ATLANTA, GA – Less a road roundup last week as it was a “comfort- of-home” roundup, as circumstances had me on the couch, but the gem that is the NFHS network brought a couple of intriguing games to me. By: Keith Agran MOUNTAIN VIEW 64, LAMBERT 79 (1/3/23) THE SKINNY: Two of the faster-paced teams in the Metro clashed in a non-region matchup in Suwanee, and the Longhorn guards had a big 2nd half to stave off the Bear equivalents. MOUNTAIN VIEW NOTES: You’d better have plenty of nitro in reserve when......
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ATLANTA, GA – With still more now Christmas-themed tournaments starting up this past weekend including a long-distance drop-in on Savannah, I did get in the gym for two regular season contests earlier in the week. Some Road-Wise observations in the latest Deft Handle segment: By: Keith Agran COLLINS HILL 62, CHATTAHOOCHEE 69 (12/12/22) THE SKINNY: Hooch appears to be finding its footing with a now healthy lineup in support of the dynamic Cam James. COLLINS HILL NOTES: The Eagles can appear to rely almost too heavily on senior guard Keishawn Hampton, as......
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ATLANTA, GA – Tournaments have dominated my treks around town the last 2 weeks following Thanksgiving, but I have had to chance to drop in on a few gyms or catch the opponents of our own #1 ranked A-D1 Mt Bethel boys. Some Road-Wise observations in the latest Deft Handle segment: By: Keith Agran SOUTH FORSYTH 53, WALTON 79 (11/29/22) THE SKINNY: Too much Luke Flynn for a young War Eagles group. SOUTH FORSYTH NOTES: South is playing two good-looking freshmen major minutes in forward Charlie Gersmehl and guard Payne Smith, and......
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ATLANTA, GA – Following the opening weekend DT Invitational at Berkmar Nov. 12, hit the road for a variety of stops between then and Thanksgiving weekend. Here are some roundup thoughts from the treks, now Part 2, the final 3 games here coming from the Centennial Thanksgiving Classic: By: Keith Agran PAULDING COUNTY 65, NORTH COBB CHRISTIAN 66 (11/22/22) THE SKINNY: Tight one that actually saw NCCS take an 11-point lead into the 4th with the Pats almost snatching it away late. PAULDING COUNTY NOTES: Guard trio of seniors Frantzyr Chardavoine, Javonne......
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ATLANTA, GA – Following the opening weekend DT Invitational at Berkmar Nov. 12, hit the road for a variety of stops between then and Thanksgiving weekend. Here are some roundup thoughts from the treks, broken into 2 parts as it’s technically 2 weeks worth of action: By: Keith Agran CHEROKEE 62, RIVER RIDGE 58 (11/17/22) THE SKINNY: Entertaining Cherokee County non-region head-to-head as the visiting Warriors went into RRHS without 2023 starters Tay Owens and Dastin Hart and gutted one out. CHEROKEE NOTES: 2023 guard Cam Pope asserted himself in the absence......
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LILBURN, GA – Our Deft Handle segment, a look around the GA scholastic hoops scene, returns with the season now tipped off. The brothers Pack and their DT Invitational crew put on another terrific event last weekend, this one 19 games in 2 gyms over 2 hoops-filled days at Berkmar. Spent Saturday’s schedule in the main gym, here are are some impression-makers from that slate of games. By: Keith Agran Byron Martin | 6-0 | PG | Peachtree Ridge | 2024 Solid team win over Dacula to start the day and Martin......
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ATL METRO – My “Deft Handle” column makes a summer return, taking the opportunity of an open Friday to drop in on two locations for play dates, first to East Forsyth in the morning and then off to Dacula in the afternoon. Some observations from the day: By: Keith Agran EAST FORSYTH THE NOW: The Broncos return all of their production from last year’s first iteration in GHSA play that was far better than the record indicated. The 3-headed backcourt of 2023’s Matthew Rouse, Bryce Bracco and Ryan Sander is back to......
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GHSA PLAYOFFS – Here are some programs I either got to see live during their playoff runs, caught on-demand or saw earlier in the season and am not at all surprised they made it so far. By: Keith Agran BUTLER (AA, Augusta, GA) Playing without one of their stars in injured 2022 guard Kedar Bodie, they swatted that handicap aside and find themselves in an all-Augusta, AA final anyway vs Westside. After seeing them dispatch of a really good Pace team on their floor, I’m not terribly surprised they made the final.......
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CUMMING, GA – While I’ve seen quite a few of the teams in the other classifications, we’re doing a Turbo run-thru look at 4A down to A-Public to polish off our Bracket look-ins, in this week’s expanded “Deft Handle” (formerly “Sage Speaks”). By: Keith Agran 4A THINGS TO WATCH Baldwin and Monroe in same section >> A collision course of two of the top teams in the classification and both from outside the ATL-area. The defending champ Braves feature one of the state’s best-kept secrets in junior guard Christian “Ice” Burnett and......
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CUMMING, GA – Changing from Sage Speaks to “Deft Handle”, more playoff bracket peeks, this time two more deep groups of 32 with 6A and 5A. By: Keith Agran 6A MOST INTRIGUING FIRST-ROUND GAME Without question a first-round game featuring Osborne and Shiloh excites, and will unfortunately take one of the top 10 teams in the classification out early. Shiloh will host, and is coming off a Region title where yet another veteran crew around town showed their mettle. With 6 seniors featured in their first 7 guys, you have to like their......
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