Closer Look: Washington County's Allisha Gray

WACO's Allisha Gray

A Washington County Golden Hawks fan posted this link on our Facebook wall.  Allisha Gray, Washington County's junior leader, is one of the nation's best basketball players.  The list of Gray's accomplishments is long.  But the linked article from ESPN High School Hoops does a good job of summarizing Gray's on and off court success.  And the Augusta Basketball Report also provides a video (below) for readers who want to see the many things Gray does well on the basketball court.

We will be providing live video and scoring updates throughout the Golden Hawks semifinal game against North Hall tomorrow (Friday) at 4 P.M.

Closer Look: Whitefield's Lorenzo Carter

We will soon publish stories about the greater Augusta, Georgia, area's fine teams who were eliminated before this weekend's Final Four state tournament round, including the Aquinas Fighting Irish and the Westside Patriots.

Aquinas faced a particularly difficult task in its Elite Eight loss to Class A's #2 ranked Whitefield Academy.  In addition to future University of Georgia Bulldog Kenny Gaines, Whitefield features 6'7" sophomore forward Lorenzo Carter.  Carter, the subject of this edition of "Closer Look" was first brought to our attention by "On the Radar Hoops" director Shun Williams.  Williams is one of the most informative basketball people around, and his website (ontheradarhoops.com), his Facebook page, and his Twitter account (@OntheRadarHoops) are all worthy of being bookmarked by basketball players and fans.

Georgia is loaded with impressive sophomores and the Augusta area is the home base for one of the country's premiere 16 and under (consisting of players from the class of 2014) AAU spring and summer basketball teams, the Georgia Stampede.  Michael Scott, Ahmed Hill, and Jakeenan Grant, all of whom have been featured in Augusta Basketball Report highlights and stories all play for the Stampede, which is coached by Augusta basketball veterans Michael Stokes and Matt Scott.

The Augusta Basketball Report and On the Radar Hoops are planning a more in depth look at the impressive class of 2014, including some of these greater Augusta, Georgia, area players.  The video above features Whitefield's Lorenzo Carter, whose Wolfpack will face Athens Christian Saturday at 12:45 in the Class A state tournament championship game.

Closer Look: Westside Patriots

Westside Patriots (19-7) vs Eastside Eagles (15-13)

@Westside High School

6:30 P.M., Saturday, Feb 25

Despite falling to Josey in Saturday’s region 3-AAA  tournament championship game, the Westside Patriots are playing as well as just about any team in the tournament.  Saturday’s loss was the first in 40 days, snapping an eleven game win streak. 


Westside’s guard combo of 6’4” junior Frank Booker and 6’ senior Ronald Campbell scores like no other we have witnessed this season. 


In addition to being an exceptional scorer, Booker has proven to be as good of an all around player and leader as the area has seen this season.  He routinely scores from deep with defenders draped all over him, he makes the mid range floater over tall players, and at 6’4” he attacks the basket relentlessly, scoring and getting to the foul line.  As if that weren’t enough, the junior also creates scoring opportunities for teammates, he rebounds on both ends, and he blocks more than his fair share of shots. 

Campbell has been red hot lately.  He shoots extremely well from deep.  And he has the ball  handling skills to create space for that shot both in the mid range and in the paint.

The Patriots look to get back to their winning ways Saturday at home against Eastside High School, in the first round of the AAA state tournament.

Closer Look: Josey Eagles

Josey Eagles (17-9) vs Henry Co Warhawks (16-12)

@Josey High School

6 P.M., Saturday, Feb 25

The Josey Eagles are certainly on a roll.  After defeating Glenn Hills in the region 3-AAA tournament quarterfinals, and Washington County, who had previously won all of its region contests, in the tournament’s semifinals, the Eagles outscored the Westside Patriots 18-5 in the tournament’s Championship game, capping a come from behind 57-51 victory over its cross-town, sub region rival.

Josey Eagles: Region 3-AAA Champs

It is hard to find a weakness on Josey’s team.  6’6” junior Kyle Doyle provides reliable scoring. He has proven to be nearly impossible to defend as his size and skills present match up problems for opponents. Doyle is as comfortable facing the basketball as he is posting up and crashing the boards. Head Coach Jabari Levi is very confident in his scoring leader. “I know what I’m going to get from Kyle. He is consistent,” Levi recently said.

And Levi is equally impressed with 6’7” senior center Robert Askew’s ability to defend, rebound, and finish in the paint.  As importantly, Askew takes pressure off of Doyle on the defensive end of the court.  “I consistently talk to Robert about staying out of foul trouble. If he can stay on the court with Kyle, we are a much stronger team,” explains Levi.

And Josey also features guards who can spread the floor, apply full court pressure, and finish in transition. Senior Deion Craig can get hot from deep. And freshman Darius Williams has been lighting opponents up, especially during the 4th quarter of games. Williams is an explosive scorer from deep and in transition. Opponent Henry County will attempt to snap Josey’s 3 game post season win streak Saturday at the Raleigh Roundtree Athletic complex, Josey's home gym.

Closer Look: Laney Wildcats

Laney Wildcats (23-4) vs Crawford Co Eagles (9-19)

@Laney High School

5 P.M., Saturday, Feb 25

After reaching Class AA’a state tournament Final Four during each of the two previous seasons, the Laney Wildcats are poised for another deep run, but senior Drez Newton informs us that the Laney players and coaches are focused squarely on the immediate task:  "Last year we set out to win a state championship.  This year we are taking it one game at a time," explains the point guard.  Saturdays opening round game is at home versus Crawford County.

The Wildcats have been motivated all season to prove that the loss of Rod Hall Jr., who now plays guard for the Clemson Tigers, will not interrupt the program’s transformation into a perennial class AA power.  "We have worked to establish a basketball program, as opposed to a basketball team, emphasizing weight training and conditioning.  This year's group got a dose of that routine last year, but they got the full experience this season.  And they have learned that when your skill fails, your will prevails," said head coach Jerry Hunter at a recent practice.  And the Wildcats seem to be on track, moving through region 3-AA play undefeated before capturing the region tournament championship with a convincing, 59-49 victory over Bleckley County last Saturday.

Region 3-AA Champion: Laney Wildcats

Newton and Senior back court mate Jamie West lead a high energy, yet disciplined, attack that features experienced, dynamic guard play and a formidable inside attack centered around 6’6” senior center Shaquille Cook. The Wildcats are playing at a high level, closing the regular season with a road win against the region 3-AAA champion Josey Eagles before sailing through its own region tournament. 


The seemingly smooth transition to life without Hall is no surprise to the Tiger guard.  According to the beloved Wildcat Alum, the maturation and leadership of Laney’s senior back court is no surprise, "Drez and Jamie work hard and will do whatever it takes to get better,” Hall recently explained.  Head Coach Jerry Hunter and his fine staff are obviously well down the path of installing an elite basketball program to compliment Laney’s proud heritage.

Harlem's Reid is a Dynamic Player

by HS Hoops

Tuesday night, Reggie Reid scored a game high 30 points and led the Harlem Bulldogs to a 57-48 victory against Grovetown High School.  In recent articles (like this one), Columbia News Times columnist Ashley Brown compares the freshman point guard to some of the Augusta area's best guards from the past 20 years.  Whether Reid achieves success at the levels of former Westside Patriots and UCONN Huskies guard Ricky Moore; former Thomson Bulldog, Pittsburg Panther, and 1st round NBA draft pick Vonteego Cummings; or former Duke standout and NBA lottery pick William Avery remains to be seen and is largely dependent on Reid's work ethic and good fortune.

But after a handful of games this season, one thing appears to be obvious:  Reggie Reid thoroughly enjoys playing basketball.  And who could blame him?  He is a superb ball handler with the ability to make teammates better.  He combines his athleticism and intelligence with his dribbling and shooting skills to score from everywhere - behind the 3 point line, in the medium range, and at the rim.  And he uses his quick feet, quick hands, and jumping ability to disrupt offenses, stealing the ball from dribblers, playing the passing lanes, and swatting away fast break layups.

I like the comparison to Ricky Moore the best.  But those are huge shoes to fill.  Just ask anyone who was fortunate enough to play with Ricky how easy he made the game for teammates.  But with the apparent love for the game that seems to radiate from Reggie Reid, I would not rush to doubt the young Bulldog.  Enjoy some of Reid's highlights and watch out for this young guard in the years to come.