MID-GEORGIA “SUPER SIX” SENIORS

While there were not any seniors from Middle Georgia mentioned in the same conversations with the state’s upper echelon of players in the 2017 class, there were still some formidable senior hoopsters worth noting from the mid-state area. With their prep careers coming to an end, here is a look at where they finished in the rankings.

Josh Linder is a mid-major caliber player from Veterans (GA) High School. The 6-foot-8 forward racked up over fifteen offers before deciding to sign with Georgia State University. Linder wrapped up his career as the top rated senior in Middle Georgia and No.36 overall statewide.

Antarius McCoy and Quentavious Dean are offensive juggernauts that can score in bunches. Both players had a 50-point performance as well as numerous other huge scoring outbursts over the course of the season. Dean, a Crisp County product, will continue his academic and athletic career at Andrew (GA) College while Central-Macon standout McCoy will head to Wallace (Selma, AL) Community College.

CLASS OF 2017 FINAL RANKINGS

Middle GA Rank- 5   State Rank-36   National Rank- NR (3-star)  Colleges- GA State signee (GA)

  • ’17 Antarius McCoy | Central-Macon | 6-3 G

Middle GA Rank- 6   State Rank-NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- Wallace C.C. signee  (AL)

  • ’17 Quentavious Dean |Crisp Co | 6-2 G

  Middle GA Rank– 8   State Rank- NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- Andrew College signee (GA)

  • ’17 Carl Johnson | Putnam Co | 5-7 PG

Middle GA Rank- 10   State Rank- NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- Middle-GA Prep signee (GA)

  • ’17 Trey Foster | Westside-Macon | 6-2 G

Middle GA Rank- 14   State Rank- NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- Columbia State C.C. signee (TN)

  • ’17 Aaron Ridley | Southwest-Macon | 6-5 G

Middle GA Rank- 15   State Rank- NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- Northe Platte C.C. signee (NE)

MIDDLE-GEORGIA “NICE NINE” JUNIORS

Middle Georgia’s junior class features the crème de la crème from the state of Georgia. This talented bunch has quietly brought basketball relevancy back to the mid-state area. Following the 2016-17 school ball season and the early sessions of the travel season, here is a look at how the class of 2018 stacks up.

The top 3 spots from the mid-state are pretty much locked in. Khavon Moore is the consensus No.1 overall player in the state’s ’18 class as well as a nationally ranked prospect that is looking to creep back into the top 10 by travel season’s end. The versatile 6-foot-8 wing from Westside-Macon (GA) holds well over twenty high major division-1 offers and is a top priority on the recruiting trail. Catch him on the showcase circuit with the 17U Atlanta Xpress UAA Team.

Nelson Phillips and Tavias Fagan round out the top 3. At the time being, they are two of the hottest names around the state of Georgia. Following the school ball season, Phillips picked up an offer from Georgia State and Texas Tech. The 3-star junior out of Warner Robins (GA) continued to impress as the travel season kicked off. During the 2017 Norman Parker Showcase he put on an all-around clinic and silenced any naysayers. He will run with the 17U Warner Robins All-Stars this travel season. Fagan had his coming out party during the 2016-17 school ball season. The south-paw combo guard made a name for himself as he consistently put up huge performances. He led his Upson Lee (GA) squad to a perfect 32-0 record en route to winning the GHSA Class AAAA State Championship. With recent offers from Middle Tennessee State, Georgia, and Georgia State, Fagan has quickly risen up the ranks in Georgia and will be one to watch for on the national scene moving forward. After being courted by several shoe circuit teams, he opted to stay loyal to the local Middle Georgia Supersonics.

Clarence Jackson and Cameron Holden come in at No.4 and No.5 respectively. These multi-talented players both have an outside chance at cracking the top 3 if they continue to trend up on the travel circuit or if any of the aforementioned players can’t keep up the pace. Jackson is a back-to-back state champion from Wilkinson County (GA) High School. The 6-foot-6 junior is a versatile player that has the ability to play on the interior as well as out on the perimeter. Right now, recruitment is a bit slow for the rangy forward, but that should change very soon as he is set to run with the Southern Stampede on the Nike EYBL Circuit this summer. Holden is a smooth combo guard with great size. At 6-foot-5 he has the ability to be effective playing both guard positions. As the travel season nears its NCAA Live Period, expect mid-majors to get in heavy on Holden. This summer, the workhorse from Mary Persons (GA) will suit up for the Team Georgia Magic.

CLASS OF 2018 EARLY OUTLOOK

Middle GA Rank- 1   State Rank- 1   National Rank- 11 (5-star)    Colleges- List

Middle GA Rank- 2   State Rank- 13   Natioanl Rank- NR (3-star)   Colleges-  GA State, Texas Tech

Middle GA Rank- 3   State Rank- 9   National Rank- NR (3-star)   Colleges- UGA, GA State, MTSU

Middle GA Rank- 4   State Rank- 25   National Rank- NR   Colleges- Ea. Kentucky, FGCU

Middle GA Rank- 7   State Rank- 26   National Rank- NR   Colleges- None

  • ’18 Kameron Pauldo | Dublin | 5-9 PG

Middle GA Rank- 9   State Rank- NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- Columbus State, UNCC, Stetson

  • ’18 Jacolbey Owens | Warner Robins | 6-0 G

Middle GA Rank- 11   State Rank- NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- Gulf Coast State, Morehouse

  • ’18 Clayton Jenkins | Macon Co | 5-11 G

Middle GA Rank- 12   State Rank- NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- Isaiah Christian Academy (NJ)

  • ’18 Maurice Gordon | FPD | 6-6 F

Middle GA Rank- 18   State Rank- NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- None

 MID-GEORGIA “FAB FIVE” SOPHOMORES

In the sophomore class, Middle Georgia has a couple of intriguing prospects that will more than likely become household names as time moves forward. With players still developing at this juncture in their careers, here is a look at a couple of emerging class of 2019 prospects that have already started to hit their peak.

Travon Walker is the most interesting out of this group. The rugged post player is a very good basketball player who is seemingly a low to mid major talent on the hardwood. He possesses the athleticism and skill set to be successful at the next level. However, his calling card is on the gridiron. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound sophomore from Upson Lee (GA) High is a nationally ranked football player that has already racked up offers from Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and LSU to name a few.

CLASS OF 2019 RISING SOPHS

  • ’19 Travon Walker | Upson Lee | 6-5 F

Middle GA Rank- 13   State Rank- NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- None

  • ’19 Darius Dunn | Northeast-Macon | 6-2 G

Middle GA Rank- 16   State Rank- NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- None

  • ’19 Zyrice Scott | Upson Lee | 5-10 PG

Middle GA Rank- 17   State Rank- NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- None

  • ’19 Ty’Ree Gilbert | Northeast-Macon | 5-11 G

Middle GA Rank- 19   State Rank- NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- None

  • ’19 Donte Justice | Baldwin | 6-1 G

Middle GA Rank- 20   State Rank- NR   National Rank- NR   Colleges- None