Atlanta teams held it down in the Battle of The South

Atlanta teams held it down in the Battle of The South

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

MARIETTA, Ga. – Showcase basketball events are becoming the thing everyone wants to be a part of during the travel ball season.

The Battle South in Atlanta, which continues to be a basketball hotbed, brought together some of the best matchups of the early summer with the marquee team being Strive For Greatness. This event was filled with stars in both the 16U and 17U age divisions.

Fans, players, scouts, and the video paparazzi were on hand to see Bronny James, Bryce James, along with some other SFG players.

There were other marquee names from the Peach State making sure to defend the state by any means necessary. Some of the 17U standouts were: Atlanta Xpress’ Stephon Castle and Jahki Newton; Game Elite’s Brandon Rechsteiner and Jeremiah Wilkinson; Team Huncho’s Bilal Abdur-Rahman and Samarion Bond. SFG’s Mike Price and Andrew Meadow.

Some of the 16U’s making impressions were Game Elite’s Peyton Marshall and Cordell Brown; Team Huncho’s Roc Lee and Anthony Alston; SFG’s VJ Miller and Pharaoh Compton just to name a few.

Let’s take a look at which players took off.

Game Elite trio have a productive weekend

Game Elite’s 16U team continues to show why it is one of the more complete teams in the country. They can go into their roster and someone will step up to play at a high level. Jeremiah Wilkerson was superb. This Hillgrove High product showed the ability to control the ball and exploded above the rim for elite-level finishes.

Wilkerson’s backcourt mate this travel season is Cordell Brown. The Walker School product continues to demonstrate why opposing guards may truly be prepared and laced up for a long 32-minutes of basketball. His first half of the travel season has gotten out of the gate extremely well. Every game played something different and productive happens.

Peyton Marshall is the most improved player in the country. There is no debate. One can debate about it and people will lose. The 7-foot Kell High product has leaned out as a player, which has helped his game. He makes it a point to control the middle against a talented. His ability to be an offensive presence inside for Game Elite against a talented Pharaoh Compton. Both guys battled each other one-on-one, which is refreshing to see. Marshall was productive out of the double team. He finished above the rim and showed textbook footwork in the paint.

Lee, Adbur-Rahman glow up for Huncho

The number of guards in Georgia it is easy to find some players who fall through the cracks for whatever reason. Bilal Abdur-Rahman put on a performance for Team Huncho and left several people talking. He shot the ball in an efficient manner. The WD Mohammed floor general showed the ability to run a team. Then went on this massive scoring spree. He hit jumpers from all over the floor and nailed a big-time shot. Seeing Abdur-Rahman showed there is an upward tick to his game.

Roc Lee continues to play with a chip on his shoulder. The Pebblebrook High product never frets from the competition. He stares it in the face and gets to work getting into the lane and hitting mid-range jumpers. Then he is able to attack the boards making shots in the post. His versatility is difficult to defend. This has been a successful spring for Lee and looks for things to get continue upward.

Rechsteiner continued to shine

Brandon Rechsteiner took an opportunity to play with Game Elite 17U. His production did not change. The Etowah High product performed at a high level as usual. Those who never had an opportunity to see him play, which one wonders where they have been, walked away appreciating his game. One of the top point guards in the class showed he can run a team on short notice. He also shot the ball in a way people were attempting to call him a shooting guard. The reality is that Rechsteiner is the real deal on or off the ball. Look for more schools to come in and offer this floor general.

Xpress’ Pierce is going to take off

One can see why Braden Pierce is the most underrated post players in the state of Georgia. The 7-foot post has sharpened his skills and moves since the last summer with Georgia Legacy and during the high school basketball season with River Ridge. His talent has not been fully tapped just yet. The former baseball player has been a catalyst for the Atlanta Xpress this entire spring. They have used his ability with a loaded roster around him. He is finding teammates with his keen passing. Then there are moves made around the basket he has sharpened. Pierce is headed to IMG Academy in the fall. Trust, we have not heard the last of Pierce. This is just the start of what will be a solid basketball career.