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.