Top high school recruits have big summer plans

Garrison Smith, ranked the nation’s No. 2 college prospect at defensive tackle by one recruiting service, is already pondering some 50 football scholarships offers.

And so how will spend his summer? Handling basketballs, of course.

The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Smith works 30-40 hours per week at Six Flags Over Georgia. He is the big unassuming guy who stands in the game booths, awarding the stuffed animals to those who can ring baskets.

“Both of my older brothers worked here, so I’m just following family tradition,” Smith said. “My parents help me out when they can with money but I wanted to work to earn some extra spending cash of my own.

“There are some long days, but I enjoy it. I get to interact with a lot of people and try to brighten up their day.”

Smith hasn’t forgotten about football. Before or after work, Smith makes his way to Douglass High to lift weights and do conditioning drills to prepare for his senior season.

Here is what some of the state’s other high school athletes are doing this summer:

• Zach Alvord, South Forsyth baseball: Less than 24 hours after playing in the Class AAAAA championship Saturday, Alvord was back on the field with his summer travel team, the East Cobb Braves.

Alvord, who is one of the state’s top rising seniors and has committed to Auburn, expects to play in around 90 games in two months.

“I love it, I can’t get enough of baseball. … This is how I like to spend my summer,” he said. “I look at my friends. They relax and have fun. My ultimate goal is to play pro baseball and the only way to get better is to play as much and work as hard as I can.”

• Maxie Weinberg, Walton tennis: The rising junior played No. 1 doubles for Walton, which won its sixth Class AAAAA championship in a row. She is also ranked as one of the South’s best in 16-under singles.

Weinberg was scheduled to play in tennis tournaments from California to Virginia, but ligament damage to her wrist has stalled her plans temporarily.

“If I’m not playing tennis, then I’m sure my coaches will make sure I’m in the best shape of my life with running and things like that,” Weinberg said. “I’m trying to stay positive, visiting with friends and family, and being happy with the things I have in life.”

• Jack Walsh, Peachtree Ridge golf: After helping his team win the Class AAAAA championship with low medalist honors last month, Walsh attracted recruiting attention from colleges. Now he is trying to retain it, dedicating his summer to playing in tournaments against many of the Southeast’s top golfers.

“Summer golf is big with the colleges. … If you have a big June and July before your senior year, then it can dictate where you go, as far as a bigger or smaller school is concerned,” Walsh said.

Walsh is attempting to qualify for the U.S. Junior Amateur next month. If he doesn’t make it, he said he’ll have plenty of “pool time” and probably play more golf. “I just like to go out to the course and have fun with my friends.”