GHSA Tournament Teams to Watch for – February 19, 2020

Kowacie Reeves has put up big numbers this season for Westside (GA). 

Atlanta, Ga– High School basketball playoffs kicked off last week in the state of Georgia. Excitement and anticipation in the Peach State is at a high level as players and coaches alike are ready to make a run at a state title.

Tucker High School (Tucker, Ga.) – Class AAAAAA

The Tigers have a loaded roster headlined by 6-7 forward Jermontae Hill & Terrence Edwards. This duo has the ability to put numbers on the board rather quickly. Sophomore guard Raylon Barrion is one of the best young prospects in the state and should make an impact early.

Wheeler High School (Marietta, Ga) – Class AAAAAAA

Head Coach Larry Thompson has his wildcats playing as good as any team in the state right now. The Wildcats have a 20-7 record this season and claimed the Region Championship. Sam Hines and Ja’Heim Hudson anchor the paint while Max Harris, Nash Kelly and Prince Davies handle the scoring responsibilities from the perimeter.

Milton High School (Milton, Ga) – Class AAAAAAA

Look for Allen Whiteheart’s team to make a deep run in the playoffs. Milton flaunts one of the more talented backcourt duos in the state. Bruce Thornton and Kanaan Carlyle are matchup nightmares for just about every team they face. Senior guard Evan Hurst has been outstanding this season and is a constant threat from behind the arc. When this trio gets in a groove, the Eagles are very hard to beat.

Dutchtown High School (Hampton, Ga) – Class AAAAA

Dutchtown has the frontline firepower to go a deep run. Senior forward Cam Bryant is a proven workhorse on the interior who you can almost pencil in for a nightly double-double. Senior Jamaine Mann has been instrumental for the Bulldogs in their quest to win a state championship. Mann is a inside/out threat who can handle the scoring load on any given night. The X-Factory’s for the Bulldogs are seniors Kameron Hobbs and Isaiah Placide.

Westside Macon High School (Macon, Ga) –  Class AAA

The Seminoles are a team that inexplicably inconsistent. They have all the tools needed to go on a run, but the big question is, which Westside team will show up? If Kowacie Reeves, Javian Mosley and crew come in laser focused, watch out!

Heritage-Conyers High School (Conyers, Ga) – Class AAAAAA

The Patriots don’t get a lot of press, but they have been a pretty solid squad as of late. Heritage will need consistency from the frontcourt to go along with its excellent backcourt duo of RJ Noord andJames White to make a deep run with other key contributors like 2022 Jalen Boston ready to make an impact.

Players to watch for

Robert Cowherd – Denmark (GA) – 2022

Cowherd has put up some big numbers several times this season. He also is a good three-point shooter and is deadly when his feet are set. He has a nice floater and can get to the rim where he can draw the foul or finish with touch and body control.

Andrew McConnell – Lanier (GA) – 2021

McConnell is a combo guard that can make jumpers to the arc and straight line mid-range pull ups. He has a smooth confident stroke and is a good ball handler and passer as well.  McConnell also has a good basketball IQ and can deliver the ball to an open teammate when he draws a second defender. 

Sebastian Augustave – Buford (GA) – 2020

One of the elite shooters in Georgia’s senior class especially when it comes to catch and shoot jumpers, Augustave has a sweet stroke. He is active without the ball as he knows where he is headed on the floor whether it is to run away from his defender or to utilize and read screens to free himself for a shot.

Jakobe Strozier – Drew Charter (GA) – 2022

Strozier is a highly versatile swingman with an aggressive two-way mentality and strong motor. Offensively, he’s wired to score. He’ll attack the rim in the open floor, aggressive look for catch-and-shoot opportunities in the half-court set.

Christian Chambers – Evans (GA) – 2020

Chambers is a long and thin guard that attacks of the bounce and can hit the open three off the catch with range to the arc when his feet are set. His ball handling makes him a play maker that can get to where he needs on the floor.