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DEL.ICIO.USTake 10: Top playmakers still in the state boys basketball tournament
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the semifinals starting this evening, we know many of you are excited as we are. But at Take Ten, we like to help the downtrodden amongst us. That’s just the way we are. And we know many of you lost your favorite team earlier in the playoffs and, with guys like South Atlanta’s Derrick Favors and Berkmar’s Wesley Witherspoon gone, you’re wondering where to turn for the most exciting players to watch these next few days. Well, here it is — your list of the top 10 playmakers still on the court this week.
10. David Buchannon, Portal
Buchannon was nearly unstoppable when he wanted to drive to the basket in the quarters against Terrell County, and his driving layup at the buzzer sent the Panthers to the semis. He’s athletic and has a great feel for getting inside.
9. Mfon Udofia, Miller Grove
He’ll find a way to get his points. He might seem to sleep for a quarter or two, then explode for 20 points in the third. He’s fearless going to the basket, and he’s as smart a player as you’ll see anywhere.
8. Raymond Willis, Westlake
He’s a beast down the stretch of games, seemingly getting stronger in the fourth quarter. He has amazing talent and will to win. He won’t disappoint, especially in a close one.
7. Chris Singleton, Dunwoody
On a team this talented, Singleton doesn’t always have to score a ton of points to get a win, but he knows how to fill up a stat sheet like few others. He averaged a double-double (points and rebounds) during the season, and it’s not unusual to see him approach double figures in blocks or assists.
6. Noel Johnson, Fayette County
He can score with just about anyone in the state. He can do just about anything with the ball in his hands, he’s 6-foot-7 and he’s only a junior. He’ll be among the early favorites for Mr. Basketball next year.
5. Delwan Graham, Dunwoody
Like Singleton, it’s easy for Graham to blend in on this team. But he has a tendency to stand out on the court, where his motor never slows down. He gets after the ball at all times, grabs rebounds and can score in bunches.
4. Howard Thompkins, Wesleyan
These top four are pretty much all interchangeable. Give him half a chance, and Thompkins will drop 35 or 40 on you. He’s a terror in the open court, and he’ll find his points wherever he can get them.
3. Dequan Jones, Wheeler
One of the most electric players in the state, he can always find his way to the basket. He’s relentless going up and down the floor, and he’s constantly one play away from bringing the crowd to its feet with an amazing dunk.
2. Travis Leslie, Columbia
His dunks have been legendary in DeKalb County for at least three years now. This is his last chance to put another state title on his mantle, and I’m betting there will be at least one more dunk added to his high school highlight reel.
1. Al-Farouq Aminu, Norcross
He’s very long, can get up in a hurry and has an immense feel for the game. He scores seemingly with ease and often makes dominating a game look much easier than it is. Any of these top four could have been in this spot, but his all-around game places him here.
Go on. Take Ten. Who are your top playmakers on the court this week? Who would you stick in the No. 1 spot? Plug your favorite player right here.
Permalink | Comments (22) | Post your comment | Categories: Take Ten
Comments
By coach
March 5, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
Let’s see the best underrated player would be Grayson. Even though, I disagree with the things at Dunwoody, but Grayson is the glue that holds that team together. Any one can coach them and they will win. Then you have Brittany Kirkland of Monroe Area for the girls. She’s athletic and underrated. Watch out for her on Friday. Good luck to all the TRUE teams in the tourney!!!
By devil
March 5, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
You have a list of top ten recruiting school!!!! Ha Ha But I think 1 is right and Jones needs to be number 2, 3 is Howard,4- Grayson,5 is Udofia,6 is Graham,7 is Leslie, 8 Willis, 9 is Buchannon, 10 is Johnson.
By Derrick Mahone
March 5, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Here a couple that really impressed me last weekend in Savannah.
Jimmy Williams Jr., East Laurens: He might be the best pure point guard still in the tournament. A coach’s son, so he has been around the game awhile. Gets his teammates involved and can score also. Has good height and really upped his stock among the college coaches. Should be a good matchup between him and Lovett point guard Andre Hicks.
Ken Taylor, East Laurens: Has a great understanding of the game and score. Enjoyed watching him play and he also had a lasting impression on college scouts.
Kevin Williams, Savannah: He is more of a scorer than shooter. Can take control in the late stretch of a game.
Rashad Smith, Dublin: What an athlete. He was one of the top defensive players in the state in football and will be a strong candidate for an AJC Super 11 selection. Good point guard who can score. He is strong.
Alex Elam, Lovett: Has a smooth stroke. He get hot in an instant to get team on a roll. Should be good battle between him and Ken Taylor of E. Laurens.
Jered Stephens, Glenn Hills: A mid major signee who has gone under the radar. Kept Glenn Hills together when they lost their PG earlier in the season.
Kammeon Holsey, Hancock Central: He is part of the 2009 class that is shaping up to be another solid class for the state. A bit thin, but is quite a player.
By ibstew2u
March 5, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Isaiah Grayson of Dunwoody is a “top-shelf” point guard who will be more appreciated by you “mere mortals” who only pay attention to “scoring” - next year, when he’s not facilitating the offense of a Championship team with “TWO” Division I, college-bound ballplayers(who also have the real potential of becoming NBA ballplayers,in their time.)
By N.O
March 5, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
I agree Grayson is the most underrated player on Dunwoodys team. I played with Grayson For 2 years at Druid Hills and I can tell you the YOUNG BOI th TRUTH!!!!1
By D-Originator
March 5, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
I can’t disagree with that list. But watch for a sleeper Friday night. Kurvin Curry, PG for Hart County may be the best athlete in the state. A top ten QB in football, He broke his single season assist record last month and is avereging just under 10 assist. And he’ll probably hit 10 plus homeruns for the baseball team this year. And at 5’11” can dunk with the best of them.
By JEWELL ROLLEN
March 5, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
AFTER BEING ON THE FRONT ROW FOR BERKMAR-WHEELER, I’D GIVE MY VOTE TO ARI STEWART WITHOUT A DOUBT! THIS KID IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING SPECIAL NEXT YEAR…MARK IT DOWN.
By Ashley
March 5, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
His name is Jerel not Jered and Stephenson not Stephens.
Glenn Hills has 3 Div ! Signees Jerel - UNC Wilmington Reggie Middleton - Winthrop Chris Reynolds - Campbell Univ.
3 Teams from their Region reached the Final 8 Wash Co. and Liberty Co.) They were 5-0 agaisnt them
By jeff
March 5, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
I AM WITH YOU GUYS GRAYSON IS A FORCE TO RECOKEN WITH AND HUMBLE, EVERYONES ADORES THIS KID. I PROMIST IN A YEAR MAYBE TWO YOU WILL SEE THIS KID NOT ONLY IN THE PAPERS BUT IN THE McDonald ALL AMERICAN. DUNWOODY DOES NOTHING FOR GRAYSON BUT UNDERATE IS ABILITIES THEY ARE MOST CONCERN WITH THE SENIORS. GRAYSON HAS PROVEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT HE IS THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB HE TOOK A SCHOOL THAT HAD NOT BEEN TO THE STATE IN OVER 23 YEARS TO THE SWEET SIXTEEN AND BEAT DUNWWODY PLAYERS, LET NOT FORGET THAT EVER. I FEEL SORRY FOR DUNWOODY IF THEY EVER LET A KID LIKE THAT GO.MR GRAYSON STOCK IS SLOWING MOVING UP JUST LIFE THE JEFFERSON. KEEP DOING YOUR THING KID WE ALL WATCHING.
By Brandy
March 5, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
I believe that Terrance Lewis, Jimmy Williams Jr., and Ken Taylor are all playmakers!!—Go Falcons!!
By Mac Daddy
March 5, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
when you have 5 avg.double scoring that’s a good mix.Give em h_ll EL
By Mac Daddy
March 5, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
when you have 5 avg.double scoring that’s a good mix.Give em h_ll EL
By devil
March 5, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
That team that beat Dunwoody was Druid Hills. Remember the Curtis Bunn article last year. Look it up. Even in Defeat Druid Hills is Admirable. Look it up and see what it says!!! MMMMMMMMM!!!!!
By ehall1987
March 5, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
SW Dekalb’s girls will be AAAA champs. They maybe the states best girls team.
By Ernest
March 5, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
Good list, Jeff. It’s hard to argue with the choices you made. There are a LOT of talented student athletes playing basketball in this state.
USA Today listed the top girls teams in the country (3/4). IMO, the Lady Panthers of SWD should have at least been in the top 10 for the south. Hopefully if they complete this magical season and are victorious on Friday, they will get some consideration.
Derrick my man, I wouldn’t lead you wrong. Thanks for ‘showing some love’ for the Lady Panthers this year. Guess what, because Coach Richey-Walton played her bench quite a bit this year (mostly sophomores), the Lady Panthers will have a shot to repeat next year. She runs a good program and should be a Coach of the Year candidate, IMO.
By Park
March 6, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this
Two word for folks not familiar with Isaiah Grayson one is Humble and the other is Talented Grayson played for us here at Gresham Park back when he was seven years old till 11 years old. I was one of his coaches And he played (3) sport baseball which he was a Pitcher, football and basketball which he played Guard, I also remember the first time I met this kid and his mother she came to us and told us that one day my son will be famous she kept insisting that he was talented, As a coach this was something we hear time and time again from parent but once this kid got suited up he delivered not only on the filed or the basketball court but with his relationship with his team mates he is a born leader and any school not recognizing or undermining his abilities is crazy. I am honored to have been apart of his life and wish Mr Grayson continue success because if he continues on this path the sky for him is no Limit.
By insider
March 6, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
All props to Grayson no doubt this kid is the truth but the Dunwoody coach refuse to acknowledge his worth because of politics at that school surrounding certain players. trust me I attend Dunwoody, It was all good when they were trying to get him to come over here, once he got here and they saw how important he is to the team and how talented he was they use that to there advantage, the guard they had did not worth two nickle and they would not have made it this far without this kid ‘believe that”
By coach
March 6, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Insider you are so right. Even though I was criticized early about dunwoody, but I also know what’s going on. Grayson is the best hands down. Bracco had to recruit in order to win.Singleton an all american, he ‘s not the best one of the team. graham is a the motor that keeps them playing. Not sigleton. Grayson and graham is the key. Singleton you are not a guard. Get your sorry tale down low. That’s what the coach should say. grayson and Jordan are guards. Time will tell. LOOK at insiders’ blog. Sounds like a violation
By Jeff
March 8, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
By now everyone is aware of Dunwoody Lost to Carver by 7points. Dunwoody did not come with the intention to win or to play they lost focus , THE TALLEST PERSON ON CARVER high school team WAS 6’3” THERE WAS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS LOST to Carver. Singleton who is 6’9” ALL AMERICAN and Delwan LSU SIGNEE was not SUITED UP to play , infact they were horrible maybe they THOUGHT STAYIN UP ALL NIGH OR PARTYING the NIGHT BEFORE OR THE NON-DISCPLINE FROM THE COACHes and not HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE for their actions or motivaton WAS GOING TO BE ENOUGH to win they showed every bit of it on the court last night. NONE OF THE BIG MEN EXCUTED LIKE STARS NOR DID THEY POST UP UNDER THE BASKET WHERE THEY BELONG OR PLAYED DEFENSIVELY LIKE A TEAM. DELWAUN TURNED THE BALL OVER SO MANY TIMES I LOST COUNT AND ALL THE MANY TECHS HE GOT WE WERE NOT ABLE TO RECOVER FROM START TO FINISH, AND CARVER SHOWED DUNWOODY WHO MUCH THEY WANTED THIS WIN AND THAT THEY HAD HEART AND THEY WERE DESERVING OF THIS TITLE SO THEY TOOK IT. SINGLETON FOULED OUT IN THE 3RD QUARTER AND ONCE HE LEFT GRAYSON AND JORDON TRIED THERE HARDEST TO STAY FOCUS TO GET POINTS ON THE BOARD. FOR US THE FANS WE FEEL CHEATED, YOU CHEATED US FROM WINING WHAT BELONG TO US STATE. MOST OF YOU WERE ILL PREPARED. GRAYSON IN OUR EYES TOOK HOME MVP THE GAME AND HELD HIS GROUNDS HE HAD THREE SETS OF THREE POINTER IN THE FIRST QUARTER A TOTAL OF 28POINTS 12 ASSIST AND 2 REBOUND, HE WAS UNABLE TO CARRY THE TEAM ON HIS OWN COULD NOT DO THIS ON HIS OWN HE NEEDED THE TEAM TO STEP UP AND THEY DID NOT. GRAYSON TRIED HIS DARNESS TO KEEP THE TEAM SPIRIT GOING TOGETHER HIM AND PIERRE JORDON DID WHAT THEY NEEDED TO TO BRING CLOUSURE, THIS HAS BEEN A LONG SEASON AND I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO WISH DUNWOODY THERE STAFF AND THE COACHES BEST WISHE MAYBE NEXT YEAR.
By Jeff
March 8, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
By now everyone is aware of Dunwoody Lost to Carver by 7points. Dunwoody did not come with the intention to win or to play they lost focus , THE TALLEST PERSON ON CARVER high school team WAS 6’3” THERE WAS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS LOST to Carver. Singleton who is 6’9” ALL AMERICAN and Delwan LSU SIGNEE was not SUITED UP to play , infact they were horrible maybe they THOUGHT STAYIN UP ALL NIGH OR PARTYING the NIGHT BEFORE OR THE NON-DISCPLINE FROM THE COACHes and not HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE for their actions or motivaton WAS GOING TO BE ENOUGH to win they showed every bit of it on the court last night. NONE OF THE BIG MEN EXCUTED LIKE STARS NOR DID THEY POST UP UNDER THE BASKET WHERE THEY BELONG OR PLAYED DEFENSIVELY LIKE A TEAM. DELWAUN TURNED THE BALL OVER SO MANY TIMES I LOST COUNT AND ALL THE MANY TECHS HE GOT WE WERE NOT ABLE TO RECOVER FROM START TO FINISH, AND CARVER SHOWED DUNWOODY WHO MUCH THEY WANTED THIS WIN AND THAT THEY HAD HEART AND THEY WERE DESERVING OF THIS TITLE SO THEY TOOK IT. SINGLETON FOULED OUT IN THE 3RD QUARTER AND ONCE HE LEFT GRAYSON AND JORDON TRIED THERE HARDEST TO STAY FOCUS TO GET POINTS ON THE BOARD. FOR US THE FANS WE FEEL CHEATED, YOU CHEATED US FROM WINING WHAT BELONG TO US STATE. MOST OF YOU WERE ILL PREPARED. GRAYSON IN OUR EYES TOOK HOME MVP THE GAME AND HELD HIS GROUNDS HE HAD THREE SETS OF THREE POINTER IN THE FIRST QUARTER A TOTAL OF 28POINTS 12 ASSIST AND 2 REBOUND, HE WAS UNABLE TO CARRY THE TEAM ON HIS OWN COULD NOT DO THIS ON HIS OWN HE NEEDED THE TEAM TO STEP UP AND THEY DID NOT. GRAYSON TRIED HIS DARNESS TO KEEP THE TEAM SPIRIT GOING TOGETHER HIM AND PIERRE JORDON DID WHAT THEY NEEDED TO TO BRING CLOUSURE, THIS HAS BEEN A LONG SEASON AND I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO WISH DUNWOODY THERE STAFF AND THE COACHES BEST WISHE MAYBE NEXT YEAR.
By oldskool06
March 15, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
The Stokes Kid From Douglass High School.
Hey dude, you guys are missing out on one of the best shooting guard in the southeast.
Go Hancock Central!
By oldskool06
March 16, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
The Stokes Kid From Douglass High School.
Hey dude, you guys are missing out on one of the best shooting guard in the southeast.
Go Hancock Central!