Taking a look at some of the hoopers who stood out during the Grayson vs Newton rivalry game on January 24, 2024.
2024 Jabez Jenkins – 6’3 CG Newton HS | Belmont (signed)
Love the development and overall ‘game-growth’ of this young hooper’s 4-year tenure under the Newton and Atlanta Xpress umbrella. Another unique type of player from the Peach State, whose game is smooth as a baby’s booty and fun to watch. His handle looked nice against Grayson and adds an additional level of craftsmanship to his game. With continued work on his quickness and ball handling capabilities, Bez will become special and a legitimate go to guy in college. He was able to maneuver his way to the rack on several occasions with crossovers, finishing over, around, and through defenders inside the paint, against a solid Grayson squad you feel me. He showed poise on a big stage, limited his mental mistakes/unforced turnovers, and was able to make big plays down the stretch. Looked like a solid D1 prospect and one of those players who fly’s under the radar, then winds up in the league because of his work ethic, passion for the game, and high character traits. Just one of those guys organizations love to have around because of the intangibles he brings to the table, on and off the court. Lab work is truly paying off for Bez and you can see the development/boxes being checked, each time he steps on the court. Upside huge for this young hooper.
Love the development and overall ‘game-growth’ of this young hooper’s 4-year tenure under the Newton and Atlanta Xpress umbrella. Another unique type of player from the Peach State, whose game is smooth as a baby’s booty and fun to watch. His handle looked nice against Grayson and adds an additional level of craftsmanship to his game. With continued work on his quickness and ball handling capabilities, Bez will become special and a legitimate go to guy in college. He was able to maneuver his way to the rack on several occasions with crossovers, finishing over, around, and through defenders inside the paint, against a solid Grayson squad you feel me. He showed poise on a big stage, limited his mental mistakes/unforced turnovers, and was able to make big plays down the stretch. Looked like a solid D1 prospect and one of those players who fly’s under the radar, then winds up in the league because of his work ethic, passion for the game, and high character traits. Just one of those guys organizations love to have around because of the intangibles he brings to the table, on and off the court. Lab work is truly paying off for Bez and you can see the development/boxes being checked, each time he steps on the court. Upside huge for this young hooper.
2025 Amir Taylor – 6’7 PF Grayson High (GA)Currently holds offers from Georgia (11/12/23), Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern, and NJIT
Amir Taylor was unstoppable on a night when Newton had no answers for the big man inside. Amir ate from start to finish and head coach Geoffrey Pierce allowed him to eat with his mouth open, feeding him the rock religiously throughout the game. Amir reminded us of a young Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis without the energy and fire that Big Baby played with. We want Amir, to sit down and evaluate himself as a whole game going his senior season. Get in the lab and become a physical specimen this summer. Shed the weight, show passion on the court (not only verbal but in your style of play – get in there and bang and be physical), and your stock will soar. Get into the best shape of your life for your senior year. We been in the gym since you were in middle school and it appeared you had aspirations of being a stretch back in those days (gotta pull the film). We feel those aspirations will become a reality if you get into the best shape of your life. It’s not all about social media and likes and tweets at the end of the day. Some of us truly care about the well being and overall development of the circle we follow and want nothing in return but to see you shine, on the biggest stage possible. Pray on it, and become great young man. You deserve it.
Zach Harden – 6’0 PG Class of 2025Newton High School (GA)
2-Sport Athlete (Football)
The crafty lefty PG was special on a night when he probably received the game ball from 1st year HC Barry Browner. Kid showed poise and leadership as Newton’s primary floor general against Grayson, who don’t forget is one of the top teams in the country. Zach was able to get to the rack and finish, using his solid ball handling skill-sets and deceptiveness as a left-handed hooper. He hit several wet balls from 3pt land, one of which was a step back and another was a long range bomb from the corner in front of his bench. That sent the Newton crowd, who traveled to the game to support the Rams, into a frenzy as Newton went up by 1pt deep in the 4th quarter. With the game on the line, kid had ice water running all through his veins. Zach was a pest on defense, forcing Grayson’s backcourt to be on their P’s and Q’s from baseline to baseline. He also hit several key free throws down the stretch, two of which extended the game into overtime. If there was ever a coming out party for a hooper, the night was the night for Zach Harden Jr. As a two sport athlete, he shows grit, toughness, and the determination that you see on the football field. Plays with a chip on his shoulder as if he has something to prove. He does. He wants to be considered one of the top hoopers in the state and is willing to make the sacrifices to obtain his goals. We know for a fact that he forces the basketball Gods to bless him. He stayed in the gym during our tenure covering Newton Rams Hoops under HC Charlemagne Gibbons. Always showed up to everything, even when he was seeing no varsity playing time and there was a deep guard presence on the Newton campus. He ‘laid in the cut’, worked hard and stayed in the lab more than others. The end results are what we see unfolding today. Stay humble and hungry young hooper. Next man up written all over him.
2024 Gicarri Harris 6’3 G | Purdue commit (signed)Gicarri made several key plays when his team needed them the most, keeping Grayson on top of the food chain among 7A teams on the GHSA Hoops circuit. The Purdue commit continues to be a stocking stuffer on the court, showing he’s not a one-dimensional player who only relies on his ability to score, to make an impact on a game. He rebounds, drops dimes, defends, and leads by example – on and off the court. Basically forces the basketball Gods to bless him. Gicarri is developing an elite mindset which all top notch hoopers develop. The fact that we show up and hoop bro. If I have to score 30 so be it. But I’m no longer worried about performing on the court. I’m not. That’s second nature now. My objective is to win. PERIOD. My skills sets are on display at a high level each night and I can’t do anything to change that. My only concern is coming away with the dub. That’s when you’ve reached the stage of your game when you’ve got something special young hooper. Continue to fine, believe in you always, and take no prisoners on the court.
Timothy Prather 6’0 G 2025Newton High School (GA)
Tim was solid on the offensive end last night. He was able to knock down big time shots while being contested. He was crafty off the dribble with his stop and pops. His play kept Newton within arms lead throughout the night, never allowing Grayson to go on a legitimate run. Tim hoops on the AAU circuit with Atlanta Xpress and has gained valuable knowledge from UCONN star Stephon Castle. We would like to see Tim become more of a nimble/shifty player. A bit too stiff at times, we would like to see him do additional lab work in the form of stretching all the time, like every day, all day to loosen up your muscles. You should jump rope like a boxer every day, develop a plyometrics regimen for more hops and explosiveness, and find some quick twitch drills to work on. Looking forward to seeing him on the AAU circuit this summer.
Other notable players who stood up and out
CJ Hyland 2024 – 6’0 G Western Carolina commit
Continues to be a solid contributor and a player HC Geoffrey Pierce can always count on and continues to be a dependable piece down the stretch for the Rams. CJ handled the pressure and smoke from a hungry Zach Harden all night and was able to limit his turnovers. Each time he steps on the court, you pretty much know what you’re going to get. A solid floor general capable of scoring from all three levels and flashy with his dime dropping as well.
Jacob Wilkins 6’9 2025
Georgia Verbal
Jacob has found a home at Grayson (Attended Parkview and Heritage/Conyers) and continues to show solid development in his game. He must get stronger and show more skill sets with his dribble to propel his stock this summer. We want to see him rebound and push on a regular next season then make solid decisions with his passes and ability to read, react, and finish. He had his usual dunks and scored on opportunities from his sweet spots on the court. Looking for him to become more polished by posting up more, pushing the rock and making decisions on the break, and impacting the game on the defensive end a bit more. His 6’9 frame and lineage should allow his to become special.
Georgia Verbal
Jacob has found a home at Grayson (Attended Parkview and Heritage/Conyers) and continues to show solid development in his game. He must get stronger and show more skill sets with his dribble to propel his stock this summer. We want to see him rebound and push on a regular next season then make solid decisions with his passes and ability to read, react, and finish. He had his usual dunks and scored on opportunities from his sweet spots on the court. Looking for him to become more polished by posting up more, pushing the rock and making decisions on the break, and impacting the game on the defensive end a bit more. His 6’9 frame and lineage should allow his to become special.
Part 2 up next