Notebook: Swish Scout x BTS Report Week 1 results

Notebook: Swish Scout x BTS Report Week 1 results

By Robert Alfonso Jr

Atlanta, GA – Basketball season is only weeks away. Teams have played or practiced in order to get ready for the coming season.

The annual Swish Scouting x BTS Report Fall league at Therrell brings the heat and competition usually reserved for late February of a high school season. Teams did not disappoint on the opening weekend.

The champions and undefeated teams were Parkview, Southwest Atlanta Christian, Douglas County, Therrell and Forest Park. 

Here are some impactful players.

2027 Chris Wray | 6’6 | F | Middle GA Prep
The more one sees him play it is hard to imagine what he is missing. Wray is a competitive and prolific scorer. He is always looking to play downhill and eventually above the rim. His length disrupts opponents on both ends of the floor. Wray’s recruitment will continue to improve as teams watch him more. He is one of the best unknown wings in the Peach State.

2027 David Williams | 6’2 | PG | Maynard Jackson
Williams continues to demonstrate why his name is one college coaches in the state. His game is translatable on or off the ball. As the teams point guard, Williams plays with a change of pace and confidence. He also has his head up looking to make the correct play, which can end on a basket for him or others. His off ball production is good because he gets downhill effortlessly and knocks down jumpers consistently. He is also a strong on ball defender. 

2027 Asa Fortune | 6’5 | SG | Scenic City
Fortune knows how to fill up a basket. The Gardner Webb commit elevates well on his jumper from deep. He can open up an offensive bag with his creativity closer to the rim, especially when he unleashes his athleticism. 

2029 Jacody Terry | 6’5 | SF | South Gwinnett
Terry continues to shine on the hardwood. This youngster is continually showing his game is more than highlights at the rim. He is growing confidence shooting from beyond the three-point line. Several shots looked smooth. Terry showed he can also protect the rim pinning shots off the glass, including to help secure the win. He is one of the top players in the class, who holds a number of Division I offers. 

2028  Corey Harris | 6’10 | C | Southwest Atlanta Christian
Being an elite rim protector is something most post players don’t look to do. Harris is not that type of player. He looks to block or re-direct shots every chance possible. His wing span and timing makes life miserable for opponents. Harris is skilled enough where he keeps many of those blocked shots in play to get out in the open floor. He does not only know how to protect the rim, his length has disrupted shooters on the perimeter. Harris is a wiry player who continues to refine his offensive skills.

2030 Malachi Hill | 5’11 | PG | Forest Park
Hill is an offensive wizard. He can play on or off the ball. Either way he is going to impact the game. Hill slices through tight spots like a sleek race car getting through Georgia traffic. It frustrates everyone around. This is what Hill does to defenders. He is either dropping off dimes to open teammates. If that is covered up, Hill is playing through the bumps and getting a foot into the lane for a layup or mid-range. His range is consistent enough where leaving him open is a mistake.

2027 Ryan Wingard | 6’7 | CG | Scenic City
Wingard caused matchup problems from the opening tip. He is a wiry long guard who can play on the perimeter and in the mid-post. Regardless of where he played, the Middle Tennessee State commit was going to score. He displayed what he can do 

2027 A’Kiryon Watkins | 6’4 | PG | Southwest Atlanta Christian 
Watkins started off the games knocking down three three-pointers in a row. He got into such a rhythm from the beginning and it continued throughout the game. His ability to stretch the floor helps open up the lane for not just driving lanes for himself but for his teammates as well. Watkins is an excellent defender, who keeps his nose on the ball. Look for his skills to help open things up for SACA this season.

2027 Jayden Stephens | 6’3 | F | Dodge County
Stephens is built like a player who doesn’t take any shortcuts. He is going to give it all he has on either end of the floor. Being able to muscle his way inside against taller defenders did not slow him down. He looks to control the paint by crashing the glass. This led to easy baskets and a team-high 19 points. 

2027 Julian Edney | 6’2 | CG | The Walker School
Edney showed he can give the Wolvernines whatever it needs to be successful. There were moments he was the best defender on the ball. He was either rotating to other defenders, regardless of position. This disrupted things where his hands would end up on the ball starting the break. He then scored the ball when TWS needed a basket the most. It didn’t matter if it was a jumper, a physical drive into the lane, or a long three-pointer, Edney was committed to delivering.

2027 Alex McCoy | 6’3 | CG | Osbourne 
McCoy is a quiet assassin. The plays he makes are impactful but done in a sinister way. He goes about it with a blue collar mentality. His versatility helped him score the ball regularly or just make the most critical stop needed. When you are just watching one fails to realize he is one of the top performers on the night. His production is quiet but packs a big punch. 

2029 Ashton Jones | 6’0 | CG | Forest Park
Jones is crafty scorer. He showed the ability to score with plenty of ease, which included hitting three consecutive three-pointers finishing with 15 points. His confidence grew the more the game progressed. Being part of a young core of players will help them all grow cohesively. 

2027 Jaiden Northcutt | 6’2 | CG | Dodge County
Northcutt is a high energy player, who looks to generate any offense from playing tenacious defense. He is either on the front line of press or all in his opponents jersey the only way they can get away from him is either of them being subbed out. His effort helped him contribute offensively with 10 points. 

2027 Nathaniel Edwards | 6’3 | F | Salem
Edwards is a smooth scorer for the Seminoles. Once he gets into a rhythm his game flourishes. He is a wiry player with a good looking jumper. His consistency was evident when Edwards drilled three shots in a row. Edwards is a viable option for the ‘Noles this season. He continues to shoot the way he is capable of things could turn out well for him in the end.

2029 Treu Taylor | 5’11 | PG | South Gwinnett
Taylor knows how to run a team. The Comets floor general sees teammates on the run to deliver a pass that leads to an easy bucket. He fends off defenders and stays balanced despite any pressure. His toughness is always tested. Taylor does neutralize things with his range draining jumpers at the most critical time. He does not force shots because its all in rhythm. 

2027 Talyn Harris | 6’2 | CG | Southwest Atlanta Christian
Harris is one of the more physical and explosive guards still available. He plays on and off the ball well. His lower body strength helps him play bigger against smaller defenders. While his athleticism helps him explode past taller defenders. Harris has a strong mid-range jumper and array of finishing moves at the rim. A college body ready guard with the skills to match.

2029 Korbin Graham | 6’1 | SG | Dodge County
Graham had one of the more productive performances on the day. He hit his first five shots and helped start the offensively onslaught. By the team defenders realized he was an offensive threat, Graham was already in a grove. He finished with 16 points. Contributions like this one will get him on the floor regularly in Eastman. 

2029 Mason Park | 5’11 | CG | Forest Park
Park is a scrappy defender. He provides an energy in the rotation and is always looking to be pesky on the ball. Even off the ball he found himself in the passing lane. A player with this level of defensive commitment can also be a solid contributor on the year. 

2027 Parker Stanford | 6’2 | PG | South Metro
Stanford was relentless in getting into the lane while playing through contact. He pushed through and finished in a variety of ways. His offensive prowess helped him lead South Metro with 20 points. 

2027 Joseph Griffin | 6’5 | F | Salem
Griffin does not let being undersized stop him from being productive. He is going to be around the rim and battling for positioning. His footwork and enforcer mentality makes him tough to guard.

2029 Devaughn Bogany | 6’0 | G | South Gwinnett
Bogany is not a name those outside of the Comets community will recognize. After watching him play, however, it will be difficult keeping him out of the rotation. He is a defensive menace. This helps him get some easy baskets on a roster loaded with consistent scorers. 

2030 Malcolm Jean | 6’3 | F | Maynard Jackson
Jackson is a throwback player for the ages. The wiry freshman has a soft touch and good release on the jumper. He moves without the ball and is efficient with his shots. His pace is not rushed because of his methodical moves. Jean is a name that will be one to remember down the line. He is going to be special.

2028 Julian Montgomery | 6’2 | F | South Cobb
Montgomery was a bright light for a revamped Eagles team. He took it upon himself to really attack the defense regularly. Montgomery was good in transition but shortened the game with his patience. This maturity continued throughout the game. It also helped them pick up a win.