Bulldogs Break Hearts at State Farm Arena

The Covington Academy Bulldogs and Hearts Academy Panthers met at State Farm arena to matchup head-to-head. The Bulldogs won in a nail bitter that came down to the wire.   <a href="https://www.covingtonacademy.com/">Covington Academy</a> (Covington, Ga)    Colton Price really stepped up in Covington Academy's hard-fought win over Hearts Academy at State Farm Arena. He played with a lot of poise and confidence, looking in control throughout the game. His ability to score, hustle on defense, and his leadership were major for his team. Colton draws the defense out beyond the three-point line with his insane range which stretches to the half-court logo. This opened the rest of the floor for him and his teammates to get easy opportunities for the duration of the game. When the game came down to the wire, Colton channeled his inner Trae Young and hit some ice-cold free throws to seal the 45-39 victory for the Bulldogs.     Austin has an elite feel for the game. He's the type of player who can score from all over the floor. Austin is always a threat when he's on the court. Austin's speed and quick first step stand out, especially in transition. He's shown the ability to crash the glass, push the fast break, and finish strong coast to coast. He often is a one-man fast break. He's not just athletic, Austin is also a crafty lefty with a great shot and soft touch on his reliable floater in the midrange and is highly adept at getting to the free-throw line and making the defense regret fouling him.     Brenton Smith (twin brother of Braxton Smith) is a natural scorer who makes the game look easy. He's got a knack for getting buckets, and his playmaking potential is starting to shine through as well. What sets Brenton apart from his counterparts is his deceptive handle and elite change of pace. Brenton has a deep bag of crossovers, fakes, pivots, and more that he isn't afraid to use. Once he starts heating up, he's nearly impossible to stop. On top of that, Brenton has shown flashes of playmaking ability, making some highlight-worthy passes that had the crowd begging for more.     Braxton Smith (twin brother of Brenton Smith) brings a unique aura to the floor as a versatile, point of attack defender. Standing at 6'2 with a long, lanky frame, he's a defensive menace capable of guarding all five positions. Whether pressuring the ball full court or rotating to protect the paint, Braxton makes his presence felt across all 94 feet of the floor—especially on a big stage like State Farm Arena. Offensively, he pairs his blazing speed with a shifty handle, making him nearly a blur in transition. Braxton combines these two skills to pair with his shot creation ability and creativity to blow by defenders, get downhill, and score at will.     Manolo "Manny" Vicente is a lethal shooter who can't be given an inch of room. He is the type of player that scores in bunches and is a walking mismatch. Manny also has good rebounding instincts he uses to crash the offensive a defensive glass. He gets easy putback points and creates second-chance opportunities on offense as well as igniting fastbreaks for this up-tempo team. Manny uses his size to bang down low and post smaller defenders, but he's more than willing to step back to the three-point line and make the other team pay for putting a big man on him. Once Manny finds his rhythm, it tends to be a long night for the opposing team. Kid. Doesn't. Miss.     Peyton Sweat is a true competitor, the heart of a warrior. Despite battling through injury, he never gave up on his team giving relentless effort every second he was on the floor. Peyton defensive impact was felt with his ability to play the passing lanes and disrupt the offense. He's a guy who steps up when it matters most. Offensively, Peyton's shooting is smooth with a textbook form. When he gets hot, watch out. He has the ability to light it up from anywhere and will hit tough shots over defenders without hesitation. Peyton can take over the game in a heartbeat with his game changing energy and shooting.     Jackson Hardy is a do-it-all offensive weapon who can play any position on the court with the tools to elevate Covington Academy to the next level. Standing at 6'6" with a towering frame and skill set to match, Jackson brings a unique blend of size, finesse, and versatility to the floor. His shooting form is beautiful, with a high release point and good ball rotation that consistently finds the bottom of the net. Jackson's jumper is incredibly difficult to guard, especially in the midrange where he thrives. Jackson is elite from the high post, both as a scorer and a playmaker, consistently finding teammates in scoring positions while always being a threat to score on his own. Despite his size and being listed as a Center, Jackson shared ball-handling duties as a lead guard, showcasing impressive ball control and decision-making. In transition, he runs the floor like a gazelle, covering ground effortlessly while staying aggressive and finishing above the rim. With his combination of skill, size, and feel for the game, Jackson has a high ceiling and could truly be something special.     Kamori "Red" Williams is an explosive wing with surreal bounce, massive hands, and a killer mindset that makes him a nightmare for opponents. His confidence radiates with every step that he takes, playing with an edge and swagger that demands attention. Defensively, Kamori's timing as a shot blocker is ridiculous. He uses his impressive wingspan to swat shots and disrupt anything around the rim. On the offensive end, Kamori is electrifying. He's a constant lob threat and plays above the rim with authority. His mindset? Dunk everything. If you catch him filling the lane on a fast break, just get ready for a highlight to write home about. In one word. SHOWTIME!     Marquis Gilstrap Jr. is a name you need to remember—because even as an 8th grader, he's already making noise on major stages like State Farm Arena. Don't be fooled by his age, Marquis can hoop. His ball-handling is elite, with a deep bag of moves most high schoolers are still trying to learn. Crossovers, spins, euros, hop steps; you name it, it's in his arsenal. Physically, Marquis is far from your typical middle schooler. Built like a tank, he is physically mature for his age. He doesn't just through up floaters, he runs through defenders and finishes over them with a good blend of power and finesse. His body control is impressive, making tough finishes look effortless against older competition. And his jumper? Water! Whether he's pulling up off the dribble or spotting up, his shooting touch is nice. With his skill set, size, and mindset, it's hard not to see Marquis developing into a dominant force at the next level—and beyond.    <a href="https://www.heartsacademy.org/">Hearts Academy</a> (Powder Springs, Ga)   Hearts Academy is a well-coached, disciplined team led by Head Coach <a href="dhardiman@heartsacademy.org">Don Hardiman</a>. The Panthers are a tough, well-coached squad that plays with heart and grit all four quarters. Despite their roster being unavailable, here are a few standout players that stood out and made their presence felt during the matchup against Covington Academy.   Standout Players:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>#33 (Center): A force in the paint who imposed his will inside. His physical play and low post scoring ability gave Covington Academy problems all game long.</li>   <li>#5 (Lead Guard): A steady floor general with solid court vision and playmaking ability. He facilitated the offense effectively, setting up teammates while controlling the tempo and making open shots when called upon.</li>   <li>#3 (Lefty Combo Guard): The undeniable star of the night. #3 was a problem from start to finish, keeping Hearts Academy competitive putting on a scoring clinic. He knocked down deep NBA-range threes, converted tough and-ones, and finished strong at the rim. His shot-making ability and clutch scoring kept Hearts Academy within striking distance throughout the entire contest.</li> </ul>

The Covington Academy Bulldogs and Hearts Academy Panthers met at State Farm arena to matchup head-to-head. The Bulldogs won in a nail bitter that came down to the wire.