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.

Greenforest Chrisitan Team Pre-view

Greenforest Christian 6'9 Forward Tosin Mehinti (UAB signee)

"Good things come to those who wait" is the old saying. David Jones, the head coach for Greenforest Christian School, a small private school located in Decatur, GA, hopes that applies to he and his team this year.  Jones is entering his 39th year as a head coach.  Some may remember him from his days in the 1970s at Southwest Atlanta HS (now Mays HS). He won 3 state titles there during that decade. He later won a state title at Southside HS with James Forrest (Georgia Tech) in 1990.  He also won a GISA title while coaching at First Presbyterian Christian Academy in 2010, but Coach Jones last GHSA state championship was over twenty years ago. He enters his second season at Greenforest. Last year Greenforest Christian won 23 games and made it to the first round of the State Tournament.

What many people didn't realize is that they had one of the state's best kept secrets practicing with the team all last year in 6'9 post player Tosin Mehinti who has signed with UAB.  Mehinti is a presence inside that few players can match up with at any class, let alone the single A level.  Jones feels the overall team is very strong. "I think I have the deepest team I've had in a long time. About eight to nine deep. When you talk about subbing, it's about who won't hurt you more than who helps you,"he says. In addition to returners, Faisal Abdulamlik and Justin Ravenel, both sophomores who started as freshmen, Greenforest has added a few more impact players. Point guard Rashad Swain transferred in from East Coweta HS. Mmony Celestine, one of several African move-ins on the team, will provide depth at the wing.  "We have a balanced team. One of the top five or six teams in my career if we can get them playing together. We don't have selfish players. We could probably have three or four different leading scorers in three or four straight games. We just have to play defense," Jones says.

There are several strong contenders at the single A level this year. Despite losing a lot from last year, defending state champ Whitefield Academy will have to be accounted for. Along with North Cobb Christian, St. Francis, Mt. Pisgah, and Aquinas, Greenforest Christian deserves to be in the discussion. Speaking with BCB at a recent practice, Coach David Jones believes, "I think this team is a very good team. As you know, to win a state title, you have to have good players and stay away from bad luck. You need things to go right. Once you get to the elite eight or final four everyone can play so you have to be pretty good. We just work on getting better everyday. This group is fun to work with. They are coachable. Its refreshing to have kids that work hard and don't have animosity towards someone else on the team."

Greenforest will open this Friday, Nov.30 at Southwest Atlanta Christian at 7:30pm

Visit www.bcbball.com for more stories and information on the "Southeastern Roundball Report", a top recruiting service covering Georgia high school hoops that is subscribed to by college programs at every level.

St. Francis HS Season Team Preview

St. Francis players from left to right (Jordan Jones, Keshawn Gibbs, McKinley Brown, Malik Beasley, Kobi Simmons, Kaiser Gates)

St. Francis has emerged as a pre-season contender at the single A level this season. Last year's team shocked an undefeated 30 win North Cobb Christian team in the first round of the state tournament.  Couple last year's success with the returning lettermen and the additions of some talented players leaves fifth year head coach Cabral Huff knowing this year's expectations are even higher.  "We've got expectations to go to Macon," referring to the city where the Final 4 is played for GHSA single A teams.

St. Francis lost two starters from last year's Sweet 16 team that saw significant contributions from underclassmen, including full-time and part-time starters, now sophomores Kaiser Gates, Keshawn Gibbs, and Malik Beasley. The addition of Kennesaw State signee Jordan Jones who came from Furtah Prep and Milton HS transfer big man sophomore Josh Coleman who stands at 6'9. Jones is a 6'7 versatile forward that can manufacture offense from the perimeter and interior. Coleman helps anchor the paint helping form one of the potentially bigger front lines in single A this year.  The Knights can go 6'9, 6'7, 6'6 at the 3, 4, and 5 spots, that not many teams of any level in high school can boast, let alone the smallest classification single A.  Huff believes the most improved player may be junior point guard McKinley Brown. "By far, our most improved player, on the court, off the court with leadership. But really, our whole group holds each other accountable. Keshawn Gibbs has done well also" says Huff.

It would be hard to argue that there is a tougher region than 6B-A which consists of 2011 state champion Whitefield Academy, North Cobb Christian, reigning region champ Mt. Pisgah, and Mt. Paran. Huff "feels confident that if we can compete in our region, then we can be set up for the state tournament. I don't think another region can stack up as well as ours."  St. Francis plays a challenging non-region schedule as well.  Huff knows it's a season long process and is committed to getting the Knights playing their best basketball come playoff time. "We just have to take care of the business at hand, whether that's practice or a game that day. It's a game by game process."

The one potential obstacle for St. Francis is their youth.  At times, the Knights can have up to four sophomores and a freshman on the floor.  Huff knows that lack of experience and being young can bring its own set of issues, but believes in his team. "We have to make sure those small moments don't become long stretches.  When we can get teamwork, intensity, and defense, we like our chances. We feel like we can score with anybody.  If we can get consistency with our defense, we are going to be tough to beat."

St. Francis' highly regarded youth are receiving a lot of attention from colleges, recruiting services and different media outlets.  With that type of exposure, it can sometimes lend itself to entitlement. But Huff says that is not an issue.  "Everything we do is competitive. From pre-season running to practice.  Nothing is ever given to them and they have to earn it.  We've got a really good group. Once the season starts, I don't care about a ranking or an offer.  They are playing for St. Francis. We had a conversation the other day-if you average 5ppg, does it really matter if we win a state championship?"

Huff is quick to talk about their program going beyond basketball. He wants his players to leave out better than when they came in. He thinks, "It takes an entire school, faculty, coaching staff. The experience that my asst. Drew Catlett brings and the energy of asst. Mike McCard [are great resources]. Its not just about basketball. It's about building men."

If St. Francis is going to contend in their region and make a trip to Macon in March, count on witnessing a lot of development and growth from their young players.  With the commitment from their players and staff, don't be surprised to find St. Francis still playing in March.

St. Francis opens the season vs. Holy Innocents on Friday, Nov.16

Visit www.bcbball.com and click on blog to read about more of Georgia's "teams to watch"!

GAC Preseason Team Preview

GAC players (from left to right) Delano Spencer, Isaiah Wilkins, Colin Swinton

Coach Eddie Martin is entering his fifth season as the head coach of Greater Atlanta Christian School. He took over the program after leading Norcross to three straight state championships. His first year at GAC, the team lost in the Final Four, then went on to win two straight state titles in his second and third years before being upset in last year's Elite 8 game by Manchester HS to finish 25-6.  GAC lost only three seniors off last year's team.  This year's team has the makings of another run and returning the title to the private school located in Norcross, GA.

GAC returns it's leading scorer, rebounder, and assist man. The starting backcourt of senior point guard Colin Swinton, coming off a junior season leading the county in assists where he averaged 11.9ppg and 5.9apg, and senior SG Delano Spencer (Ga Southern commit), who led the team in scoring at 15.1ppg with 3.5rpg, and 3.8apg.  Isaiah Wilkins is a 6'6 forward who averaged 7.3ppg, 6.3rpg (led team), and had 53 blocked shots as a sophomore. His role will increase with the departure of Cole Hobbs (Kennesaw State) and Robert Armstrong (Georgia College & State Univ).

Speaking about this year's team, Coach Martin says, "I am really excited about this year's group of guys.  Got the bulk of our team back. It makes it exciting to have so many guys back - they pick up things quicker. The chemistry and success we had over the summer was good and I hope we can build on it." The Spartans are awaiting the arrival of 6'6 post Andrew Lewis off the football field who will provide size, experience, and athleticism inside.

The Spartans will find out early and often if this group is up to the challenge. With the newly aligned regions across Georgia, GAC only has eight region games. That left them to schedule seventeen games and Martin believes "Our schedule is very competitive. We went out there and scheduled seventeen tough ones. It could slap us in the face but serve us well in region play."

Martin is working on finding those other guys to fill out his rotation. "We try to find about seven to eight guys, whether right or wrong, but that's what we try to do," says Martin. Some of those other guys are a trio of juniors in Tyler Hamilton, Justin Lewis, and Troy Morrison. Sophomore Cameron Boyd will also be in the mix when he returns from the football field.

As far as state championship talk, Coach Martin was candid with his response, "We talk about it before we ever start playing.  I think we have a team this year that can compete for a State championship.

Once we start playing, its one game at a time.  If we can stay free from injury, find a solid rotation, and play defense, we can contend"

With Martin leading the way, expect the Spartans to have a say come playoff time.

GAC opens play this Saturday at Parkview HS against Fayette County HS at 5:30pm. They will play 3A Morgan County HS in the GACS showcase sponsored by Blue Collar Basketball on Dec.15 at 7:00pm