Opening day at the Jared Cook Classic offered up five games, plenty of players and plenty to take in at North Gwinnett High School. High school basketball is fully upon us in the state of Georgia and 

TOP DOG: TJ Massenburg, PF, Shiloh, 2017
Shiloh big man TJ Massenburg was outstanding in a Shiloh victory over Huntsville (AL) Lee. The Middle Tennessee State bound forward record a triple-double (12 points, 11 blocks, 10 rebounds) against a big Lee team. He was a constant force in the paint, changing shots and redirecting a host of others. It was a masterful defensive effort from Massenburg. 

TOP DOG, PART II: KJ Buffen, F, Gainesville, 2018 (pictured above)
Just a terrific outing for the 6-foot-7 forward. As Carter Wilson noted on Twitter, Buffen proved himself as a capable defender at multiple positions. On offense, he was at his best scoring at the rim with hard attacks to the iron. Iowa State and Georgia State were on hand to see Buffen play Langston Hughes wing Landers Nolley. Both had their moments but Buffen was the most impressive player on the floor on this particular night. 

TOP DOG, PART III: Greg James, SG, Shiloh, 2017
The 6-foot-2 senior was one of the most efficient scorers on the day, scoring 25 points on 12 shots. He shot well from all over the floor and hit five three-pointers. James, a class of 2017 shooting guard from Shiloh, was committed to VMI but parted ways with the Southern Conference school before the early signing period.

TOP TEAM: Gainesville
There are pieces across the board and at every position. The team’s aggressive press put Langston Hughes behind the eight ball early with foul trouble and stifled the Panthers on offense during the first 16 minutes of competition. Want size? The Red Elephants have it. They can guard with match-up problems and have tough guards that are unflappable. Jabo Bledson, a sturdy junior wing, glues it all together as a versatile and experienced player. 

TOP UNDERCLASSMAN: Mekhail Bethea, CG, Dacula, 2018
Dacula has a lot of pieces to work with this season Bethea just knows how to play. The class of 2019 guard does a great job with pace and speed at his position and can switch between point guard and scorer very well. Never rushed, Bethea picked his spots to shine. He’s going to make senior guard Gary Bishop even better this season, too.

TOP SURPRISE: Devin Vassell, SG, Peachtree Ridge, 2018
This was my first time watching the long 6-foot-4 guard play and his first impression was a good one. Vassell knows how to play, shoots very well, played good minutes at the point, was actively involved on defense and did a nice job of trying to find ways to be effective on both sides of the floor. I’d like to see more of him moving forward but the overall impression was a good one. It doesn’t surprise me that he’s a popular name among the low-major schools that do a good job of fishing for young sleepers. 

TOP PLAY: Isaiah Banks of Heritage

@isaiahbanks_ finishing strong 💪🏾 at the rim! 4th quarter action is up next! @JCookClassic @Patriots_hoops

🎥https://t.co/TYGylGw4G7 pic.twitter.com/Hx0YhQe6V6

— SUVtv (@SUVtv) November 19, 2016