Friday at the Battle of the Peach had a little bit of everything. A back and forth first game ending with The Rock School riding the hot hand of Evan Sterck, an overtime game with the Milton backcourt going for 36 points in the 2nd half and overtime period, after being down the entire game, as much as 17 points. Lastly, a blowout win by Prolific Prep over Word of God, who was missing Kentucky signee Jayden Quaintance. Top performers on the night:
2025 6’1” PG Evan Sterck (The Rock School)
Sterck was good all game. He handled the 1 of 1 full court pressure with poise, not sped up by the more athletic, speedy Carolina squad. Sterck has deep range on his shot, uses good pace and change of direction to beat defenders while using crafty finishes above bigger, athletic defenders. He came up big with the game on the line knocking shot after shot and finishing with 28 points. Sterck said he is focusing on the programs focusing on him and is planning visits in the New Year at Virginia Tech, South Carolina and Mercer.
2024 6’2” PG Sebastion Akins (1 of 1 Academy)
The unsigned senior had a good start. He shot the ball well, with range, effective attacking and finishing downhill and got his teammates involved with drops and kicks. The Rock slowed him down in the 2nd half, a big reason for the final outcome. Akins has offers from High Point, IUPUI offers and interest Appalachian State, Winthrop, Wisconsin Green Bay, and North Georgia.
Milton Dynamic duo 6’3” 2024 CG Anthony Gause and 6’0” 2025 PG Josh Dixon
Things looked bleak for Milton, down by as much as 17 points, until Gause and Dixon turned up. They combined for 36 second half points, every basket bigger than the next. While Gause was scoring from downtown and attacking downhill, Dixon was tagging the midrange and scoring on floaters and tear drops. Gause finished with 29 points while Dixon dropped 23.
Prolific Prep just out talented Word of God with 2025 No.1 AJ Dybantsa, 2026 No.1 Tyran Stokes, 5* Derrion Reid and Aidan Sherrell. Nothing more needs to be said. Look for Reid to make an announcement soon from Florida State, Georgia and Alabama, “a lot tried to come in late but I was comfortable with the programs I had to choose from”.
Others of Note:
2026 SG Yohance Connor (1of1 Academy) The most explosive player in transition I saw on Friday. Electric in transition and one to watch his development. Solid ball handler and shooter with good motor.