Andrew Force:
Future150 National Analyst. Covering High and Middle School basketball.
SUGAR HILL, GA (Future150) -- Lanier High School Head Coach Jeremy Huckaby has unleashed another freshman star on Georgia's Class AAAAA. Last month Future150 directed a spotlight on a deserving talent, Christopher Parks. A gentle elbow nudge to the apparatus guides the glow to freshman Adrian Martin and sophomore Juwan Jones.
Last spring Adrian and his AAU team won Georgia State AAU Championship, while Jones is a two-sport dynamo. As a linebacker, Jones calls plays for Lanier High School football team. For the basketball team he powers to the tin and overpowers defenders.
"He plays about two-thirds of the game," said Lanier Booster Club President Larry Jones. "He started the last three because they have a big man out."
Jones uses his staggering strength to rebound and score. There are not many sophomores in America weighing in at 220 pounds. Jones tallied 10 points per game and 10 rebounds per game over the summer.
"It was pretty good," said Mr. Jones. "He played with Georgia United 16u."
Brightness to bask in
Martin has camped all over the United States.
"He has attended several basketball camps in the past at Duke University and the Michael Jordan Flight School in Santa Barbara, California," said father Darrell Martin.
When fans see a big night they rarely get insight into the preparation that preceded. To the naked eye, Martin's explosion did not take long. In reality he put in years of work to breakout last month.
Thanksgiving week was a gluttonous week for the freshman, Martin. He gobbled up the Titan Tourney MVP after scoring 22 in the championship game. He chewed up and spit out defenders all tournament and Lanier ultimately knocked off the forlorn hosts, North Oconee High, 64-51.
"Lately he has been working on his outside shooting," said Mr. Martin. "He is shooting over 50% on 3-pointers."
December
Earlier this month Martin buried 6-7 from beyond the arc. Despite the truly spectacular display, Lanier High fell to Heritage.
Overall the Longhorns of Lanier have struggled to win games. Perhaps this can be attributed to their reliance on youth. Young stars can bring excitement to a program, but guys like Parks and Martin are enjoying their first season of varsity basketball. They still have not battled starved playoff opponents or seen the desperation of an outgoing senior in his home finale.
There truly is no replacement for experience in basketball or almost any venture. As Parks, Jones, and Martin gain this invaluable experience the Longhorns must suffer a few setbacks.
A string of three straight home games mid-January might be the launch pad of success this program needs. They host Apalachee, Winder-Barrow, and Flowery Branch within a seven day stretch. Those are all region games too. They can quickly remedy their region record (1-4) that week.
With Martin at either guard spot the Longhorns are setting up four years of steady scoring. Parks and Jones are established rebounders already. Occasionally, Lanier gets offensive outbursts from each forward or both simultaneously. This level of production from three underclassmen is rare at any level. For this to be happening against AAAAA teams makes it all the more remarkable.
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