#BOTS: Garrett Tucker's Saturday Notebook
Saturday at Best of the South always brings exciting and competitive games throughout the day. This year was no different, as the event played host to plenty of tightly contested games.
Here’s the top storylines from Saturday’s game play at #BOTS.
FLORIDA HAS THE PROSPECTS
I've become really fond of the state of Florida this year, and the Sunshine State didn't disappoint during bracket play on Saturday.
2017 Jacksonville Magic (FL) point guard Zachery Bryant has had a productive week, but none better than his performance against Southeast Elite (FL). The explosive 6-foot-1 guard played with a purpose and did it well. He constantly got to the rim and finished against the size of SE Elite, with or without contact. He dominated from start to finish and is one of the reasons why his Magic squad has made it this deep in the tournament.
Another Floridian that has consistently had a good week is 2016 Taylored Athletes (FL) big man Giovanni Fraser. Strong as an ox, Fraser has done a wonderful job of patrolling the paint and using his size to his advantage. The 6-foot-8 owner forward is built for the next level with his strength and toughness. He plays hard, makes plays, and even has a couple of post moves. Brown recently extended an offer, but expect more to come in soon. He has a3.6 GPA and more and more programs will be showing interest.
Ryan Burkhardt, a 2017 shooting guard with Team Blueprint (FL), made his name familiar with college coaches. At 6-foot-4, he has great size and length for a wing shooter. Burkhardt rattled in a number of 3s throughout the course of the tournament. He plays smart and well with his teammates, too. Jacksonville and North Florida are showing interest.
The player with arguably the best future of this talented group happens to be the youngest. Jacob Tracey, a 2018 point guard with Florida Elite, has all the makings of a high-major stud in the future. The 6-foot-3 guard is built like a man. He understands the game extremely well and does a great job of creating scoring opportunities for he and his teammates. No schools are pursuing him yet, but that will change with time.
TRAVELERS HAVE GAMES OF THE DAY
It's been fun to watch a program like the Kentucky Travelers this week. As expected, they play well together and compete. It's no surprise that their 17U and 16U probably had the best games of the day in their respective age groups.
The 17U group was in a high level, competitive game against another similar team in PSB Select Elite (NC). In a back and forth battle with big shots and physical play in the paint from both teams, the last shot decided the game to advance to the Final 4.
Jordan Shepherd, a talented guard who put himself on the map this week, made a great spin move in the lane, followed by a contested layup at the rim with seconds remaining to seal the deal for PSB.
Better luck followed the 16U group later in the evening. 2017 combo guard Cole VonHandorf, a skilled and heady playmaker, helped lead his team to an impressive win over Team Corey Brewer. They are in contention for the 16U championship in the Gold bracket.
BELT TORCHES THE NETS
2017 Pope John Paul II (AL)/Atlanta Celtics combo guard Bradley Belt has quietly had a productive AAU season. He has hit shots all year and nothing was different on Saturday.
The 6-foot-2 shooter torched the nets in the two games I saw, connecting on at least four three-pointers each game. Belt is a high-volume scorer that can put up points in a hurry. He also showed a desire to play defense and compete on the defensive end of the floor. The rising junior’s game is beginning to expand and things are looking good for him.