UNG WBB Team Camp Top Performers
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North Georgia Team Camp Top Performers


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Emma Hempker2024 5-9 SG Emma Hempker – Denmark
With running mate Hannah Lopez out of the country and Hannah Golden sidelined with injury, Emma Hempker had the green light to attack every chance she got. Coming off a breakout season in which she averaged close to 20 points per game and finished the season setting a school-record with 47 points in the first round of the state playoffs, the prolific scorer rolled on in Dahlonega, pilling in 25 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block in her first game of the day. Hempker’s ability to score from the perimeter with her jump shot gives her great value. She plays at a patient pace and is able to get to her spots while letting the game come to her. Emma utilizes pull-up jumpers and is a knockdown three-point shooter off the catch. When she probes with her dribble, Hempker is strong enough to finish in traffic and has a floater to score over length. If schools pay attention, I could see Emma taking advantage of June, especially GBCA Live next week and earning her first offer by the end of the month. D-II schools should make it a point to watch the stock rising scoring machine.

Kenzie Henderson2025 5-11 F Kenzie Henderson – Oglethorpe County
The All-World athlete should start to pick up steam on the hardwood. Already a two-time state champion in the high jump and a standout in hurdles among other relay events, Kenzie Henderson is just different from all others when it comes to her agility. She is an elite leaper, freakishly quick off the ground as she elevates above everyone else when securing rebounds and blocking shots. Henderson thrives in the paint, scoring on dump offs, lobs and putbacks. Kenzie has very good hands and when she comes down with the ball, she manages to stay balanced and spring up, locate the rim and finish efficiently. She recorded 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 2 blocks on 9-12 shooting against South Forsyth. Henderson has massive potential with her natural gifts and soft touch. She runs the floor like a gazelle and finishes with both hands. Adding some refined back-to-the-basket post moves will help her create her own offense more often. Henderson has shown the ability to hit the mid-range and even three-point shot from time to time while being a threat to score downhill from the wing. Kenzie can be a game wrecker defensively with her length and quick reaction time. Her versatility guarding inside and out is impressive and the thought of her at the top of a press or 1-3-1 zone could be a nightmare for opponents. While Henderson will have a multitude of avenues to choose from between volleyball, track and basketball, if a college program can land Kenzie to star in their frontcourt, she could develop into a dynamic difference maker.

Denim Goddard2024 5-5 G Denim Goddard – Oglethorpe County
Aggression wasn’t an issue for Denim on Thursday. Goddard sought the rim from the opening tip and had little issue getting to the hoop against South Forsyth. Her quickness and subtle shiftiness broke down the defense, using her speed to get to her floater. Goddard has a nice synergy working with Kenzie Henderson, knowing where to place the ball on lobs. Defensively, Goddard picked up steals in the press and scored in transition. She is a nice guard that smaller schools should hone in on.

Bristol Kersh2027 5-7 G Bristol Kersh – Cherokee Bluff
Cherokee Bluff has had a string of young talent enter the program over the past three seasons. Taliah Gaither, who left for Lakeview Academy, was an impact post player two years ago. This season, it was Claire Carlson earning Class 4A Freshman of the Year and now this year it looks like Bristol Kersh could take a run at the award. A star soccer player who recently participated in a 36-player US Under-14 National Camp, Kersh brings her swift-footed athleticism to the basketball court as she flies around the floor making plays. Bristol is a two-way standout. Her defense energizes her offense at times. She is lightning quick sideline-to-sideline as a ballhawk. Kersh is much more than just a pure athlete though. Her skill level offensively will make everyone around her better. She is a smooth playmaker, using an effortless handle to get shifty downhill. Once she gets on track to the basket is where the fun begins. Bristol is a great passer, loving to shovel in assists off the dribble as she fits in passes through tight windows. When looking to score, Kersh, a righty, has a sharp eurostep and is impressive finishing with her left hand. The slick guard can also hit the pull-up jumper and showed three-point range at camp. Bristol stuffed the stat sheet in two games, posting 6 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, 4 steals and 1 block against Denmark, followed up by 9 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 8 steals vs. West Forsyth. While it looks like soccer will undoubtedly be her calling card at the next level, as long as Kersh decides to play basketball, she will be one of Hall County’s top players.

Claire Carlson2026 5-7 G Claire Carlson – Cherokee Bluff
The reigning Class 4A Freshman of the Year is a baby-faced assassin. Claire beats defenses in a variety of ways. She has deep range on her three-point shot. If defenders get stretched too far out, Carlson has a quick burst to the basket. Slender in build, Claire isn’t afraid of contact and has a strong gather move through traffic when getting to her layups, able to finish through fouls with either hand. An underrated part of Carlson’s game is her defense. Known to fill it up from all three levels, Claire can be a pesky defender with opportunistic hands, swiping away steals and sneaking in for blocks. Over two games at camp, Carlson averaged 8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block.

Emma Reynolds2024 5-8 G Emma Reynolds – Cherokee Bluff
I didn’t know anything about Emma Reynolds’ game before this week, but I certainly came away impressed. The Second Team All-Region 8-4A selection showcased a well-rounded offensive arsenal and a fluid release on her jump shot. Reynolds looked good getting to her pull-up and was an effective rebounder. Emma has length to her frame and uses it well as a defender. She even took opponents into the post when she felt like she had an advantage on the block. Reynolds racked up 15 points, 6 rebounds and 1 steal vs. Denmark and added 4 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals against West Forsyth.

Morgan Chester2024 5-11 F Morgan Chester – Dawson County
I’ve been a fan of Morgan Chester’s game for a while. She is rock steady. As a coach, you know what you will get each time out. Chester is a double-double threat, but what I like most about her game is her defensive versatility. Morgan has a strong college-ready frame and uses it to her advantage defending inside and out. On the interior, she moves her feet well and blocks shots when walling up. On the perimeter, Chester does a good job springing into passing lanes. Her rebounding is reliable. Offensively, Morgan has a polished skill set. She has a variety of moves in the low post, can hit the mid-range jumper and is really good at using her body on drives when finishing at the rim. I like Chester’s tools for D-II programs and below.

Kindra Coker2024 5-2 PG Kindra Coker – Dawson County
The little lefty has crafted a very strong high school career. Her three-point shooting must be respected at all times. She buried five deep balls against Banks County, finishing with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Coker is a serious threat to pull-up off the dribble. Kindra’s vocal leadership and constant effort as an on-ball defender could catch the eye of a college program looking to add heart.

Abby Samples2024 5-8 SG Abby Slaton – Dawson County
I used to view Abby as primarily just a three-point shooter, but she has worked hard on her game to become a well-rounded perimeter player. Yes, she can still drain threes, but I really like what Slaton has transformed into as a ball handler and slasher. She spends a fair amount of handling point guard duties and has blossomed as a facilitator. At camp she made it a point to attack the left side of the basket and finish with right-handed scoops underneath defenders. Slaton is trending up heading into her senior season.

2025 5-8 SG Ryleigh Murphy – Banks County
The emergence of Ryleigh Murphy played a significant role in Banks County’s historic run to the Class 2A state title game. I identified her exactly a year ago at Georgia College Team Camp as a potential breakthrough player. Listed at 5-foot-8, Murphy plays slightly bigger. She has some length and her nose for the ball is an underrated aspect of her game. What Ryleigh does really well, is shoot the ball. She shined in the Final Four and State Championship, leading Banks County in scoring in both with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Her hot shooting continued on Thursday, knocking down a pair of triples against Dawson County as she accounted for 8 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals.

Zaria Smith2024 5-8 W Zaria Smith – West Forsyth
Entering her senior season, Zaria Smith will be asked to do a lot. The veteran swingman has earned more minutes each and every season — that hard work looks to be coming to fruition now. Smith powered West Forsyth vs. Cherokee Bluff with 15 points, 11 rebounds, 7 steals and 1 block. She found her groove in the second half, unleashing her motor as she attacked the basket and got on the offensive glass. Smith sank a mid-range pull-up, a three-pointer, went coast-to-coast, scored on a drive, got a bucket in the low post and cashed in on a free throw to round out her diverse offensive portfolio. When she cut it loose and swarmed on defense, it helped ignite her offense.

Avynn Kniceley2027 5-4 PG Avynn Kniceley – South Forsyth
A pint sized version of older sister Jadyn, Avynn Kniceley has a “knice” future ahead. Splitting time between the varsity and JV, Kniceley provided bright spots in both. The rising freshman scored 5 varsity points against Oglethorpe County including a three-pointer before dominating the Rabun County JV with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 6 steals and 1 block in a 35-22 victory. Having a nose for the ball runs in the family. Avynn is quick to dive in for steals and gets her team out and running in transition. I was impressed with Avynn’s decision making, showing a high IQ out of the pick-and-roll, hitting her rollers on the money for easy looks. She scored on a give-and-go and utilized a pump fake before settling into a one-dribble pull-up. Look for Kniceley to be a key cog in South Forsyth’s reloading phase.

Millie Southards2029 5-3 PG Millie Southards – Rabun County
Only a rising seventh grader, Millie Southards is the next big thing to come out of Rabun County.  Playing up several grades, it wasn’t hard to identify Southards as one of the LadyCats’ best players. Her athleticism alone catches your eye along with her strong frame. The way she moves and handles the ball is reminiscent of how rising senior Lucy Hood looked different from her peers at a young age. The JV was at their best when Southards was in the game. She was able to handle pressure and create offense without forcing things. Her step-back three off the dribble was a varsity-ready move. Millie’s poise was apparent when she was able to get into the teeth of the defense and not panic, surveying the floor to find open teammates instead of taking a bad shot or turning the ball over. At roughly 5-foot-3, Millie led Rabun County in rebounding as she compiled 3 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. As she grows and gets more and more experience playing up, Southards has a chance to be extremely special and should be a four-year starter by the time she reaches high school.

JanaKate Gibson2028 5-8 W JanaKate Gibson – Rabun County
Another bright part of Rabun County’s future, JanaKate Gibson comes through a bloodline of elite athletes. Standing around 5-foot-8 give or take an inch, the rising eighth grader has good tools to work with. She asserted herself with the JV as the game went on against South Forsyth, attacking the basket by using a quick first step. Gibson put the defense in a tough position as she slashed and drew fouls downhill. Positive things often happened when the ball was in her hands, tallying a team-high 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.