North GA Showcase notebook: Winder-Barrow
By Robert Alfonso Jr.
Winder, GA – The annual North Georgia Showcase tip-off the season at Winder-Barrow High School. This is the first of three events put on by the North Georgia Report. The first event was filled with exciting matchups and solid individual performances, one can only imagine what the next two events will have in store for any high school basketball fan.
Here is what we learned from this opening event.
Parkview prevails in triple OT
If the Parkview game between Walnut Grove is any indication of how the rest of the high school basketball season can go in Georgia, sign us up for this immediately.
Both teams enter the season optimistic about the upcoming season and heavy favorites in their respective regions. The game they played was a glimpse of the way these two programs could look in February.
Parkview’s Jacob Wilkins is one impressive young player. The 6-foot-9 sophomore is long, rangy, and wiry. He played well on both ends of the floor while accepting challenges at every chance possible. His biggest play came in the waning seconds of the triple-overtime. He blocked the potential game-tying layup as the final horn sounded finishing the evening with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks. The son of NBA legend and Atlanta Hawks great Dominique Wilkins is a prospect on the rise.
The Panthers sent the game into double overtime with two amazing jumpers at the buzzer by junior guards Emanuel Befekadu and Chasz Holmes. Befekadu nailed a three-pointer from the left elbow, while Homles nailed the other fading into the corner in front of Parkview’s bench. They both played exceptionally well.
New names are guards to watch
Every successful team has a point guard they can trust to lead the way. We had a chance to see some solid performances where some guards made sure to leave an imprint on the game. They also helped propel themselves into the conversation of guards to watch.
Mike White | Mountain View was truly impressive as the Bears floor leader. The junior played at a calculated pace. If he wanted to push the ball his foot was on the gas as defenders had trouble keeping up with him. He would then shimmy and shift through traffic to the rim for some tough baskets. Whenever he wasn’t putting it in the basket, White was dropping off some nifty passes to open teammates. Look for him to become one of the earlier leaders in being discussed for one of the top guard spots in the county.
David Dorbin | North Oconee is a quiet yet effective player. This senior guard can take over at any given moment. He did so against White County by causing issues on the defensive end of the floor. This helped the Titans make a nice run but also got him going offensively. He got into a rhytmn and was determined to will his team to victory.
Mataj Glover | Hebron Christian had one of the smoothest performances of the weekend. The Lions junior point guard changed the pace of the game and never really looked rushed. He orchestrated the offense while knocking down a variety of shots. Glover, who is the son of former NBA player Dion Glover, never looked rattled or rushed in making decisions or the correct play on the floor. Looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season will look for this young floor leader.
Marcus Smith | Walnut Grove is a name many people across the state and eventually the country will get to know. This sophomore is a problem to deal with on either end of the floor. He was in control running the Warriors offense while also hitting clutch baskets in traffic. Smith is fearless. Being in the middle of a triple overtime game showed exactly what Smith is made of internally.
Jerrin Samuel | Winder-Barrow can certainly fill it up. The lefty freshman is smooth at getting to the rim and has the range to knock down jumper from anywhere on the floor. His ability to do both makes him a hard assignment for defenders. He showed the ability to handle pressure and responsibility in being a focal scorer. Once the Bulldoggs roster is at full strength the young fella will truly be in the mix among the teams scoring leaders.
These girls have next
The girl’s showcase games had some quality performances from some talented young ladies. They came out in their respective games getting into a rhythm before finishing with strong outings in the end.
Here are a list of female hoopers fans and colleges should track.
Jakerra |Butler Hebron Christian registered a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. The sophomore’s performance on both ends was impressive because of her ability to score efficiently all over the floor while snagging rebounds outside of her area multiple times. Performances like hers are the reason so many have pegged the Lions as favorites in the region and for a state championship.
Sofia McNabb | Rabun Gap is a sharp shooting guard. When this junior is left alone there is a great chance the jumper will snap through the net. Even when she is not knocking them down it looks good enough to fall through. She is more than a shooter too. Her timely shots helped the Eagles.
Amiya Porter | Hebron Christian is a smooth scorer. The junior guard is stoic and locked in on both ends of the floor. She is not flustered whenever things do not go her way. Her ability to stay in tune and ready to play is impressive. Porter’s play will continue to garner attention from college programs from around the country.
Emmie Moore | Pickens is not be left open ever because if the defense does there is certain the jumper will slice through the net. She has a quick release and an excellent form. Her ability to knockdown shoots makes her a weapon the Nettes, who returns an entire team that advanced to the Final Four. This team has enough three-point shooters to possibly make another deep run in the state.
Aubrey Beckham | Hebron Christian is constantly putting pressure with her play. The sophomore is a true floor general. She plays downhill with purpose and under control. Her demeanor is that of a competitor refusing to take it easy on anyone. Beckham bent timely passes to teammates for easy scoring opportunities. Her ability to finish in a variety of ways gives her a bag full of options. College coaches will continue looking to track this young point guard.
Claire Carlson | Cherokee Bluff is certainly a name people will learn about plenty in the future. Opponents and college coaches alike will walk away impressed with this freshman. Carlson had a solid showing in her first high school start. She looked comfortable on the floor against Pickens which is loaded with talented players. Her feel for the game and ability to score the ball through three quarters was effortless. Pickens struggled to stop her before Pickens implemented a box-and-one. This is the ultimate sign of respect for any player and Carlson will soon learn how to shake off defenders in her development.
About the Author
Alfonso
Robert Alfonso Jr. is a graduate of Mount Sait Mary College. He has more than 20 years of journalism experience. Alfonso has helped build a basketball web brand in Georgia and has covered high school through college sports for publications in New York, North Carolina, and Georgia. His mission has always been to uplift the athletes who play sports providing them the exposure needed in this new media platform.