Grayson’s New Year’s Classic re-cap
By Robert Alfonso Jr.
Loganville, GA – A week into the New Year, and the fireworks were still going off on the hardwood.
Grayson hosted its annual New Year’s Classic and it lived up to many expectations. Every game built up to the next big moment. Teams and players came into this event looking to show out. The games did not disappoint.
Fans were treated to an overtime matchup, a final second game-winner, and where teams exploded for tremendous performances in the second half. Read the re-caps below.
Grayson 71, Kell 67 Overtime
The night lived up to the fireworks everyone was expecting to see. Two teams with deep state championship aspirations. While neither team will see the other in the postseason, they are always looking for a test.
Both teams went toe-to-toe with one another. The packed house inside the Rams arena was treated to a championship-level game usually reserved for Macon.
Grayson’s Anthony Alston led the team with 19 points. His pace and aggression helped the Rams set the tone of the game early. Gicarri Harris added 18 points, which included going 8-for-8 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter and the extra period. Amir Taylor had 10 points.
Kell never let the game get too far from them. The Longhorns established its inside presence with Peyton Marshall. The 7-footer fought off double teams before finishing with 22 points, five rebounds, and five blocks. Cannon Richards contributed 14 points, despite being in foul trouble. He was active on both ends of the floor in the second half allowing Kell to keep the game close. Parrish Johnson Jr. chipped in with 10 points.
Greenforest 56, McDonough 54
Isaiah Lloyd picked the right time to make a basket. The senior guard nailed a mid-range jumper with 3.5 seconds for the lead and eventually the game-winner.
Greenforest could not get away from a scrappy McDonough team. The Henry County team was flying all over the floor against a much taller Eagles team. This speed is what kept the Warhawks in control of the game.
Lloyd helped break the McDonough press before founding a space in the paint for a jumper. Greenforest took the lead and held on after the Warhawks’ three-point heave bounced off the rim.
DK Manyiel-Dut, a Georgia State signee, finished with a team-high 15 points. Teammate Gai Chol-Aterm added 14 points.
McDonough was led by Da’Avion Thomas with a game-high 18 points. Amon McDowell chipped in with 10 points.
Parkview 64, Mount Vernon 59
This highly contested matchup was a game of chess. Every move had a countermove. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that the Panthers snatched things away.
Parkview scored 20 points in the final quarter to gain a lead it never relinquished. Leading the way for the Panthers was Chasz Holmes with 15 points. Jacob Wilkins added 13 points off the bench, while Mike Matthews contributed with 10 points.
Xavier Shegog had a team-high 18 points to lead Mount Vernon. Keith Williams carved out 12 points on the scoresheet.
Eagle’s Landing 66, Langston Hughes 50
A strong third quarter helped the Eagles take off against the Panthers. After the score was tied early in the quarter, Eagles Landing’s defense helped close the quarter 16-4 run.
The defensive intensity picked up for the Eagles as it forced plenty of turnovers. Khylan McKennie helped get things started by playing relentless defense. This led to easy scores for himself and his teammates. He finished with a team-high 15 points. David Thomas, a Mercer signee, had 14 points. Chris Morris poured in 12 points.
Milton 64, Mountain View 58
Seth Fitzgerald took it upon himself with the help of Devan Rush to help the Eagles fly into the win column.
Fitzgerald controlled the interior finishes for a game-high 23 points. Rush was the sniper on the perimeter nailing one jumper after another for 18 points. Josh Dixon handled the pressure and set the pace chipping in with 14 points.
The Bears did everything they could in the fourth quarter to overcome Milton’s offensive success. It wasn’t enough in the closing seconds of the game. Bronson Blair scored a team-high 18 points. Mike White had 14 points. CJ Johnson added 10 points.
South Gwinnett 62, Cedar Grove 52
A surging second half helped the Comets take off against the Saints.
Justin Redmond got things started for South Gwinnett and didn’t let up. He fired from the perimeter before finishing with a game-high 23 points. Kendall Walker had 14 points, while Jet Horne added 13 points.
Emmanuel Green had an impressive performance with a team-high 19 points to lead Cedar Grove. Jaylen Aside chipped in with 12 points.
Walnut Grove 51, Central Gwinnett 39
The Warriors made things difficult for the Black Knights on both ends of the floor. Walnut Groves’ defense eventually stifled Central Gwinnett for the victory.
Leading the way for the Warriors was Deston Christian with 13 points. Marcus Smith and Nick Tyre finished with 11 points apiece.
The Black Knights were led by Timothy Smith’s 14 points. Jacy Miles finished with 13 points. Jordan Harris added 12 points.
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.