HOOVER, Alabama — On the Radar Hoops took the show on the road for the Birmingham Classic. Two high school venues provided the setting for this year’s edition of the tournament. Spain Park and Fultondale High Schools each parked on opposite sides of the city. Teams from Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee got terrific early-season competition while having the chance to be showcased in front of the premier media in the Southeast.

In this recap, we will look at two of the most competitive games of the weekend. Three OTR Circuit teams were involved and an array of individual names to be tracked throughout the spring and summer evaluation periods.

Atlanta Standard OTR 17U (45) vs. Warner Robins All-Stars OTR 17U (42)

The OTR Circuit welcomes the Atlanta Standard program this year as an exciting addition to the circuit. Drawing players from Cobb, Cherokee, and other surrounding areas, they have put together two teams that are filled with potential collegiate players. They faced off with the Warner Robins All-Stars, who continue to be a mainstay at On the Radar Events. Read more about their program HERE.

This game featured a clash of styles. Coach Les Strech and the Atlanta Standard implemented their active zone defense to prevent the WR All-Stars from penetrating the lane. Standard went into halftime with a comfortable 25-17 lead. Class of 2028 point guard Carter King and Class of 2028 guard Toby Strech each hit two 3-pointers in the first half to give Standard the lead.

The All-Stars struck back in the second half using their own defensive strategy as fuel to turn the momentum. Coach Brooks used an attacking half-court trap to speed up the tempo and keep the Standard shooters out of rhythm. He implemented this same strategy by blitzing the ball screens, which disrupted the Standard half-court offense.

Warner Robins found their own long-range shooter to turn the momentum. Class of 2028 guard Jarvis Williams drained five 3-pointers in the second half, which at one point brought his team into the lead. With six minutes left in the game, Warner Robins All-Stars had stretched their lead out to 36-31.

In the final five minutes of the game, it was the interior players who proved to be the difference. Atlanta Standard’s frontline combo of Class of 2028 forwards Frank Jamieson and Mike Lynch controlled the defensive glass and also came up with key hi-lo finishes to push Standard back in front.

Warner Robins All-Stars forward Tyler Harris held his own in this game scoring six points, hauling in nearly double-digit rebounds, and blocking shots in the paint.

Top Performers

Atlanta Standard

Carter King – 9 points (three 3-pointers)
Mike Lynch – 8 points
Trent Witte – 8 points (two 3-pointers)
Frank Jamieson – 7 points

Warner Robins All-Stars

Jarvis Williams – 21 points (seven 3-pointers)

SMB 17U (54) – Georgia Canes OTR 17U (52)

In another thrilling game that went to the final buzzer, SMB edged past the Georgia Canes in overtime on a slick paint finish by Class of 2027 point guard Zi Davis.

The game taught us as well as entertained us.

The Georgia Canes have an emerging star in point guard Nigel Broome. He is looking to pick up the mantle of competitiveness and toughness left behind by the 2026 Georgia Canes guards of Jayden Crawford, Jason Welborn, and Torian Greene. Broome went toe-to-toe with SMB’s Davis and proved he can lead a team in big moments. His ability to push tempo, involve others, and get a bucket for himself is a positive sign this early in the travel ball season.

Broome is flanked by Peyton Moore in the Canes backcourt. Moore is providing evidence that he can be counted upon to deliver points in big moments. While forward Zech Preston could have as high a ceiling as any on coach Donte Medlock’s squad this year. The 6-foot-10 post swatted shots from the air and grabbed rebounds in traffic in this competitive game.

Unfortunately for the Canes, the best player on the floor on this night played for SMB. Class of 2027 guard Zi Davis from Tuscaloosa County High School proved why college coaches are already calling this year. He is a 6-foot-3 playmaker who can initiate the offense from the point, or he can move off the ball to work as a slasher and scorer within the half court. His slick crossover move into a jump-stop that led to a quick ball fake left the Canes defenders leaning the wrong direction and gave him the chance to seal the victory for SMB.

Top Performers

SMB

Zi Davis – 17 points

Georgia Canes

Nigel Broome – 19 points
Peyton Moore – 9 points