OTR Hoops – Georgia’s Elite 8 Tip-Off Classic Evening Standouts – November 14, 2023
The high school season is officially underway and the first Saturday didn’t disappoint. We saw some of the top teams in the state battle it out on the big stage as multiple D1 head coaches were in attendance. We saw guys like O’Brien Watkins and Joah Chappelle have statement games against highly ranked teams while Gicarri Harris, CJ Brown, and Ricky McKenzie solidified their superstar status. These are a few top performers from the night games.
By: OTR Hoops Staff
Jordan Green | 6’6 | PF | Newton – 2026
Newton and Osborne were locked in a tight one for most of the game but Newton pulled it out in the 4th, largely because of Jordan Green’s production off the bench. Green finished with a double-double, 16 points and 12 rebounds. Around the paint, Green has great hands and some soft touch. He can also stretch the floor and made Osborne pay with a couple of three-pointers. The 6’6 sophomore still has plenty of untapped potential and his impact will only increase as he adds muscle and polishes the skillset.
Joah Chappelle | 6’8 | SF | Dutchtown | 2024
It was a statement game for Joah Chappelle as he battled back and forth with Ricky McKenzie and had Dutchtown leading for most of the game. Wheeler pulled it out in the last minute but Chappelle and the Bulldogs impressed nonetheless. Chappelle led Dutchtown with 16 points while also racking up a ton of rebounds and assists. At 6’8, Chappelle is a legit playmaker with the ball in hands and excels in the open court. If Saturday was a sign of things to come, Joah Chappelle could be one of the biggest breakout stars of the season. LM/MM D1s would be wise to get involved.
Ricky McKenzie | 6’5 | SG | Wheeler | 2024
It’s a much different look for Wheeler this year but Ricky McKenzie proved on Saturday that he’s capable of being a #1 scoring option. He led Wheeler with 18 and hit big shot after big shot to keep the game close. The deep range was on display too as McKenzie hit 4 threes, a few from NBA range. Until David Clark returns, McKenzie will need to carry a lot of the scoring load in some tough games coming up. McKenzie was the first commitment in what looks to be a historic recruiting class for Kennesaw State.
Gicarri Harris | 6’4 | CG | Grayson – 2024
Grayson took down McEachern on Saturday night behind a deep and well-rounded attack. Gicarri Harris is always a focal point and he didn’t disappoint. Harris led the Rams with 22 points while getting all of the Grayson weapons involved. He’s so confident from behind the three-point line, several tough jumpers with little room to get them off. His size and physicality make for an unfair advantage against most high-schoolers and he’ll be ready to play as soon he gets to the college level. Harris recently announced his top two schools, Purdue and Georgia Tech. Damon Stoudamire, Tech’s Head Coach, was in attendance on Saturday.
Amir Taylor | 6’8 | PF | Grayson | 2024
Amir Taylor was the ultimate difference-maker in the Grayson-McEachern game. He was a beast on the glass, pulling in a ton of rebounds and converting on second chance opportunities. McEachern sat in a zone for most of the game and Taylor took advantage, multiple easy finishes from dump-off passes and few sweet looking jumpers as well. Grayson is clearly the best team in the state right now and their frontcourt of Amir Taylor and Jacob Wilkins will be a handful for anyone on the schedule.
