Prather Classic Crowns Four Champions

May 10, 2011

By Horace Neysmith of All Metro Sports


ATLANTA, GA - The Sixth Annual Wallace Prather Memorial Classic came to a close yesterday with four teams laying claim to the 2011 title. The Georgia Stars showed their dominance winning the 17u championship against the Atlanta Celtics.. Stars, playing without starters Montay Brandon and Tony Parker, got out early and cruised to the win. The Celtics were short as well with Jordan Adams out for the weekend.
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The Southern Select 16u defeated the Minnesota Pump & Run, Atlanta Celtics 15u beat the Birmingham Ice and Stackhouse Elite got by Atlanta Select in the 14u championship. These are some of top players from the games we saw on the weekend.

Shaquille Goodwin 6-foot-9 F, Southwest Dekalb H.S.(Atlanta Celtics) - Goodwin, blessed with size, athleticism and love for the game, has become a serious perimeter threat. In the Celtics semi-final win against Worldwide Shaq hit 5 three's each one more important than the other. Goodwin, one of the top bigs in the country, continues to make strides in his game..

Kenny Gaines 6-foot-3 WG, Whitefield Academy (Georgia Stars) - A highlight in waiting, Gaines is developing more than that. The reps he gets handling the ball with the Stars is paying dividends with his decision making. He continues to show more consistency with his jumper.

Mike Hall 6-foot-10 C, Woodward Academy (Worldwide) - Hall is having a terrific Spring with Worldwide. His coming out party was at the King James in April and he followed that up with a block party at the Prather. Hall patrolled the paint, averaging seven blocks a game while trying to dunk everything around the bucket. As he gets stronger his game will continue to grow. Look for Hall to break into the national rankings soon.

Chris Walker 2013 6-foot-9 PF, Holmes County H.S. (Atlanta Xpress) - A national top ten prospect, Walker didn't disappoint. He is extremely active on the bioards, runs the floor like a wing and has a high motor. He has improved as a passer out the post. Florida State, Georgia, Baylor, Ole Miss and Florida have all offered.

Robert Carter 6-foot-9 PF, Thomasville H.S. (Atlanta Xpress) - Carter may be the best passing big man in the country. He does a lot of damage from the high post due to his abilty to pass and knock down the 15 footer.

Chris Bolden 6-foot-3 SG, Norcross H.S. (Worldwide) - Well known as a shooter, Bolden is showing the added element of attacking the basket. Lets be clear, he's still one of the best shooters around, hitting six three's in their semi-final loss to the Celtics but the added threat of attacking the basket created that space. Once committed to Miami, Bolden has re-opened his recruitment.

Damian Wilson 6-foot-6 WG, Oak Hill Academy (Atlanta Celtics) - Looked like the 2010 version. Attacked the basket with tough finishes, rebounded and filled the lanes.

Alex Poythress 6-foot-7 PF, Georgia Stars - When Poythress is grinding he is hard to control around the basket. His motor and his 7-foot wing span allow him to be one of the better offensive rebounders in the country.

Trey Thompson 2014 6-foot-9 C, Forest City H.S. (Arkansas Hawks) - Starting on both the 16u and 15u squads, Thompson showed good foot work around tha basket with his ability to go over his left or right shoulder with spin moves or drop steps. Has good hands.

Eric Lockett 2014 6-foot-6 WG, Whitefield Academy (Aim High) - The long wing does quite a few things well. He can shoot it off the bounce, rebounds it and handles it well enough to relieve ball pressure from the guards and has a good basketball IQ.

Josh Langford 6-foot-2 2016 Combo, Madison Academy (Atlanta Celtics) - Scoring guard that can score with creative drives or pull-up jumpers. He has good court vision which allows him to be another point on the floor. One of the top seventh graders in the country.

Others who played well:

Issiah Williams 2013 6-foot-1 Combo, St. Francis (Vanguard Elite) - Has shown great improvment over the last year. Shoots it well but has gotten better off the bounce.

Tevin Glass 6-foot-8 F, Meadowcreek H.S. (Worldwide) - Working hard to be a full time wing. Moves well without the ball, very athletic.

Hissan Handy 5-foot-10 2013 PG, TL Hannah H.S. (Carolina Hurricanes) - Crafty ball handler that got into the lane at will. Tough defebder.

Davarius McGowan 6-foot-5 2013 F, Eastside H.S. (Carolina Hurricanes - Undersized PF with a great motor.

Charles Mitchell 6-foot-8 PF, Wheeler H.S. (Worldwide) - Mitchell is a brute inside when he gets low position. The continued improvement in his conditioning has allowed him to be productive for longer stretches.

Yonel Brown 5-foot-9 PG, Berkmar H.S. (Worldwide) - Quick guard with breakdown ability and a threat behind the arc.

CJ Reese 6-ffot-1 PG McCallie (Atlanta Celtics) - Had a very good game against Worldwide. Was at his best attacking early in the offense.

Junstin Coleman 5-foot-8 2014 PG (Birmingham Ice Xpress) - Heady floor leader that can explode offensively. He was unable to play much in the championship game due to injury.

Jordan Cornish 6-foot-5 2014 W (New Orleans Elite) - Young fella continues to grow in size and game. Played well on the 17u Elite.

Johnathan Howard 6-foot-6 2013, Wilcox County H.S. (Atlanta Celtics) - High level athlete with great motor. Plays well in transition and rebounds its well.

Jabarie McGee 6-foot-7 2013 WF (Atlanta Xpress) - Very athletic wing with finishing skills. Doesn't take plays off. May be the best in the class in Georgia.

Quentin Stephens 6-foot-7 2013 W (Atlanta Xpress) - More known for his jumper, Stephens has improved as a ball handler and passer.

Jalen Reid 6-foot-7 2013 WF (Atlanta Celtics) - Solid shooter with good feet defensively. Strentgh will help elevate his game.

Cameron Neysmith 6-foot-3 PG, (Vanguard Elite) - Big body, pass first guard with good ball skills. Was more offensive minded this weekend.

Greg Easter 6-foot-0 2014 PG, McCullen H.S. (Arkansas Hawks) - Quick scoring point guard. Shoots it well.

Up and Coming Young Stars - 2015

Daniel Giddens 6-foot-8 2015 C (Worldwide), Tookie Brown 5-foot-8 2015 PG (Atlanta Celtics), William Jackson 6-foot-3 2015 WG (Worldwide), Dante Scott 6-foot-0 2015 G (Atlanta Celtics), Jay Stackhouse 6-foot-1 2015 WG (Stackhouse Elite). Gary McCray 6-foot-3 (Atlanta Celtics), Christian Turner 5-foot-7 2016 PG (Worldwide), Jared Harper 5-foot-0 2016 PG (Worldwide), Ravion Bell 6-foot-8 2015 PF (Atlanta Celtics)