Hillgrove took a major blow in losing Collin Sexton. The rising junior was a major piece to Hillgrove's 23-win season and was a big-game performer when the Hawks needed him the most. He will join last season's state runner up Pebblebrook, who needs to reload after losing Ty Hudson (Clemson), Derek Ogbeide (UGA), Trhae Mitchell and glue guy Kevin Murph. Sexton will team up with Auburn-bound point guard Jared Harper and will form one of the best back courts in the state.

 

The Pebblebrook Falcons swooped in late in the transfer scene and landed a potential game changer in the already deep Region 3-AAAAAA picture. Jatrious "JJ" Smith has transferred

Pebblebrook Basketball

from E.E. Smith, NC. The four-star guard who is a Top 50 national recruit, was originally slated to play at Word of God Christian Academy in North Carolina according to the Fayetteville Observer, but on Oct. 7 the news broke that the ultra-talented scorer is coming to Georgia. Last season as a sophomore he averaged 19.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. ACC and SEC schools have been hot after the guard, who gets to the line at will, averaging almost six freethrow attempts a game last year. Smith played with the Southern Stampede of the EYBL which sported the likes of Al Durham (Berkmar) and Jay Estime and Zach Cooks who transferred to Berkmar to play with Durham this year. The addition of Smith makes Pebblebrook the owner of arguably the most talented backcourt in a state that has seen the balance of power shift with each move. Smith, Harper and Sexton are a lethal trio for coach George Washington.

 

ETSU-commit Aaron Augustin (Peachtree Ridge), Tae Hardy (Southwest DeKalb) and Colin Young (Laney)

Photo by Ty Freeman

have all landed at Miller Grove to join UConn-commit Alterique Gilbert in the backcourt. Young was a part of the break out Laney Wildcats who won 29 games last year. The 6-foot-3 guard was named Region 3-AAA Second Team after pitching in 11 points per game. Augustin poured in 16.6 per contest while in Gwinnett County and Hardy chipped in 16.5 for the crosstown rival Panthers. Joshua Jackmon is a non-transfer to watch who projects to play a major role in a crowded guard rotation.