6-foot-6 center Mo Diop is intriguing but still devleoping, and they get after it in a 2-on-2 rebounding drill that I loved and will steal for my girls.   His 2's push his 1's really hard, there's plenty of skill there and those guys see minutes, making for competitive situationals they call "Time to Score" near the end of practice that harden a group that is already plenty hardened under their 7th-year coach.   GUYS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='2317753' first='Dwayne' last='Lawton'] | Guard | 2026   Had the most impressive morning, at both ends, as he was locking guys up and making things hard in every drill, while at 6-foot-3 with serious lift he presents matchup issues coming from the wing. With a year to go, and 32 and 24 point games in the last two over good teams Dacula and Winder-Barrow, can easily play his way into some D2 looks.   Kaden Young | Guard | 2025   Has the frame and game to be listed as their best college prospect, can score it from multiple levels with flair and efficiency. Has length defensively as a 2-guard, really impressed with [program_tooltip program_id='2362177' first='Sewer' last='South'] this summer and had a good camp season as well.   [player_tooltip player_id='1679137' first='Tramello' last='Carter'] | Guard | 2025   Speedy and stout point man can play bully ball or just blow by you. Another terrific on-ball defender, gives them energy and poise. Stats sheet stuffer.   [player_tooltip player_id='2790103' first='Marc' last='Chavenet'] | Guard | 2025   Silky stroke from distance, does a lot of things well, competes and is confident, you want the ball in his hands late.   FROM THE COACH   "We're going to shoot free throws every day, we're going to rebound every day, and we're going to do "Time to Score", because this is what wins you games. This is what wins you those close games. Those games that are gritty, that are hard, and we've been through it a hundred times in practice."

As I build my own ladies program now in year 3 at Mt Bethel Christian Academy in a highly competitive A-D1 Region 5, always looking to learn from coaches whose teams and tactics have captivated me.