Sandy’s Spiel NWGA Invitational Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Year 2 of the Sandy's Spiel Northwest Georgia Invitational will be held at Darlington School this Saturday in Rome. The schedule consists of three girls games and three boys games, tipping off at 10:00 AM with the final game starting at 5:30 PM.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":3157518,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/NWGA-Invitational-2025-26-3.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/NWGA-Invitational-2025-26-3.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-3157518" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>10:00 | South Paulding vs. The King's Academy</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Paulding has wasted no time asserting itself, storming out to a 5-0 start with every win coming by double-figures. The Spartans are getting star-level production from emerging D-II target [player_tooltip player_id='2471145' first='Josiah' last='Azu'], a long, bouncy shot-maker who has stuffed stat sheets on a nightly basis — 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists against Hiram, then 14 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists versus North Cobb. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2525226' first='Tanner' last='Pitts'] has taken the next step as a go-to perimeter threat. He's already flashed his ceiling with a 23-point eruption and has been a steady double-digit scorer, hitting tough jumpers when the offense needs a lift. The backcourt tempo is set by [player_tooltip player_id='2519023' first='Trey' last='Allen'], whose burst and creativity ignite transition opportunities. Keep an eye on PJ Rosser, a powerful 2027 lefty who attacks downhill with purpose and finishes through contact. South Paulding will see The King's Academy. The two locked horns in the offseason, leading to tension in a competitive game. Although a GIAA program, there is plenty of next-level talent in Woodstock. [player_tooltip player_id='2830792' first='Cole' last='Bennett'] is a shifty lefty guard with great footwork and uncanny finishing ability. [player_tooltip player_id='2125948' first='Brooks' last='Thrasher'] has become a hot commodity among D-III programs, a 6-foot-5 swingman that can stroke it from beyond the arc.&nbsp; Brothers [player_tooltip player_id='1543539' first='Tony' last='LoPresti'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2523835' first='Dominic' last='LoPresti'] are difference makers, Dom with his spunkiness and Tony with his cool three-level scoring ability and physicality scoring in the paint. Roger Wilson is a big body who can score inside. Being able to rebound and contend with South Paulding's athleticism with be a huge key. The Knights will need to gang rebound and limit any live-ball turnovers in order to hang with the Spartans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>4:00 | Carrollton vs. Private No. 9 Calvary Day</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Kenny Edwards has Carrollton ahead of schedule in Year 1, already 4-4 after winning just 5 games last season. [player_tooltip player_id='2137042' first='Peyton' last='Moore'] is becoming more consistent, the big guard leading the Trojans in scoring at 13.5 points per game. JUCO offers are rolling in for [player_tooltip player_id='2174314' first='Kamaree' last='Mays'], the 6-foot-8 bouncy lefty one of the most naturally gifted forwards in the state. Mays has collected 12.7 points and 6 rebounds per game. Noah Piquette is an unsung hero in the backcourt, the senior coolly tallying 7.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='2999259' first='Urhiyah' last='George']. The 6-foot-5 sophomore has flashed a high upside periodically throughout the offseason and could be an X-Factor in the right game setting. He's got a nice ceiling to strive toward over his final three seasons. Calvary Day will likely be without their football players as the Cavaliers, much like the Trojans, are still in the title hunt. The trio of [player_tooltip player_id='2639119' first='Demetrius' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='1956868' first='Chol' last='Kiir'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2125542' first='Jamin' last='Martin'] will provide a lot on both ends of the floor. Brown is a physical guard who blends attacking and facilitating extremely well. Jamin will space the floor with deep three-point range. He's a high-IQ decision maker with his court vision and is always shifting around the perimeter to position himself into open passing windows for three-point attempts. Kiir can take over games defensively, not only blocking shots inside, but defending on the perimeter using his length to shoot into passing lanes for steals. The matchup between Kiir and Mays alone should draw attention from college coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>5:30 | Private No. 8 Darlington vs. 4A No. 4 St. Pius X</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The long-awaited tilt between former Birmingham Southern teammates takes place as Darlington Head Coach Nathan West matches wits with St. Pius Assistant Coach Aaron Parr. The Golden Lions have the advantage on paper with [player_tooltip player_id='2046360' first='Harris' last='Reynolds'] a Clemson-signee. [player_tooltip player_id='2046361' first='D'Marley' last='Elliott'] could be an issue for the Tigers inside with his physicality and versatility, a bull in a China shop with how he rebounds and can attack off the bounce in spurts. D-II and D-III programs have offered. Thomas Rogers, Max Etienne and [player_tooltip player_id='2425856' first='Westin' last='Keppen'] balance the Golden Lions on the perimeter. Darlington will try to represent for the non-Metro Atlanta private schools with a shot across the bow if they can land a win. The Tigers have some unique depth. The frontcourt features 6-foot-9 freshman [player_tooltip player_id='2969725' first='Joseph' last='Ogunyemi'], a rebounding-machine, 6-foot-8 Canadian stretch-forward [player_tooltip player_id='2570508' first='Cam' last='Selig'] and 6-foot-5 point forward [player_tooltip player_id='2887539' first='Mitchell' last='Raughton'], a freshman. Point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2297166' first='DJ' last='Hall'] is on D-I radars with his athleticism off the bounce. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1543484' first='Christian' last='Teasley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1543498' first='Brent' last='Bell'] can both get hot from deep and are both very good finishers in the paint, Bell good at using his strength to muscle his way to hoops while Teasley floats in the air for difficult finishes against length. The Tigers space the floor with [player_tooltip player_id='2419524' first='Jordan' last='Wilkerson'], a streaky scorer who can take over from beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->