AEBL Atlanta Holiday Classic Girls Top Performers
Girls Analysis

AEBL Atlanta Holiday Classic Girls Top Performers


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Jacalyn Myrthil2025 5-6 G Jacalyn Myrthil – Mt. Paran
I’ve been a staunch supporter of Jacalyn Myrthil’s game since I first saw her as a freshman. Three state championships later and the proud Haitian is continuing to make plays. Myrthil’s championship DNA came to roost late in the game against Athens Christian as the Eagles held on to force overtime after squandering a lead. Jacalyn helped clinch the extra period, collecting an on-ball steal with 1.8 seconds left in regulation to eliminate a potential last-second shot attempt for Athens Christian. Myrthil totaled 13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block in the 46-43 win. Jacalyn’s relentless full-court pressure night in and night out cracks opposing guards. She did a great job of sitting on Athens Christian’s only ball handler’s strong hand, making it difficult for her to find a groove. As she has proven throughout her career, although she has a funky shot, Myrthil is an above-average three-point shooter. She sank three three-pointers and hit a long corner two. Jacalyn is one of the very best point guards left in Georgia. I feel like she has been overlooked by schools her entire career. The proof is in the pudding. Her resume of winning can’t be overstated and her integral two-way production has been a consistent pillar for Mt. Paran. Schools of all levels should be inquiring.

Jessica Fields
2025 6-1 F Jessica Fields – Mt. Paran
Nothing came easy for the Michigan-signee against Athens Christian’s towering frontcourt but in the end, winners find a way to win. With the game on the line, it was Fields who coolly sank a pair of free throws with 6.4 seconds left to force overtime. In that extra period, Jessica scored six of her team’s eight points to propel the Eagles past Athens Christian 46-43. Fields finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 blocks. She scored on drives, putbacks and tough post finishes. Jessica has added some more muscle to her frame and did a good job of staying out of foul trouble on Saturday.

Marlene Mbilima2026 6-4 F Marlene Mbilima – Athens Christian
Outside of a few poor shots from the perimeter, Marlene played as well as possible in a narrow loss to the three-time defending state champion Mt. Paran Eagles. Going up against a High Major signee in Jessica Fields, Marlene produced 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals. With her elite size, Mbilima did more than just anchor herself on the block for post ups and putbacks. In fact, none of her points came via either of those types of hoops. Marlene scored on two drives, a floater and threes spins in the lane to set up short turnaround jumpers. She attacked off the dribble from the perimeter routinely using agile footwork and long striding speed to get into the paint. Marlene will still need to improve her left hand and clean up her outside shot selection, although three-point shooting looks like a weapon in her future as she has quality form which saw her shoot 4-6 from the foul line. D-I schools are recruiting the Congo-native who continues to improve and has one of the highest ceilings in Georgia. Georgia State offered her today after watching over the weekend.

2027 5-9 G Maliyah Gilbert – Kell
With Kennedy Deese and McKenzie Green missing in action, Maliyah Gilbert shouldered the load in Kell’s 49-45 win over Collins Hill. The powerful lefty scored from all levels. When she decided to get downhill, Maliyah used her frame to score through contact and was overall comfortable in the paint, snagging a pair of putbacks when rebounding inside. The southpaw drained four threes and knocked down two mid-range jumpers. Gilbert recorded a game-high 24 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals. If she isn’t already, expect Maliyah to start popping up on D-I radars quickly. She shined in front of North Florida during the 8:30 AM time slot.

Kaleigh Heywood2026 5-10 G Kaleigh Heywood – Collins Hill
Back from an ACL tear, Kaleigh Heywood was her usual bucket-getting self against Kell, dropping in 21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. Kaleigh was tough in traffic, a crafty driver that finished with both hands from difficult angles while absorbing bumps. Heywood stepped outside to net a straightaway three, but on Saturday morning her bread was butter with her downhill attack, dropping in floaters and using eurosteps to free herself. Alabama State offered last week.

J'Bionna Robinson2025 5-7 PG J’Bionna Robinson – Morrow
I feel like J’Bionna Robinson is one of the best unsigned seniors in Georgia, a true playmaker with speed and court vision. Robinson is a shifty slasher with great body control. She wiggles past defenders, sliding by them before going up for layups or dishing to open teammates. J’Bionna does a good job protecting the ball when she gets into traffic so it doesn’t get stripped. Continuing to expand her shooting range will really help at the next level. Robinson led the Mustangs with 18 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 steals in a 58-55 win over Dacula. Multiple D-I programs have offered.

Jaliyah Benefield2025 5-7 G Jaliyah Benefield – Dacula
The Francis Marion-signee went ballistic, nearly leading Dacula back from a 16-point halftime deficit before falling to Morrow 58-55. Benefield is a quick-twitch athlete. She changes directions quickly and explodes to the rim. Jaliyah is a big-time leaper that gets great elevation on her jump shots. Benefield picks off passes and can force on-ball turnovers playing atop the 1-2-2 zone using lateral quickness and her cat-like reflexes to deflect passes. Defense usually sparks Jaliyah’s offense, scoring five times off steals, three being And-1 conversions. Jaliyah splashed in four three-pointers and went 4-10 from the foul line. Benefield’s fiery play and takeover ability gives Dacula a chance in every game. Jaliyah finished with a game-high 28 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 8 steals.