GBOA South: June 28-29, 2008 (Atlanta, GA)

GBOA South will round out the regional tournaments on June 29-30, 2008 in Atlanta. Some might say we have saved the best for last as the South is stacked this year! Seven of the GBOA Pre-Season Top 20 teams will play in Atlanta, and 15 of the Rivals Class of 2009 Top100 prospects hail from the South.

Leading the charge is top ranked Atlanta Celtics and star power forward Derrick Favors, the #3 overall prospect for 2009. Considered a skilled post player with soft touch, Favors and teammates Noel Johnson and Terrence Shannon should continue the tradition of great Celtics teams. The Celtics are off to a strong start on the AAU season, defeating the Georgia Stars to win the Riverfest tournament on March 22-23.

The top ranked player in the region is shooting guard Xavier Henry of Oklahoma-based Athletes First. As the second ranked prospect by Rivals and the top shooting guard in the country, Henry will be hard to miss in Atlanta. Teammate Daniel Orton, the top ranked center in the country, stands 6’10” and can play both the low and high post. These two make quite an intimidating presence, and when combined with power forward Kyle Hardrick, Athletes First is poised to make a statement and surpass its #4 pre-season ranking.

Perrennial power Boo Williams comes in at number two entering the 2008 season, despite only two players ranked in the top 50. Center Deshawn Painter and small forward Marshawn Powell are both Top 30 recruits, and these two and their supporting cast, including 2010 prospect Kendall Marshall, find a way to make things happen on the floor, making Boo Williams will be a force to be reckoned with.

Florida’s Team Breakdown continues the South’s sweep of the leaderboard at #3. Shooting guard Kenny Boynton is the only Top 50 player on the team (#7 overall), but his deadly shooting is usually enough to carry this team into the Challenge of Champions.

Not to be forgotten, Worldwide Renegades boasts Ari Stewart, the third ranked power forward in the country and a skilled shooter who can hit the three. Sharing the court with Stewart are point guards Mfon Udofia and Lorenzo Brown, as well as small forward Richard Howell. This talented group looks to break into the top four and earn a ticket to Chicago.

With a field this talented, the South is wide open. Fans will be in for exciting games and some of the best summer basketball around as these teams battle it out for bragging rights and a berth in the Challenge of Champions.