MILTON, Ga. — Going into the season games between Gainesville and Milton looked like marquee affairs. Nearing the end of the season, Tuesday night’s game carried additional gravity. 22-0 Gainesville went into Milton for their toughest remaining test while Milton looked to mar the Red Elephants’ record and gain sole position in second place in 7-5A. 

The game was as good as expected. A tight contest throughout that came down to Milton having an opportunity to win it at the buzzer with a 3-pointer. Ultimately, Gainesville improved to 23-0 with a 55-53 win. 

KJ White - Gainesville - 2026

More often than not, it feels like White makes plays when Gainesville needs them. He had a couple of those moments tonight whether it was getting a big steal or a timely bucket. If a ballhandler diverts his attention for a second, White’ll snatch the ball for a pick six in a hurry. White got his scoring going early from three but got more going toward the basket in the second half. He finished with 16 points to lead the Red Elephants and showed why he’s one of the best available guards in the state. 

Jackson Harrison - Milton - 2027

Harrison is one of the most dangerous shooting threats in Georgia. He knocked down four for Milton en route to 18 points. He’s efficient with it too. Harrison can do more than linger around the perimeter. He uses his gravity well to attack closeouts and get to the rim. Harrison is also a good ball mover and passer. There are times when he could take a shot and nobody would bat an eye, but he’s smart enough to get the ball moving to find a potentially better shot. He’s still making a name for himself around Georgia, but by the time the June high school events hit, everyone will have a good feel for what he can do. 

Solomon Bratton - Milton - 2027

Bratton puts so much pressure on defenses at this level because of his powerful drives to the basket. He muscles his way to fouls and buckets. His ability to play through contact is a great weapon. Bratton has nice footwork in the paint too. He can free himself open to get to mid-range jumper, or he can maneuver his way to get a clean look closer to the basket. He has been a versatile piece for Milton all season. Tuesday night was no different. He finished with 16 points and altered the game in the second half with his pursuit of the rim. 

Quintin Mansfield - Gainesville - Troy commit

Troy commit Quentin Mansfield had a stretch in the first half that showcased his versatility as a prospect. It started with a pair of 3-pointers showing his perimeter threat at 6-foot-7. Then, he got it done at the rim with his size and physicality. Mansfield played bully ball with smaller opponents on him. He finished with 12 for the Red Elephants. 

Bryce Jackson - Gainesville - 2026

Jackson got the game going on a good note for Gainesville. He hit a pair of 3-pointers early on that set the tone. He followed that up with a transition dunk to keep momentum on the side of the Red Elephants. Jackson finished with 13 points. He was a main reason why they established an early lead that they did a nice job of maintaining throughout. 

Will Ocran - Milton - 2026

Milton needed a third person to step up for them in this game to help combat Gainesville’s depth. Senior wing Will Ocran did so with 10 points and a handful of tough rebounds against the Red Elephants’ big front line. Most of Ocran’s scoring output came from beyond the 3-point line. Milton is one of the best shooting teams in Georgia, and Ocran added to that depth on Tuesday. 

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.