Andrew Force:
Future150 National Analyst. Covering High and Middle School basketball.
Norcross, GA (Future150) -- As their football team fought for a Georgia State Championship, Greater Atlanta Christian School and Blue Collar Basketball hosted ten top basketball teams Saturday.
Pope-North Gwinnett
Transfers and college testing depleted the rosters of opening game foes.
North Gwinnett High School (4-4) simply had no answer for Pope High School pivots. The frontcourt of Pope High (8-0) features two future college players. Class of 2015 forwards Drew Romich (Air Force) and Garrick DeBowles (Embry Riddle) played solid in a cakewalk. Romich caught the ball high and finished high.
A second half technical added a little spice. A string of ensuing free throws brought NGHS within 11 points for the first time in an eternity. An undefeated Pope High outfit led 64-56 midway through the fourth quarter. It did not get any closer. They cruised to the finish line. For North Gwinnett High three players scored in double figures. Class of 2017 G Ethan Smith scored 10 in the second half.
FINAL Pope 77, North Gwinnett 61.
Peachtree Ridge-Berkmar
When Leroy Jones nailed a three pointer with 5.4 seconds left Berkmar High School trailed Peachtree Ridge High School (5-3) by a single point, 60-59.
Lead guard Aaron Augustin split critical free throws with fewer than four seconds remaining. Augustin saved his behind by blocking a three pointer at the buzzer. If he was whistled for foul, the opponent would have had three free throw attempts. PRHS only had a two point lead as Augustin deflected the attempt. It was the kind of instinctive bravery that you might regret if the outcome went another way.
The comeback of Berkmar (3-6) was slow and steady. Berkmar and Aljami Durham kept the contest close. Alas they did not win the race. Peachtree Ridge just boasted better depth.
Augustin hit an important corner three-pointer to extend lead 57-52 with 1:52 left. Peachtree Ridge successfully thwarted Berkmar three straight possessions in the final two minutes. PRHS led 57-52 in the final minute with no incentive to run offense. Only a misguided pass allowed Berkmar back into the game. Augustin’s free throw and block clinched it.
FINAL Peachtree Ridge 61, Berkmar 59
Norcross-Laney
Norcross (7-2) put together a spirited third quarter. Tim Cameron’s putback in the final minute brought the visitors within three. Seconds later sophomore Zach Cooks finished off a fastbreak. Laney’s commanding double digit lead was no more.
Norcross is attempting to bring along some skilled underclassmen. Currently these budding talents are learning how much effort varsity basketball demands. The Atlanta-region is especially difficult on players who give 70-80% effort. With a few more weeks of seasoning this squad will be extremely difficult and absolutely challenge for another state crown.
Still Laney High (6-1) downed Norcross, 70-57.
Laney plays with an uncommon ferocity. Head Coach Buck Harris applies pressure to his players to apply pressure to the ballhandler everywhere on the floor. Laney loves the fullcourt press, the halfcourt trap, and the double team. Coach Harris is most happy when the other team is scrambling on offense.
FINAL Laney 70, Norcross 57.
Pebblebrook-Green Forest Christian Academy
Without a doubt this was the Game of the Event. Each team runs out multiple D-1 talents. Green Forest goes 6’8”, 6’7”, and 6’5” across the frontline making them enormous for high school basketball.
The two sides battered back and forth, but Pebblebrook fought their way into overtime. Solid free throw shooting by Jared Harper clinched the contest, 75-70.
PHS has two high major guards in Class of 2016 Harper and Ty Hudson (Clemson signee).
Harper exploded in the second half. He hit three bombs in succession and converted almost every single free throw when it mattered late. Hudson was strong with 14 points and seven assists. A real bright spot for PHS was unsigned senior Thrae Mitchell. A long 6’5” wing, Mitchell kept PHS in the game early. He accumulated 17 points, 10 rebounds.
FINAL Pebblebrook 75, Green Forest Christian Academy 72.
McIntosh-Greater Atlanta Christian School (GACS)
Following the slugfest the nightcap was admittedly a bit bland. McIntosh cruised over GACS, 88-77. Jordan Lyons led all scorers with 26 points. The Class of 2016 guard shot very well from all over the court, seemingly living at the free throw line. Lyons plays with a warrior spirit. His fellow McIntosh (7-0) juniors, Will Washington III (13 points) and Dishon Lowery (14) helped.
GACS (6-3) needs a lot of work. Four times the school has won the basketball state title. This squad just does not have the same elite talent. Most of their players will return next year. Eric Jamison (Gardner Webb) and Cam Boyd (Lee University) are the two major departures after the 2014-2015 season.
FINAL McIntosh 88, GACS 77.
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