ATL SummerSlam Top Performers
Girls Analysis

ATL SummerSlam Top Performers

I'ziah McCutchins2024 5-3 PG I’ziah McCutchins – Wood Elite – Trion
Up in Northwest Georgia, I’ziah McCutchins might not be a major name in Metro Atlanta, but the more she succeeds on the travel circuit the quicker folks across the state will take notice of the shifty undersized playmaker. I first saw McCutchins as a freshman, where she stuffed the stat sheet in the Region 6-A Championship with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. I noted back then that she had a good future ahead. Fast forward to sophomore season, she won Class A-Public Best Passer and now is leading the charge for Wood Elite. McCutchins took over in the second half vs. CyFair Premier, erasing a nine-point halftime deficit to win in overtime 47-41. I’ziah netted 14 points after the first half including eight points in overtime to ice the game, going 6-7 from the line in the extra period. McCutchins plays hard, making up for any lack of height. She handles the ball well and does a good job finding the open man. When she decides to score, I’ziah can find points all over the floor. She turns corners well, using her low center of gravity to skirt past the hip of defenders. McCutchins has a floater in her arsenal but also can convert scoop layups through contact. What really rounds out McCutchins’ offense is her outside shooting. She hit five threes over the two games I saw and averaged 16.5 points. In the win over CyFair, I’ziah sank three triples and finished with 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. McCutchins is one of Northwest Georgia’s best players and someone colleges will want to start tracking soon.

Caroline Mullins2024 5-9 G Caroline Mullins – Wood Elite – Pickens
Held without a field goal in the first half, Caroline Mullins was the second head of the Wood Elite attack in their come from behind win over CyFair Premier. Mullins posted 14 of her 17 points in the second half to go with her 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals and 2 blocks. Caroline went 5-16 from the field but enjoyed a 5-8 stretch in the second half that energized Wood Elite after opening 0-6. Caroline attacked the rim, scoring on a pair of drives and a breakaway steal. She hit a tough jumper just inside the arc and finished off her scoring with a late three. When Mullins was struggling to score, she went into the post to try and garner easy looks, drawing fouls in the process. Even when shots weren’t falling, Caroline made an impact with her defense, cleaning the backboards and protecting the rim.

2023 5-9 SG Hannah Heinen – Georgia Sting McMurray – Lake Oconee Academy
It isn’t necessarily conventional, but the three-point shot works for Hannah Heinen, who starts her shooting motion down at her hip. Once she gets into her shot, the release out of her hands is quick. When left open, she makes teams pay. Hannah does a nice job rebounding and has good size for an off-guard. Heinen tallied 13 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals in a 46-36 loss, shooting 4-6 from the field and 3-5 from deep. Improving her playmaking and raising the starting motion of her jump shot will help her at the next level. She’s a nice option for NAIA and D-III programs looking for a floor spacer.

2026 5-6 PG Kaitlyn Arnold – Southeast United 2026 – Cartersville
I had heard and seen a lot of KK Arnold on Twitter over the past year, so when I saw an opening to watch Southeast United, I knew I had to seize the opportunity. The lefty is dainty but has plenty of time to grow into her body and add strength. Kaitlyn plays hard and will get on the floor for loose balls. She didn’t have her best game offensively, but was able to positively influence the game with her ball handling and court vision. Even at roughly 5-foot-6, Arnold was able to mix it up on the backboards and held her own on defense. Her shot comes from her ear and may recalibrate as she gets older. She finished with 6 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal in a 64-39 blowout. Arnold will be a cornerstone for a Cartersville program that has been stuck in the doldrums, last cracking .500 in 2014. While it may take a little longer, Arnold could provide a shot in the arm and reinvigorate the Hurricanes. If she reaches her peak, her ceiling could be similar to that of Bridget Utberg (Woodstock – Central Michigan).

Clara Morris2023 5-8 SG Clara Morris – Atlanta Cagers-Myers – South Forsyth
The 3&D hustler provided 17 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals in a 49-41 win. Morris drilled five threes and found her lone two-point field goal off of a steal. Clara plays with a lot of heart and energy. She gets the most out of her frame every time she steps on the floor. As long as she continues to hit threes and play pesky on-ball defense, there will always be a home for a winning player like Clara.