Grovetown High School rising sophomore Derrion Reid has spent 2021 causing college coaches to put Grovetown, Ga. in their GPS systems. The 6’5 175 lb. forward has three years remaining of high school basketball and already has offers from a trio of major college programs.
Despite playing on a terrific Grovetown team this past season, the talented freshman carved out plenty of playing time for himself. On the season, he averaged over 22 minutes per game, which was fifth on the team. He generated more than seven points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest and got better every minute he was on the floor. By the end of the season, Grovetown was counting on Reid to be a key contributor and the youngster did not disappoint. In his final three outings he averaged 19 points per game.
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College coaches around the country took notice. In April, Auburn, one of the premier programs in the nation in recent years, offer the then-ninth grade, a full ride to play in the SEC. Since then, Reid has offers from Xavier and UGA and will undoubtedly have dozens more before he finishes his sophomore campaign. Reid is long, athletic, and has a remarkable feel for the game for someone so young. As he develops more strength and improves his perimeter game, he could become the most heavily-recruited basketball player in Columbia County history.
Grovetown has lost three of the best players in school history. In 2020, Zy Wright graduated, taking his 20.2 and 10.7 rebounds per game with him. This spring, seniors Julius Brown (17.7 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.7 steals per game) and high-flying Zach Bell (20.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per game) graduated as well. Luckily for Reid and his Warriors, the cupboard is not bare. They return juniors Markel Freeman and Malik Ferguson. Both are 6’4 wing players, which coupled with Reid gives Grovetown some outstanding length.
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If Coach Darren Douglas can find a floor general to replace Brown at the point, one more consistent scorer and one more big body, this team could again challenge for a region title. Even with Evans High School losing long-time head coach Kevin Kenny, who stepped down this off-season, they will not relinquish their crown easily. Kenny had been at Evans for 25 years and built them into the top boys program in the county. The Knights lose standout Rashad King (signed with Navy) and point guard Joshton Mincey, each three-year starters, but they still have sharp-shooter Devin Story and athletic junior Brasen James, who could put up big numbers now that he is more of a focal point of the offense. The Grovetown vs. Evans matchups will be must-see events this season.
One thing is sure… Evans and everyone else in Grovetown’s path will have a hungry young warrior named Derrion Reid to deal with.
Ashley Brown covers sports for The Augusta Press. Reach him at Ashley.brown@theaugustapress.com.
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