Prep Zone

By Mr. Banks III

March 10, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Nothing you can do. Players are looking for TV time with ESPN. They are looking at shoe deals, uniform, and moving away from home. It’s boring to play in GA or GT when you played here all your life. Unless Tech or UGA becomes a powerhouse, they will continue to lose players. It’s a football state now.

By Jeff

March 10, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

Mr bank you are so right I agree, it’s the coaches fault at the high school level take Dunwoody all American Singleton they HYpe this kid up so much and offer him the world and he could not perform at the end it was a Guard that had gone unnoticed far so long but that georgia only in the south, people are fed up with good talent going all over other than here.

By G-State Ben

March 10, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

Yes, there is a thing you can do. Win! Having no teams in the NCAA this year will certainly hurt but Tech has been ordinary two out of the last three years. UGA is a wreck who may or may not be firing their coach at week’s end.

The healthiest program in the state is Georgia Southern but they are not even the best team in their own division.

Look out for Georgia State in 2008-09, with 5 D-1 transfers eligible and playing in a two bid league (CAA) they will continue to get better and I certainly hope Tech keeps them on the schedule.

By A Fan

March 10, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

The state is loaded with basketball talent year after year and, in recent years, UGA and GaTech have not done a very good job of tapping in. Bottom line, both schools need new coaches or they will most likely continue to miss out. The current coaches have had time to show that they are solid, but not outstanding, coaches. Time for both to make changes.

By JEWELL ROLLEN

March 10, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

They go all over and bring in people that only want to go home. Not to mention they bad mouth local talent to other programs, who by now are wise to that negative game.

THIS COMMENT FROM THE FATHER OF ONE YOUR PROFILED PLAYERS….

By CO

March 10, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

Jeff-you are totally off the subject matter talking about Chris Singleton’s-one bad game of the season-get over it things happen. As far as the subject goes, UGA’s bball program has never been dominant. It has and will always play in the shadows of the prestigious Bulldog football program. Harrick, brought the enthusiasm back to the program; but we all know what happened from there. Felton, in my opinion, is a good coach, but not the top in the state. If UGA didn’t have so many mishaps this season—suspensions, elgibility issues and injuries—the Bulldogs would be a Top 25 team. Tech, has been the top program over the years. This season, however, has been a down year simply because Player’s Hewitt have recruited, guards in particular, have not stayed in the program long enough. If Thadeus Young and Javaris Crtittenton stayed at Tech this season, along with the rest of the players, there is no doubt Tech is a Top 10 team in the country. Tech, will bounce back in two years. I agree with the Georgia State fans, the top team in the state next season, may be playing at the little gym on Decatur Street. Coached by Rod Barnes (former SEC Coach of the Year at Missippi) the Panthers will have five D-I transfers inserted to the line-up to gel with the other returning players.

Look at women’s hoops.. Maya Moore, Kelly Cain, two of the top basketball players the state has ever seen in recent memory, left the state to play at other programs.

By CO

March 10, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this

Top Coaches in the State 1. Paul Hewitt Great recruiter, plays in the toughest conference. Took team to the Final Four in 2004. 2. Rod Barnes The fruit of his labor will come to past next sesaon. Also good in recruiting and bringing the best out of players. Bringing excitement and enthusiam back to G.State basketball. This team will return to the NCAA’s in two years. 3. Dennis Felton Recruits great players; but character issues are another story. If his players can stay on the team, he has a legitimate contender in the SEC. Thompkins will be a great addition, but has to find a guard that can replace Gaines 4. Georgia Southern coach.. Plays in a tough mid-major conference and has posted several bigs wins. This team is a sleeper away from Challenging (College of Charleston, Davidson and App. State for the title).

By Candy-Gram

March 10, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Today’s CANDY-GRAM:

BasketBall? UGA and GT still have programs?

I thought both schools dropped this sport due to Title 9 and now field club teams!!

As bad as both schools have had it this year…I bet they could both knock off the pathetic Hawks!!!

This is one franchise that if left the city today….no one would notice…no one would care.

Hope you enjoyed today’s CANDY-GRAM!!

By Bo in NC

March 10, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

I live 30 minutes from Oak Hill Academy in Virginia…kids come there from everywhere and leave to play everywhere…ESPN has changed regional/state loyalties forever…the age of the “free agent” amateur player is upon us…thus, you have guys like Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley who drop in for a year at Oak Hill, drop in for a year at a high major and move to the NBA…it’s not going to change.

By Parker Long

March 10, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

So much talent seeps out of this state because even if UGA and TECH offered 10 scholarships a year to teams just in metro Atlanta area that still would not be enough to cover even half of the legitimate Division I talent running around. Atlanta is so deep with talents it is unreal. Just look at all the great teams with great players that did not make the final four in the tournment!

By Lazyboy

March 10, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

The georgia schools have got to do a better job at recognizing players earlier. How do you get in late with a player like Chris Allen? These kids are getting letters from states all over and you expect for them to just go to your schools because it’s close?They have to do a better job on selling the idea that your name will be brougth up when people talk about the resurgence of Georgia’s program.p.s Why did’nt the Hawks take Chris Paul?

By Lazyboy

March 10, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this

The georgia schools have got to do a better job at recognizing players earlier. How do you get in late with a player like Chris Allen? These kids are getting letters from states all over and you expect for them to just go to your schools because it’s close?They have to do a better job on selling the idea that your name will be brougth up when people talk about the resurgence of Georgia’s program.p.s Why did’nt the Hawks take Chris Paul?

By ATL

March 10, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this

Both UGA and Tech are sleeping giants! IT will not be long before both teams battle for top ten spots every year. Aside from Wake Forest, the programs you mentioned in this article are sub-par academic institutions. Both UGA and Tech top 20 academic institutions that MAKE their student athletes go through tedious tutoring hours and study halls. Especially UGA since that Harrick thing…. Don’t write them off yet

By Mr Banks

March 10, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this

Well like I said you have to offer these kids kore things. What are the perks to stay in Ga? Sometimes, it’s better to go off. Ga has to be present more at high school.s Ga and GT officials should be at all the games if possible. Some of these players are over hyped too. We give to much credit to players from big time schools. There are some great players from lesser programs. Stop believing the hype with these players. I am not calling out anybody but a certain mcdonald’s all american. he’s not thes best in ga. You will see. Aminu is the right choice. Oh yeah, anyone notice most of the players from this weekend went to school in Dekalb. Just check out the rosters. What if these guys would have went to their schools? Dekalb would have plenty of rings. Just a thought.

By Bravesfan79

March 10, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

I agree. Hewitt needs to start recruiting top local prospects more. With the (top 5 in the nation) shooting guard coming in this year, and add a 5th year senior in Dickey. Tech will be back towards the top of the ACC next year…..and hopefully south Atlanta’s Derrick Favors will come to GT !!
And no one can tell me GT isnt a big time program… were on ESPN all the time, every game is on local regional tv (unlike UGA). Were the home of more NBA stars than i have time to name off…and you pple act like GT is savannah state or something.
So if GT ISNT a BIG TIME program then why have 4 recruits just in the past 2 years alone turned down UNC for GT? does that ever happen at uga, or savanna state, or ga state?? Dont be surprised to see GT in the champ game of the ACC tourney.

By bwash21

March 10, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this

What’s really pathetic about GT right now is that they have 1 guy signed for 2008 and none for 2009 when every other “high major” team has several signees. With all the HS talent graduating this year and next, the pressures on. I’ve been a Hewitt supporter for a long time but I’m starting to waiver. His in game coaching is horrible but he could recruit. Now, I’m not so sure and I hear rumblings about his “arrogance” when it comes to local HS coaches and players. I’m sure he’s a “good” guy like everyone says but he doesn’t neccessarily have many followers locally in places that count. I’d rather see the change now rather than later at GT. If Hewitt doesn’t get Favors, who his whole 2009 class is banking on, GT is screwed. And yet again, Favors is probably one and done.

By bwash21

March 10, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this

GT is always on ESPN and local TV unless of course, they play at Georgia. That should tell you all you need to know about the state of both programs. GT plays at UGA and it’s not even picked up locally. That’s a disgrace to both Hewitt and Felton. They should be embarrassed.

Who has GT/UGA missed out on locally? 2008: Aminu Sampson Woods Tanner Smith Ray Willis Cashmere Wright DeQuan Jones Justin Brownlee - good enough for AZ, Memphis, Kansas but not Tech? Witherspoon - unsigned Travis Leslie - unsigned Anyaorah - unsigned Bud Mackey - unsigned and good enough for UK, Louisville, Clemson, Florda,Indiana to be interested in. Kevin Murphy Dunwoody’s Jordan, Singleton, and Graham. All good enough to at least go to UGA Maybe some of these guys grades aren’t good enough, that I don’t know.

For 2009, there is a TON of talent that they should be all over: Lorenzo Brown - Florida? NC State? Mfon Udofia - offered by both I think Derrick Favors - supposedly leaning towards staying in state thank god Noel Johnson - offered by both, and Memphis Shawn Kemp -offered by UGA Jeremy Olson - neither Kenny Hall - just committed to Tennessee Manny Atkins - both are interested Glen Rice Jr -both are interested Ari Stewart - offered by GT and UGA Richard Howell -both interested but no offers for either expect Michigan State. Good enough for Izzo to offer I guess but not our schools. Brandon Reed - LSU and Vandy offers Colin Reddick - both interested? Cameron Baskerville - nothing yet? Kammeon Holsey -looks like Clemson and GT are high on his offer list Torrin Walker - UGA is on him

If 4 of these guys went to each school, there would be tons of interest in the programs. We need to keep them in-state. If we can’t, it’s time to get new coaches who can.

By gakat1

March 10, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this

The basic problem is you have 2 coaches from 2 Universities that are doing a very inferior job. That’s #1 and #2 is you have 2 Univs that REFUSE to allocate time for the GHSA to have finals or quarterfinals at either location.

Georgia just turned a deaf ear to the Quarters for 4A and 5A. This state is a cecond rate college basketnball state and nothing short of new coaches administration, and AD will affect the HS drain of talent. It’s football only land, the good kids know it. Ga is lost in the roundball world. Accept it or fire um.

By AfroDawg

March 10, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

All of these high schoolers think they’re the second coming of take your pick of a hall of famer. If they’d think rationally and realize that the chance of making the NBA is remote at best, but the chance of starring at UGA or Tech is doable, we’d see more of them staying home. If Joe Blow is truly good enough, he can get noticed at UGA or Tech. ask Dominique or Chris Bosh.

By tee

March 10, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this

GT and especially UGA must look at players throughout the state not just metro Atlanta…this state has enough players where UGA should be competitive. Every other program in the SEC has passed us by. I am tired of the “were a football school” excuse for the apathy in the basketball program. The only cure for this is WINNING!!!! I think Felton should get one more year to make significant progress or we need to look in another direction. Yes football is king but there is enough of us who care about the state of ALL sports, not just football. Dead last in the SEC doesn’t cut it. If Vandy can win so can UGA.

By J.MAX

March 11, 2008 5:42 AM | Link to this

Good times are around the corner

Tech and Georgia are in the position to be powers in the ACC and SEC. Tech has a history of elite point guards and can continue to recruit well in and out of state. UGA has a good group coming in and just need good luck! Both teams have great coaches but like one of the previous comments, I think Georgia State may be the best team in Georgia next year.

The loss of the Gwinnett and state talent is hurting all of the state schools but succcess is around the corner.

By Mark Turner

March 11, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this

Hire an assistant who has a pulse of the basketball scene in Atlanta as far as the high shool and AAU are concerned.

By J.Mac

March 11, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

No one is talking about Tucker’s outstanding junior foward,guard,and any other position you ask him to play Manny Atkins. The young man can shoot the ball from anywhere on the court. He can do it all. Please take a look at him next year.

By Mr Hill

March 11, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

Why do you think talented players go on recognized leave the South- Georgia to play somewhere else? I will tell you why all the other schools offer much more and they recognized talent from a far and invest in recruiting, offering more perks Players that mere mortals like these so call coaches do not recognized on there squad. Take for example Dunwoody who has five 5 D-1 supposedly talented squad Three signed Singleton Florida Delwan LSU Pierre Jordan Florida

But the other two never got noticed or offered a scholarship , then you have on that same squad a Talented guard that had gone unnoticed in that same arena until he claim victory in the end at Macon against Carver, they lost but he played a hell of a game and that is on a consistence basis Against a team that no one thought would beat those, schools all over has been recruiting this kids for some time now, where he will choose to go Most likely will be outer state like all the other talents that made a wise decision, that kid is Grayson but you would never know that because Dunwoody only focus on politics so kids who play the hardest in and out of the classroom unto the courts feels that this is the only way that they will get the respect They deserve these kids tend to move out of state to other schools who appreciate there talents and value there vision. Player who get drafted or recruited often take that route and leave Georgia for outer state away from the politics of the South, and those are the players who normally make a name for themselves , Georgia basketball and football coaches cannot recognized talent if it stared them in the eyes they are too focus on making a name for self In a Political Arena.

By LUV GA

March 11, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

UGA and TECH are horrible at recruiting intown talent.

By Mr. Banks III

March 11, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Most teams from out of state spend more time in Ga. They have a special recruiter working for them that is good at luring athlete. Grayson didn’t need to go to Dunwoody to get offers. He was a great player for Druid Hills. Some kids need to realize that if you are good, then they will find you. Dunwoody/hooplanet team DID NOT make grayson. He’s a smart and gifted player. He’s talented player, but I knew it was going to happen to Dunwoody. Remember the Lakers with Karl and G Payton. Too much talent and not enough coaching. You have to coach all the time and not just let them play.

By Cant recruit

March 11, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this

The #1 reason UGA is terrible at basketball is because we can not recruit. We have not been able to get any of the best players in state on a consistent basis. Jeremy Price and Mike Mercer are the best recruits Felton has brought in….

We have missed out the state’s best talent for the past 5 years. Period.

By Thomas P

March 11, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Thanks for hitting it on the nail Mr Banks coaches has to be held accountable for the lack of coaching skills and for having too many So call talent on their squad so that real talented players who are discipline like Grayson does not go unnoticed, Grayson is truly Gifted and I have no problem believing that he will be picked up by a high major school as a true D1 player, he is a excellent humble kid who knows that his time is coming And all the colleges in Georgia better grab this one before he also makes a decision to choose an outside school.

By Keyanna Smith

March 11, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a q a a a q er h hgf gf j gdj du u j yt j ytj yj j y jy j ytj yt jyt j ytj yt y j yj y j yj y jyt

By Keyanna Smith

March 11, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a q a a a q er h hgf gf j gdj du u j yt j ytj yj j y jy j ytj yt jyt j ytj yt y j yj y j yj y jyt

By SCOTT MITCHELL

March 11, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

DERRICK, I THINK ALL OF THIS COULD BE SUMMED UP BY SAYING THE FOLLOWIG: iT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WANTING TO LEAVE HOME BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY LEAVING ATL TO ATTEND UGA IS LEAVING HOME AND VICE VERSA 4 ATHLETES IN SOUTH, WEST, AND EAST GA COMING TO GA TECH. MOST OTHER STATE POWERHOUSE COLLEGE PROGRAMS PLAY AND WIN WITH IN-STATE TALENT YEAR AFTER YEAR. N.C, UCLA, MEMPHIS, DUKE, JUST TO NAME A FEW. I WOULD LOVE TO C THIS LINE-UP INVADE GA TECH IN 2010. PG:MFON UDOFIA (MILLER GROVE), SG:MANNY ATKINS(TUCKER), SF:NOEL JOHNSON (FAYETTE COUNTY, PF: DERRICK FAVORS (S. ATLANTA), C: SHAWN KEMP JR. (CHEROKEE) THEY ARE AS FRESHMEN IN INSTANT CONTENTION FOR A NCAA TITLE RUN.

By hoop planet

March 11, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

mr.banks, you are right that hoop planet did not make grayson, all we do over at hoop planet is take a kids talents and enhance them , then put him in front of the top college coaches in the country , in the summer time and let do what he does. we do not take credit for kids sucesses, take cashmere wright for example, he play with us last summer, polished his skills in our camp, and now he’s going to cincinnati not to mention tony mitchell and james field who going to alabama and georgia state respectfully. so you are right, grayson was gifted before we got involved ,but like every other kid in georgia, he too needs work and gets it in our camp.

By hoop planet

March 11, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

mr. banks. you too sounds like all of these others guys who crowns young athelets with greatness already. the truth is i coach grayson and mentors him, he is a excellent young man because he has good people in his life. we teach life skills as well as basketball iq. thats the difference that you will see in his maturity, not just his basketball skills, because if mr. grayson blows a knee out, none of yall will have s__t to say or care for that matter, but with an education and life survival skills he will still be sucessful rather on the court or not that’s what a lot of you georgia folks are missing

By Leon

March 11, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

Georgia has a great Football Team, Baseball Team, always a great, great Girl Basketball team, where did the boys basketball team go wrong. Georgia has a great sports program in everything but basketball. The team could have really been a force to be reckon with this year in SEC but what happened. It just seems like the boys just don’t have enough pride to want to win, now look at GT sports program they too are good in most all the sports program especially baseball and football, even the GT basketball team could go to the NCAA but they are going to need some help and if they get past Duke and they can they could beat NC. I know that is a lot to wish for but good things do happen. A few points here and there and GT could have been a number three team in the ACC. Now look at GT girl basketball program who use to be at the bottom of the pit and look where they are now, they are coming along really great this year and will most likely go to the NCAA at least they better be in invited with the record they had this year.

I think all the kids in Georgia that is good in Football and basketball should want to play in the State of Georgia. The parents should install this into their mind at an early age. Go DAWG and JACKETS I love you guys.

By momma mia

March 11, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

I wonder where my son will go?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

By gwinnett parent

March 11, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

Question for knowledgeable parents.

How do you feel about HS coaches building a program around 1 player?

How much does the other talent on the team suffer?

By Meg Nichols

March 11, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

I believe that the present UGA and Tech coaches have not performed upto their expectations. They have been outcoached and out recruited. It is time for them to depart and make way for others who would be more competent in this position.

By Meg Nichols

March 11, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

I believe that the present UGA and Tech coaches have not performed upto their expectations. They have been outcoached and out recruited. It is time for them to depart and make way for others who would be more competent in this position.

By Welcoming outside of GA

March 11, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

UGA and TECH focuses on one or two players just like the AJC and hang the rest out to dry…GA is full of great talent that would like to play and pursue their education and plenty of schools (D1) outside of GA are offering that opportunity!

By mr banks

March 11, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

hoop planet thanks for clearing that up. I am not saying you made him or dunwoody. You are doing good by him. The problem I have is local schools don’t treat them fair. I don’t know if he’s being recruited by UGA or Tech, but he should. Ga college coaches wait so long to see our guys. No, I don’t crown these kids. No one should. Now, I stated all along that Grayson was the glue to Dunwoody. As you see HP, he shined when the so called McDonald All American did not. Hoop Planet all I am saying do right by him and don’t let anybody mess his head up. We need more positive African American role models and grayson is a nice kid. Also Ga folks, No that’s not me. It’s all about academics. So you are wrong because all Ga people are not alike. I believe in a true student athlete. Well hoop planet, I could say that about your AAu program, but all programs are not a like. Like all ga people are not alot. it’s a difference in Ga. You see there two kinds of people here. You know what I am getting at. The real african american that are truly from Ga don’t do that. The other kind is there for a free ride.

By wayne stokes

March 11, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Looking at the GT girl’s basketball program, that program started to recruit local talent in the likes of All American All ACC Fallon Stokes of Riverwood High School, All ACC Alex Stewart of Norcross High School, All ACC Megan Isom of The Padia School back in 2000. The program turn the corner by winning 20 games during the 2003-04 season and were invited to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in over 10 years. So look at the program now, it has back to back 20 win seasons.

By oldskool06

March 11, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

The Best Shooting Guard in the State is Stokes at Douglass. Think he might be going to Houston. Want to stay at home. Love Tech and Georgia. The Best Kept Secert In The Atl.

By mom-dunwoody

March 11, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this

Mr banks you are an ok guy “you speak on issue that most people refuse to discuss I wish you could speak with some of these coaches about teaching the value of an education while playing sport, most coaches motive is winning and they dont instill education so when these wanna-bee stars sign they dont always have the grades to back them up, Does anybody know what these so call signee players from all these different schools grades are looking like. All the fame and fourtune of playing basketball and football in this “here American “wont mean nothing without a proper educaton and most of these atheles needs to know that and coaches should instill that.

By a mom

March 11, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

mom dunwoody, most good college coaches will already know if your child is eligible to recruit….they will check with the schools to make sure that most students are true student/athletes before the process begins. Also, ask plenty of questions (graduation record)…i.e. how many student athletes has he/she graduated since their tenure. Parent research is highly recommended in the recruitment process. ASK, ASK, ASK

By mom-dunwoody

March 12, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

Mom: Thanks for your smart comment, however as I was saying Mr Banks most of the players I know Grades are not even up to a scholarship level yet they are being recruited, all I am saying is that coaches and parents like Mom needs to instill that, if it made some people upset oh well there is nothing like a good education.

By jeffduck

April 1, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

This definitely happens everywhere. In oregon we had 2 H.S. all americans last year and they went to Duke and UCLA. Sometimes these kids want to get away or want to go to “elite” programs.