Archive for July, 2010

Starr's Mill WR Jeff Greene (Special)

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson found the big and speedy wide receiver he needed for his offense when Starr’s Mill High’s Jeff Greene committed to the Yellow Jackets.

The 6-foot-6, 200-pound Greene picked Georgia Tech over Duke, Mississippi State, South Florida, Cincinnati, East Carolina and Middle Tennessee State. Greene is commitment No. 10 for Tech’s 2011 football recruiting class.

“I met with Coach Johnson for about an hour, and we talked about the recruiting process, how kids have until Feb. 2 to sign,” Greene said. “However, with Georgia Tech, it’s first-come, first-serve with the scholarships. I didn’t want to pass up on a good opportunity so I committed on the spot after being offered.”

“I’m excited about Georgia Tech. Coach Johnson is a winner, and has won everywhere he has coached. Georgia Tech has great academics, and a college degree from there will help you after football. And it’s close to home, which will allow my friends …

Continue reading FOOTBALL RECRUITING: Starr’s Mill WR Jeff Greene is commitment No. 10 for Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets »

High school football teams can begin practice on Sunday (Aug. 1). However, several metro Atlanta schools will wait wait at least a day to get started.

A sampling of local football coaches indicated almost no one wanted to start on Sunday.

Centennial’s Jeff Measor: “We are not setting a good example if we put football before God’s day. I’ve never required anything from our kids on Sunday and never will. We aren’t going to win or lose a game by pushing practice back a day.”

Stephenson’s Ron Gartrell: “It’s a long season. It’s not that important that I take a Sunday away from the players and coaches. Sunday is a very important family day for most.”

Milton’s Scott Walker: “We don’t start school this year until the last week of August so we will have twice as many practices as we have ever had. We work back from the date of our first game and keep our plan in place. We will be at camp for a week, which we have never done, so we will get plenty of work …

Continue reading Sunday is first practice day, but most HS football teams will pass »

UGA basketball coach Mark Fox may have to wait until the November signing period to celebrate winning the services of 5-star recruit Kentavious Caldwell of Greenville High.

The 6-foot-6, 185-pound shooting guard told the AJC that he is sticking by last week’s commitment to UGA but also wants to take official visits to Tennessee and Florida State. Caldwell is considered to be the state’s top prospect entering his senior year, ranked in the nation’s top 15 by multiple recruiting services.

“I’m 100-percent going to Georgia … that’s my school, and that’s where I’m going to sign — It’s just that my family wants me to visit a couple of other schools to have something to compare to Georgia” Caldwell told the AJC. “I understand where they are coming from. They just want me to know for sure that Georgia is the No. 1 place for me, and I know it will be.”

Caldwell, who averaged 29.7 points at Greenville last season, was expected to wait closer to the November signing period to announce …

Continue reading Basketball: UGA 5-star basketball recruit Kentavious Caldwell says he will visit other schools — Tennessee and FSU »

ORLANDO — Jarmal Reid, one of the nation’s top high school basketball players, was tying one of his shoelaces when out of the corner of his eye he saw a man in a light-blue shirt walk by.

A few seconds later, Reid was informed by his AAU teammates on the Atlanta-based Southern Kings U16 — who were so excited that they were nearly out of breath — that they had all just experienced a brush with celebrity. The man in blue was none other than North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams, who took a nearby seat on the front row to be strategically positioned to observe the next game.

“We were all excited … it was like ‘Can you believe that’s Roy Williams? And he’s going to watch us play?’” said Reid, a 6-foot-5 guard-forward who helped lead Columbia High to the Class AAA state championship last season as a sophomore.

“When the game started, I tried as hard as I could not to look in the direction of [Williams]. Then I was talking the ball out of bounds and …

Continue reading Georgia’s basketball talent attracts CELEBRITY coaches »

Columbia High’s Jarmal Reid, one of the nation’s top basketball prospects for 2012, picked up offers from Florida and Alabama within the last few days.

The 6-foot-7 Reid is the younger half-brother of UGA power forward Jeremy Price. Reid led Columbia High to the Class AAA state championship last year as a sophomore. He is considered a “point forward” for college, able to play all guard and forward positions.

He also holds early scholarship offers from UGA, Oklahoma, Wake Forest, and Clemson, among others.

“He’s Mr. Mismatch,” said Morris Gordon, who coaches Reid for the Southern Kings AAU team. “We play him at point guard and in the post area. He’s like an all-star utility guy in baseball. You put him at any position on the basketball court, and he is going to get it done.

Continue reading Basketball: Florida and Alabama offer the younger brother of UGA’s Jeremy Price »

Milton PG Shannon Scott (AJC file)

Orlando — Milton High point guard Shannon Scott got a pep talk from Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

The NBA coach was in the stands to observe his son, Austin Rivers, the 6-foot-4 guard who is considering Duke, Florida and North Carolina. Rivers scored a game-high 37 points in the 76-67 win over the Georgia Blazers in Monday’s semifinals of the Super Showcase basketball tournament.

Scott, who has committed to Ohio State, finished with 9 points and 6 assists in the loss. After the game, Rivers congratulated Scott for the effort, along with offering some advice.

“Doc told Shannon he should never give up the ball in the fourth quarter,” Milton coach David Boyd said. “He also told Shannon he was a special player … and there was a comparison with [Celtics point guard] Rajon Rondo.”

Scott is the son of Charlie Scott, who was the first black basketball player at North Carolina and later played eight seasons in the NBA. Last season as …

Continue reading Coach of NBA’s Boston Celtics gives props to Milton High point guard »

Sterling Bailey (Special)

Since 1985, the AJC’s Super 11 team has transformed into one of the nation’s most elite lists, consisting of the best 11 high school football players from the talent-loaded state of Georgia. Over the next few weeks, we’ll go over the top candidates for this year’s AJC Super 11, which will be released on Aug. 15)

The AJC Super 11 candidate: East Hall DE Sterling Bailey

The skinny: The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Bailey is one of the state’s best high school players that no one outside of the Gainesville area really knows about — other than college recruiters. Last year as a junior, Bailey had 68 tackles, 22 tackles for losses, 17 QB hurries and 5 sacks.

Colleges: Bailey bought in to UGA’s “Dream Team” concept, committing to the Bulldogs among nearly 30 offers. He says he is working on many of the state’s other top players to also sign with UGA. As with all elite …

Continue reading AJC Super 11 candidate: East Hall DE Sterling Bailey (committed to UGA) »

Since 1985, the AJC’s Super 11 team has transformed into one of the nation’s most elite lists, consisting of the best 11 high school football players from the talent-loaded state of Georgia. Over the next few weeks, we’ll go over the top candidates for this year’s AJC Super 11, which will be released on Aug. 15)

The AJC Super 11 candidate: Carver-Columbus RB Isaiah Crowell

The skinny: The 6-foot, 212-pound Crowell is considered by some as the nation’s No. 1 running back. The state of Georgia has an international reputation for producing some of football’s greatest running backs, and Crowell is consensus head of this year’s class. As a junior, Crowell rushed for 1,907 yards and 22 touchdowns on 175 carries, while also catching 18 passes for 241 yards and 3 TDs. Last season, Carver was upset by Flowery Branch 35-33 in the Class AAA quarterfinals.

Colleges: UGA and Alabama appear to be Crowell’s favorites, while Florida State and Clemson are also in the mix. As standard …

Continue reading The best RB in the USA??? AJC Super 11 candidate Isaiah Crowell of Carver-Columbus »

Since 1985, the AJC’s Super 11 team has transformed into one of the nation’s most elite lists, consisting of the best 11 high school football players from the talent-loaded state of Georgia. Over the next few weeks, we’ll go over the top candidates for this year’s AJC Super 11, which will be released on Aug. 15)

The AJC Super 11 candidate: Tucker FS Chris Sanders

The skinny: The 6-foot, 181-pound Sanders plays everywhere on the field for Tucker. He is projected to play safety in college. As a sophomore in 2008, Sanders started a few games at linebacker on the Class AAAA state championship team. Last year, Sanders started both ways at free safety (32 tackles, 2 caused fumbles, 1 interception, 1 tackle for loss) and wide receiver (7 receptions for 158 yards and 2 TDs). He also handled the team’s punting duties, averaging 35 yards per punt. This year, Tucker will spread Sanders around on offense, while he will rotate between linebacker and safety on defense, while playing all …

Continue reading AJC Super 11 candidate: Tucker FS Chris Sanders »

Milton High’s Shaquille Johnson, one of the most prolific dunkers in Georgia high school history, added to his legendary status in a Florida AAU tournament.

The 6-foot-4 wing caught a pass while running down the court, jumped from outside the circle in the lane and threw down a Tomahawk dunk (over a defender) so hard that he snapped the back of the basketball rim into two pieces.

The game was delayed for 40 minutes while officials hauled in a new portable goal.

Johnson, who is playing with the Southern Kings 16U Red this summer, finished with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and four assists in the win over a team from Oklahoma. The rising junior has transferred from Salem High to Milton.

Milton is the reigning Class AAAAA state champion and a top contender for this year’s mythical national championship. The Eagles return all five starters, including the senior quartet of point guard Shannon Scott (committed to Ohio State), shooting guard Dai-Jon Parker (undecided, including offers from …

Continue reading Milton High basketball player BREAKS THE RIM on Tomahawk dunk — game delayed 40 minutes »

The Los Angeles Angels are one signing away from pulling off the Georgia hat trick.

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The state was the talk of the June baseball draft after five Georgia high school players were selected in the first round, including three by the Angels. East Coweta pitcher Cameron Bedrosian and Marietta High outfielder Chevez Clarke, drafted No. 29 and 30 respectively, signed earlier this month for bonuses of around $1 million. The Angels are in negotiations with Cook third baseman Kaleb Cowart, the No. 18 pick, who reportedly is seeking $3 million.

It was like a West Coast invasion.

“You have to pay attention to Georgia,” said Eddie Bane, the Angels’ …

Continue reading It’s a WEST COAST invasion: LA Angels’ lovefest with Georgia baseball »

Mr. Georgia Basketball 2011?? Malcolm Brogdon

Greater Atlanta Christian’s Malcolm Brogdon, one of the state’s top basketball players, more than tripled his number of major-college scholarship offers in a week.

Brogdon caught the attention of scouts while playing for the Georgia Stars at the Nike Peach Jam, one of the nation’s top AAU tournaments. He averaged 18.8 points over five games, including a team-high 23 points in three different games. Brogdon also made 17 of 20 foul shots.

“It’s really surprising, and I’m very thankful for it,” Brogdon said. “My coaches told me to be patient with recruiting and they were right.”

The 6-foot-5, 206-pound Brogdon picked up offers from Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Notre Dame, Butler, UMass, Harvard and Providence. Before the tournament, Brogdon held early scholarships from Georgia, Clemson and Minnesota.

Brogdon said he talked on Monday with Georgia coach Mark Fox, who confirmed that the Bulldogs are still recruiting him despite the …

Continue reading Basketball: UGA target more than triples his scholarship offers in a week »

Since 1985, the AJC’s Super 11 team has transformed into one of the nation’s most elite lists, consisting of the best 11 high school football players from the talent-loaded state of Georgia. Over the next few weeks, we’ll go over the top candidates for this year’s AJC Super 11, which will be released on Aug. 15)

The AJC Super 11 candidate: Sandy Creek QB Ronnie Bell

The skinny: The 6-foot, 175-pound Bell was one of the state’s biggest surprises last year, coming out of nowhere as a first-year starter at the all-important QB position to help Sandy Creek win the Class AAAA state championship, the first-ever football title for a Fayette County school. Bell completed 177 of 228 passes for 2,003 yards and 17 TDs with 6 interceptions.

Colleges: Bell is referred to by some scouts as “one of Georgia’s best-kept secrets” and has an early offer from Ohio at QB. He is also on the shortlist for QB scholarship consideration at Louisville, Vanderbilt, Air Force, and Georgia Southern, …

Continue reading AJC Super 11 candidate: Sandy Creek QB Ronnie Bell »

Greenville High’s Kentavious Caldwell, who is considered one of the nation’s top 15 basketball prospects by multiple recruiting services, has committed to Georgia.

The 6-foot-6, 185-pound shooting guard picked the Bulldogs over Tennessee and Florida State, while also considering Florida and Alabama. Last year as a junior, Caldwell averaged 29.7 points for the Greenville Patriots, which play in Georgia’s smallest division (Class A).

“When I woke up on Saturday morning, it just felt like the right thing to do,” Caldwell told the AJC. “Georgia is a great school for academics and athletics. It felt like the right moment to commit, so I called Georgia and told them that I was coming.”

“It took awhile to reach Coach [Mark Fox] because I think he was traveling. He was really excited about my decision. I’m glad to get it out of the way because I didn’t want to feel all the recruiting pressure during my senior year of high school.”

Greenville High basketball coach Richard Carter ranks …

Continue reading BASKETBALL: One of nation’s top shooting guards COMMITS to UGA »

Since 1985, the AJC’s Super 11 team has transformed into one of the nation’s most elite lists, consisting of the best 11 high school football players from the talent-loaded state of Georgia. Over the next few weeks, we’ll go over the top candidates for this year’s AJC Super 11, which will be released on Aug. 15)

The AJC Super 11 candidate: Kell FS-RB Brian Randolph

The skinny: The 6-foot, 180-pound Randolph is the state’s No. 1 safety, when healthy. Last year as a junior, despite playing with a damaged shoulder,  Randolph still put up big numbers both ways for the Class AAAAA school. At safety, he had 136 tackles, 5 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries and 1 caused fumble. On offense, Randolph carried 164 times for 1,303 yards and 10 TDs, while catching 23 passes for 160 yards and 2 TDs.

Colleges: Made the surprising decision last month to commit to Tennessee over Georgia Tech, among others, including Florida and Stanford, saying “they [the Volunteers] just …

Continue reading AJC Super 11 candidate: Kell FS Brian Randolph »