Tatum turning team around en route to title game
There is something to be said about guys that just win. With that, Cameron Tatum is saying a lot. After winning just six games in the last season, the 6-foot-5, 190-pound shooting guard from Tucker (Ga.) High School has helped take his team to a 27-3 record and a trip to the state championship game.
Tatum scored 31 points and hit a key three-pointer in a 75-71 overtime victory over Sandy Creek High School. The bouncy wing came out strong from the tip, scoring on a couple of thundering dunks and sank a pair of three balls.
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He continued to score with athleticism and courage as Tucker fought off an admirable comeback from Sandy Creek. He sunk a game tying three-pointer with less than 30 seconds to play. It was the bucket the team needed.
Tatum and his Tucker teammates will play defending state champions Mays High School, featuring Georgia State bound Rashad Chase on Friday. The trip to the finals is a bit of a shock to those in the Peach State. Tucker was picked to finish seventh in their own region in the preseason.
"This means a lot for us," the elated Tatum said after the big playoff win. "We are trying to make our name for ourselves. Our school is known for football but we are trying to get that to change. We are trying to make history."
And with his play, Tatum has been trying to make himself a major Division I prospect. Charlotte assistant coach Dalonte Hill has been down to watch the No. 113 ranked junior in the country twice in as many weeks.
Tatum said Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Clemson were all high on his early list. None have offered…yet. Tatum will certainly play himself into a free ride.
"In the regular season, it's been all about the bonafide all-stars," Tatum said. "They have their names out there and they should but I feel like I'm playing like I could be mentioned with them and get more attention from the college coaches."
He'll suit up for the Georgia Stars this summer and will try to defend their Boo Williams and Kingwood Classic title.
"This is really firing me up for next year and for the summer," Tatum said.