Battle of the South Post-Grad Showdown

Battle of the South Post-Grad Showdown

By Robert Alfonso Jr. 

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. – The inaugural event of the Battle of the South Post-Grad Showdown was loaded with programs looking to compete.

They came in and readily showed out on the hardwood on both ends of the floor. College programs need to tap in with some of the players below. 

Here are some names to continue watching. 

Piney Woods

AJ White has always shown and proven to be a prolific scorer on the hardwood. He knows how to mix things up against taller players and at times stronger players. The Memphis native is a magician at scoring the basketball. Opponents know White can fill it up from anywhere. They came at him from every angle defensively.

White’s biggest improvement is the mental toughness. Every time he touched the ball there were two or three players running to get the ball out of his hand or trap in the corners, which wasn’t always successful. They knocked him to the floor. He would peel himself off the floor and at one point White needed some band-aids to stop the bleeding because of a number of scratches. Those battles marks didn’t necessarily slow White down, it showed his toughness and productivity on the hardwood.

Ajani Blyden continues to improve in an upward trajectory. The St. Thomas native has picked up to another level since the fall. He used to play with the pace of a laid-back player. Now, the 6-foot-8 forward is playing like a player with a battery back on his back. He is a rim runner, who finishes above the rim. His range has also improved where the consistency is there for the next level.

Najae Colon demonstrated the ability to score the ball when given the opportunity. The Georgia native is a defensive menace. It has been his trademark since high school and it continues to be a major attribute to his game. Offensively, Colon showed his range knocking down jumper after jumper. He also ran the team at a high level. Colon handled the pressure and got passes to open teammates. His skills and IQ are an extension of the coach on the floor. He is engaged on both ends of the floor. 

Mo Speights Academy

Jalen Keogo was impressive from the perimeter. The 6-foot-5 forward knocked down three 3-pointers in a row in the first two minutes of the game. He was as consistent as any time on a wristwatch. This Wisconsin native has great size and touch. Also, he is an energetic and solid defender. Keogo’s game can translate to the next level. He is energetic and a willing defender. He is getting a lot of interest from a number of programs.

David Dixon was intriguing on the floor. He is an excellent rebounder and a solid defender around the basket which makes him tough to match up with inside. The 6-foot-8 forward has a nice touch around the rim. He is smooth with the ability to shoot the ball with either hand inside while having the ability to extend the floor as a stretch forward. The Memphis native would be a good addition to any program at the next level with offers from Morehead State and Jacksonville State, with more expressing interest.

Isaiah Jones has made a large transformation with his body and game. The 6-foot-7 forward is highly active and relentless on both ends of the floor. His body has changed tremendously since the fall. This Nashville native’s game is as smooth as a saxophone blaring through a jazz concert. He’s smooth, wiry, and brings the boom when on the open floor. Look for many more schools that go from interest to offers as they will see what his game would do for their program.

TD Prep

Zach Bell is still one of the more explosive guards in the Southeast and possibly the country. He put several guys on posters and highlight mixes. Aside from those moments, the Augusta native is hitting the mid-range and 3-point jumper consistently. He also is running the team through tactical sets and making plays. His game is maturing for the next level. Any program that takes his commitment for next season Bell will make things ring on the hardwood.

Jackson Greene was one of the surprise standouts of the weekend. Not surprising in a way of an unknown but this of a person whose production continues to glow up. The recent high school graduate is a 6-foot-7 lefty, who looks more like a walking Swiss Army knife. He can hurt teams with the ability to get to the basket, followed by a jumper from beyond 19-feet. If there is a taller defender on him, Greene can take them to the basket for an easy layup. Smaller defenders had a hard time battling him inside. Defensively, he made sure to keep things away from the rim while cleaning off the glass. He is the quintessential student-athlete having graduated in December. Every high academic program should be after this one.

AJ Hopkins is back. We mean back, back. He never really left but being able to play with confidence is the key. The 6-foot-6 forward is a problem from the perimeter. His jumper is fluid and consistent. Every shot that goes up has a chance to go in from anywhere on the floor. His defense looked sharp at full length on the floor.

Central Pointe Christian Academy

Jordan Burks came into the event virtually unknown to many in attendance. He left as easily one of the most talked-about players in the showcase. The 6-foot-9 showed off his versatility. He was explosive on the open floor whenever possible. His athleticism jumped off the charts. The Alabama native can stretch the floor with his mid-range and 3-point jumper. He is a solid defender and grabs rebounds out of his area. Florida and SMU have already offered. Florida State has recently expressed some interest. Look for more schools to reach out to soon.

Jorge Rosa is a prospect some program needs to check in on. The 6-foot-1 guard can shoot the ball extremely well. He moves well without the ball and knocks down shots from all over the floor. His mid-range is deadly. The Puerto Rican native has an excellent feel for the game and basketball IQ. There are so many ways his play can affect winning.

Agustin Moraga was easily one of the top point guards in the showcase. His game translates in many respects. He is a true point guard and floor general, who can run the team. Teammates get room service passes to finish at the rim or knock down a long-range jumper. He also showed the ability to get to the basket himself. His first step is deceptive with the ability to absorb contact in traffic. The Chilean native has another year left in high school and should be listed in a college program’s list of prospects.

North Florida Prep

Joyful Hawkins is one talented player. The Brunswick native plays with a high motor and is always active on both ends of the floor. He can shoot the ball and put it on the floor as well as any player in the region. His game continues to evolve and mature with the time he spends on his craft. He makes plays look easy consistently. Hawkins plays on the inside and outside. His jumper is consistent and fits in at the next level. He is a competitor on both ends of the floor. There are a number of Division I programs that have expressed interest in Hawkins.

Jaycob Rodriquez is a small forward with the ability to play both ends of the floor. Look for him to find a program looking for a player willing to play defense, while also being able to knock down tough shots. The Puerto Rican native plays with a big heart. He is a relentless defender that goes after rebounds outside of his area. Rodriguez finishes at the basket through contact while also extending the floor to the 3-point line. 

Sebastian Orama continued to show why many programs need to look beyond height when evaluating point guards. This Puerto Rican native sees the floor as good as anyone in the region. He is a floor general who makes the offense run exactly the way the coaching has called for it to be done. This does not mean he will not deviate from the call. It just means he will make look to set the table up and serve teammates first. Once they are served Orama will knock down shots. He will also play defense in the post or perimeter. Wherever he is needed to help the team succeed. 

Tennessee Valley Prep

Trevon Ragland is a long wiry combo guard capable of getting things done on both ends of the floor. He makes shots and has a knack for getting to the basket with ease. His scoring is not the only highlight of the weekend. Ragland is a defensive problem to opponents because at 6-foot-4 he is constantly forcing a turnover or altering shots and passes. He never allowed teams to get their offense started without being in the mix.

Moc Valley Prep

Kobe Smith was one of the hardest playing prospects on the court all weekend. The Chattanooga, Tennessee native played with a chip on his shoulder. It helped this high motor forward to play inside and outside. He battled inside against taller and more athletic guys to grind out opportunities. The 6-foot-6 forward has a solid-looking mid-range. He is ready to play at the next level.