The 2019 Best of the South was held at The Georgia World Conference Center with 35 courts under one roof in downtown Atlanta. This year's version was going to be the same until COVID-19 hit. This weekend we were able to hold our Best of the South in Suwanee, Georgia at Suwanee Sports Academy. Here is a look at Day One. 

Basketball is Better Down South

I really enjoyed watching TNBASouth 2023 play today. This young team has several players with tremendous upside along with a high energy coach. TNBASouth went 2-0 on the day, getting wins over PSB Chatt and Atlanta TapOut. This is a very well-balanced team, having multiple players scoring in double digits. TNBASouth has a big three of Jalon Cole, Kevins Charles, and Dawson Barr. Cole is a high energy player who always moves at 100mph. He was consistent from the three and got to the basket at will with his quick first step. Barr has the potential to be an effective two-way player and a sniper from three. Barr began the game with two straight 3-pointers and showed off his athleticism utilizing the baseline drive. He is also active on the defensive end. Charles is the type of player that any coach would love to have on their bench. He led the team with 16 points and 11 rebounds in the second game. He took good shots, finished well around the rim, took charges, and went after every rebound. He was near impossible to stop once he got the ball deep in the paint. TNBASouth also has Josh Cooper who was the leading scorer in the first game. Cooper has the potential to be a monster in the paint as he continues to get stronger.

It is Different in Broward

I had the chance to catch the Broward Storm play twice today and man is it fun to watch this team! It is rare to see a game where an entire team locks down and gets after it on the defensive floor, but that is exactly the case with the Storm. It is evident that this team prides itself in making stops on the defensive end and turning that into offense. The first game was a tight battle against Inspire Atlanta. During the final 60 seconds, the Storm dialed in and made every necessary stop to hold on to win the game 51-48. The second game against PSB Elite Nashville-Beasley/Wetzel is when they really locked in on defense. I was really looking forward to this matchup and it did not disappoint. Down seven with six minutes to go in the first half, the Storm scored off two consecutive steals and did not look back. From that point on, the entire team was hitting on all cylinders knocking down 11 3-pointers and converting steals into dunks on the way to a 77-60 win. Elijah Wyche was big all day. He led the team in scoring, steals, and rebounds. Point guard Charles Smith came up big down the stretch as the primary ball handler. He was effective in the lane and took care of the ball. I will definitely be keeping an eye on this team the rest of the weekend.

One to Watch

2022 Sebastian Tidor of the 16U GA Stunners is my one to keep an eye on. Tidor went off for 30 points in his second game of the day. He has great length that makes him a force on the perimeter. He gets into the lane with ease and can knock down jumpers. Tidor was also active on the defensive end getting his hands on lose balls and snagging rebounds. With his skill set, he is an intriguing prospect to keep your eye on. I will be watching more from him at BOTS.