OTR Thanksgiving Showcase Preview – November 17, 2015

 Georgia Tech signee Josh Okogie of Shiloh is looking to get his team off to a strong start at the OTR Thanksgiving Showcase. Photo cred – Ty Freeman

The OntheRadarHoops.com Thanksgiving Showcase will be held Saturday November, 28^th at Duluth High School. This one day event will feature some of the top teams in the Metro-Atlanta area. It provides an opportunity for teams to get an important tune-up before region play begins at the beginning of December. Additionally, the Showcase is also a chance for college coaches from across the nation to see some of Georgia’s best individual talent in competitive atmospheres. Here is a preview of the teams and some of the top talent that will be in the gym the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

By:  @JLHemingwayPSB

1:30 pm Langston Hughes vs. Lambert

Coaches: Rory Welsh (Langston Hughes) and Scott Bracco (Lambert)

Players to Watch:

Langston Hughes 
2017 SG – Khalil Cuffee
2017 W – Derrick Cook

Lambert
2016 SG – Tanner Hall
2016 C – Connor Mannion (Navy signee)

Game Outlook:

Langston Hughes duo of Cuffee and Cook is formidable. Their size and athleticism is tough to match for most any team. However, Bracco’s teams have a history of playing solid on both ends. Mannion, a 6-7 post, averaged 11 points a game last year and looks to impact much the same way this year.

3:00 pm Grayson vs. East Jackson

Coaches: Geoffrey Pierce (Grayson) and David Boyd (East Jackson)

Players to Watch:

Grayson
2016 PG – Austin Dukes
2016 G – Alphonso Willis

East Jackson
2018 PG – Dru Drinnon
2018 PG – Travis Anderson
2018 G – Lamont Smith

Game Outlook:

This game will be about guard play. Dukes is an experienced slashing guard who can set the table for those around him. His back court partner, Willis, is one of the most explosive guards in the area. Coach David Boyd will have his trio of 2018 guards primed in this match-up. Drinnon is being tabbed as one of the best guards nationally in his class. Whereas Anderson and Smith are building their reputations this year under Boyd’s leadership.

4:30 pm Duluth vs. Archer

Coaches: Eddie Hood (Duluth) and Joel Lecoeuvre (Archer)

Players to Watch:

Duluth
2016 C – Obinna Ofodile
2016 SF – Javis Davis
2017 SF – Jalen Hodges

Archer
2016 PG – Darrion Taylor

Game Outlook:

This Gwinnett County match-up features teams from Region 7 and 8. The Wildcats will look to the experience at the strength of 6-6 post Obinna Ofodile all season long. Wing-forward Javis Davis has been a consistent performer in recent years while Jalen Hodges is ready to emerge as a primary contributor as well. First year head coach Joel Lecoeuvre will look to the leadership of Darrion Taylor at the point guard position.

6:00 pm Berkmar vs. Newton

Coaches: Greg Phillps (Berkmar) and Rick Rasmussen (Newton)

Players to Watch:

Berkmar
2017 G – Al Durham (Indiana commit)
2017 SG – Jay Estime
2017 G – Zach Cooks

Newton
2016 G – Jaquan Simms
2017 G – JD Notae
2019 PG – Ashton Hagans

Game Outlook:

Coach Greg Phillips has depth and talent in his back court. It starts with Indiana commit Al Durham, who is emerging as one of Gwinnett County’s top prospects regardless of position. Newcomers Jay Estime and Zach Cooks hope to build upon solid summer to bring success to the school season. Newton’s JD Notae was a standout this summer at the OTR Power 24. As a result he has school such as Tennessee State, Tennessee Tech, Wofford and others have been in to see him this fall. He is joined by freshman point guard Ashton Hagans who already has an offer from the University of Georgia. Also keep in mind that they return their leading scorer from last year, Jaquan Simms who now enters his senior year.

7:30 pm Dacula vs. Douglas County

Coaches: Russ Triaga (Dacula) and Hollis Bethea (Douglas County)

Players to Watch:

Dacula
2016 G – Kevon Tucker (Wofford signee)
2016 PG – Derek St. Hilaire

Douglas County

2016 G – Brandon Robinson (North Carolina signee)
2016 G – Reece Anderson
2016 G – Kalen Clifton
2016 PF – Devarion Davis

Game Outlook:

This game will feature a terrific match-up of two bigger wings in 6-4 Tucker and 6-5 Robinson. Both have size and diverse skill set and are poised for bigger things at the next level. Guards St. Hilaire and Clifton should play big roles in this one for their respective teams. It will be interesting to see if 6-7 Davis turns out to the difference in this one.

9:00 Shiloh vs. Pebblebrook

Coaches: Kim Rivers (Shiloh) and George Washington (Pebblebrook)

Shiloh

2016 G – Josh Okogie (Georgia Tech signee)
2016 PG – Darnell Rogers (George Washington signee)
2017 G – Greg James

Pebblebrook

2016 PG – Jared Harper (Auburn signee)
2017 G – Collin Sexton
2017 W – Jatarious Smith

Game Outlook:

The final game of the night will be jammed with talent. Georgia Tech signee Josh Okogie made a name for himself as one of the more exciting players in the area. Jared Harper of Pebblebrook is well known for his playmaking abilities. Shiloh’s newcomers of Rogers and James should play big roles in this one. However, coach Washington has a few newcomers of his own. Sexton is developing a reputation as one of the better combo-scorers in his class nationally. Also watch for Smith in this one, because he is a highlight dunk away from exciting the crowd.

 

 College Coaches can get the full report by clicking here! 

Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on  twitter @JLHemingwayPSB