A year ago, a Langston Hughes High School team played an aggressive schedule and took some hits but held to the focus of what the year was all about. Head coach Rory Welsh wanted to build his team full of freshmen and sophomores into thick-skinned and battle-tested players for this season and beyond.

That plan is starting to come together. The Panthers are 14-4 on the year and look like a contender in the gauntlet known as Region 3-AAAAAA.

"It was a foundation building year last year," Welsh said.

That foundation is showing now that we are deep into region play and a month away from tournament time in Georgia. Langston Hughes beat Whitefield Academy 62-46 on Monday at the BCB/MLK Showcase.

One of the reasons the Panthers won was the play of sophomore Chuma Okeke. The 6-foot-7 forward scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. A week ago, Langston Hughes has picked up wins against Westlake and Okeke was outstanding in the win.

Okeke is one of the more intriguing players in Georgia's 2017 class. The combo forward is one of the tougher players to defend in the state

"I think we learned that defense is always first. We are a better trapping team now. That's what we do," Okeke said. "On offense, we don't try to rush anything. When we get everyone involved, everything comes together."

In a win against Westlake, Okeke scored 26 points and grabbed 16 rebounds.

Teams have struggled to defend Okeke this season because of his versatility on both sides of the ball. He can score in and out all the while being a tough match-up as a rebounder. How would Okeke guard Okeke?

"I'd probably make myself shoot sometimes or at least contest it. My shot is a little off right now," he said with a smile.

Okeke's recruitment, according to the 2017 prospect, is coming along. He said Clemson and UAB are involved. He took an unofficial visit to Clemson a couple of months ago.

Expect his recruitment to see an uptick. Okeke is one of the Georgia players we think will see his game and recruitment take off come April. That's no surprise to Welsh and that belief rings true for all of his players.

"They are basketball rats, gym rats," Welsh said. "When the doors are unlocked, they are here."