OTR Hoops: Grayson New Year’s Classic – January 5, 2025

LOGANVILLE, Georgia, – Grayson High School played host for its annual New Year’s Classic. This year’s schedule included nine games and featured some of the best teams in the Metro area. The OTR media team was courtside for the action. Here is rundown of the notes we made.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

Cameron Bland – Lambert High School – 2025

Bland has been a consistent performer this season. He leads the Longhorns with ball handling and scoring. His athleticism is complemented by a polished skill set. He scored 26 points in just three quarters of play in a win over Dacula at the Classic. His strength along with his finesse make him one of the top guards in the North Metro area this year.

Chandler Bing – Pace Academy – 2025

Bing continues to be a high energy, productive piece for the Knights. He came up with timely buckets to nudge his team to a win over the Comets of South Gwinnett. He thrives in transition and in 1/1 situations where he has an advantage with his size and explosiveness. Bing’s pairing with teammate Eric Chatfield (below) ought to be enough to give the Knights a shot in the post season.

Zyree Brown – Pebblebrook High School – 2026

Brown remains one of the quickest and most dynamic guards that we have evaluated this year. He hits top speed in the open court in a flash. He can de-accelerate just as quickly. Brown’s quickness with the ball combined with his floor vision makes him a top guard in the Atlanta area this season.

Eric Chatfield – Pace Academy – 2025

Chatfield took control of this game from the start for the Knights. He is an experienced point guard who is willing to run coach Sharman White’s offense. At the same time, he can create shots with creativity. Chatfield plays with supreme confidence and that bleeds into his teammates. The Knights pulled away down the stretch for a ten-point victory over South Gwinnett.

Christian Curl – McEachern High School – 2025

Curl played with toughness and poise Saturday evening. He attacked the lane and showed that he can take the physicality of the game and make plays consistently. The Indians fell short to the Rams during this match-up, but they proved that they could compete with the elite in the state on this night. Curl will be a focal point for McEachern as they hit the heart of region play.

Daniel Daramola – Greenforest Academy – 2025

The Eagles use Daramola primarily on the low block in their offense. That seems to be working out very well. The senior forward has found his rhythm as a paint presence and shows confidence with a turnaround jumper. Daramola has always been a quick jumper and possesses timing when looking to score. He is one of the top uncommitted seniors in the state.

Will Dopfer – Lambert High School – 2026

Dopfer has earned attention this year with his size, athleticism, and versatility. He had all those attributes on display Saturday afternoon. He scored 14 points in just three quarters of play. He got out in transition to finish with flair out in front of chasing defenders. He also knocked down jumpers from beyond the arc. The 6-foot-6 wing-forward will be a prospect of interest this spring.

KJ Garris – Grayson – 2025

Garris showed up at the most opportune time in the Rams win over McEachern. He scored nine points, which included a pair of threes, in the fourth quarter. With Caleb Holt not in uniform (illness), there was a gap to be filled for coach Pierce’s squad. Garris showed his experience and ability to make the big play when his team needed it.

Micah Goodlow – Alexander High School – 2027

Goodlow provided the energy down the stretch for Alexander. The sophomore point guard pierced the defense hit timely buckets to secure the win for his team. He finished with a team high 15 points. Goodlow’s future is trending upward and with more performances like the one he had on Saturday afternoon; he will continue to pick up recruiting interest on the circuit.

Gideon Kamuelyu – Peachtree Ridge – 2026

While it was the guards who grabbed the headlines from the Lions win over Lee County, it was Kamuelyu who led the box score with 16 points. The 6-5 forward was active on the glass and in the ball screen action at the top of the key. His size, strength, and footwork allow him to carve space in traffic. The junior is poised to lead the Lions into the post season and become a recruiting target this spring.

Dwayne Lawton – South Gwinnett – 2025

The Comets are off to a solid start this season. Lawton is playing a big role in that success. The senior guard shoots the ball at a high clip and pairs that shooting touch with next level athleticism. He is a well-built athlete who can defend from end to end on the court while also being able to mix it up in traffic. The Comets have a roster loaded with athletes that should make the competitive in region play and beyond this season.

Mansur McClain – Wheeler – 2025

McClain caught fire in the Saturday evening game. He scored 31 points which included seven 3-pointers in a match-up versus Greenforest Academy. The senior wing is confident, and it matches his smooth mechanics. Along with his long-range expertise, he also can elevate in traffic. He threw down one of the biggest dunks of the night in the second half. McClain and the Wildcats are poised for another strong run in the postseason this year.

Kameron Sanders – Lee County – 2025

The Trojans found themselves playing with a deficit for most of their match-up with Peachtree Ridge. However, Sanders kept his team within striking distance with timely plays. The senior possesses a strong upper body and can absorb contact from physical defenders. His low center of gravity and ability to change directions quickly makes him a solid playmaker as a primary handler. He flashed range on his jumper down the stretch of this game as well.

Jonathan Hemingway has been a National Evaluator for On the Radar Hoops since 2013. He has been involved in the basketball community since 1995 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him at JLHemingway@gmail.com and follow him on twitter @JL_Hemingway.