#OTRSweet16 Session 1 – Top 15U (Marietta MS) Pt 1

MARIETTA, GA – The first Live Period went off with a tremendous bang, as over 250 teams at 8 venues converged on the ATL-Metro for the first of four marquee weekends on the Southeast’s premier travel circuit.

We had scouts spread out over multiple sites doing their best to capture as much of the top talent on hand as possible. I wanted to see bits of all 3 HS-age groups, so I started Friday evening at Marietta Middle school to dip into some of the 15U talent that will be making waves in years to come.

Part 1 of 2 on some standouts:

By: Keith Agran

Kennedy Okpara | AOT | 2025

The Chattanooga-product impressed right out the gate in Game 1 of the tournament for an always formidable AOT group, great length at this stage of his HS-career as he handled it some in the open floor and also took his size advantage around 6-7 down to the low block, got off the deck in a hurry for easy finishes or erasing shots, has the look of an elite prospect.

Jeremiah Ruffin | AOT | 2025 (pictured above)

The powerhouse CG from Wilson Academy in Conyers had the full array going after a really strong freshman campaign under Coach Corey Cameron, he can be a downhill force from the point guard position with a great frame and ability to power through contact or he can hurt you off the wing with a multi-level scoring package that is speedy and creative, among the better on-ball defenders of the entire weekend, set for a breakout sophomore year where his name will begin to creep into more prominent view.

Marcus Scurry | Team Dickerson | 2025

Always expect TD to have guards to talk about and Scurry was one early on in the tournament, after the GHSA playoff season Augusta teams in general just had it was no surprise to see this Butler HS product getting it done, strong and athletic he showed off a confident pull from 3-land which was backed up by a frame that allowed him to get to the rim with effectiveness.

Grant McDuffie | Team Dickerson | 2026

No problem playing up a division for McDuffie who was well-rounded as a distributor, scorer and heady defender, nice understanding of pushing pace or slowing things down for the bevy of scoring options available for TD, in line to be another young contributor in the near future for Mount Pisgah.

Zeplin Kidd | Team Dickerson | 2025

Blessed Trinity is getting another intriguing shooter with a lot of skill at an early stage, there are hints of star potential as at 6-3 already he can shoot over guys with a soft touch or use a surprisingly good burst to get past people, no problem taking his game in close to the rim and bodying up folks for hoop and harms, good-looking young wing prospect.

Brayden Tidwell | Hoop Atlanta | 2025

Like the poise and composure of this Wesleyan-product as he spent time playing both guard spots and was equally effective in either role, played with a quiet confidence that separated him a bit, pretty stroke and didn’t force the action, heady defender.

Mario Hill | Hoop Atlanta | 2025

It always seems your eyes are attracted to Grayson guys as they mix flair and effectiveness to a certain noticeable degree, Hill may be a diminutive PG for the moment but that didn’t stop him from using his shifty ballhandling and really good burst with the ball from making plays, superb passer as he saw the court well with his head up and scanning.

Keith Agran has lived in Georgia since 2011 and joined OTR as a National Evaluator in 2021. He previously scouted for Prep Hoops dating back to 2019 and has both a championship-coaching background on the HS-level and daily newspaper writing experience, both from New Jersey. You can reach him at keithagran1@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @BracketSage.