OTR Hoops: Grayson New Year's Classic Standouts Part 3

LOGANVILLE, Ga. — From the expected to breakouts and eye-openers, the Grayson New Year’s Classic is always rife with notables. This year was no different. 

Continuing to breakdown the event, here are some more of the notable names: 

RELATED: Grayson New Year’s Classic MVPs | Standouts Pt. I | Standouts Pt. II

Isaiah Dorsainvil - Dutchtown - 2028: There have been a lot of bright flashes throughout the year from sophomore guard Isaiah Dorsainvil. He doesn’t need the ball to impact a game. Dorsainvil has good length and quick feet to guard multiple spots. He’ll create a turnover, grab a rebound, do little things that lead to winning. He had stretches of just that on Saturday. 

Bryce Howson - Decatur - 2026: Bryce Howson scored the bucket that sealed the deal for Decatur. That was his major highlight, but his impact was felt throughout the game. He operates well at the point guard spot as a presence to get the offense in a good position to make something happen. Howson is just so steady in that regard. He can really lock in on the other end too. In order to play for Decatur, playing hard on defense is mandatory, and Howson was solid on that end too. 

Luke Lawson - North Oconee - 2026: The Wise brothers rightfully got a lot of attention postgame, but Luke Lawson’s efforts shouldn’t go unnoticed for North Oconee. He was their catalyst early on with his play around the basket on both ends. Lawson was a play finisher, rebounder, and he was sound on defense. While most of his production came inside the arc, Lawson also stepped out and hit shots from deep. It was an all-around performance for him in a marquee matchup. 

Max Patterson, North Gwinnett - 2027: A burgeoning commodity on the football field, Patterson didn’t look too shabby on the hardwood either. The 6-foot-6 forward/tight end posed a problem without an answer. He was a problem around the basket with the kind of nimble power one would expect from a high-level football star. Good footwork, good touch, Patterson poured in 20 points. He guarded well too. It wasn’t easy to get by him, so he created a lot of settled-for jumpers on the perimeter. 

Alyko Raphael - Greenforest - 2027: It was a great first impression by the 6-foot-10 junior. He’s a big dude with an already physical frame that can be further developed. As one might expect, that boded well for him on defense and when rebounding. It’s a matter of being bigger and stronger than everyone. He was a deterrent at the rim. It’s appropriate that Greenforest’s tradition of having intriguing big men continues into a new era. Raphael looks to be next up in that lineage. 

Donaven Thomas - Grayson - 2026: The luxury of having a guard stable like Grayson’s is that different guys can step up on a game-to-game basis. Donaven Thomas was one of the guys who had really good moments for the Rams on Saturday. Per usual, he hit shots, but he also did more on the ball, and he showed a sneaky competitive edge that can often go understated with how much there is to take in on this team. While the Rams came up just short, Thomas had a solid overall game. 

Jalan Wingfield - Tri-Cities - Georgia Tech Commit: There’s always a chance for showtime when Jalan Wingfield takes the floor. One of the most talented prospects in Georgia, Wingfield always flashes heaps of potential. His assertive, above-the-rim finishing near the basket, his skilled footwork to create shots in the mid-range, and his ability to hit shots were all on display in a double-digit outing. 

Josh Tec has been covering prep basketball in Georgia and nationally since 2020. He has served myriad roles as a writer and evaluator, including editor-in-chief. Tec has a degree in journalism from Georgia State. Follow his work on X (Twitter) @_joshtec.