Jared Cook Classic-Saturday November 23rd Recap (Part 1)
By: Kris Watkins Follow @KrisWatkinsPSB
Is this the year for The Academy?
After losing in the Sweet 16 and Final 4 over the last two years Woodard Academy is poised to make a run at the State Title this year and have the talent to do it. The War Eagles are a balanced team led by ’20 Walker Kessler (UNC), ’20 Emory Lanier (Davidson), ’20 Will Demorest, ’21 Will Richard, and numerous other players that step up on a nightly basis and they will have a target on their backs all year long. Richard has really expanded his game since I saw him last year/this summer in that he has really committed to not settling for jump shots and puts the ball on the floor and attacks. The team is balanced at each position and move the ball as good as any team in the state. One of the most unheralded players on the team is available point guard ’20 Michael Whitmore who has the ability to impact the game without scoring the basketball. I have seen Whitmore play numerous times over the last two seasons and he is one of the best passers I have seen in my time covering the game. A former Woodward Academy/Division I Point Guard, Austin Ewing, said it best in reference to Whitmore that he “sees the court like film and his defense is just as good,” and I completely agree 100%.
[tabby title=”2020 Walker Kessler Highlights”] [tabby title=”2021 Will Richard Highlights”][tabby title=”2020 Emory Lanier Highlights”]
[tabbyending]
St. Francis is DEEP
St. Francis is as deep as ANY team I have seen so far this season. Players like ‘20 Dwon Odom (Xavier) and ’21 Jusaun Holt get much of the pub for this program, but this team is filled with numerous other High-Level college level prospects including ’22 Jordan Brown, ’22 Seth Hubbard, ’21 Kai Simmons, and ’20 Chase Ellis among others. St. Francis can throw so many different pieces at you on a nightly basis that they should be the front runner to repeat as State Champions this season.
[tabby title=”2020 Dwon Odom Highlights”] [tabby title=”2020 Chase Ellis Highlights”] [tabby title=”2022 Jordan Brown Highlights”] [tabby title=”2021 Jusaun Holt Highlights”] [tabbyending]Other Players of Note:
’20 Jack Kostel (Mill Creek)- He set the tone in the first half helping Mill Creek jump out to a 21pt lead at the halftime break and didn’t look back. Has the ability to truly score at all 3 levels. His handle which has always been one of his best assets has gotten even better and he has improved at his ability to protect the ball with his body and this is going to help him when he gets to the collegiate level. Finished with 23pts in the win with 10 of those coming in the 1st quarter.
‘20 Brayson Hayes (Apalachee)– really made his presence known on the 2nd quarter, pushing the tempo in transition and hitting multiple shots in the half court. Got in the passing lane-Seemed to always score a basket at the right time whenever the opposing team tried to bring it closer.
2020 Sion James (Lanier)-The future Tulane Green Wave basketball player was extremely impressive, he is a coach on the floor who puts his teammates in all the right places on offense. On the defensive end he gets his teammates to be vocal. Seems to always make the right play in transition, and is patient and lets the game come to him in the half court. He is the epitome of a “big guard” that can take smaller guards in the post or use his strength to drive through him. He does a great job of keeping his dribble alive when he gets in the lane and make the drop off to the bigs.
2020 Jimaal Crump (South Gwinnett)-Did a great job on the glass and finishing on the inside. Grown man frame with broad shoulders. Was able to catch at highpost and put the ball on the floor and attack the rim on numerous occasions.
2020 Brent Smith (Archer)- Made Multiple 3’s and attacked the rim. Rebounds well. And versatile enough to play inside and outside playing either guard or forward position. Has a nice step back he uses from 3 and when he catches it in the mid range
2020 Jaylon Brown (Alexander)- is one of the better players I have seen in GA in his class that hits tough shots off the dribble. Really tries to sit down and defend and has great length to make it difficult for opposing point guards to get into their offensive sets.
2020 Braxton Beaty (Lambert)-Beaty has transitioned from playing off the ball to more of a leading point guard roll following the graduation of Mitch Ganote. Beaty is confident in his new roll and one that will suit him well at the next level showing that he does have the ability to consistently run a team while also still be able to score/rebound the basketball at a high clip and locking down opposing guards.
Kris Watkins is the Owner and Director of SouthernHoopsReport.com and JucoReport.com. Watkins is the Camp Director the the #SHReportElite150, #SHReportShowcase, #SHReportTop100, #JucoReportElite150, #JucoReportTop100, #JucoWomensShowcase, #JucoWomensAllAmerican, #JucoWomensTop100 as well as the Battle of the South Juco/Prep Jamboree. Watkins covers High School Boys/Girls as well as Junior College Men’s/Women’s basketball year round. In addition Watkins serves as the Video Coordinator for PeachStateBasketball.com. Watkins has been involved in the community since 2004 serving as both a College and High School coach as well as a Event Operator.