Holiday Hoopsgiving Day 1 Top Performers

<p><strong>Holiday Hoopsgiving Day 1 Top Performers</strong></p> <p>The Southeast’s biggest and best Thanksgiving showcase took place at Shiloh High School for its seventh year. Stars from across the country converged in Snellville. Here’s who shined the brightest from Day 1 in the Main Gym.</p> <p><strong>2022 6-2 PG [player_tooltip player_id="598763" first="Scoot" last="Henderson"] – Kell</strong></p> <p>Billed as the two most electric guards the nation has to offer, it was [player_tooltip player_id="598763" first="Scoot" last="Henderson"] vs. JD Davison. The winner? Henderson by TKO. The Longhorns embarrassed Calhoun County, AL 106-44. The first play of the game was foreboding for the overmatched Tigers as Henderson streaked down the middle of the court for an uncontested dunk seven seconds in. Henderson poured in 30 points, collecting highlight slam after jam. As good as he was offensively, it was his defense that made the loudest statement. He defended Davison the full game and helped force 10+ turnovers. Davison was unable to get past Henderson when locked in one-on-one matchups. Henderson has officially taken his game to the next level. On Day 2 of the event he rallied the Longhorns from down 17 to stun Lake Norman Christian, NC and Mikey Williams 88-77, hanging 36 points, 7 assists and only 1 turnover in the process. Henderson is on track to become a future pro.</p> <p><strong>2021 6-0 PG Devon Barnes – Shiloh</strong></p> <p>Well-traveled, Devon Barnes has finally landed in Georgia for his senior season after starring in Oklahoma. He has gotten Shiloh off to an undefeated start thanks to his poise and shot making. He tormented South Cobb in a 59-52 win, pouring in 30 points on 10-14 shooting. Barnes consistently got to his sweet spot at the elbow and peppered the Eagles with jumper after jumper. Barnes is polished. He doesn’t wow you with the athleticism of a [player_tooltip player_id="598763" first="Scoot" last="Henderson"] or the strength of a [player_tooltip player_id="870146" first="Bruce" last="Thornton"] but his IQ and feel for the game is just too savvy for most opponents. He is going to be a popular recruit once Southeastern coaches realize he’s here to stay.</p> <p><strong>2022 6-6 W RJ Dix – South Cobb</strong></p> <p>RJ Dix played his finest game I’ve ever seen. The wing played with confidence and showed an improved touch and also ability to create off the dribble. Dix excelled at driving left, accepting some contact and fading back for short 7-footers. He shot 10-14 including 2-3 from deep to finish with 23 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks. The Eagles need a go-to guy on offense and Dix more than looked the role on Friday.</p> <p><strong>2021 6-8 PF [player_tooltip player_id="806743" first="Taje" last="Kelly"] – Grayson</strong></p> <p>Another player that has seemingly come into his own, [player_tooltip player_id="806743" first="Taje" last="Kelly"] was fantastic battling the interior of Wasatch Academy, UT. The Charleston Southern-signee crashed the glass as usual, but his new chiseled body and athleticism helped him attack off the dribble and finish through traffic. His footwork and balance have greatly improved. Kelly hit a handful of jumpers and even buried a three. He’s been Grayson’s best player on a loaded roster so far this season. He put up 25 points (11-15 FG) and 8 rebounds in the OT loss.</p> <p><strong>2021 6-6 W [player_tooltip player_id="754256" first="Tyler" last="Shirley"] – Pebblebrook</strong></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="754256" first="Tyler" last="Shirley"] showed off his diverse offensive skillset in an 81-66 win over Carmel Christian, NC. He was aggressive early, attacking the rim and finding open spots on the perimeter. He hit 7-12 from the field including 3-3 from beyond the arc. Shirley caused some issues defensively with his length and earned some deflections. All-in-all the South Alabama-signee tacked on 21 points and 5 rebounds.</p> <p><strong>2022 6-2 PG [player_tooltip player_id="870146" first="Bruce" last="Thornton"] – Milton</strong></p> <p>Going up against the length of Greenforest is usually a tall task. But for [player_tooltip player_id="870146" first="Bruce" last="Thornton"], it was just another opportunity to show how good he is, as he cut down the trees and bulldozed the forest. Thornton got whatever he wanted once he got downhill. He’s so strong and so precise with his angles and footwork, Greenforest couldn’t even alter many of his shots. Bruce finished with 27 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and only 1 turnover. His nine rebounds were a game-high. The Ohio State-commit shot 10-18 from the field and helped Milton outscore Greenforest 42-14 in the paint.</p> <p><strong>2021 6-10 F [player_tooltip player_id="754230" first="Jabari" last="Smith"] II – Sandy Creek</strong></p> <p>McEachern has struggled against talented post players over the past two seasons and on Friday they were tasked with defending the state’s and even maybe the nation’s most skilled forward. It did not go well. The Patriots won 78-57 and led by as many as 29. Smith had his way inside, posting 26 points and 9 rebounds on 10-16 shooting. The Auburn Tiger is a true inside-out presence that is equally effective on the wing as he is on the block. He could be a future lottery pick.</p>