It’s finally here. It’s Christmas week! I’m writing this as I’m adorned in my Buc-ee’s Christmas sweatshirt. I’m also visiting some family in Louisville, and I’m huffing my cousin Maggie’s sweet caramel corn candle. It’s one of the most delightful smells of all time. I’ve reached peak holiday form. I hope you guys are maximizing your holiday seasons however you may celebrate. 

What I celebrated last week was a heap of basketball. Between multiple events on Friday and Saturday, and the individual games throughout the week, I saw a lot. I’ve written about most of them throughout the week, but I’m here to put a bow on what I saw over the weekend. 

Game of the Weekend: 

The best game I saw this weekend was Grovetown vs Langston Hughes at the Lemon Street Classic. 

It was a game that Grovetown controlled for much of the way, but a late surge from Langston Hughes ultimately gave the Panthers the win. 

I went into the game excited to see the Grovetown juniors and sophomores, and they all lived up to expectations. Frankquon Sherman, Markel Freeman, and Derrion Reid all nearly recorded double-doubles, and Malik Ferguson were terrific when he was in the game as well—he looked to have tweaked an ankle. 

The start of the game for me, however, was Langston Hughes’ John McQueen. The sophomore forward led the Panthers’ late surge and showed some major promise as a prospect moving forward. At around 6-foot-5, he’s got good size and length, and he showed off a variety of skills that can be further developed as he progresses throughout his career. 

Where in the Peach is Josh Tec: 

Josh Tec will actually not be in the Peach very much this week. It’s Christmas week, so I will be taking a trip to the great city of Louisville, Kentucky to visit some family and lament in their pain about the state of the city’s beloved basketball program. It’s not in shining condition that’s for certain. 

The Lemon Street Classic and Playing for a Change will be continuing on Monday and Tuesday. I will be keeping up with them virtually. The next events that I will be at in person will be the Tournament of Champions at Wheeler and the Champions Classic at Wheeler. I will be previewing those later in the week. 

Best Thing I Saw: 

This is the easiest thing I’ll have to write all week. Thanks, Thomas Allard. The best thing I saw this week was Allard setting a new record at North Gwinnett for most 3-pointers hit in a game with 13. The guy closed the first day of the Lemon Street Classic by hitting 13 threes. Unreal. 

I’m going to steal a line of thought from Gary Parrish. I truly don’t care who wins or loses these games. I have zero rooting interest other than to see good basketball or to see something unique for me to write about. When I saw Allard’s shots continue to fall, I couldn’t help but root for him to keep shooting. And, he did. And then, he kept making them. 

Allard finished his night with 43 points and he etched his name in North Gwinnett history. 

Oh, by the way, while Allard was going completely bonkers from the perimeter, RJ Godfrey was working on a 20/10/10 triple-double.

What an amazing way to close out the week. 

ICYMI: 

As always, I want to close this out by pointing you to more reading. Here’s what I’ve published since we last met here at The Shot Clock:

On Friday, I opened up my notes from Monday through Thursday and hit some of the talking points from the week. You can check that out here.

I also went through 20 of the best individual performances I saw throughout the week, and that’s right here for you. 

I hope everyone has a fun, safe Holiday. I’ll see you back in the gym later in the week, and I’ll be right back here next Monday for another edition of The Shot Clock.