Head Coach: Greg Phillips
Region: 7-AAAAAAA
Last Season: 14-16 (6-6)
Key Players: Mekhi Ragland, Eddie Cooke III, Mike White, David Culbreath-Martin, Corey Gatlin
Key Games: Nov. 21 vs. Parkview, Nov. 28 vs. Providence Christian, Dec. 1 vs. Peachtree Ridge, Dec. 5 vs. North Gwinnett, Dec. 8 vs. Norcross, Dec. 16 vs. Shiloh, Dec. 27 vs. Wheeler, Jan. 19 vs. Peachtree Ridge, Jan. 23 vs. North Gwinnett, Jan. 26 vs. Norcross
Season Preview:
Berkmar is looking to make a significant leap from a year ago and the pieces are in place with some great returning production as well as some new faces who should make a huge impact. The Patriots will be anchored in the middle by junior big man Mekhi Ragland, who is one of the more difficult matchups in the state with his size, strength, and skill level at 6-foot-10. He is very skilled on the block and has the ability to step out and knock down perimeter shots and is overall one of Georgia’s better frontcourt players.
Also returning is junior guard/wing Eddie Cooke III, who brings a lot of size and physicality along with big time production scoring the ball. He is joined in the backcourt by a group of newcomers, who will give Berkmar a great group of guards. Junior PG David Culbreath-Martin should spend a lot of time with the ball in his hands and gives the Patriots a great playmaking presence. Berkmar also added another great playmaker in senior guard Mike White, who can score and make plays for others at a very high level and is one of the more underrated players in the Peach. Corey Gatlin also comes in to give the Patriots another quick, playmaker who can play with and without the ball. Another notable newcomer is Kamal Green, who gives the Patriots another athletic player with solid size on the wing.
The Patriots also have a lot of new pieces that might take some time to gel, but overall this can be one of the more well-balanced teams in the metro and will definitely be a team to be on the lookout for this season.
Comments