Players flourished at Southern Hoops Report Showcase

Players flourished at Southern Hoops Report Showcase

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

WOODSTOCK, Ga – The annual Southern Hoops Report Showcase is always a great time to find players who are looking to emerge as the next prospect in the state. This is the time many are given the platform to establish themselves just before the start of the high school season.

A number of players ascended onto the Etowah High campus looking to get noticed after the travel ball season and the start of fall leagues across the state. Here are some players who made an impression.

2022 Dylan Sears | King’s Ridge Christian School | may attend a small school and it shows. He competes on every possession. The motor and heart inside of his 6-foot-2 frame is what every coach would want in their program. Sears stuck his nose into the middle of every play. Offensively, the lefty shot the ball with a level of confidence and consistency one does not see often. Every shot he took looked the same and finished with the same result, cradling the next. Defensively, there was not a loose ball he did not go after or a rebound he did not chase down. Sears is a player who should have an explosive season.

2022 Parker Axam | Decatur High | was easily one of the smoothest guards of the showcase. He ran his team with poise and control. There was never once a moment did he ever look out of control or not in command of the team. These are skills a college coach wants when it comes to running the program. However, Axam was more than just a facilitator. The 5-foot-11 has the nose for scoring the ball. His handle was tight in narrow spaces. He never made it look difficult on the floor. This is the poise every college coach should look to have on their program. Winning starts at the point.  

2022 Ethan Elliott | Central Fellowship Christian | is a superior athlete with solid guard skills. This two-sport athlete is electrifying. He has a smooth ability to get to the basket. His ball handling is clean and puts pressure on the defense. At 6-foot-3, he can play above the rim. His play will catch the eye of a college program soon enough.

2022 Quinton Partee Jr. | Roswell High | understands exactly what needs to be done on the floor. When given an assignment to stop someone defensively or score a basket, the 6-foot-3 forward delivers. He locks in on defense, which is impressive at any showcase. His offense flourished as baskets came simple for him. He has a nice mid-range jumper and can extend the floor beyond the three-point line. Partee is an efficient rebounder on both ends of the court. His versatility will help the Hornets this season.

2022 Alex Acosta | North Cobb High | has one of the best motors in the state. At 6-foot-6, this forward does not know when to stop because he is always on thee go. That energy is why so many smaller programs are expressing tremendous interest in him. He gets after it in a way a coach does not have to teach. Acosta is an energy giver tho rebounds at a high clip on. He is also always around the rim on either end of the floor. If you manage to play against him pack a lunch because you will have to work on both ends of the floor.

2022 Dalen Gales | Jefferson High | is an athletic guard with plenty of skills. This 6-foot-1 guard understands how to get to the basket every chance possible. His athletic skills are put on the display in the open court or when the team needs a basket the most. He has a strong first step, where defenders are placed on their heels. 

2022 Bryson Barber | Loganville | looked really smooth throughout the showcase. He knows how to get to his spots, while also handling the ball fairly decent. His 6-foot-3 wiry frame makes him touch to guard. He sneaks into the lane where the forward is either scoring in the paint or has the vision to find the open man. The Red Devils have themselves a good one in this prospect. Major contribution should be expected from Barber.

2022 Christian Torres | East Hall | is a 6-foot-6 forward with a strong upside. He rebounds well outside of his area. Understands to finish above the rim. His mid-post and mid-range are strong parts of his game. Torres is an easy double-double player. His skills will translate to the next level.

2023 Reginald Kennedy Jr. | Fayette County | will be the next one to emerge from Fayetteville. This 6-foot-1 guard is bounce, electrifying, and a pure competitor. Those accolades are just on the defensive end. Offensively, Kennedy gets to any area on the floor. He can play above the rim or drill you down from three-point range. Make sure to remember the name because it is one that will blow up this season. 

2023 Jalen Hilliard | McEachern High | was not difficult to spot. The Indians’ 6-foot-4 combo guard provided one thunderous dunk after another every chance he could. He finishes through contact and can also rebound in traffic. Hilliard’s name will be heard plenty during the season at the Powder Springs program.

2024 Jayden Foster | Cass High | was one of the sleepers of the showcase. This prospect is flying underneath the radar solely based on the fact his role was not a prominent one in the past. However, you can see this 6-foot-2 floor general is ready to step into the leading role. Foster handled the ball like he was walking his dog down the street. He was always in control of the pace and tempo of the game. His ability to finish at the rim through contact was impressive. 

2024 Cornelius Brown | The Walker School | was fun to watch. The 6-foot-1 guard scored from everywhere on the floor. He nailed jumpers with plenty of consistency. His confidence in scoring the ball was evident throughout the day. Brown knew how to get to the basket. His game is so fluid. The next two years will be fun to watch as this youngster grows.

2024 Dylan James | River Ridge | is a young post player, who is not afraid to play inside. His basketball IQ is solid for a player his age. He knows where to not only position himself but how to get others involved. His feet inside are fluid. Sears’ game will continue to develop this season as he plays behind to college ready teammates in high school.