MLK Dream Challenge: Top Seniors
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Maynard Jackson played host to the MLK Dream Challenge in the heart of Atlanta on Monday afternoon. The event concluded with three Top 10 matchups and a thrilling finish to the final game of the night which saw No. 2…
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Continue ReadingMaynard Jackson played host to the MLK Dream Challenge in the heart of Atlanta on Monday afternoon. The event concluded with three Top 10 matchups and a thrilling finish to the final game of the night which saw No. 2 Greenforest outlast Southwest DeKalb 53-52. Here’s a list of top performers.
Top Seniors
2020 5-11 PG Zawdie Jackson – Shiloh
The unsigned senior guard controlled the game for Shiloh and made big plays when needed down the stretch to hold off No. 3 Eagle’s Landing 68-62. Jackson is so shifty with the ball and creative in how he slips by defenders. Jackson has nice mid-range shot and can finish in traffic. He has 14 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists and 4 steals. The true point guard has offers from Wilberforce and Morehouse. JUCOs are starting to get involved.
2020 6-5 W Keith Lamar – Eagle’s Landing – Stetson
For a stretch in the third quarter, Keith Lamar was absolutely unstoppable. The physical wing left his jump shot on the perimeter and decided to fight fire with fire, pounding it inside against Shiloh’s rugged frontline. Lamar dunked every opportunity he had and finished strong with two hands when he couldn’t rip down the rim. Lamar is the epitome of an inside-outside threat, able to score at all three levels in efficient fashion. He had 23 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
2020 6-4 W Demetrius Rives – Tri-Cities
Recognized as one of Georgia’s premier slashers, Demetrius Rives was the difference maker in No. 6 Tri-Cities come from behind win over No. 8 East Coweta. Trailing 46-33 at the half, Tri-Cities took a 55-50 lead into the fourth quarter before Rives took over. The unsigned senior drilled two threes before the floodgates opened for a massive 16-point fourth quarter to power the Bulldogs to a 77-73 win. Rives finished with 24 points and 6 rebounds. If Rives can consistently hit open threes like he did in the fourth quarter, he will see his recruitment soar. If not, Rives is still a gritty winner that would be valued at a program in need of a tough guy.
2020 6-4 W Chris Youngblood – East Coweta – Kennesaw State
Maybe Georgia’s most well-rounded scorer, Chris Youngblood poured in 15 of his game-high 24 points in the first quarter against No. 6 Tri-Cities. Youngblood finished with four three-pointers, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block. Youngblood has a pretty pull-up from the mid-range and is a bulldozer when getting to the basket. He is a great shot blocker for his size as well.
2020 6-2 W Brent Smith – Archer
Brent Smith looked good in No. 6 Archer’s heartbreaking loss to No. 5 Langston Hughes. Smith has a smooth effortless release on his jump shot. He sank three threes on Monday. Smith isn’t just a shooter however. He has a strong body and is physical enough to finish inside through contact. Smith finished with 19 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block.
2020 6-4 SG PJ Carter – Langston Hughes – Campbell
With his team dead in the water and in dire need of a spark, PJ Carter turned into the human torch as he caught fire and carried No. 5 Langston Hughes all the way back from a 32-19 halftime deficit to stun No. 6 Archer 54-53 – the Panthers’ only lead of the game which came with 0.8 seconds left on a Kasen Jennings And-1. Carter hit three threes in the second half and scored nine of his game-high 24 points in the fourth quarter. Carter got himself going by getting to the line in the first half while his jumper wasn’t falling, going 6-6 from the line. Shot-makers like Carter are invaluable with their ability to swing a game’s momentum in the blink of an eye once they see the ball go through the basket.
2020 6-6 SG Eugene Brown III – Southwest DeKalb – Ohio State
Following a quiet 4-point first half, Eugene Brown III showed his High Major scoring touch as he poured in a game-high 25 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals in a gutsy effort against No. 2 Greenforest. Brown did the heavy lifting on offense, creating his own shot off the bounce. Brown’s length and shooting touch makes him a tough cover once he rises into his shots. Brown hit deep threes and contested mid-range jumpers to pull his team back. He got to the line in the fourth quarter going 7-8.
2020 6-6 SG Lamar Oden – Greenforest – Drexel
Lamar Oden came out sharp, making some eye-opening plays off the dribble while creating for teammates. Oden made some big-time plays getting into the teeth of the defense and whipping out passes to open shooters in the opposite corner. His playmaking shined the most. Greenforest’s balanced offense took the ball out of his hands in the second half which helped Southwest DeKalb climb back into the game. In crunch time, I’d like to see him assert himself more. He finished with 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block.
2020 6-11 C Christian Fussell – Greenforest – Middle Tennessee State
The near 7-footer posted 12 points, 17 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block before fouling out late. Fussell ran the floor well and even tossed an alley-oop to Oden in transition. Known for his skill, Fussell stepped outside to knock down a three. In his matchup with unsigned 6-foot-10 senior Mo Diallo, Fussell kept the big man off the glass and held him to just two rebounds.