Prep Hoops Georgia Top 250 Expo: Sophomores Rising to the Occasion
- ’21 Robbie Armbrester (Therrell County) – Mentioned in our “All Top 250 2nd Team” post, Armbrester was one of the more physically dominating players at the showcase and in the state regardless of class. The former football star brings that physicality to the floor but maintains the smoothness needed to score the ball consistently on the low block. I loved the footwork on display from the Therrell County forward, scoring on both sides of the rim off of that footwork. His jump hook over the left shoulder was consistent and on display in three straight possession where his team fed him for easy scores in one of his games. Armbrester is a beast on the glass and can play above with the rim when he is on the move in transition.
- ’21 James Webster IV (Duluth) – The skill that Webster IV possesses is that of a senior but still having three varsity seasons ahead of him. Webster is quick with the basketball and did not have a problem getting to the rim and finishing comfortably on the left side. He has a knack for getting to his spots on the floor, particular the mid-range area where he was able to knock down shots from the elbow and can get it off over larger defenders. Webster is a good ball handler and knows how to look for teammates in the half court. The true floor general could be next in line for head coach Cabral Huff as the lead guard for the Wildcats who lost a lot of backcourt experience from last season.
- ’21 Marcos East (Jonesboro) – Speed is the first word that comes to mind when describing the point guard from Jonesboro. However, it’s not just the speed that makes East a chore to guard, it is the change of pace that he uses so well that keeps defenders off balance when he is on the way to the rim. Too many times defenders would guess a direction and East would gain a step, forcing the rest of the defense into help mode, if they could even get there in time to help. The disadvantage East puts the opposition in also allows him to find teammates for shots and clearer paths to drive the basketball back to the rim. The handle that the sophomore possesses with the ball is top notch as well which helps him in tight spaces and in his ability to split the pick and roll to get downhill another way.
- ’21 Sutton Smith (Denmark) – Smith, like a few prospects in the “Impactful Juniors” article, will be taking his talents to a new school in Denmark out of Alpharetta, Georgia. The Great Danes are entering their first year program wise and will have a legitimate scoring point guard in its inaugural season. Smith is a crafty lefty that can score on all levels but understands the minute details when getting teammates involved as well. He is a good cutter for lay-ups, can fill the lanes in transition for good looks, and knows how to put himself in position to be a natural screener as he penetrates to pass for teammates on the perimeter. Smith is a smooth player that can knock down the pull-up jumper from fifteen feet, connect on nice floaters in the paint, and is an above average shooter behind the arc from anywhere on the floor. The mental aspect is beyond that of a sophomore and that should keep him in contention for all region honors even as a sophomore in region 7-AAAA.
- ’21 George Pridgette Jr. (Roswell) – Pridgette Jr. is an excellent point guard that keeps the basketball on a string. The Top 250 Expo gave me a chance to look at the Roswell floor general for a second time and I came away equally impressed after this showcase. As a coach, Pridgette is someone you can trust to handle any type of pressure with few turnovers. He is another guard that understands change of pace and can use that to get past defenders, especially if he is being pressured full court where he can make plays once he crosses the timeline. The sophomore Hornet has good finishing ability on both sides and an assassin’s mentality on the offensive end, showing his ability to pull up and connect on threes to begin a possession. I thought Pridgette Jr. was a crafty defender at the showcase, pick pocketing ball handlers for fast breaks. Playing at a high level when he is on the floor with other big time prospects isn’t out of the norm for the sophomore who held his own at the showcase and should be in for a solid season this year.