This is the heart of the 2026 travel basketball season. Teams are feeling the full weight of what it takes to compete at a high level on the OTR Circuit. After months of roster building following state tournaments, programs arrived in early May with roles taking shape and purpose coming into focus. With the all-important NCAA Live Period just two weekends away, injuries, slumps, new lineups, and the constant challenge of building unity and leadership have tested every group.

What emerged from the Rocky Top Invitational is a snapshot of spring travel basketball: grit, growth, and excitement for what is ahead.

We asked coaches to reflect on their team’s performance last weekend. Question such as who played well, what pleased them and what improvement is still needed.  We also asked them their expectations heading into May. Their responses show the challenges that travel programs face and what keeps them motivated.

17U

All Georgia Elite (OTR)

All Georgia Elite showcased two-way production and improved ball-sharing in competitive matchups.

Coach Mario shares:

Dominion Bunch showed that he should be in the running for 1 of the top players in the state… The team as a whole has showed improvement sharing the ball.

Versatility and rising talent will define their summer push.

“Expectations for this group will be to show college coaches they can play whatever role… Sekou Reid has the potential to break out this summer. Carlin Cabbil is another player on the rise.” – Coach Mario

Atlanta Standard OTR

Atlanta Standard went undefeated after committing to disciplined, high-school-style development and long-term growth. Coach Les Strech (Co-Founder) shared:

Going undefeated this weekend was the byproduct of those things… Our players love basketball and they love being coached hard. This weekend was a real turning point.

Long-term athlete development remains the core conviction.

Our core conviction is long term athlete development… Our expectations are high we will have more undefeated weekends because of the work being done in the hours no one sees.
— Coach Les Strech

Charlotte ACES OTR

Charlotte ACES went 3-1 despite injuries and early shooting struggles, with defense trending upward. Kevin Ligon said:

We went 3-1 against some very talented teams with several players playing first game in a month due to injuries… I am really excited about how Deshawn Coulter and Jayden Gunby are playing right now.

Team chemistry and relationship-building are key priorities.

Working on getting kids to play with each other and play off teammate’s strengths we will grab coaches' attention. Also, investing time into team relationships as they will be friends forever after this season.
— Kevin Ligon

Georgia Legacy

Georgia Legacy showed strong bounce-back ability and individual scoring in tight games. Dyron Gates noted:

17u Legacy Boys showed great bounce back after a rough loss… Luke Beaver averaged 10.5ppg and 8.5apg, Hampton Hill 16.6ppg.

Full 32-minute efforts and returning contributors will be critical moving forward.

Playing a full 32 is going to be key… 6’3 W Will Bishop is 3 tournaments in from injury and has had a really good showing.
— Dyron Gates

Only1Elite

Essien Lockleer delivered standout scoring performances in an otherwise solid weekend. Coach Riggs shared:

Essien Lockleer played well dropping 42 in a game and 19 in another game. We played good this weekend overall.

Tempo control and emerging duos power their May expectations.

We are working on controlling our tempo of the game… Breakout players will be Zay Smith & TJ Gipson. Qua Watson & Essien Lockleer will continue to shake up OTR as the new Duo.
— Coach Riggs

Team Gold Coast

Gavin Reed exploded for consistent big numbers while the team emphasized defense and team play. Stefan Whittingham said:

Gavin Reed played lights out!!!! … What pleased me the most was how we defended and played as a team.

Recruiting momentum and breakout talent headline May plans.

Our expectations in May is to really start picking up offers… Potential breakout player: Ethan Jeanlouis.
— Stefan Whittingham

Tennessee Panthers Basketball Club

The Panthers competed hard on both ends despite missing several players. J. McInnis shared:

We were missing a few guys, but the ones that were here competed really well on both ends.

Getting the full roster together is the clear priority heading into May.

I hope to see the complete team compete and really show what this team is capable of.
— J. McInnis

Warriors Life Elite

The team competed at a high level, dropping two games by a single point each. Markus Green noted:

We had a great weekend competing against some of the best teams on OTR circuit and lost 2 games by 1 point each… Alijah Miller really stepped up as a true point guard.

Recruiting attention and Terry Riggins’ return signal strong potential.

We are looking to have a great live period; the entire roster is worthy of being recruited… Terry Riggins can really be a breakout player in his recruiting stock is rising.
— Markus Green

16U

Georgia Legacy Premier

The group battled top competition with strong playmaking and bench contributions. Matt Kile said:

We performed well over the weekend… Korben Polk, Lucas Fainter, and Beaty Terrette have proved that they can play with anybody… Everybody on the team can go.

Communication and defensive details will drive improvement in May.

A few expectations I have heading into May is for the team to go out and compete with every team we face… Keep an eye out for Korben Polk, Lucas Fainter, and Beaty Terrette.”
— Matt Kile

Georgia Legacy Select

Hank Barefield led a resilient effort through adversity. Coach Eli Mayberry shared:

Hank Barefield played very well. He was the most consistent player on both ends of the floor. I was happy with how we fought through adversity.”

Individual growth and a specific breakout candidate highlight the month ahead.

Working on being a better individual player… My breakout player is Lucas Poarch, you will hear a lot from him these last two weeks of May.
— Coach Eli Mayberry

Only1Elite

Jaylen Stevens delivered maximum effort on both ends despite being short-handed. Coach Los commented:

Jaylen Stevens gave 100% on both side of the ball this weekend, no matter if we were down 30 or up 30!

Team defense and Stevens’ continued rise are the focus.

I expect my team to have a great run in May, especially Jaylen Stevens! He’s for sure the breakout player! We will be working on team defense and team bonding.
— Coach Los

PNP (Progress Not Perfection)

Playing up in 16U, PNP split 2-2 with two losses by a combined six points. Coach/Director Daryl Alleyne shared:

Some stand out performances from Miles Thornton showed his ability to get downhill finishing in the paint as well as playmaking.”

Finishing games and athletic wings represent the next steps.

PNP 2029 will continue to compete in the 16U division… Potential Breakout player 6’3 F Victor Guerrero has shown potential as a athletic shot maker.
— Coach/Director Daryl Alleyne

Team Gold Coast 2028

The squad showed growth while playing up, led by Karl Mullins’ scoring and energy. Coach T noted:

Karl Mullins led the way, averaging 22 points per game along with about four steals… What pleased me most was our ability to compete and have multiple players step up.

Defensive discipline and Adrian Guzman’s potential define May targets.

Heading into May, our focus is on tightening up defensively… We also think Adrian Guzman, a 6’4” wing, could be a potential breakout player.
— Coach T

Tennessee Panthers Basketball Club

The Panthers showed strong chemistry and unselfish play. J. McInnis said:

I like the way they complement each other. They play for each other more than themselves.

Consistency, rebounding, and full-game effort are the main areas of focus.

I look forward to them skipping dry spells, rebounding more and competing from the start of the game until the end which a lot of team's struggle with.
— J. McInnis

WarriorsLifeElite2028-Parson

Multiple players contributed in double figures as the team built defensive connectivity.

Coach Jason Parson shared:

It’s really hard to answer this question without acknowledging everyone on the team… I was proud of our effort, intensity, and connectivity on defense this weekend.

Consistent daily improvement and Jayden Mabine’s emergence stand out.

My expectations for us as a team are always to be better than yesterday… Jayden Mabine is having a breakout season so far.
— Jason Parson

15U

Atlanta Standard

Atlanta Standard dominated with a 4-0 weekend and strong team chemistry. Justin McTeer explained:

We had one of our best weekends, going 4-0 and winning by an average margin of 37 points… we've really come together as a group.

The program is riding high momentum.

We expect big things in May. We're 9-1 in our last two OTR tournaments and we want to keep challenging ourselves to compete at a high level.

— Justin McTeer

Gwinnett Eagles OTR

The Eagles built character and fought hard despite missing key players. Coach Ace Bland said:

Jerry Levine, Justin Wallaston, and Kyrie Kellam were standouts this weekend… More than anything, we built character this weekend.

Chemistry and leadership from Levine and Wallaston will fuel growth.

We expect to grow our chemistry and camaraderie… Jerry Levine has stepped up… He and Justin Wallaston are definitely the leaders for this team.
— Coach Ace Bland

Ryders Basketball

The team split the weekend but received strong contributions from bench and key scorers.

Coach David Saunders noted:

Amir Ali continued to be a driving force… I was pleased with our bench coming in and changing the game.

Mental development and Brian Huggins Jr.’s return headline May plans.

My expectations for May are to put together some 4-0 weekends… I believe Brian Huggins Jr. will be our breakout player this month.
— Coach David Saunders

Twelve Time Elite

Total team effort and unselfishness defined their play. Coach O (Orvin Holiday) said:

The way our team is structured we don’t have 1 guy that’s just playing well it’s been a total team effort… I’m very pleased with the unselfishness of the team.

Steady improvement, development, and enjoyment guide their approach.

Expectation for May. Learn, develop, win and have fun… We just want to see improvement from the previous weeks.
— Coach O

Jonathan Hemingway has been a National Evaluator for On the Radar Hoops since 2013. He has been involved in the basketball community since 1995 as a coach, camp director, and evaluator. You can reach him at CoachHemi@gmail.com and follow him on X @CoachHemi and Instagram @Coach_Hemi.