EMERSON, GA - The 2018 Best of the South tipped off on Thursday at Lake Point and the travel teams an college coaches 

BIG GAME BOSTON 

Brandon Boston has been the man of the hour this summer. The class of 2020 guard from Norcross (GA) High School has been one of the hottest players in the country and on Thursday night at the Best of the South, he was the best player in the building. 

And it wasn’t even close. 

Boston exploded for 52 points in A.O.T.’s win over EAB in the nightcap, scoring 40 of his points in the second half of action. Boston was on fire from all points on the floor and went into a zone that only the good ones can get into. It was a special outing on a big stage. Boston delivered in the clutch. 

We’ve seen some epic performances over the years at the Best of the South. This game was different. He was in a special zone and Boston set the tone for what should be a terrific week moving forward at the BOTS. 

JOHNSON NOT BACKING DOWN 

On the other side of Boston’s offensive explosion, KJ Johnson of EAB had one of the best performances of the day, too. The lead dog for the uber-talented EAB squad scored 34 points in defeat and didn’t shy away from the match-ups across from him or the stage that the BOTS is. 

Johnson is one of the most competitive players you’re going to find. He wanted to guard anyone and everyone all the while kept his team in the game with his scoring and pesky on the ball defense. 

Mid-major schools have been charting Johnson all season long and the local school - Lipscomb - offered him after his big-time Thursday night performance. 

MID-MAJORS LINE UP TO SEE CATTOOR

With college coaches lined up from baseline to baseline to see Team M.O.A.M. take on the Atlanta All-Stars, guard Hunter Cattoor knew it was time to shine. The Floridian hit five three-pointers and played a brilliant game in the process. Cattoor is one of the best mid-major prospects in the Southeast and he played like it in his team’s impressive win over an impressive Atlanta All-Stars team. 

He said he currently holds a dozen scholarship offers (Furman, Elon, Texas State, Lehigh, Florida Gulf Coast, Florida Atlantic, Bradley, UNC Wilmington, Bucknell, Lipscomb 

He added Loyola Chicago, Arkansas Little Rock, Troy and Central Florida are also recruiting him. 

Cattoor has taken unofficial visits to Elon, Furman, Wichita State and Lipscomb

BIG OPENING GAME FROM BUTTS

Devin Butts of Team Georgia Magic had the gym buzzing with his play on opening day. The 6-foot-5 rising senior from Macon, Georgia went off for 34 points, including nine made three-pointers. 

Butts is one of the best deep threat snipers in the Southeast and he lived up to that billing against the Upward Stars Upstate club. He was outstanding on the perimeter, knocking down triple after triple coming off of ball screens. Butts was dialed in and helped his team pick up a big win. 

Butts said after the game that he has offers from Georgia State, Murray State, Georgia Southern, Winthrop, Troy, Charlotte, Houston and Wichita State. Georgia, Georgia Tech and UMass are also in the mix. He said he’s taken unofficial visits to Georgia State, Middle Tennessee State, Jacksonville State, Georgia Southern and Troy. 

HI, MY NAME IS… 

Terence Porter of the Smyrna Stars is an eye-catcher. The 6-foot-6 forward had a nice game in a nice opening day win. Porter, a class of 2019 prospect said he has garnered interest from the likes of Radford, Campbell, Charleston, North Texas, Troy and Georgia State. 

The Georgia Elite Ballers have a nice squad of Division II and low-major prospects. The squad from the northern Atlanta suburbs opened the Best of the South with a nice win over Florida Elite. Brandon Deravine and Kalik Brooks stood out with their play. Both should see a spike in their recruitment after the Best of the South. 

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT 

2021 guard Brody Peebles scored 41 points for Pro One Select in an opening day win. Pebbles is one of the most potent scorers in our HoopSeen events over the years. He’s good for at least 30 a game every time he steps out on the floor.