S. Atlanta’s Favors to announce college choice

The competition on the court Tuesday night wasn’t so tough for Derrick Favors, but the center from South Atlanta High got a workout just guarding his secret.

Rated the No. 1 high school player in the nation by one recruiting service, Favors says he’ll announce Wednesday whether he’ll play for Georgia, Georgia Tech or N.C. State next season.

Favors refused to reveal what he claimed only three people knew. The insiders include South Atlanta coach Michael Reddick and an assistant but not anyone from the schools he’s choosing from, he said.

“I just feel a relief about it,” Favors said. “I’m happy to get it over with so I don’t have nothing else to think about.”

If coaches in attendance were a clue, Georgia Tech might be the leader. Paul Hewitt was there.

Favors scored 30 points in barely three quarters work of South Atlanta’s 87-53 victory.

For the next few days, Favors might be the most talked-about player in high school sports.

He’ll make his college announcement at 6:30 p.m. at ESPN Zone in Buckhead.

On Thursday, South Atlanta plays in Birmingham against LeFlore High of Mobile in a game televised by ESPN2. Then it’s off to Springfield, Mass., where South Atlanta will play national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy of Virginia.

At Eagle’s Landing on Tuesday, the gym was 80 percent full despite a home team that has only two victories.

Late in the third quarter of the blowout, the fans got a treat.

Favors, who is 6-foot-9, made a steal near half court. The lack of an obstacle between him and the goal was conspicuous to hundreds of fans who came to their feet.

Favors drove to the foul line, threw a lob high off the backboard, caught the carom and dunked it. The crowd was beside itself. Favors showed no emotion.

“Clearly, that’s an NBA play,” said Charlie Marsh, a McDonough resident who was watching Favors for the first time, just out of curiosity. “I heard he was a highlight player, and I came to check him out. The style of his work is very creative. That was nice.”

But it wasn’t unusual, said Favors’ coach.

“Derrick definitely draws a crowd,” Reddick said. “We played in Jackson, Ga., on Saturday, and they told us you made us some money. It’s normally a third this full. It was packed, people wanting to take pictures and autographs.”

Favors says he’s enjoyed this season more than his others. South Atlanta is 14-1 and perhaps Georgia’s best team.

“It’s been easy so far, not many distractions,” Favors said. “It wasn’t like last year when everybody was coming up asking about colleges because I narrowed my list so everybody knew.”

On Wednesday, the list will be down to one.

Whether the secret survives the day can’t be guaranteed. Favors said he had 15 messages on his cell that he hadn’t answered. Reddick said he had more than 20. A coach from Georgia called him a hour before the game.

But Reddick leaked nothing.

“None of them know,” Reddick said. “We don’t want to let it out. I want to make sure he does this the way he wants it. You go through life once. Let him enjoy it.”