Macon Dreams Come True Showcase Standouts

Macon Dreams Come True Showcase Standouts

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

MACON, GA – Getting to the middle portion of the state is always the goal in Georgia. Players look to play in front of college coaches or eventually hoisting a state title.

Those who are not fortunate enough to end the season cutting the net, the Macon Dreams Come True Showcase put on by Coach Corry Black gives players the platform to attain another shot of their goals. The platform is made to get players an early evaluation before the start of the travel season or for seniors a chance to be coached by a college who could be recruiting them.

Here are some players who stood out.

2021 Travis “Deuce” Harper | St. Pacelli | is easily one of the best prospects left to be unsigned in the Peach State. The 6-foot-6 forward is a college basketball player period. He checks many of the boxes. Length. Athleticism. IQ. Consistency. Shooting. Elite finishes. Three level scorer. Defensive competitor. All the things a college program would want from a player. Sure, there are things he an improve but if he was a finished product he wouldn’t still be available. Don’t miss out on this prospect because he will make you regret it in the right program.

2021 Tre Grane | Northside Warner Robins | showed why college coaches have recently starting asking about him. This 6-foot point guard is terrific in the open floor. He can score with the best of them at all three levels. His strength allows him to finish through contact and balanced. Shooting and hitting the long range jumper is so fluid, it is easy to see how he averaged more than 20 points a game this season. However, he is more than a scoring point guard which makes him more intriguing. Grane is poised against any defense thrown at him. His approach is to see what is not only in front of him but what is at the next level. A college coach can trust him with the keys to the program.

2021 Jadyn Shider | Dougherty | is a furniture mover. This 6-foot-6 forward knows how to either delicately clear space or forceful make room. One thing is for sure, it doesn’t matter which one happens, Shider will find a way to score. There was nothing many defenders could do for a guy who looks like a tight end but has forward skills. This makes him an unsigned senior to recruit. The things he can do is difficult to teach. They come natural time him. Driving to the lane with a two or three solid moves. Bucket. Lay off of him. Splash. If he misses, trust me he will be inside looking for a rebound. Taking a chance on him will not be a risk. The reward will be worth it in the end.

2021 Tony Maple | Gleenwood (AL) | is a lefty who is active on the defensive end of the floor. He never flinched at getting after his opponent. This wiry guards defense helps ignite the offense. He also runs the team really well.  

2022 Nickolas Woodard | Taylor County | is the name college coaches need to learn if they have not just yet. At 6-foot-6, this forward can create for himself and knock down shots. He knows how to finesse his way to the rim. Woodard understands how to make the correct plays. On the perimeter, he is a consistent threat at about 17-feet out. His stock will rise this travel season. Make sure to study it and buy early.

2022 Logan Washburn | Cleveland (AL) | was easily the most fundamentally sound prospect in the gym. This floor general has a college looking body with a cerebral mindset. His move in the lane are calculated with a purpose. He makes passes where teammates can either score or make a play. Washburn’s game is an extension to a coach on the sideline. One can see he is always thinking of making chess moves. His ability to hit a variety of jumpers keeps opponents off balance.

2022 Eric Howard Jr. | Marietta | just looks like he is having fun any time on the court. This 6-foot point guard is always putting pressure on opponents with his speed. There was never a time he was not trying to make things hard on whoever was guarding him. Howard danced through double teams and finished many times in traffic. He was hardly slowed down. Defensively, this junior was locked in on guys. His agility and athleticism frustrated the opposing points who were looking to get back at him. Howard welcomed the competition. He is a baseline to sideline competitor.

2022 Isaiah Josey | Stratford | is a high energy shifty guard with a chip on his shoulder. He knows how to finish in every possible way. Let us monitor his growth. Josey has a chance to be something special.

2022 Izaiyah Nelson | Marietta | is off the charts athletic. He is everything a college program wants on the roster. His 6-foot-8 length is easy to see. The other measurable are long limbs, elbows and shins. When he gets out in the open floor and is tossed a pass get out of the way because it is likely that opponent will be on the highlight. He is a rim protector and a rebound machine. His timing along with quick twitch reactions allows him to reach these two before anyone else. There is constant growth in his game.

2023 Aaron Jones | Veterans | has a bright future ahead. The things that standout for Jones is his size (6-foot-8) and definition for a young player. He is a throwback rim protector. His development will determine exactly where he will measure up moving forward. It takes times for bigs to show off all their skills and Jones is worth the wait.