GBCA Live Sunday Buzz Generators

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Back to LakePoint I went Sunday June 14, getting eyes on four more players who were generating buzz during the Georgia Live Period events.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Timothy Johnson | Forward | 6-10 | 2027 | Bowdon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Being tucked away right along the Alabama border west of Atlanta makes things tough enough to be seen, being an A-D2 school is another. But the Red Devils posted 25 wins last year, making it as far as the A-D2 quarters. Johnson on Sunday showed tremendous intrigue in virtually all the key areas, stumping me as to why attention toward his court seemed so limited. It puzzles the guys from his travel team, <br>[program_tooltip program_id='2362177' first='Sewer' last='South'], as well, they being among the elite in developing and exposing talent in the ATL-Metro. You can't teach 6-foot-10 for starters, and he doesn't waste his size. He can catch and finish around the basket, and has a soft touch from 10 feet and in. He handled the ball a bit, Victor Wembanyama style, during the game I saw him, but that aspect needs honing. He plays extremely hard at both ends, running the floor with abandon even if he lacks the elite guard play around him to truly unlock his talents as a rim runner. He's an elite shot-blocker with arms for days, good timing, and a willingness to throw himself up and out toward any shot in his vicinity. Got a chance to talk to him briefly as well, and he's got a personality and discipline that clearly fits the college track. Whoever is smart enough to make the trip to Bowdon could get one of 2027's top hidden gems in my book.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194833' first='Tyler' last='Barnes'] | Guard | 5-10 | 2027 | Peachtree Ridge</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among my overall favorite players from the weekend, mostly because of the frenetic energy level and general pain in the neck he was for opponents, including my own school's boys team, Mt Bethel. Love the on-ball defense, it's a mosquito crawling on your skin style of closeness, where he knows where you want to go with the ball and you're not going to get there without a fight. He was fearless from 3-land, knocking down a whole bunch in the two games I saw him, some in crunch time situations. He's cocky and arrogant, traits I invite in moderation, so he contains it just enough to avoid attention from the referees. As always, the under 6-foot label may limit his options, but the kid can play, and for next winter's Lions club and their chances to do damage in 7A, he's an ideal floor leader.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3569289' first='Max' last='Etienne'] | Guard | 5-11 | 2027 | St Pius</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Had to get a look at the Lions to see what they'd be strutting out after last year's remarkable 33-0 campaign and 4A title. Etienne goes from highly productive contributor to one of the instrumental lead guys, with all the production they lost to graduation. But he seems more than up to the task, playing both guard slots on Sunday, showing poise and decision-making of a college-level guy, and the willingness to take and knock down the big shot in close game scenarios. As far as getting to the rim, he's got a running back-style build, so absorbing contact didn't seem to affect him much. He's a quality on-ball defender, and does a good job getting the team, and many of its new faces in new roles, into the trademark superb half-court sets Pius always runs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaiah Gordon | Forward | 6-9 | 2028 | Decatur</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wherever Rory Welsh is coaching, first when I saw him at Langston Hughes going back when I started scouting in '19-20, and now at Decatur, I make a point to watch his court. He's such an outstanding coach, both in his offensive tactics and, more prominently, in the way he coaches defense. With Gordon, he's got a centerpiece to build around for a couple of seasons as he develops some guard play after losing a ton of production from last year's 25-win team, which lost to eventual 5A champ Alexander. I like Gordon's length obviously, and he has the look of a guy who may still add an inch. He's a young big man still finding his footing as a back-to-the-basket threat, but as a catch-and-finish guy in tight ot the rim, plus rim-running and blocking shots, he was very effective, making the defense hyper aware of his presence. I'm sure coaches are circling his name around the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->