LakePoint Live Showcase Team Snapshot: Deep South Blue Devils
With so many 16U programs showing out over the course of the tournament, we didn’t want to miss this interesting collection from predominantly Cherokee County schools, a classic group of under-the-radar kids coached by Lincoln Lahmann, many of whom will…
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Continue ReadingWith so many 16U programs showing out over the course of the tournament, we didn’t want to miss this interesting collection from predominantly Cherokee County schools, a classic group of under-the-radar kids coached by Lincoln Lahmann, many of whom will be breaking onto varsity rosters for the first time this year and making impacts.
Let’s look at these 2022’s:
Dajaun Devonish (PG, 5-11, Etowah) – Highly regarded 2023 Mason Etter Mason Etter 6'5" | SF Etowah | 2023 State GA will have plenty of up and coming support from several of the players on this roster starting with the uber-talented Devonish, a lightning-quick true PG with a multitude of skills, from getting up the floor at a high rate, to driving thru traffic with physicality, to knocking down the 3, to guarding the ball with a veteran savvy, he can be a real X-factor on the floor when he’s on (he combines with another good-looking lead guard in Ashton Bridges also of Etowah to provide double the athletic ability) and he showed more than once how his skills can affect a game, shapes up as one of Metro-ATL’s best potential rising PGs.
Jonah Hamilton (SG, 5-11, Etowah) – In the 16U division there were few if any purer shooters than Hamilton, a near-automatic from beyond the arc if left open, ideally he likes to camp out at the arc hands ready, but also utilizes a high IQ to maneuver to gaps to position himself for an open long-ranger, as the weekend progressed I noticed him adapt well to defenses that sniffed out his preferred approach as he ball-faked and used the bounce to get into the mid-range, I loved that he slid over to the point at junctures and showed both a good handle and poise running the team, with the kind of penetrating talents the Eagles will feature next winter Hamilton shapes up as a big potential mover with his sweet stroke on the kick out.
Josh Hughes (PF, 6-5, Etowah) – Perhaps the most intriguing overall prospect for Lahmann is the post-presence Hughes, he had a bunch of moments where you saw the natural instinct he possesses to score in close and rebound with vigor, but like virtually all young post players that offensive game needs honing, he’ll post big rebounding numbers due to his big body and with his already excellent movement is an advanced post defender, with the work and continued development of his mid-range jump-shooting game he can explode onto the local scene due to that size and body and potentially garner some attention from a variety of program levels.
Ezra Milton (SG, 6-2, McEachern) – Yet another McEachern backcourt up and comer, Milton will push for time on a crowded Indians roster due to his athletic ability and shooting stroke, he’s a physical guard who can rebound and run, on a crowded and talented bench for Lahmann we got just a small sample size, but what we saw showed high promise.
Tyler Stevens (SF, 6-0, Creekview) – Speaking of physical, that is Stevens in an nutshell, he being a running back for the Grizzlies football squad, he brings that style to his work in the frontcourt often bulling his way to the basket but also showing a craftiness and skill with the ball that screams just as much a skilled basketball player as a Larry Csonka-type, on a Creekview team with more than one riser on rosters in the tournament he should be a key contributor.
Dylan Sears (SG, 6-1, Creekview) – Minutes get spread out well by the Blue Devils staff, so everyone gets their stint, and from a pure evaluation standpoint, Sears had some of the best overall skills I saw on the roster, I liked his work rate, his court savvy and understanding, and especially his work off the bounce getting off his high percentage mid-range J, it was an advanced part of his game that combined well with good ballhandling and good strength getting to the basket that caught my eye, think he has the tools to become a top-flight SG in the area come his next 2 seasons at the varsity level.
Lincoln Lahmann and Ryan Haling (CG, 5-11 and SF, 6-2, Cherokee) – Cherokee’s program continues to churn out players who have winning attributes, and these two will challenge for minutes next winter on a roster which will be filling some graduation holes, Lahmann can play both guard positions and is a real threat from 3-land, while Haling is a terrific athlete who rebounds, runs the floor, showed nice range and got some nice finishes in tight to the basket.