2026 5-10 G Kaleigh Heywood – Collins Hill
Kaleigh committed to Alabama State on Wednesday after pouring in 31 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals and 5 blocks against North Forsyth. The big guard is extremely tough. Heywood contributes in all facets of the game. She plays at her own pace, never sped up by defenders as she is able to use her strength to dictate action. Kaleigh creates off the bounce, using combo moves to gain separation. Heywood hits step-backs and sidestep jumpers. When she attacks downhill, she has no issue absorbing contact for And-1s. What I appreciate the most about Kaleigh is her two-way motor. While she could solely focus on scoring the ball and taking plays off on defense, Heywood does the complete opposite. Her activity level allows her to influence each and every play. On Tuesday, her shot blocking shined.  The All-State guard is a steal in the SWAC.

2028 5-11 F Sa’Nya Jones – Collins Hill
Sa’Nya passes the eye-test with her athletic frame and long reach. Jones serves as a combo-forward, quick enough to attack from the wings but most effective in the paint. She scored on four putbacks against North Forsyth, finishing with both hands. Aside from Jones’ physical tools, her skill set looks to have a high ceiling. Sa’Nya has nice form on her shot which could help transition her even more to the perimeter as she continues to expand her range. In the 67-67 double overtime tie, Jones collected 17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 steals and 1 block.

2028 5-10 W Leah Bryan – North Forsyth
It was an explosive first quarter for Leah in her newfound role as she quickly poured in 10 points as she hit a pair of threes and converted on two drives. Now a sophomore, Bryan played with great confidence as she didn’t hesitate to show off her quick release and deep three-point range. Leah kept defenders guessing on the catch as she utilized subtle head fakes to get downhill with her strong hand. Among the Raiders’ tallest players, Bryan made sure to help on the glass as she neared double-digit rebounds. A breakout season could be on the horizon as Leah’s game continues to blossom as a three-level offensive threat.

2029 5-6 G Hartley Hurt – North Forsyth
Fresh off the softball field, I loved what Hartley brought to the table in her first varsity game, especially in the third quarter. Down 32-30 at the half, Hurt sparked North Forsyth with her hustle as the Raiders took a 48-45 lead into the fourth. Hurt scored off a steal with her left hand, finished with a right-hand scoop on the left side and went coast-to-coast for her other bucket. Hartley filled up the box score with rebounds, assists and steals. Her willingness to compete every possession led to extra possessions for the Raiders, routinely flying around to save rebounds and loose balls. With Ana Anzola transferring, expect Hurt to play an even bigger role in Year 1. Her infectious play will be paramount to North Forsyth’s success.

2028 5-5 G Mackenzie Setchel – North Oconee
If they don’t know by now, the rest of the state will soon that Mackenzie Setchel is next up at North Oconee. A burgeoning D-I prospect already in communication with schools, Setchel is set to burst onto the scene as a sophomore in her first year playing serious varsity minutes. Mackenzie poured in 19 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in a 69-31 rout of Loganville. Setchel was fantastic at the Sandy’s Spiel Fall League and continued her sterling play in the scrimmage as she hit a three, scored twice with her left-hand in transition, dropped in a pair of floaters, hit a long step-back jumper and went 6-7 from the foul line. As I have repeatedly said this offseason, it’s hard to believe Setchel is really only 5-foot-5. Her wiry frame coupled with her athleticism give her the feel of a player much bigger. Her three-level scoring is consistent as is her effort on defense. Mackenzie should be entrenched on D-I radars moving forward.

2028 5-10 W Leah Pollack – North Oconee
As corny as it sounds, Leah is like her father when it comes to the linebacker diagnosing plays. Pollack has a keen instinctual feel which allows her to get to balls before anyone else. She breaks up passes by shooting in for steals and is always on the hunt for rebounds. Leah’s motor is one of her best traits. She flies all over the floor as a true two-way player. She drained a top of the key three, went coast-to-coast with a spin move, scored in transition two other times and sank a mid-range jumper while going 5-6 from the line to total 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals and 1 block. Pollack’s aggressive play is something you can’t teach. Pair it with her well-rounded skill set and you have the makings of an intriguing prospect for D-I and D-II schools to track.

2026 6-5 C Jadeah Marshall – Loganville
Back at Loganville after a season at Lakeview Academy, Jadeah Marshall posted 8 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks in a loss to North Oconee. Marshall struggled to finish inside but did gain traction on the offensive glass as the game went on earning second chance opportunities with her length, able to pluck rebounds over opponents’ heads. Jadeah scored six points in the fourth quarter as the Red Devils entered down 32 points. Adding strength to her frame will benefit her at the next level. North Oconee did a good job playing physical and denying her clean entry feeds. I felt like overall Marshall did well fighting for position inside but passes weren’t able to get to her cleanly. The Dominican holds offers from Jackson State and Voorhees. Her best basketball is ahead of her and her addition to Region 8-5A might be the most impactful in the seven-team grouping.

2027 6-0 G Carly Bass – Sequoyah
Bass put up a steady 22 points, 3 rebounds and 3 steals in a 59-45 win over Cambridge, shooting 6-16 from the field and 2-6 from deep. Carly was effective when she was able to get to the basket, using her size, skill and athleticism to finish at the rim while drawing contact. Bass shot 8-9 from the foul line to find points whenever her outside shot wasn’t dropping. Supplying multiple efforts on defense will be important. Carly did a good job with her activity atop the 1-2-1-1 press, using her length to trap but in the halfcourt, got caught flat footed a few times. Carly has picked up offers from Chattanooga, East Tennessee State and most recently Samford. More offers will pile in for the high scoring shooter.

2027 6-0 W Eva Czaplinski – Madison County
Eva caught my eye in last year’s scrimmage with her size and ability to play on the perimeter. 12 months later, Czaplinski played a leading role in helping Madison County knock off Jackson County 46-44. With the Red Raiders spinning their wheels in search of offense in the second quarter already down double digits, Eva splashed back-to-back threes to gain momentum and get Madison County back in the game. Czaplinski has a pretty shot coupled with length and fluid mobility. She netted a pull-up jumper as well to finish with 11 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist. Becoming more impactful on defense will be her next area of growth but all signs point to Eva blossoming as a legitimate prospect for non-D-I programs to track.

2027 5-11 F Laila Streetman – Madison County
Part of a 46-22 bludgeoning on the offensive glass, Streetman’s motor and physicality dominated the smaller Panthers inside as she produced 14 points, 8 rebounds, 1 steal and 3 blocks as an encore from last season’s 19-point outburst against Jackson County. Streetman is an inside-out forward. She has a soft touch with her back to the basket, high-points rebounds and is a floor spacer along the perimeter. She sank a mid-range jumper, a three-pointer off a sideline out of bounds set and converted a putback. Only a junior, there are real signs of Streetman popping up on college radars. Her feel for the game leads me to believe she will be a priority D-III target with possible D-II interest not out of reach. Continuing to get more exposure in front of college coaches will lead to more and more opportunities.

 2028 5-6 PG Madelyn Drucker – Jackson County
Jackson County collected 23 steals but went 19-36 from the foul line and just 11-55 from the field in an ugly 46-44 loss to Madison County. While shots didn’t fall, the reigning Class 5A Freshman of the Year still managed to record a robust stat line with 11 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 7 steals. Flirting with a triple-double, Drucker flashed her unique ability to impact games in every way imaginable even when she wasn’t her most efficient, just 3-13 from the field. Madelyn drilled two threes and went 3-6 from the line but had a clutch steal and reverse layup all in one fluid motion with under a minute to play to knot the game at 44, part of a furious Panther comeback. Remembering to use her legs on jump shots and sprinting on defensive rotations will likely become commonplace as she continues to get into season shape as a seldom sat floor general.

2026 5-7 F Jalyn Robinson – Jackson County
Coming off an inspiring Sandy’s Spiel Fall League, Jalyn’s tone-setting defense carried over into the scrimmage as she worked her way to 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 steals. Robinson was the lone Panther to capitalize at the foul line, shooting 7-8 from the stripe. Robinson’s activity atop the press was paramount in getting Jackson County back into the game. Jalyn was second on the team in rebounds. Her effort defensively is infectious and her accountability as a leader has become a signature as a senior. The track and field star has warmed up to the possibility of playing ball in college and could be a viable option as a dual-sport recruit.