Prior to the recent uptick of quality basketball in Middle Georgia, the 1980’s & 90’s glory days of the Southwest-Macon boys basketball program delivering state championships to the mid-state were a thing of the past. Fans traveling from afar to see a Patriots team loaded with HM D-1 players was an afterthought. With a national championship in hand and the last of its six state championships coming in 1989, Southwest lost superiority and the power shifted away from the area over the next decade.
However, in 1999, the Wilkinson County boys program brought basketball relevancy back to Middle Georgia by winning its first state championship. Going on to win four state titles over the next fifteen years and three out of the last four, the Warriors have a dynasty going in the GHSA Class A-Public and continue to bridge the gap between Middle Georgia & Metro-Atlanta hoops.
At the time being, Atlanta area schools undoubtedly control the landscape of boys prep hoops in Georgia. Recently, Miller Grove has reigned supreme in the higher classifications, while Columbia & Norcross have also had their fair share of dominance.
This season, the likes of Pace Academy, Pebblebrook, and Wheeler are poised to keep basketball supremacy in the northern region of Georgia, but Westside-Macon could balance the power for the mid-state area. Possessing some of the best talent in the country, they have created a major buzz and sparked conversation throughout the state. Nationally ranked Khavon Moore and 6-foot-10, Xavier commit Kentrevious Jones will lead the way upfront for a talented Seminoles bunch, while Samone Reed & Trey Foster anchor the backcourt.
Cameron Holden, Jacolbey Owens, & Nelson Phillips round out the top local prospects who have Middle Georgia hoops trending up.
HypeSouth Super Seven
1) Khavon Moore Westside-Macon
Moore is ranked in the top 10 nationally by every major recruiting service. Most notably, he is ranked No. 8 by rivals.com. The 6-foot-9 guard/forward holds 20+ offers and is the consensus No. 1 overall rated player in the state of Georgia for the c/o 2018.
2) Nelson Phillips Warner Robins
18′ Phillips enters the 2016-17 prep season on a high note. After a hot summer, he entered the Rivals 150 national rankings and comes into the season as one of the top prospects in the country.
3) Kentrevious Jones Westside-Macon
Jones, a 6-foot-10 senior, is truly a throwback player considering the era of small ball that we are in the midst of right now. His 285-pound frame and physical style will be a welcomed sight at Xavier University. The big man committed to the Musketeers on September 25, 2016 and is ranked No. 45 at his position (center) by espn.com.
4) Cameron Holden Mary Persons
18′ Holden was “Mr. Do It All” for Mary Persons last season. The crafty guard averaged 18.3-points, 6.3-rebounds, 4.1-assists and 2.5-steals per game. In addition, he also impressed on the summer travel circuit, which earned him a No. 23 state ranking entering his junior season. George Mason, Georgia State and Georgia Southern have all been in to see Holden during the early contact period.
5) Jacolbey Owens Warner Robins
Owens will be one to watch for in 2016-17. He had some really good performances in front of college coaches at HoopSeen’s Best of the South (BOTS) Tourney. At this point, Middle Tennessee University is showing the most interest in the 5-foot-11 junior.
6) Trey Foster Westside-Macon
17′ Foster is an under the radar prospect with good talent. The transfer over to Westside-Macon (GA) is already starting to pay off for the 6-foot-2 senior as he has started to see an uptick in his recruitment. After having some eye opening showings at preseason showcases, Foster is a hot topic on the recruiting trail heading into the season. In fact, he recently picked up an offer from Columbia State and is receiving heavy interest from Cornell University, Lipscomb University, and Mercer University.
7) Samone Reed Westside-Macon
Reed is the wildcard for the Seminoles. When he is on his game, Westside is a tough team to beat. The 5-foot-11 senior guard is at his best when out in transition. His uptempo style of play is a thing of beauty to watch. Expect Reed to take the GHSA by storm this season.