2025/2026 Impact Combos Pt 2
By: Keith Agran
HABERSHAM CENTRAL
HEADLINERS: 2025’s Josiah McCurry, Jalen Davis, Justus Gober, Enzo Combs
OUTLOOK: McCurry is known name off of an eye-opening summer last year where he was only scratching the surface of an intriguing inside-out forward package. The other 3 will surely emerge in some shape or form this spring and summer as the online clips are interesting and filled with possibilities as they will inherit a Raiders program next year that has established itself of late as one to contend with yearly.
LOGANVILLE CHRISTIAN
HEADLINERS: 2026 G Ky Fryar, 2026 F Banks Pourchier, 2026 G CJ Dockery
OUTLOOK: Got a first-hand look at the 3 freshmen who are playing big minutes for an LCA team led by seniors like Drake Kucharik and Cole Hodges. Pourchier screams all kinds of future frontcourt intrigue as a college prospect with good size and interior understanding at an early stage, while Fryar is an impressive athlete whose basketball acumen is just in the early stages but holds a ton of intrigue as well.
WOODWARD ACADEMY
HEADLINERS: 2025 F Deke Cooper, 2025 G Zachary Foster, 2025 G Aaron Jackson
OUTLOOK: Hard pressed to find a sophomore duo who have both made such a huge impact already this season but also hold so much promise for the future. Cooper and Foster are monster names on the GA-scene and will remain so with skill and IQ beyond their years.
SOUTH FORSYTH
HEADLINERS: 2026 F Charlie Gersmehl, 2026 G Payne Smith
OUTLOOK: South does a nice job yearly getting guys to step up from supporting roles or JV, so with Gersmehl and Smith still being only sophomores next fall it shouldn’t fall all to them to keep things rolling in Cumming. Both are headed for potential big travel seasons with Redline as they hit the UA Rise Circuit and expand their profiles.
BERKMAR
HEADLINERS: 2025 G Eddie Cooke III, 2025 C Mekhi Ragland
OUTLOOK: Ragland’s arrival was one of the most interesting early-season storylines and he didn’t disappoint as the big man’s stock is rising exponentially in what was clearly a building season for the Patriots. Cooke is skilled and a beast at multiple levels from the guard spot, while Ragland has a lot of offense under his umbrella and has time still to work on the body.
MOUNT PARAN CHRISTIAN
HEADLINERS: 2025 G Cameron Hewling, 2025 F Andric Parent, 2025 G Carson Hodges, 2025 G VJ Ray, 2026 G Tony LoPresti
OUTLOOK: Wasn’t able to get eyes on this group this season but the buzz is certainly palpable. Hewling made All-Region and had some impressive scoring nights leading a sophomore class that will be a factor next fall, while LoPresti is a 2026 name to get to know quickly as he was a sterling youth player and has all the tools for future stardom.
MT BETHEL CHRISTIAN
HEADLINERS: 2025 G Zach Rodene, 2025 G Taj Efemini, 2027 G Ben Howry (hasn’t committed to Upper School as of publication)
OUTLOOK: Sneaking in Howry because if Coach Cal Boyd can secure him to the program next school year it changes the look of the lineup for sure as he’s good enough to crack a first five that will return 2024 G Will Kuimjian and 2024 rising reserve Cole Buker, but Rodene has been a starter most of the season and Efimini’s arrival in January was an exciting development as he’s got some fascinating end-to-end upside.
Keith Agran has lived in Georgia since 2011 and joined OTR as a National Evaluator in 2021. He previously scouted for Prep Hoops dating back to 2019, and also spent 3 years as a sports writer at two newspapers in New Jersey. After a championship-coaching background on the HS-level also in NJ, he accepted the Girl’s Basketball Head Coaching position in May 2022 at Mt Bethel Christian Academy and now balances scouting and coaching still with a keen eye on talent around the region. You can reach him at keithagran1@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @BracketSage.
