Andrew Force:
Future150 National Analyst. Covering High and Middle School basketball.
Augusta, GA (Future150) -- Georgia basketball begins with Atlanta and Atlanta-area teams. The city has earned it, but do not overlook Augusta's Lucy C. Laney High School. Head Coach Buck Harris wants his team to end the 'Best in Georgia' discussion every spring.
Just three short years ago, Laney won the Georgia High School AA State Championship with a 28-4 record. Final four appearances are an annual tradition. Judging by the start of Coach Harris' newest edition the tradition should continue.
Foundation and Principles
With Zep Jasper and Christian Keeling the Laney Wildcats have two good, lead guards. Coach Harris wisely implements halfcourt traps, fullcourt presses, and zone defenses. Because his guards are smart and also quick the system stifles great teams by disaloowing them to settle into a comfort zone offensively.
"We play defense better than any team in state," said Keeling. "We hang our hats on our defense. Offense will come through defense."
Already the Wildcats have knocked off Pebblebrook High and Norcross High. Those two teams are composed of no fewer than nine D1 players combined. Laney still handed out two "L's". The young backcourt of Norcross struggled to handle Laney's pressure. It finished 70-59 with Laney on top.
"That was a challenge for us," said Jasper. "It helps us get better."
Recruited
Both Jasper and Keeling are hearing from college basketball programs.
"UAB offer," said Jasper, Class of 2016. "Interest from Clemson, Georgia Southern, West Virginia, Baylor, South Alabama, College of Charleston."
Jasper intends to visit Clemson, Maryland, Charleston, and 'probably Baylor' in January. Keeling gets contact from Georgia Tech, Middle Tennessee, UAB, Wichita State, Georgia, Georgia State, Furman, George Mason, and Georgia Southern. He is seeking his first D1 offer.
A grouping of fans boasted that Laney competes against the toughest schedule in the state. Without an official RPI this will have to remain a friendly debate. The team welcomes the competition though and embraces the challenges.
"We got a good coach," said Keeling. "I believe he is the best coach. We play together. We are like brothers. Defense is the main thing."
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