GBCA SE Live: High-Motor Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The June scholastic period came to a close with another loaded weekend at the GBCA Southeast Live Event, where programs from across the Southeast competed in front of college coaches. While plenty of guards grabbed headlines, several forwards made their presence felt with their energy, toughness, and relentless approach on both ends of the floor. Here are six high-motor forwards - five from South Carolina and one from Georgia - who consistently impacted winning and stood out over the final weekend of the live period.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2459220"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4525b3c4abd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leading off my list of high-motor forwards from the GBCA Southeast Live is [player_tooltip player_id='2459220' first='Elijah' last='Harper']. Harper could make a list like this every time I watch him, because he is consistently one of the hardest workers on the floor. It's not his game to have the ball a lot offensively, but when it comes to defensive versatility and effort, he is a game-changer. In a matchup with East Hall (GA) on Friday, Elijah went for 8 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. He showed an ability to affect the game defensively at the rim and on the perimeter, while also running the floor in transition and crashing the offensive glass. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1487225"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4525b3c4b5d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Keeping it in the Columbia area, Desmond is another guy who works hard when he's on the floor. Listed at 6'7" 230 lbs, Harrington also has the frame to be a dominant force. He was productive defensively and on the glass in Gray Collegiate Academy (SC)'s big win over Woodward Academy (GA), proving he could not only excel against smaller, in-state foes but also be a valuable piece against bigger, elite-level competition. Along with the dirty work, Desmond had a handful of assists, making the right play in transition, out of the post, and in the short-roll, plus he put his big body on the line to draw a charge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2352792"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4525b3c4bd0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite getting in some early foul trouble, Davis was still able to display his strong body and high motor in Cane Bay (SC)'s matchup with Calvary Christian (FL) on Saturday. The Cobras are gifted with size, so he's allowed to be a little more aggressive defensively. Christian created 2 steals and a block, while also helping clean up the glass and start fast breaks. Offensively, anything Davis gives his team is a plus and tends to ignite their top guys to play harder. He is most effective on that end as a screener and cutter, but does have some polish in the post. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3683854"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4525b3c4c4b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brishawn made the cross-city move from Spartanburg (SC) to Dorman (SC) this month. He was a key player for the Vikings a season ago and has already made his impact felt with the Cavaliers in June. Young was impactful in the two games I watched this weekend, putting up 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 block against Tri-Cities (GA) and 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal against Mooresville (NC). Brishawn doesn't have a super strong frame, but he outworks a lot of players bigger than him. He is excellent in transition, moves well along the baseline, and has a knack for finding important rebounds late in the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3684689"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4525b3c4cb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sticking with important, hustle-type players for State Championship contenders, Simpson Jr. looks like he might be a key piece off the bench for Keenan (SC) this year. He's a two-sport athlete for the Raiders, and his size, athleticism, and mobility clearly transfer to the hardwood. Marcus might not be a guy who puts up big games, but he will make hustle plays that swing games and is going to have a role in the rotation as long as he keeps playing hard. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3684691"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":3684693,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4525b3c4d5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='3684691' first='CJ' last='Tillis'] rounds out my list of high-motor forwards from the GBCA SE Live. There was only one window of games that didn't feature a South Carolina team on Saturday, so I spent it watching the high-level matchup between Wheeler (GA) and West Charlotte (NC). Despite all the big names that took the floor, CJ was an underrated one who caught my eye. His big, 6'7" frame will jump out at you immediately, but he was by far the most active big guy all game long. Whether it was setting screens, making hard cuts, crashing the offensive glass, or even contesting jump shots, Tillis never took a play off and was easily one of the highest-motor bigs I saw in Georgia this weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->