OTR Hoops: North Georgia Showcase PREVIEW – December 3, 2024

On the Radar Hoops will host the OTR North Georgia Classic this Saturday, December 7^th at Gainesville High School. The event will feature five games with ten of the more prominent programs in the North Georgia area. Here is what you need to know coming into the event this weekend.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

7pm Gainesville vs. Winder Barrow 

The Red Elephants are 2-2 to begin the year. Coach Charlemagne Gibbons has loaded up the front end of their schedule to get quality games before region play. Their two losses have been to Wheeler and McEachern who project to be at the top of Class AAAAAA again this year. So far this year, point guard KJ White has earned praise as a floor general. Wing-forward Charlie Gersmehl is a talented 6-foot-8 junior who is attracting attention from college coaches from around the Southeast. Junior guard Caden Jackson has proved to be a reliable scorer in the back court. While senior forward Jaxson Jones anchors the front line for the Red Elephants.

Winder Barrow will be another tough test for Gainesville as they are returning an experienced core from a Final Four run last season. Coach Travis McDaniel’s crew is off to a fast 7-1 start with an impressive victory over North Oconee last weekend. Junior wing Jerrin Samuel is emerging as a star for the Doggs. The 6-5 prospect is a do-it-all kid who can fill up every category in the box score. He is flanked by senior guards JD Estime and Jeremiah Shealey. Estime is a dynamic playmaker with elite athleticism. Shealey is a proven scorer and a steady hand as a handler.

5:30pm East Hall vs. North Oconee

Coach Joe Dix and the Vikings enter this week 3-0 and bring a roster that is ready to compete this season. Junior guard Jamarcus Harrison looks to lead the squad as a primary scorer. He is a 6-4 guard with an athletic frame. Braydon Langston is an emerging talent in the state. The 6-6 sophomore wing is garnering enthusiasm with his play so far this season. Also watch for Jordan Richerson who is a junior point guard that can deliver the ball to his teammates on time and on target.

The Titans were the Class AAAA champions last year, and they look to keep the wins rolling under coach Rick Rasmussen once again this season. Sophomore guard Justin Wise is talented. He has earned praise from evaluators on the OTR circuit and has kept that momentum early this season. Senior guard Thrasher Wilkins provides leadership and shot making for North Oconee. Junior forward Banks Pourchier will look to anchor the front line for coach Rasmessen’s group.

4pm Cherokee Bluff vs. Lambert

Cherokee Bluff enters this week on fire with a 7-0 record. That includes impressive wins over Franklin County and Mill Creek. Coach Josh Travis leans upon Boston Kersh as the team leader and scorer. Kersh earned MVP honors at the Jackson EMC Thanksgiving Tournament of Champions last week. Fellow senior guard, Tyler Underwood, is another steady prospect for the Bears. Junior guard, Cooper Glover, is a promising prospect who is proving he can light up the scoreboard this year.

The Bears will match up with a talented Lambert squad who suffered their first loss of the year to Woodward Academy at the OTR Thanksgiving Showcase. Coach Clay Wages looks to regroup his team this week. And he has the pieces to be able to right ship quickly. Senior guard Cameron Bland proved he can get a bucket when needed. And junior wing Will Dopfer is athletic and versatile. He is a threat to score at the rim or with the 3-point jumper. Keep an eye out for senior forward Taj Mcleod as he could provide the muscle and the difference for Lambert.

2:30pm Dacula vs. Seckeniger 

It has been an uneven start for the Falcons this season with a 3-3 record. But they do have a very good win over Lanier, which is an indication that this team has the talent to make a play into the post season. And they played South Gwinnett to a close loss in OT, which is just another signal that this group is still figuring it out. Freshman guard Case Presley has impacted immediately as a scorer and ball handler. Senior forward Landon Johnson is proving to be a double-double threat nightly. Senior guard Cameron Stephen (Clayton State commit) is another prospect who can fill up the stat sheet. Anderson Sheppard (Oglethorpe commit) is a guard that adds depth and shot making to this roster.

Coach Greg Phillips enters his first year as coach of the Jaguars. He has he group off to a 3-0 start with wins over Clarke Central, Dunwoody, and Brookwood. Sophomore Caleb Wells is a player that Phillips can build around. The 6-6 wing is off to a strong start this season. Senior guard Tony Wells has experience and will provide a steady hand for Seckeniger. Add in junior guard KJ Banks and this group looks primed to compete this year.

1pm Clarke Central vs. Buford 

The Gladiators will look to score their first win of the season on Saturday. The cupboard is not baren, however, for coach Stefan Smith. Senior Kendarius Butts and junior Matthew Collins are the two guards who have turned in consistent performances thus far. Both prospects shoot the ball at a high clip from beyond the arc and in the midrange. Look for this tandem to find some momentum and get Clarke Central moving in the right direction.

The Wolves are off to a 2-1 start to enter this week. They won a double OT game over Harrison to start the year and lost in OT to Kennesaw Mountain the next day. Senior guard Edward Hunter III has picked up the slack as several potential contributors are still playing football. He is featured as a competent combo guard who can get buckets or run the offense. Sophomore guard Carmelo Williams is an athletic prospect who is trending upwards. Junior guard Dillon Nixon is also poised as a contributor for coach Wes Parker’s crew.

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.