Player Spotlight: PJ Meyers - Life College

PJ Meyers has been given a rather long nickname by this Augusta Basketball Reporter: "the best player on the court." Meyers, who just finished his senior season at Life College, where he set numerous school scoring records, finished in the nation's top 5 in scoring and steals, and earned NAIA 3rd team All American honors, has certainly earned the nickname.

We look forward to following this Augusta native and former T.W. Josey Eagle as he pursues a professional career. And we congratulate him on a fine college basketball career.

Crown and Miller Named NCHBC All Americans

Matt Miller and Austin Crown: Augusta Eagles Guards

As mentioned in this article, Augusta Eagles Junior guards Austin Crown and Matt Miller were chosen as two of the 21 NCHBC All Americans.  Miller and Crown will play for the Gray team in the NCHBC Blue-Gray All American game Wednesday evening at the Missouri State University Gymnasium.  

The game, from which the Augusta Basketball Report will blog live, should be a great one.  The class of 2014's 10th best player, according to espn.com's recruiting service, Justin Jackson, a 6'6" guard who plays for the HCYA Warriors, will play.  And his HCYA teammate, Danrad Knowles, a 6'11" center who is slated to play for the University of Houston Cougars squad as a freshman next season, will be playing on the "Blue" team.  Jackson, Knowles, and Alonzo Trier, a highly regarded freshman guard who plays for the Oklahoma City Storm, are three of the many players in the game who will provide an exciting experience for fans watching in person and on line.

ABR was present for the all american awards ceremony Monday evening.  And we found Crown, Miller, and their Eagles teammates in the lobby of their hotel room after the team ate breakfast Tuesday morning.  Watch the segment above to see the duo receive word, in front of a gym full of players and fans at the tournament, that they are included in this noteworthy group, and to listen to their thoughts, and those of their teammates.

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.

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.

Josey vs Westside Preview

6'6" Forward Kyle Doyle

Westside guard Frank Booker and Josey forward Kyle Doyle are two of the Augusta area's leading scorers, and both play together during the Spring and Summer as a part of the Southern Select AAU basketball program.  Tonight, they will put their friendship aside as the schools face off at 6:30 P.M. at Westside High School.  Leadership in the region standings may belong to the winner, as Josey and Westside sport 4-1 and 3-2 region records respectively, and Thomson and Richmond Academy, who also play this evening, hold 4-1 and 3-2 records respectively.

Booker (19ppg) and Doyle (19ppg) are not alone in leading their respective teams.  Booker's backcourt mate, senior Ronald Coleman, is a capable guard who can score and set teammates up for opportunities.  And Doyle's front court partner, 6'7" senior Robert Askew, is an effective defender, rebounder, and scorer in the paint.

HS Hoops will be present to report on the region showdown.  Check back for video highlights and a summary of the game.