Miller Grove HS Pre-Season Team Preview

Miller Grove Backcourt (from left to right) JR Keith Pickney, SR Kyre Hamer, SR Earl Bryant

Don’t tell Miller Grove head coach Sharman White that this is a rebuilding year. Despite replacing all five starters, including a frontline that featured All-American Tony Parker (UCLA) and 6’8 UGA signee Brandon Morris off the 2011-12 State Championship team, the coach is confident in this year’s squad.  

Speaking with BCB, Coach Sharman White believes  “We like the guys we have. We have 5 new starters which will be a new experience that we haven’t had. We are very confident in them.”

On the surface, or from the outside looking in, most that follow Georgia HS basketball probably feel this version of the Wolverines will not be a factor in the Championship run.  Relying on guys that have been on the bench to step in and carry the torch is a tall task but White believes his guys are up for the challenge.

“These guys know the hard work its going to take to get back to winning a State Championship. We like our group. We have a nice blend of experience and youth. They have been busting their tail from the spring to summer and into the winter.”

Early on, Miller Grove will look to their backcourt with Seniors Earl Bryant and Kyre Hamer playing on the wings.  Junior PG Keith Pickney moves back to Atlanta from South Carolina where he lived the past few years and will provide scoring, playmaking, and poise to the inexperienced club.  Add in Junior forwards James Walker, Omar Venable, and Devin Dorsett and Miller Grove feels good about the overall attack.  White says, “Our perimeter play is a big strength with good versatility creating match-up nightmares. We think we have a solid bench where we can play easily a solid 9-10 guys."

However he cautions that there is still some unknown stating that “the mental aspect of what it takes night in, night out and the consistency to produce each night will be something we have to monitor.”

Miller Grove seeks an unprecedented fifth straight State Championship, something no other program has done in the history of GA high school basketball.  Tune into this season and see if history can be made.

Miller Grove will be playing in a highly anticipated match-up with Norcross on Dec. 15 at the Blue Collar Basketball Showcase at GAC. The two programs have combined to win 8 state titles in last 8 years and have never played one another.