“Deft Handle” – Road-Wise Roundup Pt 1

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 of his compadres and weren’t on some scoring runs which are his trademark. When the 3’s weren’t falling he got at the basket as is his trademark. Fellow 2023 Mason Bennett was key as well doing all the dirty work and little things, his trademark as well.

RIVER RIDGE NOTES: The 2023 backcourt of David Hansraj and Jay McCord is clearly the engine for this group. Hansraj has been a capable scorer for 3 years now, crafty and creative. McCord steps finally into the PG role he seems a solid fit for, a combo of speed and daring that differentiates this group from the last few headlined by the departed 2022 class.

LAKESIDE 49, WESLEYAN 51 (11/18/22)

THE SKINNY: Tight affair came down to the last seconds as sophomore Derwin Hodge saved a tie game with a block and senior Thomas Chipman knocked down 2 late free throws to win it.

WESLEYAN NOTES: 2025 Hodge will bring coaching behinds into the seats as he’s an up-and-comer for sure, with the defense slightly ahead of the offense at the moment. But 2024 guard Josh Kavel is the spark for this group, and the energy he brings and kind of controlled reckless abandon he plays with brings the team up a level and changes momentum.

LAKESIDE NOTES: A chance to make some noise for the Vikings will rest on the shoulders of the senior trio of Sebastian Reed, Ethan Sams and AJ Wheeler. When cooking, the three can be a lot to deal with, Reed a clever and skilled scorer with range, Sams an explosive athlete on the attack, and Wheeler a calm floor leader who can hurt you offensively as well.

PART TWO TO COME!!

Keith Agran has lived in Georgia since 2011 and joined OTR as a National Evaluator in 2021. He previously scouted for Prep Hoops dating back to 2019 and has both a championship-coaching background on the HS-level and daily newspaper writing experience, both from New Jersey. You can reach him at keithagran1@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @BracketSage.