Will Grovetown and Greenbrier Join Evans?

Grovetown's Logan Morris

ABR Live Battle of the Regions Schedule
(@ Greenbrier High School)

Evans sprinted through its 9 sub region games undefeated last season.  And the Knights also logged impressive home victories against Aquinas and North Augusta. On the other hand, sub-region peers Grovetown and Greenbrier were on the receiving ends of seven combined losses to the Knights.  And the Warriors and the Wolfpack had relatively few signature wins outside of region play.

It is no secret that Columbia County's teams have historically been inferior to Richmond and even Aiken County teams.  Evans has usually proven to be the exception to this "rule."  But after one week of regular season play, Greenbrier and Grovetown are showing signs of joining their sub region peer in the area's competitive landscape.

The three schools have a combined 3-1 record against Richmond County teams after Evans and Grovetown each beat Richmond Academy and Greenbrier topped Josey.  (Josey then chipped in on behalf of Richmond County with a 4 point victory over Grovetown in the ABR Live Tip-Off Tournament Saturday).

I expected Grovetown to make considerable progress this season.  Juniors Solomon Gause, Logan Morris, and Kenny Joseph can all score and play.  And they played played through last season's ups and downs as young players in leadership roles. Evans and Greenbrier also return far more of their key contributors than they lose from last year's teams.

One week does not make a trend.  But with opportunities ahead (this weekend Grovetown faces Richmond and North Augusta and Evans plays Josey and Cross Creek), these teams can continue to build the case for Columbia County's place in the area wide conversation.  And I particularly look forward to seeing the action when the Columbia County based sub-region 2A-AAAAA teams (Greenbrier, Lakeside, Evans) take on sub-region 3B-AAAA teams Burke County, Hephzibah, and Richmond Academy December 13-14 at Greenbrier in the "ABR Live Battle of the Regions."

Aquinas and Laney Open Season with a Statement

Key Non-Region Matchups
Aquinas and Laney

Aquinas and Laney are believed to be two of our area's best teams.  Both teams are poised to make significant improvements over last season's state tournament final four runs.  Laney will look to its returning core of young players who benefited from last season's on the court trial and error.  And Aquinas' dynamo Ahmed Hill welcomes newcomers Tamyrick Fields (6'6") and San Antonio Brinson (6'5"), whose length and activity is intriguing.

After Aquinas' comfortable handling of Cross Creek Friday and Butler Saturday and Laney's dismantling of Charlotte's Vance Friday in the ABR Live Tip-Off Tournament at Evans High School, the teams appear every bit as good as advertised.  Spectators were already discussing the MLK Day matchup between these teams.  And the squads' contrasting styles should be fun to watch.  But long before the January 20 matchup at Evans High, both teams will have had many opportunities to prove they are in fact on track to compete for a state championship in March.



Ahead for Aquinas

This Friday, Butler gets a rematch with Aquinas and a chance to prove its opening losses last weekend were temporary setbacks.  Aquinas also faces South Carolina power Keenan and area juggernaut Glenn Hills twice each before facing Laney.

The Irish looked dominant against Butler Saturday.  Hill methodically ran coach Bernie Norris' offensive sets, comfortable in the knowledge that he could muscle his way through or elevate his way over Butler's guards and get good shots regardless of the situation.  And Fields is relentless on the offensive glass.  Not to mention sophomore guard Kham Gordon, who grabbed 4 first half offensive rebounds and converted them into timely baskets that helped the Irish establish control.

Aquinas has always been one of the state's best class A teams.  Hill's ability to consistently get his team good shots and the team's ability to rebound and score in the paint may make the Irish one of the best high school teams we'll see in any class.

Laney's Coming Challenges

I missed Friday's 37 point Laney victory. But a high school student I know described the Wildcats as being "in great condition!"  I assume my young friend was describing the appearance of swarming full court pressure and a constant attacking of the basket that is familiar from coach Buck Harris' extremely athletic, highly skilled, and deep group.  While Aquinas gets the job done with strength and length, this bunch will apply a maximum amount of pressure on opposing guards on both ends of the court.  All 84 feet.  Sophomores Zep Jasper and Christian Keeling and junior Jashawn Brooks can all score in bunches.  Juniors Jalen Taylor and Jervon Walker are two of many hungry forwards who will rebound, finish, and defend.  And Jasper makes it his business to get the ball in the right hands in the right spots.

Like Aquinas, Laney will be tested early and often.  This weekend's matchup with one of the area's most talented teams, North Augusta, will tell us more about both teams.  I chose The Yellow Jackets as the area's 5th best team heading into the season.  And the Wildcats will face Glenn Hills and Butler twice each before facing sub region foes Westside and Josey.  But one of the biggest tests for Harris' group may be a December matchup with Atlanta power Stephenson, who last weekend man-handled Butler and Vance.

The Wildcats' young squad went 2-7 versus the area's best teams (Glenn Hills, Westside, Butler, and Aquinas) last season.  With that experience behind them, Laney will have a chance to prepare for its sub region and post season races by testing itself against the best again this year.  The next 60 days should be exciting!

Friday at Evans Middle - ABR Live Tip-Off Tournament

Three of the four ABR Live Tip-Off Tournament games at Evans Middle School Friday were decided on the final possession.  The excitement began when Josey, playing with seven players due to disciplinary reasons, nearly completed a fourth quarter comeback against Greenbrier before falling 53-52.  And after Gray Military made quick work of Faith Baptist, Richmond Academy used a second half burst to defeat John's Creek.  Finally, the homeschool GAIS Eagles did their best Richmond Academy impression, overcoming a 35-28 halftime deficit before winning 66-64.  Below are highlights and impressions from the evening.

Greenbrier 53, Josey 52
Greenbrier's Justin Hartfield and Rod Demmons provided most of the Wolfpack's scoring punch. Hartfield consistently got into the paint off the dribble and finished.  He and guard AJ Hawes created scoring opportunities for Demmons and Kashawn Marshall.  Josey's Juan Tolbert nailed four 3 pointers and the Eagles mounted a furious comeback before falling short.

Josey faces Grovetown Saturday (10 A.M. at Evans High School) and Greenbrier will play Georgia Military (11:30 A.M. at Evans High School).



Gray Military Defeats Faith Baptist
Gray scored 25 third quarter points, turning a 24-24 halftime tie into a runaway win for the War Eagles. Gray will aim to continue its recent dominance over the GAIS Eagles Saturday (5:30 P.M. at Evans High School).



Richmond Academy 52, John's Creek 49
John's Creek led 8-0 early and held a 31-24 advantage before Richmond made a basket to cut the deficit to 31-26 at halftime.  But the Musketeers owned the second half.  Explosive junior guard Tiger Dagett (16 points) kept Richmond close early, the team's patience and willingness to exploit its size advantage became the difference.  Senior Frank Roberts turned in a monster 16 point, 17 rebound performance.  The Musketeers face host Evans in Saturday's final game (8:30 P.M. at Evans High School).



GAIS Eagles 66, Central Park 64
Central Park's imposing front line and sharp shooting backcourt appeared to be too much for the Eagles early in Friday's game.  But sophomore Malik Welch (17 points, including five 3 pointers) gave GAIS a spark.  And seniors Kyle Brown, Sam Cubertson, and Taylor Murdock helped to keep the team within range during a fast paced first half.

But the action really heated up in the second half as juniors Jaylan Robinson and Daquarius Johnson got involved.  Robinson created opportunities in the open court by attacking the press with the dribble. And Johnson showed why he is a matchup problem, scoring from behind the arc, on the offensive glass, and in the open court.  Johnson scored the team's final three field goals to secure the Eagles' victory.  Saturday's opponent, Gray Military (5:30 P.M. at Evans High School), should be every bit the challenge GAIS faced Friday.

Pre-Season Top 10 (Part 3)

In part 2 of the "Pre Season Area Top Ten High School Teams" posts, I highlight teams 4, 3, 2, and 1.  This Friday and Saturday's ABR Live Tip Off Invitational (see full schedule here) marks the first weekend of high school hoops action where we will get to see most of the area's teams in action for the first time.  The top 3 teams on this list will all be in action.  Throughout this week, I have shared my thoughts about who the area's best ten teams will be.  Let me know what you think in the comment section.

***See Part 2 of the rankings here***
***See Part 1 of the rankings here***

#4 - Glenn Hills
Last season I notoriously left the Spartans out of my preseason top ten.  After coach Travis Mcrae's team won something like its first 18 games, I had certainly been proven wrong.

Placing this year's team in the 4 spot may still open me up to accusations that I am not giving the team enough credit.  But the truth is I can't tell much difference between the top 4 teams on my list.  I think they are the "best of the best."  In my opinion, only tiny differences exist between them.

#3 - Laney
It is difficult to order the top four teams in these rankings.  Laney fell to Glenn Hills twice last season.  But I give the Wildcats the nod because I think 6'4" junior guard Jashawn Brooks started a process of maturation last season that will accelerate this season.  Brooks has always been a pure shooter.  And he is beginning to use his size and athleticism to put the whole package together.

In addition to athletic wings Christian Keeling, Jalen Taylor, and Jervon Walker, the Wildcats have something relatively rare: a smart point guard who loves to distribute the ball and has the ability to score in the paint and from deep when needed.  Zep Jasper is always mentioned when coaches talk about Augusta hoops.  And the sophomore dynamo will be around for three more seasons.

Because of the team's age (the core players from last year's freshman/sophomore dominated team are back as sophomores and juniors), I expect this team to make the biggest year over year improvement of any team.

#2 - Butler
Butler wins.  The Bulldogs swept Glenn Hills and took 2 of 3 games against Laney last season.  And although coach Cervantes Boddy's group will miss the 1000+ career rebounds of Ronald Jones and the steady play of point guard Marquis Leverett, he will still have the player (besides Aquinas' Ahmed Hill) who may have made the single biggest impact in local GHSA basketball last season: junior Don Coleman.

I am invoking the "Frank Booker theory" in picking Butler this high this season.  High school teams often struggle to score 50 points.  If a team has one guy who will consistently score 25-30, that team will have a major advantage.  Coleman added credibility to the theory last season, scoring over 35 in four of his team's biggest six games of the season, including 49 versus Statesboro in the region tournament championship game.  Booker was able to score in bunches while being every opponents' sole focus.  As a sophomore, Coleman was able to sneak up on foes.  If Don is able to keep applying the pressure, the Bulldogs will continue their winning ways.

Another reason I am high on Butler is the size of their frontline and the ability of their returning guards.  Coach Boddy gets a lot out of his players.  And they all are constantly improving.  I am a big fan of Butler Bulldog basketball.

#1 - Aquinas
For the second straight season, I have placed the Irish at the top of my preseason list.  Despite a deep 1A post season run, last year's team proved to be not quite up to the task.  But that team lacked scoring punch after the first two options.  This team has an improved, confident, and hungry Ahmed Hill leading the way, and a group of big and athletic players with him.

Hill's impact needs no explaining.  He scored 30+ points regularly as a junior and the absence of Michael Scott means that oppoments' worst nightmare will come true:  an unstoppable player with the ball constantly in his hands, constantly attacking.

And senior transfer Tamyrick Fields may have been our area's most productive inside player last season. Additional players 6'4" and taller include Shiloam Alvarez and San Antonio Brinson.

Last season's team lost to area public school rivals Glenn Hills, Laney, and Evans.  This season's group will have plenty of chances to prove me right, facing Glenn Hills twice, Laney once, an Butler once.

And the top two teams on this list meet Saturday evening at Evans High School (7 P.M.) at the ABR Live Invitational!

Former Eagle Matt Miller Passes his First Test

The transition to adulthood is never easy.  I am watching two former Eagles, Matt Miller and Austin Crown, as they adjust to their freshman years in college in the classroom and on the basketball court.  Most 19 year old guys who count basketball as a major priority enter this part of life with expectations of instant success.  And most of us are met with life's realities.

Miller at the GAIS Mini-Camp in April

Adjusting to increased academic demands and resisting the temptation to start slow in the classroom is difficult for any freshman student.  After all, few (if any) people present on campus apply pressure on the student to regularly attend classes and diligently study.  And these tasks become particularly difficult for a young man accustomed to basketball success who is realizing for the first time that playing with and against guys who also earned scholarships, and who are mostly older and more experienced, will mean there will be many more bad times than good.

So as the basketball season begins and the two guys who scored so many points, grabbed so many rebounds, and made so many plays for me are now encountering obstacles, I encourage them to do what they have always done so well: pursue excellence with the same passion, enthusiasm, and good cheer when times are tough as they do when times are good.  We Eagles call this "moving forward."  And as I told Matt after a season opening Merchant Marines Academy loss that caused him to question what has happened to his shooting touch, "move forward and learn to have fun in success and failure alike, and you will have learned a great life secret."

As usual, Matt doesn't actually need most of my advice.  Eighteen hours after his initial disappointment, he scored 16 points (on 10 shots), grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists, helping to lead his team to its first win of the season.  I think after our text exchange following his opening game and his coach's words before the second game ("Matt, I didn't bring you from Augusta to New York for you to not shoot the ball!"), he agrees with me that his 2 for 8 shooting performance on opening night does not mean he "can't make shots."  Eagles supporters would probably agree that 8 shots was hardly enough tries for Matt to get loose during games in high school!

But as always, I am most impressed with his perspective on life's important matters, especially in the eyes of a college freshman.  At his most discouraged moment, he lamented that he hoped to get his shooting form back after finals next week because he felt like studying had kept him from doing as much basketball skill work as usual.  He then added that there was no way he would be compromising his "school first" priority list.

With this perspective, it is hardly surprising that Matt was able to have such a good performance so early in his freshman basketball season.  After all, basketball is a game.  And keeping it in its proper place is not only the wise choice, it is counter intuitively the best strategy for playing it well.  Matt is sure to face more disappointment on the court and in the classroom as he adjusts to adulthood.  But the ability to face adversity and smile and move forward should serve him well in his upcoming examinations in the classroom and on the court.

***If you are interested, Matt shared with me in this interview the special academic requirements and demands at the US Merchant Marines Academy.  I have always admired Matt and been impressed by his decisions.  I think it will be hard to watch listen to him talk and not be impressed.***

Pre-Season Top 10 (Part 2)

In part 2 of the "Pre Season Area Top Ten High School Teams" posts, I highlight teams 7, 6, and 5.  This Friday and Saturday's ABR Live Tip Off Invitational (see full schedule here) marks the first weekend of high school hoops action where we will get to see most of the area's teams in action for the first time. Each night this week, I will share my thoughts about who the area's best ten teams will be.  Let me know what you think in the comment section.

***See Part 1 of the rankings here***




#7 - Washington County
Coach Carlos Hope's teams always defend.  And junior AJ Gray has two years of leadership behind him.  An older Gray and his athletic and disciplined teammates should make the Golden Hawks better than they have been in the past few years. And they have already been darn good.  It is difficult to place WACO properly in the top 10 because sub region rival Thomson is the only local team the Hawks routinely play.  So I will not be surprised if the Sandersville faithful accuse me of "Augusta bias" in placing them in the second half of the rankings.  Winning in the "dog pound" (do they still call The home gym in Thomson that?) would make a strong case for WACO's chances of advancing deep into the state playoffs.  We may not see them often, but we certainly look forward to the two times when Coach Hope's team faces Thomson this season.  Not to mention a possible deep post season run.

#6 - Augusta Christian
We dedicated no time to covering the Lions' 2012-2013 SCISA state tournament final four run.  But we expect to change plans this season as one of Will Avery's favorite players, point guard Jordan Dingle (South Aiken transfer) has joined the Martinez based private school.  Dingle is an explosive player who can get into the paint at will and finish with both hands.  Guard Nick Fortenberry, a proven scorer, returns for his senior season.  And 6'9" junior Calvin Taylor provides size inside.  Following the Lions should be fun as they face proven South Carolina private school programs Cardinal Newman, Heathwood Hall, Ben Lippen, and Hammond.  During region play, the Lions will face South Carolina's (possibly) best player, Seventh Woods of Hammond, at least twice.

#5 - North Augusta
Last year I dedicated much of my coverage of the Yellow Jackets to seniors TJ Shepard and Tavarus Hall.  But after seeing Malik Dunbar, Christian Davis, and Chandler Harrison in many different settings throughout the off season, I believe this year's team will actually improve over last season's state tournament quarterfinal round team.

The junior Dunbar impresses everyone who watches him with the combination of his smooth stroke, his size (6'4"), and his athleticism.  And Christian Davis' pure shooting and ability to create off the dribble will give North Augusta a new look on the perimeter.  I think these pieces will fit together very nicely.

Pre-Season Top 10 (Part 1)

In part 1 of the "Pre Season Area Top Ten High School Teams" posts, I highlight teams 10, 9, and 8.  This Friday and Saturday's ABR Live Tip Off Invitational (see full schedule here) marks the first weekend of high school hoops action where we will get to see most of the area's teams in action for the first time. Each night this week, I will share my thoughts about who the area's best ten teams will be.  Let me know what you think in the comment section.



#10 - Evans
The 2012-2013 Knights sailed through sub region play undefeated and recorded signature wins at home versus Aquinas and North Augusta.  And two players no longer with the team, Damion Foreman and Jacob Buchanan, had much to do with that success.

Evans' Patrick Lawrence, Kameron Mason, and
Jacob Buchanan fight for a rebound.

But returnees Patrick Lawrence and Kameron Mason will likely inherit much of the leadership responsibilities. And these guards can score.  Additionally, Matlin Marshall and K'lon Lovett are tough defenders who can also contribute offensively.  All four of these guards know how to win and have experience doing so.  The biggest strength this team should have is the expectations of its coach, and therefore the players, that success is a habit. Figuring out how to win may be the task at hand.  But I predict coach Kenny and the Knights will rise to the occasion.

#9 - Richmond Academy

Richmond's Tiger Daggett in Warmups

Brothers Frank (senior) and Nick (sophomore) Roberts will team with proven junior guard Tiger Daggett to give the Musketeers a formidable inside-out attack.  Last year's poor sub region regular season record should prove to be a fluke for the proud Richmond basketball program.  In addition to the Roberts brothers, Richmond has additional big, active bodies.  And most importantly, coach Steve Nobles and his formidable staff has clearly taught the players the importance of feeding the post.  Region 4AAAA action is about to get even more exciting with the Musketeers joining the competitive fray.

#8 - Thomson
Thomson always competes fiercely, applying constant full court pressure and a team first mentality.  Guards Felton Hatcher and Malik Gibbons are very capable.  Hatcher can shoot from deep and the lefty is as explosive as any guard.  And Gibbons is a smart point guard who knows how to play the game and get his teammates great shots.  A beneficiary of Gibbons' savvy point guard play is Stephen Hart, a 6'4" center with good footwork in the post.  The 7 spot was basically a toss up between sub region 3AAA rivals Thomson and WACO.  Luckily, we will see things sorted out during the teams' 2-3 meetings this regular and post season.

ABR Live Tip-Off Invitational Schedule

The ABR Live Tip-Off Invitational is the first chance for us to see most of the area's best high school teams in action. See the schedule here:

ARC Shows Positive Signs

In the first scrimmage between local GHSA schools, coach Steve Nobles' Richmond Academy squad looked poised to improve significantly on last year's 2012-13 6th place sub region 3B-AAAA finish.  6'6" senior Frank Roberts leads a foursome of inside players with size, toughness, and scoring ability.  Frank's brother Nick, an active sophomore with a nice shooting touch, joins this year's team after sitting out last season with an injury.

Having size inside is not rare.  But seldom do teams take full advantage of the inside scoring ability of their post players.  Coach Nobles and his staff seem to have done a good job training the Musketeer guards to make the extra pass and patiently feed the post.

Greenbrier showed signs of improvement as well, staying within striking distance of ARC until midway through the fourth quarter.  Coach Casey Heckathorn's team benefits from the return of all of last season's core players, with the exception of 6'7" center Connor Sigrist.  That loss leaves the Wolfpack relatively small inside.  Using a 4 guard lineup, the Wolfpack attacked the basket in transition and in the half court offense.  Sophomore guard Justin Hartfield appears ready to build on a solid freshman season.  He lived in the paint Saturday, consistently breaking down the ARC perimeter defense off the dribble.

ARC's size was eventually too much for Greenbrier Saturday.  We look forward to seeing both of these teams when the regular season begins.  Both teams are in action in the ABR Live Tip Off Tournament November 22-23 at Evans High School and Evans Middle School.  Greenbrier will face Josey (Nov 22 at 4 P.M. at Evans Middle School) and GMC (Nov 23 at 11:30 A.M. at Evans High School).  ARC will play Johns Creek (Nov 22 at 7 P.M. at Evans Middle School) and Evans (Nov 23 at 8:30 P.M. at Evans High School. 

ABR Live at a Glance

The NBA season just began.  Georgia's high school teams just finished tryouts.  And our GAIS Eagles homeschool basketball teams are in Missouri for the NCHBC Tip-Off Tournament.  The beginning of hoops season caused me to reflect on some of the memorable moments and topics from ABR Live's coverage of last season's high school games.  Before we get the 2013-2014 season fully underway, let's take a look at last season...

We didn't get to see as much of these teams as we would have liked in the 2012-2013 season. But the Bulldogs and the Golden Hawks are always worth watching. And with Felton Hatcher and Malik Gibbons returning for Thomson and AJ Gray entering his junior season at WACO, we look forward to catching up with these teams in the 2013-2014 campaign.



The Evans Knights went 9-0 in sub region play in the 2012-2013 season. Coach Kenny's squad established itself early as a team that would be tough to beat... especially at home. Early home wins versus area powers Aquinas (shown here) and North Augusta set the tone for a crowd pleasing 2013 run to the state tournament.



Glenn Hills may have been our area's best team in the 2012-2013 season. The Spartans began the season 16-0 (or something like that!). Coach Travis Mcrae sure drew up a great play for his son Aubrey on this play to defeat Laney in OT right after the Christmas break!



Austin Crown and Matt Miller were two players from our area on a very short list: 2013 graduates who received full basketball scholarships. See why in these highlights as the dynamic backcourt mates combined for 61 points in a loss to one of the south's best post graduate teams: Gray Military of Columbia, SC.



Before the season, Will Avery picked this game as the one most likely to be the area's most entertaining contest. He was right!



Our area's best player is so good in so many ways. See some of his highlights here.



Butler's Dontae Coleman may have had more huge nights than anyone in our area last season. But his 39 point outburst versus rival Laney (featured here) may have been our favorite.



Westside's Frank Booker (Oklahoma Sooners) may have had his most impressive game versus Laney in the final regular season home game of his senior year. The win over its cross town rival clinched Westside's regular season sub region first place finish. Booker is shown in these highlights torching the Wildcats from all angles.



250+ players competed in the first ABR Live Showcase in March, 2013. Frank Booker (Oklahoma); Marcus Stroman (South Carolina); Kyle Doyle (Georgia Southern); Austin Crown (Wingate); and Matt Miller (Merchant Marines Academy) were among the top seniors. And a host of impressive underclassmen participated. Virtually every basketball player in our area competed.



In 2013, four years after the team's first season, the GAIS Eagles finished as one of the nation's ten best homeschool teams. Highlights from the team's run at the national championship tournament in Missouri are shown here.