2013-14 Pre-Season All Blue-Collar Team

Pre-Season GA HS Blue Collar 2013-14 Team

The 1^st Annual Riley Criswell All Blue-Collar Team is named after Carrollton HS 2013 grad Riley Criswell. Criswell exemplifies what true “toughness” is all about. The players that make this pre-season team exude characteristics of a “blue-collar” work ethic. They consistently bring great effort on the practice and game floor. They are winners who have a “do whatever it takes” attitude.

Riley Criswell

 Riley was enjoying a phenomenal Senior year at Carrollton HS last year before suffering a season ending and career threatening leg injury. Criswell, currently a Freshman scholarship player at Holy Cross, was averaging 25ppg and 14rpg after 9 games before the horrific moment in a December holiday tournament in Florida. Despite months of rehab, several surgeries, Riley has showed tremendous courage, optimism and remained positive in his approach to life and the injury.

Eric Lockett competing in last year's GACS/BCB Showcase (photo courtesy Ty Freeman)

Eric Lockett, 6’5 SR Forward (Whitefield Academy): There may not be a better competitor than Lockett in the peach state. Simply put, he is a winner. He rebounds, defends, gets on the floor, and oh yea, scores tough buckets around the hoop. I first laid eyes on Lockett during a pre-season practice his sophomore year. There to watch current UGA guard Kenny Gaines, Lockett’s talent was apparent alongside fellow classmate Lorenzo Carter (who is now at Norcross HS). I have heard a lot of “scouts” and college coaches talk about what EL can’t do over the last several months, but what he DOES do is compete, play tough, and win.

Mo Lewis, 6’5 SR W/F (Milton HS): Lewis, the son of a former NFL linebacker, plays strong and tough. He has a business-like attitude. Another player in the mold of a combo or hybrid forward, Lewis who has signed early with the Naval Academy should have no problem fitting in a military environment. A tough rebounder and defender, will be a key piece under Milton’s new leadership and coach Matt Cramer.

Isaiah Wilkins, 6’7 SR Forward (GAC): Wilkins, who recently signed with Virginia, is coming off a State Championship season with averages of 16.2ppg, 11.1rpg, & 4.9bpg. Blue-collar may not be the first word that people think of when Wilkins comes to mind because he possess such an all-around skill set. But don’t let that and the slender frame fool you. He communicates, competes on the defensive end and is consistent in his work ethic.

Khalen Pinkett, 5’11 SR G (Norcross HS): Pinkett, who transferred to Norcross prior to last year from Whitfield Academy, was a great compliment to All-State guard Brandon Goodwin. Pinkett was a disruptive force as an on-ball defender, helping Norcross claim the State championship.  Guarding the opponent’s best perimeter offensive player takes a tough competitor and that is what Pinkett does best. His effort is a key to Norcross's high pressure defensive system.

Faisal Abdulamlik, 6’6 JR Forward (Greenforest Christian): Faisal is another member that comes from a State Champion. His motor is always running; fighting for loose balls and never giving up on rebounds have become Abdulamlik’s trademarks. Also known for a flop or two, Faisal will play a key role in GC’s quest to defend their single A private school state title.

 Davy Fisher, 6’3 SR Guard (Model HS): Fisher is coming off a season in which he led Model to the school’s first ever Elite 8 appearance. He hit a buzzer beating shot to win their Sweet 16 round along with a 37pt performance. Also, known as “Fish”, his blue-collar work ethic bleeds into other areas of his life as he will challenge for the honor of “Valedictorian” for his Senior class at Model.

Click here http://www.times-georgian.com/sports/carrollton/article_e91bc8a0-3a9a-11e3-aac3-0019bb30f31a.html to read more about Riley Criswell’s story.

Riley with Alabama football head coach Nick Saban & younger brother Cooper (far left)

                               This story is dedicated to Riley Criswell in his road to recovery!

Riley with his mother and father (Tim Criswell-also HS Coach at Carrollton HS)

BCB/Berkmar MLK Showcase

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Monday, Jan. 20, 2014

The Line-Up

1:00 pm  Buford vs. Johnson HS

2:30 pm  Fayette County vs. Allatoona HS

     4:00 pm  GAC vs. Hillgrove HS

2012-13 Records/Accomplishments:

Buford:          Final 4, 25-7

Johnson:        1^st Rd State, 24-5

Fayette Co:    Sweet 16, 18-11

Allatoona:     Sweet 16, 23-7

GAC:               State Champs, 29-3

Hillgrove:      State Runner-up, 28-5

Combined 2012-13 Record: 147-38

We are excited about the 1^st annual Blue Collar Basketball MLK Showcase this coming basketball season. We think it is the first of many in the coming years and couldn’t be more pleased with the teams and coaches involved in this inaugural event. We want to have competitive games that bring in top talent in GA and surrounding areas throughout the southeast.  It is also an opportunity to provide more exposure to student-athletes by giving them the chance to play in front of college coaches during this event. Lastly, this is a great platform to honor a courageous civil rights leader and give the community exciting basketball in his memory.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy” –MLK, Jr

Location:

Berkmar HS

405 Pleasant Hill Road,

Lilburn, GA 30047

bluecollarbball@gmail.com              twitter:@coachsamallen                   770-364-2889

GAC Showcase presented by Blue Collar Basketball

The 5^th Annual

GAC Showcase

Presented by Blue Collar Basketball

When: Saturday, December 14, 2013

Where: The Long Forum at Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC)

The 2012 edition of the Showcase welcomed 14 teams and 7 games all packed into one full day of competitive basketball between some of Georgia’s most successful, proudest and tradition rich programs.

The event hosted over 40 college programs and 2,000 fans. When planning the 2013 event, we asked how we could equal and surpass the previous year.  The solution was simple-attract some of the top programs, talent, and coaches.

This year’s field features 12 teams with a combined wins total of 288 from a year ago.  There are 4 state champions (Norcross, Miller Grove, GAC, Greenforest Christian), 3 State Finalists (Hillgrove, Columbia, St.Francis), an Elite 8 team (North Cobb Christian), and a Sweet 16 team (Cartersville).  

pic above: 2014 PG Keith Pinkney (Miller Grove) & 2014 Andre Chatfield (Norcross) will be competing in the showcase for a 2^nd straight year. They are two of GA’s better players and are sought after by several D1 programs  -photo courtesy of Ty Freeman

  

The Line-up

12:30 pm       Kell vs. Columbia

The opening game of Kell HS vs. Columbia HS will be one to watch. 6’7 Forward Grant Bryant looks to lead his Kell team against a Columbia team that has been to four straight State Title games. They will be looking to prove there is life after Tahj Shamsid-Deen who took his talents to Auburn University. They will be led by 2015 guard Bryce Brown and 2014 wing Maurice Rivers, both of which are capable of helping keep the winning tradition alive for the Dekalb County powerhouse. Bryant (who has narrowed his list of D1 schools to six=East Carolina, Boston University, Wofford, Long Island, Winthrop, and Appalachain State) will look to prove that he can not only put up big numbers but lead his Kell team to success while doing it.

2:00                Hillgrove vs. Cartersville

All Coach Mike Tobin did in his first year at Cartersville was go 27-2 and take his team to the Sweet 16. Good news is he returns all 5 starters and bad news…well, there is no bad news unless you believe high expectations to be. Cartersville has a pair of wings with size in 6’3 Ryan Davis (17ppg-Jr year) and 6’5 wing Corey Tobin (14.9ppg-JR year). Hillgrove comes off a title game appearance vs. Norcross and 28-5 season. They are led by do-everything guard Kyle Castlin and fellow senior teammates Keith Ray and BJ Brown. This trio is hungry to make another deep run and expectations are high in Powder Springs, GA.

3:30                Norcross vs. Greenforest Christian Academy

The 3:30pm match-up will have GA’s highest classification 2012 state champion vs. the smallest in single A champion Greenforest Christian. Veteran coach David Jones knows a thing or two about winning and cutting down the nets. He has been roaming Georgia high school sidelines for almost 40 years and has a young crop of talented players despite losing big man Tosin Mehinti to UAB. Norcross has proven it reloads, not re-builds. The tough, defensive-minded Blue Devils will hit full-strength when their football guys join the team and Coach Jesse McMillan blends them into the mix as he did during their title run last season. For Norcross, look at back-court returning starters Khalen Pinkett and Andre Chatfield to lead the way. It would be hard to find a better on-ball defender in the state than Pinkett and Chatfield has proven he can put the ball in the hole offensively.

5:00                Miller Grove vs. St.Francis

Two of GA’s top backcourts will square off in this game that includes arguably the top two GA 2016 point guards in Alterique Gilbert (Miller Grove) and Kobi Simmons (St.Francis). But these two teams have plenty of talent across the roster. PG Keith Pinkney may be the peach state’s best point guard prospect in the 2014 class. Head Coach Sharman White and his wolverines are gunning for an unprecedented 6^th straight state championship. Bottom line is this program is used to winning and the expectations remain the same coming into this year.  While Miller Grove has stood atop Georgia high school basketball for several years, St.Francis has slowly climbed the ladder over the last few years culminating in a title game appearance last year with a roster full of underclassmen. Kaiser Gates has received high major interest due to his size and perimeter shooting ability. The most unheralded of the group may turn out to be their most valuable in 2015 guard Malik Beasley who saved his best for last in the state play-offs last season.

6:30                Luella vs GAC

Luella’s two-headed monster of 6’4 wing Temarcus Blanton and 6’11 big man Doral Moore is tough to match. Very few teams boast a duo that garners high-major recruitment.  Blanton is one of GA’s top 2014 prospects and has a motor that gives opposing coaches nightmares. Luella coach Demond Sims and his crew have high aspirations and plan on making a big splash into the conversation of top teams in Georgia.  GAC returns four of their five starters off a 29-3 State Championship team spearheaded by versatile and productive forward Isaiah Wilkins. Wilkins has a nice supporting cast that looks to give GAC their fourth title in five years under head coach Eddie Martin.

8:00                North Cobb Christian vs. North Gwinnett

North Cobb Christian’s entire back-court returns from a 23-5 team. Mercer commit Stephon Jelks is complimented by two other division 1 caliber guards with Hunter Ware and Kendall Crute.  Coach Greg Matta’s teams have been knocking on the door for a few years and some think this may be their year to win it all. They will face a hungry North Gwinnett team that was upset in the region tournament last year and have a lot to prove this season. Head coach Zach Smith has all five starters back and should build on a 19 win season and be a serious threat in the always tough region 7-AAAAAA and at state level as well. 2015 point guard Tobias Howard headlines a strong group of Bulldog perimeter players.

pic above: 2014 Isaiah Wilkins, a top 5 GA high school player battles in 2012 showcase vs. Morgan County. He and GAC will have their hands full against Luella HS led by 6’11 Doral Moore and Temarcus Blanton – photo courtesy of Ty Freeman

**For more information, contact Sam Allen at (770) 364-2889 or bluecollarbball@gmail.com**

Will Jackson Feature

Will Jackson's nickname may be "Turtle" but the high school sophomore's basketball development and recruitment has been anything but slow. Jackson is a 6'4 point guard for Athens Christian School in Athens, GA. He jumped onto the Georgia high school scene last year and helped lead his team to a 30-3 record and Single A Championship runner up finish as a 14yr old Freshman.

Jackson who is rated as the #14 ranked player in the nation for ESPN's 2015 class has already been a part of USA basketball's developmental team. He receives attention from some of the top programs in the country. Athens Christian veteran coach Ron Link was called by a UNC assistant just last week. Alabama was at their region tournament and it's been a "who's who" list of schools that have inquired. It's that type of attention and interest that will only continue to climb. For young prospects, it can be very difficult to keep perspective, staying humble and hungry. Turtle says he really doesn't get caught up in the college stuff at this point. He believes "that will play itself out. I thank God for everything. I love the game. I keep dreaming and thanking God." Jackson will play again this summer with the GA Stars. He lists his summer goals as improving his strength and conditioning and making the Peach Jam.

As for this season, Turtle's confident in his sophomore heavy team that they can keep advancing. He turned in a triple-double in their opening round state playoff game against Mt. Pisgah. The 23pt, 14 assists, 12 rebound effort has been one that folks have almost come to expect from the young talent. Coach Link says, "The biggest plus with Turtle is he makes everyone else better around him." Athens Christian goes into tonight's match-up with North Cobb Christian who features multiple division one prospects. It will be a tall challenge but the mature Jackson talks like a coach when asked about the outlook on the upcoming game and state tournament. "My thoughts are the same as they have been all season. I will play my game, keep my team calm, play hard, and box out," he says. That mindset, and the skill set to go along with it have Coach Link saying, "I don't know if I have ever seen a kid that is better as a sophomore at his age." When watching someone of Jackson's ability play, one thing that jumps out is his unselfishness.  He gets a lot of help from fellow sophomore Demetrius McWhorter who averages 23ppg, 12.2rpg.  On the year, Turtle is averaging 26ppg, 10rpg, and 7apg.

Will Jackson was given his nickname before birth when the hospital did their ultrasound. Listening to his mother, Lorry, tell the story, she says William wanted to shake the name when they moved to Georgia when he was 5 years old and be known as William. However he kept introducing himself to people as Turtle, so it has stuck.

Don't be fooled by the nickname, this Turtle can play and continues to be a major force on the court.

Cameron Blakely Feature

Apalachee HS Senior Forward Cameron Blakely

Cameron Blakely came into this season with high hopes of helping lead Apalachee high school to a state tournament birth. When Apalachee knocked off Cedar Shoals high school in the quarterfinals of last week's region tournament, he did just that. The victory secured that coveted spot as one of thirty-two teams to play for it all in the AAAAA classification.  Apalachee got knocked off by Gainesville and Loganville in the semis and consolation game to give them the 4th seed coming out of Region 8. They will travel to New Manchester Wedensday for a 7pm tip.

 Blakely has done his part in helping Apalahcee get there. The 2013 forward is averaging 18ppg, 12rpg, and 4bpg. Apalachee carries a 17-9 record into the postseason.  Cameron, who stands at 6'9, comes from good basketball genes. His father played for Mississippi St in the 80s and then went on to a 13 year professional career.  Apalachee head coach Kevin Morris sings the praises of his big man, "His skill set for a 6'9 kid is really good. He can shoot the 3, runs floor, very good passer. He allows us [versatility] on defense because he can block and alter so many shots. Our guards can get out and pressure the ball with [him on the back end]." Morris sees Blakely as a stretch 4 at the next level who can be a trail guy on the break. Once he gets to a college campus, in the weight room, gets bigger and stronger, Morris feels very good about the player that he can become.

Blakely's enthusiasm for the postseason opportunity is evident when asked about this year's team. "I think we have a really good team. Expectations are high and we've been waiting for two years for this moment. Everyone is expecting us to lose but Apalachee is trying to go all the way," he says.

After the season concludes, Blakely will turn his attention to college coaches, start taking visits and sit down with family to talk about all his options. He lists schools that have shown interest and that he is interested in as Northwestern, Furman, UConn, and Jacksonville. Blakely says location is not a factor for him. He wants to find a program/system to match his skills and that will allow him to utilize his overall abilities.

For the Apalachee Wildcats to continue their season and pick up their first state tournament win in Blakely's four years at the school they will need him to step up and continue providing the complete overall production he has provided on both ends all season.

Chris Davenport Feature

Chris Davenport securing rebound vs. Flora MacDonald in the Hilton Invitational at Norcross HS
- (photo from Ty Freeman)

Chris Davenport has found a home at Eagles Landing high school. The 6'7 Senior forward has played for four different head coaches in his four years of high school. Davenport, who is from Atlanta, attended and played his freshman year at Southwest Atlanta Christian School. He then moved to Montverde Academy in Florida. At Montverde, Davenport played for Coach Kevin Sutton as a sophomore. After Sutton's departure later in the year, Kevin Boyle came in from St.Patrick (NJ) and took over the program during Chris's junior season. He credits the different coaching styles he has experienced with helping him develop into the player he is today. As a junior, Davenport averaged 13ppg and 7rpg. The strong academic student who carries a 3.3 GPA and close to 1000 SAT score was looking to get back closer to family and come home to Atlanta. Eagles Landing seemed to fit what he was looking for. He already knew "Des" (Desmond Ringer-South Carolina signee) and Eric Wortham (MTSU signee) and wanted a chance to win a state championship. With Eagles Landing coming off back-to-back seasons of being eliminated by eventual champ Columbia HS in the Final 4, Davenport could be that final piece to help put them over the top. He has battled a finger injury that has limited some of his production. Despite the setback, he has averaged 12ppg, 7rpg, and 2.4bpg on a team loaded with a talented starting five. ELHS head coach Clay Crump believes "Chris is under appreciated because he's always played with other high scoring guards but he has the skills and size to excel at the next level."

BCB recruiting service has Davenport rated as one of the top 2 available power forwards in Georgia's 2013 class. His length, athleticism and perimeter skills make him an attractive prospect for mid-major & high major programs. Davenport lists offers and interest from College of Charleston, Ga Southern, Clemson, North Florida, Murray State, Wofford, Fla Gulf Coast, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech.  Davenport grew up a Georgia Tech fan and thought the ACC school was close to offering in the early period. For now, he will focus on playing out and enjoying his Senior season alongside his teammates with hopes of cutting down the nets in March. Davenport is looking for a winning program, a great group of guys and great coaching staff when making his college decision.

The 17-5 Golden Eagles are one of the handful of favorites at the 4A level.  Time will tell if the versatile Davenport can be the difference with February and March around the corner.

Logan Adams Feature

Logan Adams has had to learn how to handle some adversity in the last year. The 6'5 senior combo forward at South Gwinnett high school has endured some change. He lost the last ten games of his junior year to injury, and then the Comets head coach Scott Bracco left for Lambert high school after the season. Now Adams will be looking for a new college to attend.

Adams’ junior year was cut short 16 games into the season when he tore his ACL during a Tuesday night non-region home game.  Adams was averaging 15.4ppg and 11rpg at the time.  He verbally committed to UNC Wilmington early in his sophomore season. Despite being one of the better and more productive players in the always-tough Gwinnett County, Adams has become somewhat of a forgotten man. That was until recently when he de-committed from UNCW.  Adams never signed his national letter of intent in November during the early signing period.  The UNCW asst. coach who handled most of his recruiting left the staff in the off-season to pursue a career in business.  As time passed, Logan felt less and less firm in his verbal pledge.

After he attended UNCW’s game at Ga State on Wednesday night and slept on it, he woke up Thursday morning and made it official to de-commit. His phone immediately began to blow up with text messages and phone calls from college coaches. Miami (OH), Furman, Garner Webb, Appalachian St., Tennessee Tech, Sienna, and Ga State have already started communication.  Adams says most schools are looking at him as a small forward in college.  First year South Gwinnett head coach Jamal Basit calls Logan a “gamer”. They have been cautious with his return from injury, holding him out in some games and practices. Adams still doesn’t feel quite 100% in his movements and explosiveness on the floor but knew going into his rehab that it was a process. Considering that, it’s impressive he was able to average 18ppg, 10rpg during the month of December and receive the Gwinnett Daily Post player of the week award last week.

Adams has a few things he is looking for when making his decision on where to go to school and play ball. He wants the opportunity to play as a freshman and have an impact. He wants to major in business, which he plans to help him open his own restaurant with his Dad some day. And lastly, he wants to be somewhat close to home where family could drive to watch him play.     

South Gwinnett next plays region foe Brookwood next Tuesday, Jan.29 at home.