Battle For The Rankings (Class of 2018 Recap)
By Kirven Lang
The second annual Battle For The Rankings is one to remember. As usual, there are always hidden gems and late bloomers ready to emerge as the next guy. There were actually several and we will tell you first hand, they’re legit!
Markise Davis of Oxford High School has made a name for himself after this past weekend. He was clearly one of the best kids in attendance and South Georgia Tech didn’t waste any time by extending a scholarship offer his way. At 6-foot-6 and smooth as butter, Davis has all the tools and frame to arguably be the best player in the class. He can shoot it off the catch and bounce, good handle with the ability to create for himself and others, supreme athleticism and plays hard on both ends of the floor. His ability to rebound and think frames ahead of the game is unique. The phone lines have been ringing off the hook with several division-I schools taking major interest including Alabama State, Dayton, SIU-Edwardsville and South Alabama among others. Expect to see Davis in the top 5 of the next player rankings sometime next week.
Markise Davis of Oxford High School has made a name for himself after this past weekend. He was clearly one of the best kids in attendance and South Georgia Tech didn’t waste any time by extending a scholarship offer his way. At 6-foot-6 and smooth as butter, Davis has all the tools and frame to arguably be the best player in the class. He can shoot it off the catch and bounce, good handle with the ability to create for himself and others, supreme athleticism and plays hard on both ends of the floor. His ability to rebound and think frames ahead of the game is unique. The phone lines have been ringing off the hook with several division-I schools taking major interest including Alabama State, Dayton, SIU-Edwardsville and South Alabama among others. Expect to see Davis in the top 5 of the next player rankings sometime next week.
Another gem who had a name earlier in his high school career is back on the scene like no other. 6-foot-2 guard Bryant “BJ” Lancaster of Central-Tuscaloosa has re-emerged and took over at the Battle For The Rankings. His game has matured and he did a good job of mixing it up. Showcased a scoring ability from anywhere on the court along with some big time springs and tough plays around the rim. He plays with a chip on his shoulder and has a mean streak about him that college will crave over.
Sumter Central has several studs and Tyler Presswood is one of them. His motor is relentless on both ends of the floor and plays the game with passion. He clearly had the will to win as he challenged opponents at the rim. He’s an undersized four man at 6-foot-5 but his heart and desire makes up for the lack of size. Presswood arguably had the play of the camp as he caught a put back off the rim on Markise Davis.
Austin Humphrey was a bright spot Saturday on the Baby Blue squad. He probably scored the most points at camp. Every time you looked up, he was putting it in the basket either in traffic or off steals. He may be only 5-foot-9 but there is a home for him somewhere.
Kory Gaines of Evangel Christian may have been the biggest kid in attendance and was surprisingly bouncy. He has lost a ton of weight and is continuing to trim down. He looks to be about 6-foot-7 270 lbs and moves very well.
Sumter Central has several studs and Tyler Presswood is one of them. His motor is relentless on both ends of the floor and plays the game with passion. He clearly had the will to win as he challenged opponents at the rim. He’s an undersized four man at 6-foot-5 but his heart and desire makes up for the lack of size. Presswood arguably had the play of the camp as he caught a put back off the rim on Markise Davis.
Austin Humphrey was a bright spot Saturday on the Baby Blue squad. He probably scored the most points at camp. Every time you looked up, he was putting it in the basket either in traffic or off steals. He may be only 5-foot-9 but there is a home for him somewhere.
Kory Gaines of Evangel Christian may have been the biggest kid in attendance and was surprisingly bouncy. He has lost a ton of weight and is continuing to trim down. He looks to be about 6-foot-7 270 lbs and moves very well.
Tyler Millin was back for the second year and did not disappoint. South Georgia Tech extended an offer as he and Markise Davis both played well together. The improvement from last year to this year was evident. The 6-foot-7 lefty handled the ball well in transition while displaying his athleticism. Millin also knocked down the three ball occasionally. His upside is through the roof and has a chance to be pretty good on the next level.
Spanish Fort is returning a solid guard in Jeric Packer. He has a good handle with sneaky athleticism. He got up and put one down with two hands off vert and surprised everyone. Packer was crafty around the rim and was able to finish with either hand. He's another late bloomer who will put up major numbers this season.
Darryl Bailey got to camp late, even though it was his gym, but was instant offense when he arrived. Surprisingly athletic and finished at the rim with craftiness. Has a smooth demeanor with a nice handle. Rebounded well and will catch you slipping at the rim if you don't know him.
Demopolis has some ballers with some size. Taylor Herelle, Nelson Haskin and Shakari Williams all bring something to the table. Herelle is a 6'2 guard who is tough with athleticism. Haskin is the raw undersized big at 6-foot-5 who has big time springs while Williams is the all around 6-foot-5 lefty wing who can do a little bit of everything. Williams wasn't very productive but he looks the part and has the tools and size.
Georgiana will probably make it back to the state finals behind Jamichael Stallworth. He is so crafty and athletic. He was able to split defenders with his handle and finish at the rim with his athleticism. Knocked down some outside jumpers as well. Stallworth is one of the kids that may put up good numbers this season.
Camp Championship Team
Austin Brewer is a kid who plays the game the right way along with everyone else on his Navy squad. The Lawrence County product got hot in the first game and competed on both ends. He may not have division-I athleticism but he looks to be a solid guy on the next level. He has a nice frame and can shoot it at 6-foot-2.
Mark Wilcox wasn't as productive as he usually is but he played hard. He's usually a big time athlete finishing above the rim but he did show and improved handle and the will to become a true wing.
Spanish Fort is returning a solid guard in Jeric Packer. He has a good handle with sneaky athleticism. He got up and put one down with two hands off vert and surprised everyone. Packer was crafty around the rim and was able to finish with either hand. He's another late bloomer who will put up major numbers this season.
Darryl Bailey got to camp late, even though it was his gym, but was instant offense when he arrived. Surprisingly athletic and finished at the rim with craftiness. Has a smooth demeanor with a nice handle. Rebounded well and will catch you slipping at the rim if you don't know him.
Demopolis has some ballers with some size. Taylor Herelle, Nelson Haskin and Shakari Williams all bring something to the table. Herelle is a 6'2 guard who is tough with athleticism. Haskin is the raw undersized big at 6-foot-5 who has big time springs while Williams is the all around 6-foot-5 lefty wing who can do a little bit of everything. Williams wasn't very productive but he looks the part and has the tools and size.
Georgiana will probably make it back to the state finals behind Jamichael Stallworth. He is so crafty and athletic. He was able to split defenders with his handle and finish at the rim with his athleticism. Knocked down some outside jumpers as well. Stallworth is one of the kids that may put up good numbers this season.
Camp Championship Team
Austin Brewer is a kid who plays the game the right way along with everyone else on his Navy squad. The Lawrence County product got hot in the first game and competed on both ends. He may not have division-I athleticism but he looks to be a solid guy on the next level. He has a nice frame and can shoot it at 6-foot-2.
Mark Wilcox wasn't as productive as he usually is but he played hard. He's usually a big time athlete finishing above the rim but he did show and improved handle and the will to become a true wing.