HoopSeen Weekly Report 02.18.26
Playoff time is here in the Peach State & our team is out and about across the state to see which players/teams are stepping up with everything on the line. Through the region games we've seen already, many have stood out and the big-time matchups will only get bigger as we head out of region playoffs & into state tournaments.
BEST WE SAW:
2026 Ja'Caiden Cone - Statesboro: Not only did Cone put up one of the best performances of the week, in his region quarterfinal matchup against South Effingham he put up one of the best performance of the season. At halftime, he already had 31p 4r 4s out of his team's 34 total points at the break. A relentless rim attacker, he weaved around defenders to make multiple tough buckets. Uses his jab step well to get defenders off balance & controls his pace at and around the rim to get defenders to fly by.
Even with his impact on the offensive end, his biggest plus might have been on the defensive end as he used his long wingspan to get multiple deflections & steals which led to easy points in transition. Great frame that he can build on with a collegiate weight program.
In the 2nd half, he continued to carry Statesboro with his decision making as he found open teammates for easy buckets off multiple double-teams he faced. Embraced contact & got to the FT line to seal the game 72-62 and finished with 49p 6r 3a 8s in a spectacular game to send his team to GHSA State Playoffs. Coaches of all levels should look Ja'Caiden's way as his best basketball is in front of him.
2027 Jarvis Hayes Jr. - Woodward Academy: The trio of Jarvis & Myles Hayes along with Bentley Lusakueno has been the talk of Georgia Basketball this season as it's not too often in GHSA basketball where you have 3 guys regarded as 5star prospects on the same squad. In a blowout win over Chamblee, the older brother Jarvis Hayes stood out with a complete game.
He finished with 18p 9a 9r 4s in a game that showed off a versatile skillset. Early, he created opportunities by attacking the glass & pushing the break to find teammates open in transition. Throughout the game, you have to love the effort and relentlessness he attacks the offensive glass with. Can score from multiple levels & showed off a few spots he's capable of scoring from on the floor but wasn't forcing anything and found open teammates in better positions to score. This Woodward team seems to be hitting their stride at the right time & followed this win up with a Region Championship victory over Decatur the next night. One of the favorites in GHSA AAAAA to take home the state title in Macon.
2026 Ramarcus Bowden - Westlake: In this new reality of college basketball recruiting, it is not uncommon to see high-level players still available late into their senior year, Ramarcus Bowden is a perfect example of one that makes you wonder how a school hasn't scooped him up yet.
In the Region Championship against East Coweta, Ramarcus & his Westlake squad dominated on their way to a 79-39 victory to give them a 1-seed in the GHSA State Tournament. Bowden's ability to push the break, score at the rim and to play through contact was pivotal in the victory as Westlake had put them away by halftime. At 6'5" he has a great frame that he can build on and is a guy to know late into the recruiting cycle. He finished the Championship game with 20p 8r 3s in a big-time performance.
Marlene Mbilima - Athens Christian: Dominant force on the glass that is a tough cover for the majority of opponents. In a Region Championship victory over George Walton, Marlene made her presence felt as she finished with 9p 17r 2b 2s. Around the rim, she's physical and fights for rebounds against smaller opponents. Look for her in Atlanta next season as she's taking her talents to Georgia Tech.
SENIORS:
Aiden Miller - Athens Christian: In the Region Championship against Bethlehem Christian, Miller's Athens Christian group was down big early and didn't reclaim the lead until 1:45 left in the 4th Quarter on their way to an improbable victory. Behind their comeback, Aiden Miller always seemed to be the player to make a big play to give them hope. He was great the whole night and kept ACS in a position to win it through his decision making and big shot making as he finished with 17p 2a 6r 2s. Impressive performance for the Unsigned Senior as Athens Christian looks to make a run for the GIAA State Title.
Tobias Brinkley - Decatur: After being plagued by injuries earlier in his high school career, Tobias Brinkley has used this past year to establish himself once again as one of the top prospects in the entire state. In a tight battle against Tri-Cities, he hit 2 FT's in the closing seconds to bring home the W for his Decatur squad. He finished with 14p and continues putting together great performances.
Bryce Howson - Decatur: One of the most underrated prospects in GA's 2026 class, Bryce Howson has made a name for himself running the offense for Decatur this season. In a win over Tri-Cities in the Region Semifinals, Howson was in complete control of the offense and down the stretch faced with adversity, he took over with his scoring and facilitating to finish with 14p 6a. High-level PG prospect that will be successful at the next level.
Jayden London - Tri-Cities: Physical post player that brings the energy. In a loss to Decatur in the Region Semifinals, he was left on the assignment against Decatur's multiple options in the post where he won most of the reps. Physical and loves contact. Grabs rebounds and gives energy to the rest of his Tri-Cities team when finishing at the rim or above it.
Adian Grady - Bethlehem Christian: Named the Region POTY after the game, Adian had a performance that showed off his skillset and a lot of the tools that had made him a nightmare for opponents all season long. Very quick PG that can get downhill in a hurry. Pushes the ball up the court in transition & finds open teammates downcourt. Can score at a high level with his floater in the paint and shoots it well from deep.
Gavin Creel - Brunswick: Skilled at using his dribble to get to the rim. Caught the ball at the high-post most possessions against Effingham's zone and was able to score at the rim or find an open teammate on multiple occasions. Great energy and activity - seems to always be in the middle of the play. Fouled out early in Q4, needs to work on defending while staying out of foul trouble.
Chris Person - Decatur: Strong PF that just moved into the Decatur district this year. Sometimes lost behind the other talented bigs at Decatur, Person showed off glimpses of why he's worth a look in their win over Tri-Cities in the Region Semifinals. Physical enough to guard strong bigs in the interior, good screener for his teammates & he rebounded the ball well. In the 2nd half of the win, Person had a monster dunk through traffic over a Tri-Cities defender that moved a lot of the momentum back on Decatur's side.
Noah Reese - Effingham County: High-energy PG that played a great game in a battle against Brunswick as he finished with 19p 7a 5r 3s. Gets downhill in a hurry and plays through contact as he got to the FT line often. Scores well around the rim and had some acrobatic finishes.
Harper Ford - Athens Christian: Speedy guard that was deadly off a ball-screen in their Region Championship win over Bethlehem Christian. Got to the rim often down the stretch as Athens Christian overcame a 15+ deficit. High-energy teammate who made play after play and played the part of a vocal leader in the W.
Justin Carreker Jr. - Brunswick: Good rebounder and great activity in their win over Effingham County. Not one of the primary options on this talented Brunswick squad, but he rebounds the ball well and can finish at the rim. Great Forward prospect that's with a look off sheer size.
Josi Vaughn - Athens Christian: An impressive shot-maker. On our first watch of her game at their Region Championship game - Vaughn showed out. Finishing the game with 12p 3a 4r 3s, Vaughn not only was able to create shots for herself but she controlled the pace of the game from the PG spot. Plays with a great energy and is in attack mode.
JUNIORS:
AJ Levros - Brunswick: Great activity level and motor. In a Region Tournament win over Effingham County, he finished with 22p 9r 4a as he led his Brunswick squad to a W. Attacks the rim strong and looks comfortable shooting from range. The whole Brunswick team moves the ball really well and Levros continuously made the right play for his teammates.
Khalid Jones - Tri-Cities: Even though Tri-Cities lost their region semifinal against Decatur, I left this game impressed by 2027 Khalid Jones. His shotmaking is elite & he converted multiple big shots while embracing contact. He gets it up in a hurry & is never too shy to score the ball. When faced with extra pressure, he used his IQ to hit his teammates for opportunities.
Z Williams - Woodward Academy: Strong, physical guard that bullies opponents. In a Region Semifinal win over Lakeside, Williams put her game on display as she finished with 22p 6r 4s 2b. Relentless effort for rebounds, deflections & steals - always willing to mix it up for a loose ball. High level player with great motor.
Bradyn Elder - Woodward Academy: Strong guard that attacks the basket. Quick first step, can get by defenders in a hurry. Found his teammates on cuts & played an overall solid game in their win over Chamblee. Not afraid to mix it up in the paint rebounding. Finished with 13p 2a 4r.
Stone Richards - Decatur: In a Region Semifinal win over Tri-Cities, Stone was a pivotal part of the gameplan for the Bulldogs handling the rock & creating for teammates. In Q4, down after a comeback from Tri-Cities - Stone hit 2 big 3's to first take back the lead & then to extend the lead. In the game's biggest moments, Stone was able to step up. Decatur will need him as they look towards their goal of a State Championship next month.
Benja Crofts - South Effingham: High-level rebounder. Invites contact and opponents bounce off him due to his strong frame. Was able to show off his sneaky athleticism in transition as he punched a dunk that energized the gym. Crofts showed off some promising potential in the loss v Statesboro & a player to pay attention to heading into his senior year.
Michael Hall - South Effingam: Effective guard that can bully a defender into the paint off the dribble. Rebounds the ball well from the guard spot & shot a high % from the FT line as he finished with 18p 3a 8r.
Success Nwabude - Athens Christian: Strong physical post-man that's a high-ceiling football prospect as well. Facing a large deficit, Athens Christian relied on Nwabude to create extra possessions by dominating the glass. Was an extremely effective screener and got his guards open to score the ball by head-hunting defenders. Great in his role & a major reason Athens Christian pulled off the comeback.
Tommy Vertino - Woodward Academy: In the region semifinal against Chamblee, Woodward used the 2nd quarter to take an insurmountable lead that effectively ended the game by halftime going into the break up 61-22. Behind the 37-9 run, Vertino hit three 3's in the quarter where offense kept piling up as this Woodward team took home the W.
UNDERCLASSMEN:
2028 Myles Hayes - Woodward Academy: We previously mentioned his brother Jarvis in the article, but the younger Hayes brother is one heck of a prospect in his own right. In a blowout win over Chamblee, Myles finished with 13p 2a 4r 2s. His shotmaking ability is off the charts and hit multiple hard shots. He's filled with energy at all times on the court. Defensively, he's in your face and physical. His game is well beyond his years at this point in his journey and we're excited to see his progress moving forward.
2028 Bentley Lusakueno - Woodward Academy: One of the top prospects in the 2028 class alongside his teammate & fellow 2028 Myles Hayes. In a blowout win over Chamblee, Lusakueno flashed many of the abilities that have him rated as a 5 star prospect by multiple outlets. Good handle, great wingspan that allows him to snag rebounds and able to space the floor with his shooting. He finished with 12p 7r in the victory where he didn't play much of the 2nd half due to the large margin of victory.
2028 Isaiah Brown - Effingham County: Great frame & positional size already as a Sophomore. Looked comfortable attacking the basket and used his physicality to create leverage against defenders. Made multiple good decisions to find open cutters. Young wing in the Savannah area with potential that'll be worth tracking as he develops over the next few years.
