All-Jared Cook Tip-Off Classic Team
After three full days of action at the Jared Cook Tip-Off Classic, our staff of Robert Alfonso, Jr., Eric Eleton and Justin Young all cast votes and came up with their top performers list from the action at North Gwinnett High School.
 |
PG Alterique Gilbert, Miller Grove: The sophomore point guard had it rolling on every level. The built-like-a-running-back point guard pressures the ball as good as anyone in the state and faced every match-up head-on at the Jared Cook Classic. Gilbert showed off his scoring prowess, half court game management on ridiculous defensive pressure. It was a fantastic two-game showing for the sophomore and our consensus Most Impressive Player at the Jared Cook Tip-Off Classic. |
 |
PG Keith Pinckney, Miller Grove: Limit your mistakes and maximize your opportunities. That's what the Tulane point floor general did. He's the master of efficiency and one half to a terrific backcourt for Miller Grove. Alongside Gilbert, Pinckney was as good as a defensive guard at the event. He pressured the ball, forced turnovers and created easy offense for his teammates. Pinckney is the go-to clutch man for the Wolverines and should earn his way onto several lists just like this the rest of the year. |
 |
SG Kendall Crute, North Cobb Christian: His story is inspiring to say the least. A month after having cancer removed from his lungs, the Ohio University bound guard was on point at the Jared Cook Tip-Off Classic. He was knocking down jumpers at an alarming rate. His third quarter against Collins Hill was as good as we've seen all year long. He hit five three-pointers in a row and finished with eight made triples and 30 points. |
 |
PF Rakim Lubin, Buford: After moving to the north Gwinnett county from Alabama and committing to UConn, there were a number of people that wanted to lay some eyes on the mammoth 6-foot-8 post player. Consider his first impression a good impression. Lubin had to match-up with some of the beefiest frontlines in the Atlanta metro area and stepped up to the challenge in his individual situations. Lubin set the tone for what should be a very productive season moving forward. |
 |
PG Tobias Howard, North Gwinnett: The host team went 3-0 and picked up victories against some tough opponents thanks in large part to the play of Howard. He came into the second half of the game against Effingham County and helped the Bulldogs nail down an opening season victory. On Tuesday night, he went off for 31 points against a guard-oriented Hillcrest team from South Carolina. North Gwinnett has a lot of pieces. In two of the three wins, he was the one who the spotlight fell on. |
 |
PF Jakeenan Gant, Effingham County: The state's best senior basketball only played one game at the Jared Cook Tip-Off Classic but gave on-lookers a reminder of why he is held in such high regard. The 6-foot-8 forward does just a little bit of everything and showed that skill set off against North Gwinnett to the tune of 27 points. Selfishly, we wish we had one more game to see from him at the event. |
We will release our #BeSeen team on Saturday, highlighting the players that took advantage of the big stage and played their way into the conversation.
All pictures taken by Ty Freeman.
