OTR Hoops – Playing for a Change Top Performers – January 16, 2024
Pace Academy hosted the 4th annual Judge Clyde Reese Playing for a Change on Saturday, pitting some of metro Atlanta’s best against each other. The matchups didn’t disappoint as we saw multiple games come down to the last possession including one that took three overtime periods to decide. Here we break down the best performances from Saturday.
By: Staff
Jordan Jones – 5’7 – PG – Chapel Hill – 2024
Chapel Hill has so many weapons in the arsenal, but Jones was the hot hand on Saturday. He started pulling the trigger early in the 2nd quarter and everything was falling from then on. He had 10 in the 2nd quarter and then came out of halftime and burned 3 three-pointers to extend Chapel Hill’s lead. Jones is small, but quick off the bounce and shoots the pull-up well. Chapel Hill is a team I would not want to see in February as seniors often answer when called upon.
Christian McAllister – 6’4 – CG – Fayette County – 2025
Fayette County wasn’t quite able to take down Chapel Hill, but McAllister did everything he could to keep them in it late. McAllister finished with a game-high 22 points including some huge buckets in crunch time. He was effective from the 10 to 15 foot range with floaters and pull-ups. At 6-foot-4, McAllister provides good size for a good a guard and he uses it well. He’ll certainly be one to keep an eye on as he enters a crucial spring and summer.
Brentis Schaeffer – 6’1 – PG – Langton Hughes – 2024
Schaeffer was phenomenal on Saturday, putting up 31 points in a triple OT thriller against Tucker. Schaeffer is one of the most elusive guards in the state. He is electric in the open floor and quite quick on the attack. He aggressively attacked the rim on Saturday and was rewarded with several trips to the line. Schaeffer remains one of the top available point guards in Georgia’s 2024 class and his stock continues to climb. He currently holds offers from Albany State, Pfieffer, Maryville, Dean, and Gordon State.
Josiah Lawson – 6’7 – PF – Tucker – 2024
Lawson asserted his dominance over the whole game and ultimately carried Tucker over the finish line for a 77-76 win. He posted the highest scoring total of the day with 38 points, 25 of which came in the 2nd half. The game was neck and neck down the stretch and every time and Lawson delivered each time. The 6-7 forward uses his big frame well to initiate contact and create enough separation to finish. He also got to the free throw line often and shot it well from there. Lawson has his fair share of D1 offers over the years and remains one of the best on the board.
Karris Bilal – 6’3 – PG – Riverwood – 2024
Riverwood gave Pace a serious scare on their home floor and Karris Bilal was the reason. Bilal accounted for 33 of Riverwood’s 60 points and at times, it felt like he just couldn’t miss. He hit some unbelievably tough jumpers in the 1st half and the rest of the team fed off his hot hand. Bilal has a quick trigger and gets the elevation needed to get it off over contesting defenders. He’s not afraid to stop and pop in transition either. Bilal will be heading to Vanderbilt this summer but there’s still unfinished business at Riverwood and I expect some big performances out of Bilal late in the year.
LJ Moore – 6’7 – PF – Pace Academy – 2024
Pace was able to get the win over Riverwood behind a very balanced attack, but it was LJ Moore that stepped up in the final minutes and carried Pace over the finish line. Moore finished with a team-high 16 points and scored 10 of Pace’s 12 points in the 4th quarter. He is the perfect role player for this team. He can impact the game in so many ways without the ball. Around the basket, Moore is always hustling for rebounds and coming up with second chance opportunities. You can always expect him to turn it up late in big games too. He is a huge pickup for the University of Chicago.
