AJC > Sports > Highschools > Blog > Archives > 2006 > December > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBig-time showcase for metro area
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Through the far-reaching satellite dishes of ESPN2, the rest of the nation — at minimum — got a peek Thursday night into what you should have known for some time now: Georgia high school basketball ranks among the best in the nation.
It can be measured by the presence of the powerful “worldwide leader in sports” at Georgia Tech. With three of the four teams showcased from metro Atlanta, it speaks significantly to where Georgia is viewed in Bristol, Conn., where athletic images are shaped.
Under such scrutiny, neither Wheeler nor Columbia played its best in the opening game at Alexander Memorial Coliseum, but the size, athleticism and sheer talent shone through as Columbia won 69-53.
In the nightcap, AAAAA champion Norcross and the nation’s No. 1 team, Oak Hill Academy from Virginia, put on a display of talent and athleticism that was worth staying up approaching midnight to witness. Oak Hill won 65-57.
There was an astonishing number of players on the court who have signed to play big-time college basketball next year: Columbia’s Lance Storrs (Georgia Tech) and Jeremy Price (Georgia), Wheeler’s J.J. Hickson (North Carolina State), Norcross’ Gani Lawal (Georgia Tech), Tony Neysmith (Oklahoma) and Jordan DeMercy (Florida State). Oak Hill’s Nolan Smith (Duke) and Brandon Jennings (Southern Cal) are among a roster of major college talents.
As further evidence of the depth of talent here, consider the vast number of major college coaches at Tech Thursday that included Georgia’s Dennis Felton, Florida’s Billy Donovan, Tech’s Paul Hewitt, North Carolina’s Roy Williams and Oklahoma’s Jeff Capel, among others.
And they come for one reason — the talent. Consider this: In the past several years, Georgia has twice produced the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft (Kwame Brown of Glynn Academy and Dwight Howard of Southwest Atlanta Christian). Louis Williams was a second-round pick of the Philadelphia 76ers out of South Gwinnett.
Jermareo Davidson, formerly of Wheeler, stars at Alabama. Davidson’s former point guard at Wheeler, Sharaud Curry, plays at Providence. Toney Douglas from Jonesboro runs things at Florida State. Ex-Norcross star Jodie Meeks plays at Kentucky. Brenton Butler from Norcross is flourishing at Fordham in the Atlantic 10. Tucker’s Cameron Tatum will play at Tennessee next year.
Want more? Mike Mercer from South Gwinnett and Billy Humphrey from Dacula are at Georgia. Their former prep teammate, Avery Dukes, is at Alabama. Javaris Crittenton of SACA starts for the Yellow Jackets.
Further, this year’s crop is equally dynamic. Chris Allen of Meadowcreek is probably the best around. He’s going to Michigan State. Zac Swansey of Dunwoody will be a Georgia Bulldog, to name two. And there are sensational underclassmen like Noel Johnson at Fayetteville, Columbia’s Travis Leslie and Al-Farouq Aminu of Norcross who will continue to stretch the pipeline.
“There is not a state with better talent than Georgia,” Bulldogs coach Dennis Felton said. “And it’s a confluence of reasons why.”
Felton noted the “great high school coaching” in the state, including Wheeler’s Doug Lipscomb, Columbia’s Phil McCrary and Norcross’ Eddie Martin, who were on display Thursday. “Kids are well-schooled here,” Felton said.
Also, he added that the competitive AAU programs also force players to train and play all year round.
“That combination of talent, coaching and AAU makes Georgia great,” Felton said. “It’s a place everyone wants to recruit because of all the players produced here.”
If it was unknown before Thursday night, it is not now — thanks to ESPN.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Curtis Bunn
Comments
By Bo Mitchell
December 8, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this
I agree with the columnist that Alanta produces great basketball players due to a strong and competitive AAU squad.
By Marietta Dawg
December 8, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this
Now if we could only keep these players in the state, we might dominate at the college level as well. Other than UGA & Tech, there are few high profile college programs in the state. Georgia State has a great location, but plays in a small conference. There’s also Georgia Southern and Kennesaw State, but they can’t compete w/ colleges for recruits going to the ACC, SEC, or major D1 conferenes.
By Norcross2007
December 8, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
Our Blue Devils may not have one the game but played proudly. No doubt, Oak Hill is more experienced in playing around the country and on National television and handled the hype with ease.
If Norcross would focus on getting the girl’s basketball program competitive than all would be great!
By Tifttaxpayer
December 8, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this
We play football better than we sing. We better stop trying to sing, and worry about beating this Roswell team.
By Hugh G. Rekshen
December 8, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this
Great!! so the next batch of mindless juveniles knocking up girls in every city they travel to in the NBA is coming from GA. I guess when you have role models like Kobe Bryant (who commits adultery) and thugs like Carmello Anthony its no wonder this sport has gone downhill. At least their homegrown now. Way to go GA!!!! Now we can use our welfare checks to pay ESPN for covering our talentless players.
By Norcross2007
December 8, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this
Hugh, Seriously, unless you personally know these kids, and I do know a few of them, you shouldn’t assume they are “mindless juveniles”. The ones I know are good, hardworking kids with devoted families.
I hope the joy of this holiday season can reach to your heart and relieve your anger.
By Alex
December 8, 2006 11:57 PM | Link to this
I agree with Norcross2007. In fact many of the players that control the court at Norcross (as well as other Norcross sports) rank among some of the highest in their classes academically. I have lived around Norcross sports for the last good number of years. And let me assure you that the athletes coming out of Norcross, by and large, are some of the brightest, most polite people you will meet. Please Hugh do us a favor and keep your mouth shut unless you can back up the hate that you spew.
By shiv
December 9, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this
hey hugh,
speaking of immaturity, that’s a nice fake name you made up.