Battle of the Mountain Top notebook
By Robert Alfonso Jr.
Mount Airy, GA – The inaugural title event, the Battle of the Mountain Top, which is part of the North Georgia High School Showcase series, took place at Habersham Central High. There was girl’s and boy’s game where there were impressive team performances, along with individual accomplishments.
Here are a few things and individuals that were noticed.
Forsyth Central snaps 10-game losing streak
The Bulldogs had to scratch, claw, and chew their way to the win column. They trailed for most of the game going into the fourth quarter. Things were looking like they would have to wait for a victory.
However, the steady play of Camp Wyatt and Caleb Drummer helped Forsyth Central (1-3) escape with a 50-46 win. Wyatt finished with 17 points. Drummer added 14 points while crashing the glass on both ends with purpose. It was also the team’s first win since January 17, 2023, snapping a 10-game losing streak.
Lady Vikings youngster’s defense leads to victory
East Hall girls basketball program has a new coach Brad Cochran talked about playing fast and aggressively. His squad did that against another young team in Habersham Central.
The Lady Vikings (1-1) players made no excuses despite missing two experienced players. They came out focused and stuck to Cochran’s game plan. Leading the way was Tanajia Harrison, who finished with a team-high 11 points. Her production was important on the offensive end but it was her defense that helped propel East Hall. The Lady Vikings deflected and disrupted anything Habersham Central wanted to do offensively.
East Hall had great production from Haley Barton, who ran the point most of the night, and Maliyah Butler, each scoring eight points apiece.
Players to watch
Bray Langston | 2027 | East Hall | is establishing himself as one of the top players in the class across the state. He is young in terms of playing on the floor in a Vikings uniform but is no stranger to the game or the tradition. His parents played basketball and kept him around the game. Langston is a versatile player, who is being asked to run the point for the Valhalla program. When he is off the ball, the 6-foot-4 multi-facet athlete looks to crash the ball, knock down shots, and defend like a man on a mission. Langston is coachable while learning a new position. He is only scratching the surface toward a bright future.
Jaylen Edgerton | 2025 | Chattahoochee | played a complete all-around game for the Cougars. The junior guard was effective on both ends of the floor. He was locked in defensively applying pressure and disrupting any offensive flow. His length and quickness closed the passing lanes, which led to easy layups for him. He let the game come to him offensively knocking down the shots he was given. His range and mixture of shots helped him keep defenders off balance. Edgerton is a name to be added to the list of the class from across the state. He is ready to make the splash and an intricate piece to the Hooch’s three-head monster.
Jeremiah Ruffin | 2025 | Wilson Academy | may not be a name too many people in the basketball world may know. However, they sure will hear about him more this season. The combo guard is a monster on both ends of the floor. He is an energizer who forces opponents to make mistakes. Ruffin is explosively quickness led to ease buckets off defensive deflections or him just getting into the lane in traffic. He shot the ball fairly well and with consistency. Ruffin will have a chance to showcase his abilities based on the schedule ahead.
Rich Rojas | 2024 | Greater Atlanta Christian | showed tremendous instincts on the floor. He played the length of the floor fearlessly on both ends. There were spurts in the game where he was in the mix over very play. There was no hiding out and waiting for something to happen with him on the floor. He was going to make something happen. His first step is an explosive one and gets him to the rim with minimal movement. The Spartans have a leader in this young man. Look for him to lead them in many ways this season.
Ryan Moore | 2024 | Morgan County | is the Bulldogs’ workhorse. This versatile forward can play inside and has a workmanlike mentality. His hard hat approach allows him to play bigger than his 6-foot-1 measurement. He went after rebounds in and around his area. There was once a moment when he was the only player rebounding on either team. He has a nice soft touch around the rim, while also knocking down a number of shots from the perimeter. Look for Moore to have a consistent season.
Taliah Gaither | 2025 | Lakeview Academy | has shown out in the early part of this season. The junior forward is a huge presence inside for the Lions. She took advantage of being taller and stronger than the opponents around her. It also was a chance for her to demonstrate her shooting touch from the free throw line and beyond the three-point arc. Her game’s growth hasn’t stopped her from dominating inside. Look for a breakout season for Gaither.
Caleb Cameron | 2025 | Wilson Academy | is a bone-fide player. This 6-foot-4 combo guard can do a lot of things on the floor which will make a coach smile. He is difficult to guard because of his ability to shoot the ball and get into the lane. His footwork and ball handling got him to the rim like a comet shooting through the night. Cameron’s size, quickness, scoring, and ability to disrupt opponents will make him attractive to a college program down the road.
Bentley Huff | 2026 | Franklin County | is a high-vibration shooter. He shoots the ball really well. He is not a player to be left open. Once the ball hits his hand he lets it go with ease. Even some of Huff’s misses looked like they had a chance to fall through the net. He will make a major splash for the Lions this season. Huff finished the evening with 21 points while hitting four three-pointers.
Yuta Yamamoto | 2024 | Chattahoochee | had an exceptional shooting night. This senior floor general nailed a slew of 3-pointers finishing with 20 points. He distributed the ball and caused chaos for defenders. If they pressed up, Yamamoto used angles to get into the lane finding open teammates. Whenever he wasn’t distributing the rock he was in the lane hitting a variety of shots before delivering the dagger from beyond the arc.
Mikey Carpenter | 2025 | Greater Atlanta Christian | played with plenty of poise and control running the point for the Spartans. His pace and feel for the game was methodical. He was able to get into the lane and run the offense efficiently. His court vision and passes helped the Spartans mount a comeback. Carpenter is a nose-to-the-ball defender who does not let up.
Jacoby Simmons | 2026 | Morgan County | showed plenty of growth running the point for the Bulldogs. He made winning plays down the stretch. There were moments when the team needed a defensive stop, but Simmons forced a turnover with his speed. He also hit shots, none bigger than free throws down the stretch. Simmons will continue to mature into the position and lead the Bulldogs through some tough games.
Gavin Sewell-Strabala | 2025 | Lanier Christian Academy | had a solid scoring outing session for the Lightning. He is a forward with a decent mid-range jumper with good size. Sewell-Strabala finished through contact a number of times. His biggest attribute was extending the floor nailing beyond the three-point line.
Daytona Underwood | 2027 | Habersham Central | is a name many college coaches will inquire about in due time. She is a mobile player, who was running the point at 5-foot-10. While you could tell she was learning the position in running a team. She did a decent job getting the ball up the court against the Lady Vikings’ pressure. Underwood used her body, size, and quickness against the post players guarding her. Her understanding of the game was strong. There was nothing she was not able to do on the floor from the point position. Look for her to continue to develop under legendary coach William Bradley.
Chasen Jones | 2026 | East Hall | is a name that will fill the stat sheet all season for the Vikings. He is a 6-foot-3 forward who is relentless on the board. His knack for getting to missed shots was impressive. Jones, despite giving up some size, refused to get boxed out. This is a rare thing for players his age and size are willing to today. His double-double performance (21 points, 10 rebounds) is something the Vikings could use this season.
Fallou Dioum | 2025 | BEST | is a 6-foot-8 post player with plenty of room to grow. The youngster was in a tough battle against the East Hall pressure and the number of players swarm all over the floor. He stood out in large part for his strength and ability to alter some shots. Rebounding in crowded areas led to him pulling down 10 rebounds. He managed to eight points in the entire game. His best basketball is ahead of him as the development to his game will continue to improve. Look for Dioum to carve his name onto the list of prospects in the state before the end of next year.
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.