Tyler Tift, a small guard from Habersham School, having a big-time senior season
He's a small guard playing basketball for a small program, but Tyler Tift is doing big things on the basketball court for The Habersham School this season.
The 5-foot-8 senior has been a force for the Patriots, who host Unity Christian in the second round of the GAPPS D1-AA State Tournament at the Jenkins Athletic Club tonight (Friday, Feb. 17) at the Jenkins Athletic Club in Savannah.
Tift is averaging 25.4 points, 3.7 assists, 3.1 steals and 2.5 rebounds per game for a Patriot squad coming off a region title and headed into the state tournament with a 14-6 record.
The senior is currently ranked sixth in the state of Georgia in scoring among all classifications and divisions, according to Maxpreps.com.
He's improved dramatically from last year when he led the Patriots with 17.5 points per game.
"It's been a great season so far," Tift said of his final high school campaign. "I've had to learn to create my own shot this season. I've improved with my ball handling and finishing with my drives to the basket, and I never really had confidence in my 3-point shot until this year."
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Tift has converted 51 of 119 shots from distance (43%) and is shooting 50% from the field.
"Tyler is they type of kid every coach would love to work with," Habersham Coach Gardner Pippin said. "His numbers speak for themselves, but what impresses me the most is he outworks everyone on the floor. This year is is picking his spots and getting the shots he wants.
"Tyler has been a captain for the last two seasons -- and he has that humble, quiet type of leadership by example, and he's helped establish a work ethic and culture with our team."
Pippin said Tift is a true point guard, who gets as much satisfaction dishing off to a teammate as he does scoring himself.
"He's such a great passer -- that's an underrated part of his game," Pippin said. "And we have so much trust in his game. He finds the bottom of the net consistently with that jump shot and is getting to the rack and finishing so well this year."
Tift is closing in on the 1,000 point career milestone and should reach it if the Patriots make a playoff run. He's also an excellent golfer, who works at one of the course's at the Landings, where his family lives.
He has received recruiting interest from some smaller schools, but is focused on attending Samford, where he would like to walk on with the golf team, and possibly the basketball team.
"I think if I average in the mid-70s in golf this year, I have a chance to get on the team at Samford," Tift said.
Tift said he has enjoyed the experience playing for The Habersham School, and is looking forward to attending Samford.
"It's unique because Habersham is such a small school -- we've got 70-80 kids in the high school, so everyone can get a chance to play on the team," Tift said. "And that's been my favorite thing about it -- being able to bond as teammates and friends and learning to play together."
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
At Jenkins Athletic Club, Savannah, GA
Unity Christian vs. Habersham School 7 pm
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Tyler Tift of Habersham is a small guard having a big-time season
