Category Archives: GHSA

2018-19 GHSA Girls Basketball Transfer List

Here is a rundown of some transfers I have heard through the grapevine and a summary of what the additions mean. If you know of anymore or any that are incorrect, please shoot me a tweet @KyleSandy355, leave a comment or email [email protected]

Thanks!

Class AAAAAAA

SR Alea Spears – 5’6″ – (Mountain View to Brookwood)
JR Malia Grace – 6’2″ – (Brookwood to Grayson)
JR Jalyn Bell – 5’8″ – (Brookwood to Parkview)
SR Kennedy Powell – 5’10” – (St. Francis to Roswell)
SO Makala Torrence – 5’6″ – (South Gwinnett to Roswell)
SR Diamond Swift – 5’4” – (Newton to Rockdale County)

Class AAAAAA

SR Markiema Lancaster – 5’10” – (Johns Creek to Northview)
SR Meghan Schneller – 5’6” – (Christian Heritage to Dalton)
SR Kelsey Schneller – 5’6” – (Christian Heritage to Dalton)
SR Destiny Thomas – 6’3″ – (Tri-Cities to Forest Park)

Class AAAAA

Class AAAA

SO Logan Wiggins – 6’1″ – (North Forsyth to Chestatee)
JR Ansley Hall – 5’6″ – (Prince Avenue Christian to North Oconee)
SR Paris Mullins – 6’3″ – (Westlake to Henry County)

Class AAA

SR Maddie Thomas – 5’11” – (Banks County to Cherokee Bluff)
JR Madi Phillips – 6’1″ – (White County to Cherokee Bluff)
SR Brooklynn Talton – 5’7″ – (Westside-Macon to Central-Macon)
JR Antalazia Baker – 5’9″ – (Woodville-Tompkins to Johnson-Savannah)

Class AA

JR Heather Vaughan – 5’5″ – (Habersham Central to Banks County)
SO Atta Diop – 6’2″ – (SACA to KIPP Atlanta)
SR Jakiyah Parker – 5’8″ – (Richmond Academy to Josey)
JR Amani Jones – 5’6″ – (Cross Creek to Josey)

Class A

SR India Bellamy – 6’1” – (Dutchtown to ELCA)
SO Keslynn Oxendine – 5’7″ – (Woodland-Stockbridge to ELCA)
JR Taylor Greene – 5’7″ – (Taylor County to Marion County)
SO Ali Rumpel – 6’0″ – (Starr’s Mill to Athens Academy)
JR Alanni Brown – 5’9″ – (North Gwinnett to Wesleyan)
JR Savannah Samuel – 6’1″ – (River Ridge to St. Francis)
JR Eliza Snyder – 5’10” – (St. Francis to Lakeview Academy)
SR Jazmin Grayson – 5’7″ – (Oak Grove, MS to Woodville-Tompkins)

Out-of-GHSA

JR Kemia Ward – 6’1 – (McEachern to Holy Spirit Prep)

Class 7A

Alea Spears brings help at the guard position for Brookwood, coming in from Mountain View where she was a Region 6-AAAAAAA Second Team selection. The 5-foot-6 ball handler averaged 10.6 points, 3.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game.

6-foot-2 junior Malia Grace transfers from Brookwood to Grayson.  Grace is an imposing figure inside with a physical frame. She averaged 9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game with the Broncos.

2020 5-foot-8 point guard Jalyn Bell departs Brookwood for bitter rival Parkview. Bell, an athletic defensive specialist, will look to provide ball handler and some scoring in the backcourt for a Parkview team with a young and talented front court. As a sophomore, Bell averaged 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Class 6A

The addition of Second Team All-Region selection Markiema Lancaster from Johns Creek to reigning Region 7 champion and back-to-back state semifinalist Northview gives the Titans one of the best starting fives on paper in the classification. At 5-foot-10, Lancaster brings a much needed extra ball handler to the roster. A versatile piece with the length and quickness reminiscent to that of former Northview star and current Mercer Bear Shannon Titus, Lancaster can ignite her own fast breaks off the glass and will chip in defensively. Lancaster needs to keep her head up while dribbling. She can tend to have her eyes down when pushing the ball up the court, but once her focus is in front, she has a nice passing touch.

Class 5A

Class 4A

All-State point guard Ansley Hall heads to North Oconee after leading Prince Avenue to their best season in school history. The stat sheet stuffer provides the Titans with a dynamic ball handler that makes her teammates better.

Class 3A

New program Cherokee Bluff will look to build a tradition with the help of Maddie Thomas, a big time winner while at Banks County where she was an All-Region Honorable Mention selection. Thomas will provide outside shooting and length on defense for the Bears.

Brooklynn Talton makes the move from Westside to Central-Macon for her senior season. With the Seminoles, Talton was a rebounding machine, pulling down 11.6 per game. She also added 5.9 points and 2.4 steals per contest.

Class 2A

Heather Vaughan leaves Habersham Central for Banks County after averaging 15 points per game as a sophomore. The 5-foot-5 guard was Region 8-AAAAAA Honorable Mention. She also made the All-Region Tournament Team. She will provide shooting and ball handling for a Banks County team coming off a 25-win season.

Class 1A

India Bellamy returns to ELCA after spending a year at Dutchtown where she earned Class 5A All-State Second Team Honors after averaging 14.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3 steals per game. She now joins forces with international sensation Weronika Hipp, who averaged over 24 points per game as a freshman. The duo should become one of the best inside-out punches in the state and instantly boost ELCA into becoming a legit Final Four contender.

Taylor Greene provides some much needed outside shooting to Marion County. Greene should see good looks throughout the season as defenses key in on stopping the Eagles’ dominant post play.

Sophomore Ali Rumpel will provide a physical low block presence that can score around the rim and protect the paint at Athens Academy. Rumpel, 6-foot, was named Region 3-AAAAA Freshman of the Year at Starr’s Mill after averaging 10.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. She will pair up with fellow 2021 forward 5-foot-10 Rose Bone to form a strong, talented, bruising frontcourt.

Wesleyan’s annual reload starts with Alanni Brown of North Gwinnett. Brown, 5-foot-9, was a Region 6-AAAAAAA Honorable Mention selection her sophomore season after averaging 12 points per game.

After breaking out as a Class AAAAAA All-State star at her home school River Ridge, the well traveled 6-foot-1 junior Savannah Samuel bounces to her third school in three years joining St. Francis. Samuel averaged 20.1 points and 5.7 rebounds as a versatile inside-out wing. Samuel picked up a Virginia Tech offer in July but to keep her recruitment momentum she will now have to fit into a much different role at St. Francis.

Out-of-GHSA

The transfer market bites McEachern for once as 6-foot-1 post Kemia Ward transfers to Holy Spirit Prep. Ward will head to the GISA with freshman sister Kaela. Kemia reclasses to 2020 after seeing her season end short with an injury. Ward is a physical and athletic rim protector which will be sorely missed at McEachern.

Unsigned 2018 Seniors

A scouting report on some of the GHSA’s top remaining unsigned seniors

PG

  1. Jacolbey Owens (Warner Robins)
    + Elite level athlete that plays above the rim
    + Finishes through contact
    + Has improved his three-point shot tenfold from his junior season
    + Not afraid of the spotlight; Clutch in crunch time
    + High energy
    * Can continue to improve his point guard prowess
  1. Jarred Godfrey (Sandy Creek)
    + Elite size (6’4)
    + Scores over smaller defenders
    + Can score off the bounce
    + Soft mid-range touch
    + Patiently waited behind D-I guards
  1. Khalyn Weekley (Bradwell Institute)
    + Elite size (6’4)
    + Physically strong
    + Attacks downhill
    * Needs to solidify his outside shot
  1. Dwight Murray (Pebblebrook)
    + Shooter
    + Played against elite competition
    + Patiently waited behind D-I guards
    + Quick
    + Leader
    * Lacks size (5’11)
  1. Kris Gardner (Westover)
    + Playmaker
    + Scores at all three levels
    + Strong ball handler
    + Scoring-minded PG that also distributes
    + Quick hands on defense
    * Needs to make sure not to over dribble

Other Notables
Nick Edwards (Grayson); Kameron Pauldo (Dublin); Jah’Nile Hill (Manchester); Jay Jefferson (Troup County); Dalvin White (Norcross)

SG

  1. Tye Fagan (Upson-Lee)
    + Scores from all three levels
    + Improved consistency of three-point shot
    + Best post-up guard in class
    + Smooth athlete
    + Plays the passing lanes
    + Shot blocker
    + Can affect games without scoring
    + Court vision
    + Loyal
  1. Eli Lawrence (Tri-Cities)
    + Good size (6’5)
    + Tye Fagan-lite
    + Southpaw that can shoot the three & elevate to finish through traffic
    + Strong rebounder
    + Lets the game come to him
    Can continue to improve his playmaking with the ball
  1. Brandon Younger (Wheeler)
    + Elite size (6’7)
    + High upside
    + Can play multiple positions
    * Streaky; good in many areas but not great
  1. Adam Flagler (Duluth)
    + Elite shooter
    + Mid-range
    + Decision making
    + Can create off the dribble for teammates
    * Average height (6’2)
  1. Daniel Parrish (Aquinas)
    + Good size (6’3)
    + Can play either 1 or 2
    + Court vision
    + Passing in traffic
    + Plays passing lanes
    + Willing rebounder with good hands
    * Can be a streaky three-point shooter; must stay aggressive

Other Notables
Grant Howard
(Pebblebrook); Tim Williamson (Glenn Hills); Tre Gomillion (Aquinas); Adrian Martin (Lanier); Christian Jackson (Greenforest); Mandarius Dickerson (Collins Hill)

F

  1. KJ Buffen (Gainesville)
    + Versatile with size (6’7)
    + 7-foot wingspan
    + Plays with energy
    + Active on glass
    + Can put the ball on the floor when needed
    + High ceiling. Still maturing after missing bulk of junior season. Younger than most of his grade.
    * Will need to improve outside shot to play on perimeter
  1. Jamari Dean (Cedar Grove)
    + 6’6
    + Elite second leap on offensive glass
    + Workhorse inside
    + Finishes through heavy contact on low block
    + Mid-range game
    + Interior passing
    * Could be a tweener. Good enough shooter/slasher to steal minutes at the 3. Defensively can handle switches on multiple positions.
  1. Clarence Jackson (Dublin)
    + 6’7
    + Does the dirty work inside
    + Likes to rebound
    + Slasher
    + Versatile defender
    Needs to improve outside shot
  1. Brandon Suggs (McEachern)
    + 6’7
    + Defensive-minded
    + Length
    + Played elite competition
  1. Cole Guenther (McIntosh)
    + 6’7
    + Three-point shooter
    + Shot-blocker
    + Has improved ball handling
    + Length
    Struggled with consistency from three (29%)

Other Notables
ZyTavian Hill (Central-Talbotton); Drew Hudson (Starr’s Mill); Greg Holloway (Westside-Macon); Jarred Rosser (Gainesville); Jarrel Rosser (Gainesville); Kerry Richardson (Elite Scholars)

Post

  1. EJ Montgomery (Wheeler)
    + 6’10 All-American
    + Length to rebound anything in his area
    + Post scoring
    + Outside shot
    + Can handle the ball
    + Consistent
    * Improved his toughness. Can always get stronger mentally and physically.
  1. Timmy Sellers (Glenn Hills)
    + 6’8
    + Athletic
    + Handles the ball; can create own fast break
    + Euro step
    + Shot blocker
    + Still improving
    Not an overly elite rebounder. A little unorthodox. Needs to stay aggressive.
  1. Carlos Curry (Dougherty)
    + 7’0
    + Rebounding
    + Willingness to shoot from the outside
    + Mobile
    * Still raw. Can be timid around the rim. Can shy away from contact. Hasn’t seen D-I competition during high school career at Dougherty.
  1. Kevin Paige (Miller Grove)
    + 6’8
    + College body
    + Rebounder
    + Shot blocker
    + Has improved steadily over career
    + Decent footwork around the rim
    * Physical space eater whose defense is ahead of his offense.
  1. Alex Johnson (Lowndes)
    + 6’8
    + Late bloomer
    + Can handle the ball on the perimeter
    + Range stretches out to three-point line
    + Post defense
    * Will continue to improve as he gets stronger. Best basketball ahead.

Other Notables
De’Undra Singleton (Stephens County); Bryce Brown (Archer); Tylan Grable (Wilkinson County); Tyler Culbreth (Lee County); Jermon Clark (Miller Grove); Ja’Quez Hicks (Heritage-Conyers); Kennedy Willis (St. Pius X); Ta’San King (South Gwinnett); Brandon Favors (Westlake); Julian Baldwin (Etowah)

2018 GACA All-Star Games

Junior (2019) Girls Game

STATS
MVP: Deasia Merrill – 20p 6r 1a 1s 1b
Deasia Merrill

MVP: India Bellamy – 23p 8r 5bIndia Bellamy

North2018 GACA Junior Girls North All-Star Team
Nekiyah Thompson – 5p 3a 2s
Torrion Starks – 6p 5a 2s
Tomiyah Alford – 7p 3r 3s
Georgia Stockton – 2p 3r 2s 1b
Kaylee Sticker – 13p 7r 2a 1b
Sydney Rosant – 13p 3r 2b
Amari Robinson – 8p 3r 2s 1b
Jordan Bailey – 9p 6r 2s 2b
Ashlee Austin – 8p 8r 2b
Chellia Watson – 7p 5r 4a
Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu – 6p 4r 2a 3s

South
2018 GACA Junior Girls South All-Star Team

Zamiya Passmore – 3p
Mataea Boyd – 4p 4r
Kianni Westbrook – 2p 6r
Jada Claude – 5p 3r 2s
Nia Allen – 2p 6r 2a 2s 2b
Destanee Wright – 8p 3r 4a 1b
Janya Love-Hill – 17p 3r 2a 2b
Kayla Garrett – 6p 5r 1b
Jailyn Shaw – 7p 4r 2s
Jasmine Blevins – 10p 2r 2a 1b
Paris Mullins – 0p 3r

NOTES

  • North: SG Tomiyah Alford (Lamar County) was impressive with her size (5-8) and athleticism. She posted 7 points and 3 steals. Her on-ball defense was suffocating at times, using her length to disrupt ball handlers. A three-sport athlete, as she improves her feel for the game Alford will continue to improve. She averaged 22.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 5.7 steals this season.
  • North: SG Kaylee Sticker (Dawson County) was active on the wing and crashed the glass, collecting 13 points and 7 rebounds. As a 6-foot swingman, Sticker showed that she could score at all three levels. Knocking down a three, hitting jumpers and cleaning up around the rim. The lean athlete averaged 17.6 points and 6 rebounds.
  • North: A streaky shooter, SG Sydney Rosant (Sequoyah) was locked in from the beginning.  She knocked down three trifectas and finished with 13 points and 2 blocks. Rosant likes crafty finishes when heading to the basket, using floaters and tear drops. Being able to get all the way to the rim consistently will strengthen her offensive game.
  • North: Class 7A Player of the Year PG Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu (Norcross) finished with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals. Robinson is no stranger to filling up stat sheets, averaging 15.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 4.1 steals and 1.1 blocks. She was one of the smallest players on the floor at 5-foot-7, but the powerhouse guard was a playmaker, seeing the court and dropping passes in tight quarters to set up her teammates.
  • South: F India Bellamy (Dutchtown) took over down the stretch. The post presence showed that she could step out and knock down the open three and displayed enough agility to start her own fast breaks and finish in transition with either hand. She posted a game-high 23 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals.
  • South: C Kianna Westbrook (Burke County) didn’t score a field goal in the game, but at 6-foot-2, her ability to run the floor, rebound and alter shots shows that her best basketball is still ahead of her. She didn’t get too many low block opportunities, but if she can develop a go-to move in the post, she could have a bright future. She finished with 2 points and 6 rebounds.
  • South: G Janya Love-Hill (Carver-Columbus) is a microwave scorer on the perimeter. She isn’t afraid to pull the trigger from deep, but likes to attack the hoop. Love-Hill netted 17 points to go with her 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.
  • South: F Jailyn Shaw (Carver-Columbus) loves to throw her body around and attack the boards. She’s a physical player that can mix it up and sticks her nose in 50/50 balls. She is a high effort player. Shaw tacked on 7 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals.

Senior (2018) Girls Game

STATS
MVP: Tory Ozment – 13p 6r 2s 2bTory Ozment

MVP: Taylor Hosendove – 23p 15r 2a
Taylor Hosendove

North
2018 GACA Senior Girls North All-Star Team
Harper Vick – 12p 3r
Taylor Sutton – 8p 4a 3s
Lexii Chatman – 11p 7r
Kaila Hubbard – 14p 3r 4s
Amaya Register – 10p 3r 2a
Mya Jones – 8p 3r
Taniyah Worth – 4p 3r 2s 1b
Audrey Jordan – 5p 2r
Victaria Saxton – 4p 10r 3b
Devyn Wilson – 8p 6r 2a 1b

South
2018 GACA Senior Girls South All-Star Team

Jykiera Long – 0p 6r 3a
Brooke Moore – 10p
Jamesha Samuel – 8p 2s
Diamond Hall – 15p 7r 2a 2s
Za’Nautica Downs – 8p 2a 4s 1b
Ashley Foster – 8p
Brittany Davis – 13p 6r 2a 5s
Jewell Smalls – 11p 11r 2a

NOTES

  • South: G Jewel Smalls (McEachern) provided good work on the glass, grabbing 11 rebounds to go with her 11 points. She hit two first half threes. She often found herself in the right spot on the floor.
  • South: G/F Diamond Hall (Colquitt County) put up 15 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. She can provide minutes at positions 2-4 at the high school level but will need to find the right fit at the next level.

Junior (2019) Boys Game

STATS
MVP: Hunter McIntosh – 28p 5r 3a 2s
Hunter McIntosh

MVP: Jaxon Etter – 23p 3r 3a 3s
Jaxon Etter

North
2018 GACA Junior Boys North All-Star Team

Brenden Tucker – 15p 3r 4a 2s
Markeith Browning – 5p
TJ Bickerstaff – 8p 9r 4a
Tyrin Lawrence – 9p 7r 2a 2s
Malachi Rhodes – 3p 10r 2b
Alec Woodard – 15p 9r 2a 3s 1b
Nathan Presnell – 4p 6r 2s 2b
Ahmir Langlais – 8p 3a 1b
Jayvion Rucker – 9p
Jager Dickson – 2p 3r

South
2018 GACA Junior Boys South All-Star Team

Kalen Williams – 10p 7r 3a
Jordan Brown – 6p 3a
Quinton McElroy – 0p 2s
Dontavius King – 14p 9r 1b
Donovan Grant – 0p 4r 2a
Joshua Lusane – 11p 15r 5b
Mackenzie McFatten – 8p 5r
Jevon Tatum – 14p 7r 2a
Shamar Jones – 19p
Jayce Moore – 13p 3r

NOTES

  • North: PG Hunter McIntosh (GAC) put on his cape in the second half and nearly carried the North back from a 19-point halftime deficit. The heady guard drilled three of his five three-pointers in succession. He dumped in 28 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. McIntosh is among Georgia’s elite at the point guard position.
  • North: Coaches want players that have more than just one skill set and game-by-game, SG Alec Woodard (Morgan County) proves he’s more than just a great shooter. Woodard did his damage attacking the basket, finishing with 15 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. He is a producer that relies on substance more than flash.
  • North: F Jayvion Rucker (East Hall) is a blossoming 6-foot-5 wiry athlete. If he can pack on some muscle to his frame, he could turn into one of North Georgia’s best big men. He had 9 points and held his own against bigger names.
  • South: It’s easy to see how F Dontavius King turned Dutchtown’s season around. The 6-foot-7 post is a physical presence with a big body. He has very good hands and is a pain to keep off the glass. He tacked on 14 points, 9 rebounds and 1 block. King is already one of the best back-to-the basket scorers in the class. He is more of a positional defender than a shot blocker.
  • South: F Joshua Lusane (Americus-Sumter) quietly did everything you want from a post player. At 6-foot-7, Lusane finished with 11 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks. He cleaned up the trash around the basket and defended without fouling.
  • South: G Shamar Jones (Johnson-Savannah) is a free scoring guard. He likes to pull up from the mid-range, working the key and the baseline well. He will have to prove that he is more than just a scorer.
  • South: G Jevon Tatum (Tucker) is a steady scorer. He is strong enough to get into the paint and finish through contact, but also has a nice jump shot. He netted 14 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
  • South: G Jaxon Etter (Etowah) might be the state’s hottest prospect. A true winner that rises to the occasion, Etter knocked down four threes, dove on loose balls and powered his team to a win, earning MVP honors with 23 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Etter will suit up with the Atlanta All-Stars this off-season, marking just his second year of AAU basketball.

Senior (2018) Boys Game

STATS
MVP: Landers Nolley – 20p 6r 6a 2s
Landers Nolley

MVP: Kris Gardner – 27p 6r 5a 3s
Kris Gardner

North
2018 GACA Senior Boys North All-Star Team
Travis Anderson – 8p 4r 4a 2s
Nick Edwards – 9p 2r 7a 3s
Adam Flagler – 9p 4r
JoJo Toppin – 15p 5r
Spencer Rodgers – 15p 3r 2s
Dre Butler – 16p 4r
Devin Vassell – 17p 2r 2a 2s
Isaiah Kelly – 29p 3r
Christian Koneman – 4p 5r 2a

South
2018 GACA Senior Boys South All-Star Team

Tahj Jones – 11p
Dwight Murray – 15p 5r 2s
Timmy Sellers – 8p 2r 2s
Grant Howard – 6p
Kylan Hill – 10p 6r 3a
Amanze Ngumezi – 30p 3r 2s
Rashun Williams – 26p 3r 2a
Carlos Curry – 6p 3r
Adrian Cohen – 8p 3a

NOTES

  • North: G Nick Edwards (Grayson) is a quality guard that comes up big when it matters most. He should be in the discussion at the LM/D2 level. He needs to add some weight to his frame, but the 6-foot-1 guard is battle-tested and improved by leaps and bounds his senior season. Edwards finished his night with 9 points, 7 assists and 3 steals.
  • North: G Adam Flagler (Duluth) is an elite shooter left on the board. He canned three threes to finish with 9 points. He will add a great floor spacer to whichever team nabs him.
  • South: PG Kris Gardner (Westover) has the ball on a string. He is a precise dribbler that creates opportunities for his teammates off the bounce. When his jump shot is locked in, he is tough to slow down. He led the South to a 144-142 win, collecting 27 points (5 threes), 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.
  • South: G Kylan Hill (Central-Macon) has transformed his game from being more of a forward and rebounder into being a strong guard on the wing. Outside of one lapse in judgement, Hill took the All-Star setting seriously and produced 10 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists while drilling two threes.
  • South: The biggest knock on PG Dwight Murray’s (Pebblebrook) game is something out of his control: his size. Murray is quick with the ball and a dangerous threat from deep. He will make a program happy with his ability to lead. He had 15 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.