OTR Hoops: North Georgia Showcase Standouts – December 9, 2024

GAINESVILLE, Georgia, – On the Radar Hoops hosted the North Georgia Showcase last Saturday at Gainesville High School. The event featured ten teams in the area who are poised for competitive seasons. Here is a look back at the players who caught our attention during the day.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

Justin Wise is a shooting guard who possess a good feel for the game and basketball IQ.

He has deep range and a quick trigger off the catch or dribble.

Wise can spot up on the break, stretch the defense in the halfcourt offense or create offense off the dribble. @SHReport… pic.twitter.com/kl8svzL4Pz

— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) December 8, 2024

Justin Wise – North Oconee High School – 2027

Wise is earning plenty of attention this season. He is scoring 20 plus points per night and helping his team to a 5-2 record. Wise looks young. His body has yet to fill out and his face still echoes youthful features. But his game is mature. He has an instinct to split defenders with the dribble. While his twitchy athleticism allows him to hang in the air to finish at the rim with flair. He finished with a game high 22 points in the win over East Hall. This will not be the last time we talk about Wise this year and beyond.

Banks Pourchier – North Oconee High School – 2026

Wise did not do it alone on Saturday evening, he received plenty of help from his teammates including junior forward/post Banks Pourchier. The 6-foot-8 prospect scored eight of his 12 points in the final quarter to help seal the win for the Titans. Pourchier is a grinder in the middle 1/3 of the floor. He sets screens, rolls hard to the rim, and can dish out contact as much as he is able to absorb it. He provides a nice balance to coach Rick Rasmussen’s team on the interior, which will prove to be valuable as the season progresses.

Cooper Glover – Cherokee Bluff High School – 2026

The Bears had some tough breaks down the stretch in their match-up with Lambert, but there is promise with coach Josh Travis’ squad. Junior guard Cooper Glover is the straw that stirs the drink for Cherokee Bluff. The lefty possesses size and athleticism in the back court. He has more size than many guards that he competes against nightly. And he has a good first step that allows him to create space when attacking the rim. We saw him score the ball in traffic as well as set up teammates for easy scores. Glover is a prospect to track this season and into the viewing periods next spring.

Caleb Wells – Seckinger High School – 2027

Wells is an up-and-coming prospect in the North Georgia area. He is a 6-7 wing with shooting range and versatility. He scored a game high 23 points in a win over Dacula on Saturday afternoon. He got rolling in the second half with multiple 3-pointers and drives to the bucket. He is a player that is emerging as a top recruiting target in Georgia.

Cam Bland – Lambert – 2025

Bland had the performance of the event with a 40-point game. The senior combo guard continually found his way through traffic to finish at the bucket. He is a superb athlete that possesses great footwork and balance when he puts the ball on the floor to drive. Bland also does a terrific job of drawing contact and getting to the foul line. The Longhorns are set up for a good year. They have depth on the perimeter and enough athleticism along the frontline to compete. Bland looks to be in the driver’s seat and that ought to translate to success for coach Wages’ club.

Jerrin Samuel – Winder Barrow High School – 2026

Samuel turned heads with his performance on Saturday evening. He scored 24 points in a win for the Doggs, which included 13 in the final period. Samuel is shooting well over 45% from 3-point range this season. Yet that in and of itself is not the most impressive part of his game. He is a playmaker primarily. He can split the gaps in the defense and make the right decision in traffic. He had several finishes in the lane that were noteworthy. Coach Travis McDaniel will look to repeat the success of last season’s Final Four run, and they are positioned well with Samuel at the helm.

Jordan Samuel – Winder Barrow High School – 2025

Jerrin was not the only Samuel to impress on Saturday night. His older brother, Jordan, wrote his own story. In fact, it was the play of Jordan in the third quarter that kept the Doggs with the lead going into the final period. He scored ten points and hauled in timely rebounds in the pivotal third period. Samuel provides the size along the front line for coach McDaniel’s team. But he is a versatile threat, able to swat shots or sink threes, often within the same sequence.

Carmelo Williams – Buford High School – 2027

The Wolves disposed of their opponent with ease in the opening game of the day. Williams, the sophomore wing, played a big role in the win. His motor is the first attribute that is evident. He plays hard from end-to-end. He contributes defensively and will finish plays in transition. He even showed touch on pull-up jumpers when the defense cut off his drives to the bucket. Williams is gaining momentum as a prospect and should be on the radar coming out of this event.

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.