Local stars shoot for their best

NORTH AUGUSTA --- If there is any pride to be gained from playing basketball unselfishly, Don Quarles has attained it.

Playing at the Peach Jam with what is largely an unfamiliar group of players, the Richmond Academy junior did something not seen often enough: He passed the ball significantly more than he shot it. Quarles, a 6-foot-3 wing, completed his best game of the tournament Tuesday afternoon at Riverview Park Activities Center, scoring seven points, grabbing key rebounds and doing his best to stand out by executing the simple play, pass or decision.

"It's a good opportunity to play here," Quarles said afterward.

Quarles is one of three area players with that opportunity, after they were asked to join the Atlanta-area Southern Kings' 16-and-under team for the Peach Jam. The 16-and-under division is a recent addition to the Peach Jam, which remains primarily a showcase for high school seniors.

Evans' Jaleel Roberts and Laney's Rod Hall also play for the Kings. Hall, who will also be a junior this year, was injured in Sunday's opener and didn't play the rest of the week.

Roberts has seen significant playing time, but he scolded himself for poor play Tuesday. The 6-10 center said he realizes he needs to be patient with his development, because he has time. He will add a year to his high school career when he transfers to Greensboro Day School in North Carolina this fall. He will be reclassified as a junior.

Roberts, who doesn't turn 17 until October, will live with a host family in the city and play what he called an "AAU-type" high school schedule with the private school.

The Greensboro team recently went to the University of North Carolina team camp, and Roberts said he is intrigued by the opportunity to play in front of more college coaches. Among those watching the Kings play at the Peach Jam: Connecticut's Jim Calhoun, Georgia's Mark Fox, Clemson's Oliver Purnell and Minnesota's Tubby Smith.

Quarles, meanwhile, played his most impressive game of the tournament in front of that group. He was on the court for most of the second half of the Kings' victory over Team Final. He came off the bench nearly 10 minutes into the first half and didn't shoot until he drained a straightaway 3-pointer that beat the halftime buzzer. It reminded some of Quarles' more notable buzzer-beater, the one he hit at Fort Valley State to send Richmond Academy into the state semifinals in the spring.

Quarles' father, who is also named Don, is volunteering at the event with the 100 Black Men of Augusta. He is monitoring crowd control at Gym 4, which is where all but one of his son's games were played.

"Even when he played in (youth leagues), he wanted to get everyone else involved," his father said. "I don't think that means he's playing with a lack of confidence; (rather) he's playing unselfishly."

Reach Matt Middleton at (706) 823-3425 or matt.middleton@augustachronicle.com.