“Deft Handle” – Road-Wise Roundup

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 both are serious names to know in the 2026 class. But they’re still frosh, and even under excellent tactician Scott Givens, junior leaders Brandon Mankin and Caleb Underwood will need time to bring this mixed bag together.

Luke Flynn

WALTON NOTES: Flynn is worth the price of admission every time out, as he’s the type of star talent who plays so hard every possession and wants it so badly. The Raiders are 5-1 as of publication, and there are other really intriguing pieces in  2024’s athletic Leo Etah and sharpshooter JP Wells and senior forward Harrison Morris. This will not be a team to take lightly when 7A playoff time comes along.

MT BETHEL 71, GALLOWAY 43 (12/2/22)

THE SKINNY: A seasoned and veteran MBCA group is playing at a high level right now.

Jackson Bell

MT  BETHEL NOTES: The 3-headed backcourt of seniors Jackson Bell and James White and junior Will Kuimjian has been controlling tempo, making sound decisions and scoring from all levels. Big 6-9 2024 Mo Diao off the bench is a devastating energy piece and game-changer above the rim at both ends.

GALLOWAY NOTES: Galloway is in rebuild mode after 4 years of Anthony Arrington and Quentin Alterman stabilizing a mixed bag of key contributors around them. Senior Amir Arrington is having to play a lot of PG for this young team, keeping him from getting his deadeye jumper off as frequently. 2026 Aiden Aponte is a name to know and has some intriguing skills, but like most freshman has a ways to go as a two-way player.

ST MARY’S ACADEMY 26, WHITEWATER 76 (12/6/22)

THE SKINNY: The Wildcats just suffered their first defeat Saturday after opening 6-0.

ST MARY’S NOTES: None

WHITEWATER NOTES: A highly athletic and capable scoring guard in senior Braeden Ofosu and some good size up front led by senior Antonio Winslow highlight this team you might not be able to sleep on in 4A.

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 also spent 3 years as a sports writer at two newspapers in New Jersey. After a championship-coaching background on the HS-level also in NJ, he accepted the Girl’s Basketball Head Coaching position in May 2022 at Mt Bethel Christian Academy. You can reach him at keithagran1@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @BracketSage.