Dorman, SC vs. Langston Hughes-BCB MLK Showcase

Dorman, South Carolina (6-6, 3-2) vs. Langston Hughes (8-8, 2-5)

Dorman makes its way down I-85 for the BCB Showcase under ninth-year head coach Thomas Ryan. The Cavaliers bring a young squad with only one senior and are beginning to find their groove after completing their team with football players who joined in mid-December. Junior Tyson McClain leads the scoring load and is having a break-out year for Dorman as he begins to draw the eyes of college scouts. He is averaging 15 points per game and shooting 41% from 3. Keep an eye out for the youngest competitor in the showcase in 8th grade point guard Myles Tate. Myles has the potential to be a high-level player as he continues to mature. The Cavaliers are a strong half-court offensive and defensive team under coach Ryan’s leadership.

Langston Hughes enters Monday under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Rory Welsh. The Panthers have two junior guards that are leading the way this season. Derrick Cook, a 6’4 point guard, has drawn Division I interest from UAB, Florida Gulf Coast, Florida International, Georgia State, and others. He is averaging 17 points per game this season which is a huge leap from last year’s 8 points. Khalil Cuffee, a 6’3 guard, is a flat-out shooter. He is shooting 40% from 3 and averaging 18 points per game. The glue guy for the Panthers is junior Isaiah Green. Green is a tough defender, skilled rebounder, and solid leader for this young 6A team. Langston Hughes will play up-tempo while looking to press full-court at every opportunity. This will be an exciting game as both sides have young, talented guards looking to lead their teams into the second half of their seasons. 

Calhoun vs. Buford-BCB MLK Showcase

Calhoun (14-0, 8-0) vs. Buford (7-9. 2-0)

Calhoun has started off the 2015-2016 season with a bang. They are undefeated so far under the leadership of head coach Vince Layson. The Yellowjackets are on a mission to improve on a State Runner-Up and Sweet Sixteen appearance the last two seasons. Calhoun is loaded in the backcourt with 6’4 senior, Mercer football commit, Kaelan Riley. Kaelan is the all-time leading rebounder in Calhoun history, as well as a 1,000 point scorer. Kaelan is averaging 16.1 points per game and 8.2 rebounds per game. Senior point guard Jireh Wilson holds the school assist record and is averaging 13.1 points per game. Junior 6’5 Chapin Rierson, who may be the most touted college basketball prospect for the Yellowjackets, is shooting 40% from 3 point land and is gaining interest from Division 1 schools. Also, keep your eye on Ray Reeves, who is the defensive specialist for Calhoun. Expect a fast paced game with a balanced attack from the Yellowjackets. 

Buford comes into the game battle-tested, having played some of the best competition in the state.  Legendary coach Eddie Martin brings a wealth of experience and success to his first year with the Wolves. Coach Martin has won seven state championships - four with GAC and three with Norcross - and is on his way to establishing a culture of success at Buford. The Wolves are led by sophomore guard Alex Jones and Junior post Sahil Patel. Jones is drawing Division 1 attention and is averaging 10.5 points per game as well as 7.5 assists. Expect Jones to control the game for the Wolves, while 6’8 junior Sahil Patel will be looking to establish the inside presence for Buford. Patel is averaging 12 points and 9 rebounds per game. The Wolves have a trio of players that can step up any given night in senior guard Brandon Iverson, senior forward Will Springer, and junior guard Dawson Wehunt. The Wolves will bring tough half court defense and a patient offense to the matchup. 

Sequoyah vs. Berkmar-BCB MLK Showcase

Sequoyah (12-5, 6-0) vs. Berkmar (10-6, 6-2)

Sequoyah enters the BCB Showcase under coach Jeremy Adams. The 5A school will be led on the court by two Division 1 prospects in Cameron Cox and Jordan Usher. Cox, a senior point guard that has verbally committed to Navy, is averaging 17.6 points per game. His 6’2 physical size at the position will be a tough match up for the Patriots. Junior Jordan Usher is also receiving Division 1 looks - from Nebraska, Georgia State, and Harvard, just to name a few. He is a versatile player that can play inside and out, and is averaging 19.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. The glue for the Chiefs is senior guard Levi Biddy. Biddy can fill up a stat sheet and is an all-around player that can quietly impact a game. The Chiefs have five guys at anytime on the court that can grab the rebound and attack in transition, allowing for an up-tempo style on offense. The Chiefs will look to pressure on defense in the half-court to allow for more transition opportunities. 

Berkmar enters the game under coach Greg Phillips in his 7th season with the Patriots.  The team's guard-oriented and balanced attack on offense allows for an up-tempo style game. The Patriots are led on the court by Indiana-signee wing player Al Durham. Durham, a lefty, is averaging 14.5 points per game. Senior point guard Lane Foster is establishing himself as a Division I prospect, and is an excellent distributor and defender, while averaging 8 points per game. Junior wing player Jay Estime is averaging 14.5 points per game and is drawing interest from Lehigh, North Florida, and Princeton. The 6A school has a depth of scoring ability with four other contributors averaging between 7-9 points per game. The Patriots are a versatile team, excelling at a variety of defenses depending on the match up. This could be a high scoring game considering the offensive talent that both teams bring. 

East Jackson vs. Peachtree Ridge-BCB MLK Showcase

East Jackson (9-7, 4-2) vs. Peachtree Ridge (9-8, 4-3)

East Jackson comes into the BCB showdown with Peachtree Ridge under 5-time state champion coach David Boyd. Coach Boyd missed eight games earlier in the year due to illness, but has taken back the helm at the right time for the Eagles. The Eagles are led by a duo of highly touted sophomore guards in Drue Dinnon and Travis Anderson. Both are averaging 20+ points per game and Drue Dinnon has already surpassed the 1,000 point mark as a sophomore.  The Eagles are putting the pieces together with the eligibility of North Carolina transfer Jalen Morgan. The 6’4 swing player has proven to be a solid 3rd scoring option for the Eagles since his eligibility in January. 

Peachtree Ridge enters the game under long-time successful coach Keith Arrington. Coach Arrington has won numerous region championships and is a frequent visitor to the state tournament with his teams. The Lions have a balanced attack on offense and play feisty defense with weapons at all guard positions. The floor general is Milz Tatum who controls the game and makes players pay for defensive mistakes. Guard Markel McCollum is a solid defender that can score the ball inside and outside. The glue for the Lions is highly competitive junior guard/forward Connor Heyward. Connor brings another level of toughness to the Lions. 

Key Matchups: Keep your eye on the guard match-ups this game: the young, highly talented guards of East Jackson versus the veteran, tough guards of Peachtree Ridge. This will be an exciting matchup for the night-cap. 

10 Seconds and 10 Feet

One afternoon, my family and I were shopping at a local grocery store just a few miles from our home.  We had already purchased our items and were escorted out the door by a friendly employee, who wanted to help us out.

After the elderly gentleman insisted on helping load our groceries into our family min-van (yeah, that’s right, I drive a mini van and I drive it with pride), I said to the man, “Could I ask you a question?  I’m a business owner and your service is really impressive. You all go above and beyond and it really stands out.  What type of leadership and training does your management provide?”

The grocery store bagger said, “Well, our manager has a principle we do business by. If a customer is within ten feet of you, you have ten seconds to speak to them and look to serve them in some way.”

We carried on in conversation for a couple more minutes. He last comment was “I hope you will continue to shop here.” He said it with a sincerity that made me feel as if he really meant it. At this same grocery store, if you ask where something is, they walk you to the item rather than point you in the general direction.  They ALWAYS offer to help you out to your car. They thank you for your patronage and do so with sincerity.

Our neighborhood is positioned between two different grocery stores, both of which are identical distance from us.  As new residents in our community we frequently shop at both stores to see which one best meets our needs. 

When shopping at both stores, one thing has become abundantly clear; customer service makes a significant difference in our overall experience. If you asked for assistance at our other store, they might point and say something like “I think it’s down on aisle eight.” As customers, we notice these differences.

So, what can we take away from these different customer service experiences? All of us are selling one of two things every day. We are either selling POSITIVE or NEGATIVE. Everything we do. How we speak to others, how we show up to work, how we live our daily lives.

 What are you Selling?

Ways to Sell Positive?

1) Make a Decision; we have a choice everyday when we wake up, whether we give off positive or negative energy.  

2) Make a difference. Wake up with a sole purpose in your life – to serve others and make a     POSITIVE difference in the lives of those around you.

3) ABF= Put your Actions before your feelings. Most people allow their feelings to affect their actions.   Be different and live by principles rather than your mood. You won’t always “feel” like it so decide ahead of time that you will be a person of positivity.

4) Eliminate negativity and stop complaining. Energy flows where energy goes.

Part of being special is being different. Being different in everything you do and how you do it.

Sam Allen
@CoachSamAllen