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Girls Analysis

Sandy’s Spiel Spring Showcase Girls Evaluations


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The Sandy’ Spiel Spring Showcase sold out for a second consecutive year, hosting 80 prospects from all across the state of Georgia who were looking to improve their game and boost their exposure before diving into travel ball. Schools from multiple levels were in attendance as NAIA, D-III and D-II programs traveled to Chestatee High School to evaluate prospective student-athletes. With the help of our established eight-coach staff, here are our player evaluations sorted by team.

TEAM 1

Lucy Hood2024 5-9 PG Lucy Hood – Rabun County – Southeast All-Stars
First Team All-State playmaker looked to facilitate throughout camp. Deferred for most of the day but picked up her offense as camp wore on. Is a talented drive-and-kick passer. Can play both guard spots. Has an accurate jump shot with three-point range. Improved this year as a downhill scorer. Has room to become even more of an aggressive driver, but has to be careful not to push off and over extend her off arm against tight ball pressure. Has developed into a strong on-ball defender with quick hands. Pokes away steals. Needs to make sure she doesn’t get too overly aggressive and pick up silly fouls far away from the hoop. Earned her first D-I offer from Western Carolina last month.

Jenai Mumphery2027 5-6 G Jenai Mumphery – Tri-Cities – NSG Wolfpack
Was mightily impressive as one of camp’s youngest players. Rising freshman quickly turned heads with her three-point shot. Lefty has great form on her jumper and buried multiple threes throughout the day. Did the little things well, like jab-stepping immediately on the catch to freeze her defender for a split second to gain extra inches of space before firing. Runs the floor well and isn’t afraid to put the ball down and get to the rack. Quick ball handler will continue to improve as she gets stronger. Could make a significant impact at the varsity level from Day 1.

Trinity Hill2023 5-5 G Trinity Hill – Tift County – Porter Sports
Sticky on-ball defender. Doesn’t bite on head fakes or combo dribbles. Defensive-minded stopper. Has room for refinement offensively when it comes to making plays off the dribble and shooting from the perimeter. Active player on both ends of the floor.

Madison McLane2024 5-9 SG Madison McLane – Hart County
Sharpshooting swingman can play either the 2 or 3. Could serve as a small-ball stretch-four in spurts. Understands where she is best at offensively as a floor spacer, but can occasionally sneak in for offensive rebounds and points in the paint. Providing physicality when she’s around the basket will help her expand her value.

Riley Simmons2024 6-0 F Riley Simmons – Cherokee – Wood Elite
As she did last year, Riley Simmons scorched the nets again from the opening moments of camp, immediately sinking a three in her first game which was a sign of things to come. Knockdown shooter is a premier stretch-four. Hit multiple threes throughout camp and played with great confidence. Once she opened up the defense she was able to showcase her improved off the bounce game, getting to the rim using spin moves. Did a good job getting on the offensive glass and finishing in traffic. Three-level scorer is a major mismatch offensively. D-II programs should start getting involved. Could be a significant stock-riser this offseason with a productive year of travel ball.

Breelyn Wood2025 5-8 W Breelyn Wood – Tallulah Falls – SBC
Versatile combo-forward that can play both on the wing and on the block. Athletic build with long arms. Capable of defending multiple positions in the frontcourt. Alters shots and can get into passing lanes. Showcased an up-and-under move. Adding a consistent mid-range shot will open up more scoring chances. Solid future.

Athena Vachtsevanos2025 5-9 G Athena Vachtsevanos – North Hall – SI Max
Wiry guard has a good feel for the game. Bit of an unorthodox shot, but is a dangerous three-point shooter that can fill it up. Plays hard on both ends of the floor. Aggressive defender and a crafty slasher. Has been adding lean muscle to her frame. Elite student. 4.42 GPA.

Makayla Roberson2026 5-9 G Makayla Roberson – River Ridge – FBC Blitz
Lockdown defender. Got to showcase her creativity with the ball, shining as a drive-and-kick distributor while also using a tight spin move to free herself downhill. Finishes with both hands. Has proven over the course of her first year to be a timely three-point shooter that doesn’t shy away from big shots. Likes the corner three. High IQ state champ makes winning hustle plays. Will be a D-I player.

Jayda Clark2027 5-9 W Jayda Clark – Parkview – Queens of Basketball
Long wing that can play spurts on the perimeter and in the post. Finished bunnies inside. Understood how to use her length defensively. Holds upside as a switchable defender. Adding strength will help her rebound in traffic. Has a developing offensive game.

I'ziah McCutchins2024 5-2 PG I’ziah McCutchins – Trion – Wood Elite
Smart playmaking guard plays with toughness. Will go coast-to-coast in a blink and can finish against length at the rim. Sees the floor well. Good decision maker in transition. A threat to score with her three-point shot. Heady defender both on-ball and off. All-State selection.

TEAM 2

Courtney Davis2024 5-5 G Courtney Davis – Fannin County – Peak Performance
Back-to-back Region 7-AA Player of the Year and Second Team All-State selection. Great shooter with deep range. Loves to drill threes overtop of high ball screens. Crafty slasher that knows how to use her body and draw fouls. Strong decision maker. Plays under control. Enjoys the game and plays with an understood confidence. High IQ scrappy defender. Averaged 20 points per game and shot 40% from three as a junior. Has been in contact with D-II programs and below.

Abby Samples2024 5-8 SG Abby Slaton – Dawson County – North GA Magic
Three-point sniper. Has added more to her game. Can get to spots in the mid-range and will attack in spurts as a slasher. Long arms. Growing as a defender both on the ball and off. Emerged down the stretch this season as Dawson County’s most trusted go-to scorer.

Hannah Harris2024 5-6 PG Hannah Harris – Cherokee – North GA Magic
Has had a strong offseason already. Plays with pace. Quick with the ball in her hands but will slow down defenders with hesitation moves to get them off balance. Likes to get to her right hand, but will mix it up with her left and can finish with both. Takes great pride in her defense. Provides infectious energy with how she moves laterally as an on-ball defender. High character vocal leader. Plays with joy and excitement. Has really found her identity over the past 12 month.

Emma Lightsey2025 5-5 PG Emma Lightsey – White County – Peak Performance
Good three-point shooter that can score in bunches once her first shot drops. Pushed the ball up the floor with improved speed. Continuing to improve as a creator, both as a facilitator and downhill driver will broaden her offense. A consistent floater will be a great weapon. Has the endurance to cover ground in the full court press and stick with most guards. Provides a great attitude in the locker room.

Paris Shelton2025 5-3 G Parish Shelton – Tri-Cities – NSG Wolfpack
Compact southpaw. Good athlete. Plays with speed and is confident with the ball. Will go behind the back and attempt to make flashy passes. Does a nice job handling pressure. Listens well. Streaky outside shooter that defenses have to respect.

Kymora Smith2025 5-8 G Kymora Smith – Morgan County – The Basketball Academy
Did the little things well. Wiry guard plays with a lot of energy. Doesn’t give up on plays and will chase down blocks. Made an impact on defense. Drew a charge. Hustler is a great team player. Makes winning plays.

Desiree Davis2025 5-11 F Desiree Davis – Wesleyan – Dream Team
Mismatch with her physicality. Scores on the low block and gobbles up rebounds but is skilled enough to play on the perimeter and take her man off the dribble. Throws her body around and scores through contact. Utilizes a floater. Tweener with an interesting high-level skill set.

Alyssia Bandele2026 5-5 G Alyssia Bandele – Tri-Cities – NSG Wolfpack
On the smaller side but showcased great toughness. Had composure with the ball. Coachable young player. Quickness as a decision maker will improve with age. Wasn’t afraid to mix it up defensively.

Martin Davis2026 5-8 G Martin Davis – Glynn Academy – ECU
Played multiple positions on the perimeter. Has a smooth feel to her game. Has a nose for the ball on defense, able to jump into passing lanes. High academic 4.0 student was one of Class 6A’s most impactful freshmen averaging 12.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 3.7 steals per game. Good player to keep an eye on over the next three years.

Kalynn Watkins2027 5-8 W Kalynn Watkins – White County – L.E. Elite
Doesn’t have the length of her sister but is an interesting long-term prospect. Started to get comfortable once she adjusted to the pace of camp. Helps out as a rebounder and is able to defend different spots. Will be able to provide useful minutes early on in her career as she develops an aggressive mindset. Was a good team player that was responsive to coaching. Scored in the post.

TEAM 3

Azarriah Brown2024 5-3 PG Azarriah Brown – Putnam County
Really fast with the ball. Playmaker has a good handle, using her crossover to beat defenders. Pass-first mindset. Typically makes good decisions. Has a chance to hunt her offense a little more. Effective in an up-tempo 94-foot game. Footspeed can pester opposing ball handlers.

Morgan Chester2024 5-11 F Morgan Chester – Dawson County – Peak Performance
Great defender with major versatility. Moves her feet well when guarding on perimeter and is an impactful shot blocker. Finishes off possession by securing rebounds. Double-double threat. Strong frame that can add even more muscle in college. Can hit the mid-range jumper and will attack off the dribble from time to time. Effective in the high post. Has nice footwork on the low block. A great priority target for all non D-I schools.

Kyia Barrett2024 5-11 PG Kyia Barrett – Habersham Central – Southeast All-Stars
Dominated at camp last year and did so again this go-round. Long guard cuts up defenses as a scorer and facilitator. Smooth downhill with effortless handle. Crossover leaves defenders in the dust and will eurostep through traffic and finish through contact. Shifty playmaker scores with both hands. Sees the floor in transition. Really loads up on her three-point jump shot with deep knee bend and wide base. Great length helps her swallow up smaller guards and shut down passing lanes. Holds an offer from Anderson. All-State guard should be on Low Major D-I and High D-II radars.

Kylie Watkins2025 6-0 F Kylie Watkins – White County – L.E. Elite
Highly skilled forward blocks a ton of shots. Knows how to defend without fouling. Walls up and doesn’t swat down. Sticks with plays and will alter multiple shots in a single possession. Runs the floor well. Shot the three with consistency. Can do damage in the high post as a passer or shooter. Will put the ball on the floor to get to the rim. Utilizes pivot very well on the block.

Brea Batts2024 5-6 G Brea Batts – Peach County
Was effective in pick-and-roll game. Looked to drive-and-kick. Provides size and physicality which help her play bigger than her height and defend larger players.

Ellison Steinhauer2026 5-9 G Ellison Steinhauer – Pickens – Georgia Flames
Heady high IQ guard. Vastly mature understanding of the game for a freshman. Easy to tell she’s the daughter of a long-time head coach. Always finds herself in the right place at the right time. Nose for the ball. Good decision maker doesn’t force things. Quick release on three-point shot and will attack downhill if ran off the line. Unselfish passer. Uses her length to rebound and defend. Has a high floor.

Jonna Snelling2026 5-6 G Jonna Snelling – Tucker – GA Pearls
Solid on-ball defender. Sneaky good at getting to the rim as a slasher and also as an offensive rebounder. Has an athletic build. Can play with quickness.

Taylor Clark2027 5-7 G Taylor Clark – Commerce – Dream Team Elite/Lady Huncho
Wiry lefty has speed with the ball. Heat-seeking missile that knows how to get to the rim and draw fouls. Active defender converts turnovers into transition layups. Adding a consistent outside shot and implementing her right hand more often will help her reach her ceiling. Was an offensive force playing up at the JV level. Will make an immediate impact as a Day 1 starter at Commerce.

Adelyn Thompson2027 5-5 G Adelyn Thompson – Rabun County – North GA Magic
Incoming freshman warmed up as camp went on. Had some nice touch passes, identifying the open man before the ball even came to her. Has a strong build, especially her upper body which she can use to shake off defenders when attacking off the dribble. Capable three-point shooter. Playing with confidence and adjusting to the speed of the varsity game with be big. Has a bright future and should be next in a long line of college-bound Rabun County guards. Should see significant time in the backcourt early on in her career as a rotational piece.

Zara Gosse2027 5-11 PF Zara Gosse – North Hall – North GA Magic
Physical post presence. Understands how to use her body. Seals hard and has good footwork. Drop step can clear out space. Should draw a ton of fouls over the course of her career. Has been in the weight room and trimmed up her strong build. Playing in multiple showcase camps over the past two years has shown. Game has slowed down for her. Will be a very good high school player and one of Hall County’s top bigs sooner rather than later.

TEAM 4

Jakiyah Butts2023 5-2 PG Jakiyah Butts – Monroe Area – Outkast
Plays with great speed. Really likes to go coast-to-coast in transition. Will pull-up for the jumper and is a willing passer to those who run the floor with her. Scrappy on-ball defender. Slashing is her strongest area, but is a competent three-point shooter that will knockdown open looks. Scored over 1,000 points in her career.

Kindra Coker2024 5-2 PG Kindra Coker – Dawson County – FBC EOTO
Gnat of an on-ball defender. Takes away air space and is quick to get on the floor and dig out steals. Very coachable. Vocal leader both on the floor and on the bench. Sparkplug lefty has deep three-point range, able to pull-up or shoot it off the catch. Has improved her ball handling vs. pressure. Holds a 4.2 GPA.

Amber Watkins2024 5-8 W Amber Watkins – Oglethorpe County – Pistols
Strong guard that can find points on the wing or around the hoop. Will take smaller opponents into the post. Uses her strength to her advantage. Runs the floor and will power through contact inside. Knows how to draw fouls. Can shoot the corner three. Rebounds well for her height. Has a versatile game which allows her to play multiple positions depending on matchups.

Sophia Pearl2025 5-7 PG Sophia Pearl – River Ridge – Team Tre
All-State selection and state champ has really grown in Year 2. Has become a very shifty playmaker with a confident tight handle. Now accustom to battling on-ball pressure and splitting traps. Deft footwork on display with combination dribbles and her patented spin move. Scores in transition. Capable of taking over games with her floater and three-point shot, but still likes to get others involved first. Smooth offensive game and will scratch and claw on defense – sneaky quick laterally to stay in front and cut off drives. Took some hard spills but kept getting back up and brushed off any dings. Holds multiple D-I offers, her latest from Georgia Southern. Has cemented herself as one of Georgia’s best 2025 guards.

Kaleigh Beaver2025 5-11 PF Kaleigh Beaver – Towns County
Really impressed with her athleticism and frame. Has terrific hands. Snatches passes and rebounds with one and two hands. Plays even bigger than her size. Length and quickness off the floor allow her clean up with putbacks. Moves well. Will attack with the dribble at times. Protects the rim on defense. Intriguing sleeper prospect with a chance to blossom over her final two years. Small schools will want to take notice.

Justus Fitzgerald2025 6-0 F Justus Fitzgerald – Roswell – Team Huncho
Blessed with great size and wide shoulders. Can impose her will on the backboards when she wants to. Physical. Is comfortable handling the ball in the full court. Showcased impressive passing in transition, looking up the floor to outlet to streaking teammates.

Maddie Siuta2026 5-10 W Maddie Siuta – Dawson County – North GA Magic
Turned heads at camp with her well-rounded offensive game. Stop-and-pop three-point shooter was nailing threes off the bounce. Has the size to play both inside and out, able to create mismatches. Has room to grow as an off-ball scorer; moving without the ball will help her find more open spaces in the defense. Multiple camp coaches highlighted Siuta as one of their top stock-risers from Sunday.

Kayla Wilkins2026 5-8 F Kayla Wilkins – Athens Academy – Classic City Ballers
Made her presence felt on the offensive glass. Young forward plays much bigger than her size. Uses her body well when positioning herself for garbage points. Stepped outside multiple times to shoot the baseline jumper. Conditioning will help her stay on the floor longer, but when she was out there, she was effective.

Sophia Louis-Pierre2027 5-11 W Sophia Louis-Pierre – Capstone Academy – Team Elite
Long swingman has intriguing long-term upside. When she ran the floor, she was rewarded with easy buckets. Holds major value on the defensive side of the ball. Great switchability. Will be a factor offensively with her ability to attack inside and out.

Syriana Childers2028 5-2 G Syriana Childers – Parkview – Queens of Basketball
Camp was a valuable experience for Syriana, one of the smallest and youngest players in attendance. Seeing the speed of the game will only benefit her in the future. The rising eighth grader got good reps against aggressive on-ball defense. Childers didn’t try to do too much and provided effort on defense and ball movement on offense.

TEAM 5

Denver Arnold2023 5-7 PG Denver Arnold – Valdosta – Porter Sports
One of just a few unsigned seniors in camp, Denver Arnold was great. She provided uncomfortable on-ball pressure defense and was tough to guard on offense. Arnold lit it up with her three-point shot, hitting jumpers off the dribble and with great consistency. She was among the very best shooters in camp. When she got downhill, Arnold was a smart decision maker as she found the open man. Coming all the way up from Valdosta, Denver was one of camp’s brightest standouts. She holds an offer from Henry Ford College. Arnold would be a great late pick up for NAIA/D-III/JUCOs.

Janiah Borders2024 5-8 F Janiah Borders – Madison County – CCB
Physical. Has a strong frame and knows how to use it in the paint. Bangs for rebounds and has a consistent motor. Her toughness allows her to play bigger than her height. She can defend 3-5.

Brianna Pelote2024 6-2 C Brianna Pelote – Woodville-Tompkins – Celtics
One of the best kept secrets in Georgia. Made a statement last year at camp and was outstanding again this year. Truly elite shot blocker. Gobbles up everything that comes her way and blocks shots without having to jump. High-level rebounder is a vacuum inside. Defensive ace is a load on offense as well. Stepped outside to hit the mid-range jumper and corner three. Strong with her back to the basket. Uses an under control drop step and also implements a crisp up-and-under. Pelote once again drew rave reviews as being polite and coachable. Holds a 3.5 GPA. Pelote is a slam dunk at the D-II level. While she is a solid post scorer, if for some reason her offensive game doesn’t translate to college, her floor is still so high with how elite of a rim protector she is. If she continues to improve, there is no reason why Pelote can’t develop into a double-double machine in college and be near the top of the conference in blocked shots. Buy stock now.

Emeri Billings2025 5-3 PG Emeri Billings – Jefferson – L.E. Elite
A full-year of starting at the varsity level has done Billings good. Looks much more confident against pressure. Continuing to cut down on her turnovers as her decision making improves. Comfortable leading a team. Fit in tight passes to streaking teammates. Supplied pesky on-ball defense and ran the floor in transition.

Amelia Brown2025 5-7 SG Amelia Brown – South Forsyth – Georgia Flames
Knockdown three-point shooter when feet are set. Still getting stronger as a ball handler but liked what she did in short bursts, able to get to her spots in the mid-range. Getting to the hoop more often will loosen up the defense. Made great decisions with the ball.

Kayla Cleaveland2025 6-0 F Kayla Cleaveland – River Ridge – Southeast All-Stars
All-State, State Champion and now a certified D-I prospect with an offer from Georgia Southern, it was a breakout sophomore season for Kayla Cleaveland. Stock-riser. Major competitor even with foot not quite at 100%. Quick instincts. First to rebounds and loose balls. Runs the floor extremely well and finishes with both hands on the move. Pushes the ball in transition. Loves her mid-range jumper from the wing and pops out to the three-point line. Will bang down low for tough buckets. Steady defender. Major mismatch with her inside-out game. 4.0 GPA. Winner. Will be a popular recruit among Mid-Major programs over the next two years.

Aja Vickers2025 5-10 C Aja Vickers – Tri-Cities – NSG Wolfpack
Enforcer in the paint that will not back down. Rebounds with strength and will rip away 50/50 balls. Plays bigger than her size. Finishes layups. Coachable.

Laura Frances Willis2026 5-8 G Laura Frances Willis – North Oconee – 3SSB Team Elite Hubbard 16U
Garnered rave reviews. Had a tremendous camp – a top stock-riser. Very good outside shooter has added significantly to her game. Looked great off the dribble, slicing up the defense. Played with pace as she got the rim in transition. Three-level scorer and burgeoning playmaker. Has a chance to enjoy a breakout sophomore season and emerge as one of the 2026 class’s most well-rounded scorers. 4.2 GPA student may force her way onto college radars sooner than expected.

Francesca Jones2026 5-4 G Francesca Jones – Veterans
Long and athletic for her size. Takes the mid-range jumper and can get to the rim. Has the tools to become a reliable defender in due time. Was a good teammate that was receptive to coaching.

TEAM 6

Addison Hoard2024 5-7 CG Addison Hoard – Banks County – FBC EOTO
Has become a very good ball handler against pressure. Shoots the three off the catch and off the dribble. Has knack for finding her way to the rim and is a crafty finisher with scoop layups. Two-way player provided consistent perimeter defense for the duration of camp.

Dakota Phillips2024 5-8 PG Dakota Phillips – Hart County – Southeast All-Stars
Incredibly strong guard that will power her way though rim protectors. Uses a spin move to get into the teeth of the defense. Plays off two feet around the rim. Understands how to use her body to finish. Found her stroke from the three-point line as camp went on and can get to spots in the mid-range. Well-rounded. Won’t take long for her to become an effective collegiate defender. Boasts a 4.2 GPA.

Gaby LoPresti2024 5-9 W Gaby LoPresti – North Cobb Christian – FBC Dynasty Elite
Elite student with a 4.3 GPA and 28 on Pre-ACT. Steadily improves each time I see her. Strong bodied wing has the frame to shrug off defenders and get to where she wants to go. Likes to use rocker dribble and hesitation moves on perimeter to get defenders off balance. Sturdy rebounder. Is able to defend bigger players inside.

Carley Segars2024 6-1 C Carley Segars – Banks County – FBC EOTO
Great size. Is starting to drift out to the three-point line more often and can hit the mid-range jumper. Unlocking an aggressive mindset and physicality in the paint will allow her to reach her ceiling. Flashes nice back to the basket moves. Is a threat to get on the offensive glass and finish with the ball high.

Jaden Young2025 5-7 G Jaden Young – Morgan County – The Basketball Academy
Noted as a diamond in the rough. A sneaky good player starting to really impress coaches. Finishes with both hands around the basket. Can play off two feet inside while gathering herself. Has a soft mid-range jumper. High motor and a great teammate. Was passive at times not looking for her own offense. Solid rebounder and defender. Soccer standout is a star in the classroom with a 4.6 GPA. Young guard on the rise.

Eva Bishop2025 5-10 PF Eva Bishop – Dawson County – FBC EOTO
Quickly blossoming into one of North Georgia’s best post players. Physical presence with skills to match. Scores with a variety of low block moves as she uses her strength to power through contact. Has developed ball skills on the perimeter and will step outside to shoot the jumper. Competes on the defensive end. Cleans up the glass. Really good prospect to keep an eye on who also dominates in the classroom with a 4.16 GPA.

Aziza Smith2025 5-8 F Aziza Smith– Parkview – Queens of Basketball
Started off camp strong in drill work. Did well working in the post stations. Has versatility as a combo-forward that can play inside and out. Shined on the wing. Contributed on the glass and showcased defensive switchability.

Kendall Drayton2026 5-5 G Kendall Drayton – Woodward Academy – Team Elite Hubbard
Received high marks on her long-term potential. Was able to sink a handful of threes and showcased speed in transition, able to finish on the move. As she grows and gets stronger, Drayton will become a dynamic guard.

Rabun Tucker2026 5-3 G Rabun Tucker – Shiloh – Queens of Basketball
Young guard was able to hang with tough competition relying on her athleticism. Was able to help handle the ball in spurts. Compact frame. Moved her feet on defense to cut off driving lanes.

Michel Robbins2027 5-7 G Michel Robbins – Jefferson
Major potential. Wiry and athletic. Listed at 5-foot-7 but feels taller with her length and quickness. Hit mid-range pull-ups. Did a good job slashing to the rim. Fed the post. Should see varsity minutes in Year 1. Looks like she will thrive in the full-court press.

TEAM 7

Brelan Sieveking2024 5-5 PG Brelan Sieveking – Towns County
All-State selection. Quick-twitch guard. Head fakes and gets downhill in a blink. Gets the ball up the floor in a hurry. Good feel for the game. Crafty as a scorer and playmaker. Sinks the mid-range pull-up. Plays hard.

Jasmine Perez2024 5-6 CG Jasmine Perez – Centennial – Atlanta Cagers
High academic 4.5 GPA student. Three-level scorer with a creative handle. Changes speeds well. Attacks the rim and draws fouls while also implementing a sharp pull-up. Reliable effort as an on-ball defender.

Sally Bullard2024 5-7 W Sally Bullard – Athens Academy
Physical wing that can play inside and out. Tough finisher with scoop shots. Attacks the glass with great vigor. Will shoot from the perimeter and draw out the defense.

Skyler Brady2025 5-7 G Skyler Brady – Jefferson – L.E. Elite
Has gotten stronger in 12 months. Can play either on or off the ball. Cuts well without the ball. Plays hard. Athletic enough to jump into passing lanes and blow by defenders with downhill drives. Can fill it up from the three-point line. Softball standout emerged as a leader on the hardwood her sophomore season, averaging 10.9 points per game.

Kenzie Weyer2025 5-10 W Kenzie Weyer – Lambert – Team Tre
Does a good job using her length to finish at the rim with either hand. Uses a floater in traffic. Size on the perimeter makes her an attractive prospect, especially considering how well she can shoot from beyond the arc and her mobility. Solid rebounder. Versatile defender that guards different spots.

Bayleigh Winkler2025 5-11 PF Bayleigh Winkler – Murray County – FBC Tipton
Polished low block scorer. Works the pivot with confidence and patience. Highly skilled finisher with both hands. Will put the ball on the floor and attack the rim. Rebounds in traffic. Stepped outside to shoot the three. Versatile post trending in the right direction.

Kennedi Benton2025 5-4 G Kennedi Benton – Parkview
Has strength packed on her frame. Doesn’t get pushed around. Physical rebounder for her size. Handles the ball well and is a threat to let it fly from the three-point line.

Jonnya Snelling2025 5-6 G Jonnya Snelling – Tucker – Queens of Basketball
Attacks the hoop by using her body to back down defenders and spin off them. Scrappy defender did a nice job guarding the post when matched up inside. Hit some outside shots throughout camp.

Leslie Bradley2026 5-6 G Leslie Bradley – North Oconee – FBC EOTO
I liked how hard she pushed the ball up the floor. Looked comfortable and confident setting up offense and handling pressure. Got to her floater when she had two feet in the paint. Has good form on her outside shot. Has a chance to develop into a well above-average three-point shooter. Played with energy on both sides of the ball.

Martha Vachtsevanos2026 5-6 G Martha Vachtsevanos – North Hall – SI Max
Gets after it on defense. Might not be the biggest guard, but attacks ball handlers with her activity. Scores in bunches with her three-point shot. Effort is never an issue. Rapidly improving young guard who is an ace in the classroom with a 4.33 GPA.

TEAM 8

Anna Rodriguez2024 5-5 PG Anna Rodriguez – Lambert – Georgia Queen Elite
Pass-first guard plays with poise. Recognizes the hot hand and puts her teammates in spots to succeed. Found her offense as camp went on. Scored on runners, floaters and knocked down threes. Solid on-ball defender with effort. Floor general.

Lucy Ray2024 5-8 W Lucy Ray – Gilmer – North Georgia Summit
Positionless player provided production inside and out. Will shoot the three. Uses her body to shield defenders when driving to the rim. Like her aggressiveness when it comes to attacking rebounds. Has a soft touch from the mid-range. 1260 SAT.

Sophia Riblet2024 5-7 G Sophia Riblet – Gilmer
Understands the game. Sees plays develop with her court vision. Is still growing as a playmaker and outside shooter. Brings energy on defense and will score in transition. Is an eager learner that loves the game. Very coachable. Scored a 1240 on SAT.

Kendall Banks2025 5-7 G Kendall Banks – Alcovy – Triple Threat All-Stars
Athletic guard with a strong frame and good shoulders. Uses her strength to attack downhill and get to the rim. Excelled as a drive-and-kick playmaker. Is a solid outside shooter. Has a chance to become a very good on-ball defender.

Hannah Lopez2025 5-6 PG Hannah Lopez – Denmark – Georgia Queen Elite
Super smooth and super polished. Offense comes easy. Breaks down defenders with crossovers and seamlessly transitions into her three-point shot. Great scorer off the dribble can also get points with her floater. Mentally tough. Has played internationally with the Philippines. Surefire college player with a high-level skill set. One of camp’s top guards.

Ansley Moore2026 5-4 G Ansley Moore – Athens Christian
Plays with fire and energy. Extremely vocal. Likes to attack downhill with scoop layups. Has upside as a drive-and-kick playmaker. Earned positive marks as a leader that is passionate about the game and has a desire to get better. Has a chance to really take off with more seasoning as an outside shooter and ball handler. Was one of Georgia’s more impactful freshmen this season.

Stephanie Schott2026 6-0 F Stephanie Schott – St. John Bosco Academy – Team Tre
Active forward ran the floor hard and got on the glass. Kept rebounds high as she converted putbacks. Liked to take turnaround jumpers out of the post. Plays hard and is selfless teammate. Strong communicator. Has tools to work with over the next three years.

Marlene Mbilima2026 6-3 C Marlene Mbilima – Athens Christian
Congo-native is still learning the game and adapting to the speed. Flashes an extremely high upside. Elite length and mobility. Alters shots inside and rebounds at a high level. Shows quality footwork in the low post and is getting more consistent with her moves. Plays with balance, not frail toward contact. Had a nice spin move into a short-range jumper. Tried to showcase her outside shot, taking multiple mid-range jumpers and even a three. Not quite a weapon just yet, but she did sink a baseline jumper with good form. With constant work over the next three years, Marlene has a chance to blossom into one of the state’s better bigs. College ball is in her future.

Aurora Agner2028 5-0 G Aurora Agner – Parkview – Queens of Basketball
Was overmatched in terms of size, but the tiny guard brought great effort and energy. Hustled the entirety of camp. Worked on ball skills in station work and implemented what she learned in our game setting. Had a positive attitude throughout camp and was a good teammate.

Liyat Techilo2028 5-4 G Liyat Techilo – Parkview – Queens of Basketball
Has raw skill that will continue to improve as she gets more reps. Nice athleticism from the guard position. Was able to get in on the action defensively. Fit in well on the perimeter. Very coachable.

Lydia Robillard2030 5-5 G Lydia Robillard – Decatur – Queens of Basketball
The youngest player in camp, Lydia got invaluable court time playing with and against some of the top high school players in the state. Robillard is a long-term project, but she already has long arms and projects to be an impactful defender. As she gets more comfortable playing with older girls, her aggressiveness will increase. Lydia Robillard is a name we may be hearing a lot of over the next seven years.

Girls Analysis

PRO Spring Showdown Girls Top Performers


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2025 6-1 PF Jessica Fields – Mt. Paran
Georgia’s top-ranked sophomore and elite shot blocker, Jessica Fields came to camp soon after winning her second-straight state title and dominated like she did in the big game, blocking every shot around her area and finishing consistently through contact inside while managing to step out to hit the mid-range when needed. Fields is a blue-chipper with High Major offers. Her wing span and instincts blocking shots can’t be taught. As long as she stays out of foul trouble, Fields is often the most influential player on the floor. She can almost win games by herself with how well she can lock down 10-feet from the rim and in defensively.

Hannah Harris2024 5-6 PG Hannah Harris – Cherokee
I absolutely loved what I saw out of Hannah Harris on Sunday. The junior was a bundle of energy, talking non-stop on the floor and even on the bench. Her emotional play was infectious as she hyped up teammates. Harris played with great pace, pushing the ball with speed and delivering pocket passes on the money to streaking teammates. When left open on the perimeter, Hannah sank the three but never settled, doing a good job getting her feet in the paint on drives. What impressed me most was deep into camp in her final game of the day, Harris revved up her play to another level, defending on-ball with great vigor as she eliminated any airspace for her opposing ball handler. It was a great day of action for Harris. I’m looking forward to seeing more of her. She is a tone setter.

Ava Andrews2025 6-1 W Ava Andrews – North Paulding
Andrews stands out with her height, length and athleticism, but she is really turning into a full-time wing as her jump shot was as good as I’ve ever seen it on Sunday. Andrews nailed jumper after jumper, stroking it from the mid-range and extending her range in spurts to the three-point line. Ava has one of the highest ceilings in her class. She has such great tools to work with. Andrews can be a nightmare to keep off the glass with her quick second leaps and can wreck games defensively with her ability to shoot into passing lanes, block shots and in general guard almost every position on the floor. D-I offers aren’t far away.

Graycen Ehlen
2025 6-0 W Graycen Ehlen – Walton
I think more and more people are starting to take notice of Graycen Ehlen, a player whose praises I’ve been singing since I first saw her about a year ago. Ehlen immediately passes the eye-test with her size and athleticism. She’s strong enough to play inside, score on the block and rebound in a crowd, but she’s also skilled enough to push the ball in transition and handle full-time on the perimeter. Graycen’s versatility can lead to mismatches for opponents. She shoots the three well and can get downhill with power. I really like what she can do defensively, guard a post player one possession then move her feet to stay in front of smaller guards on the perimeter the next trip down. Ehlen gives me some Kayla Cleaveland type vibes at times. If Graycen continues to develop, I would be shocked if she doesn’t end up with a handful of D-I offers, I think she is that good.

Riley Simmons2024 6-0 F Riley Simmons – Cherokee
Riley warmed up as camp went on, finding her stroke from the mid-range. Simmons had a strong junior season, stepping up as a second-option behind Toni Warren. She played a great game against Lovejoy at the Sandy’s Spiel Showdown after Warren went down with an injury. Riley’s an interesting prospect with her size, strength and shooting touch. She’s effective on the offensive glass and is a real threat in pick-and-pop situations with her three-point range. Continuing to make plays off the dribble will be big for her; she shined in that area against Lovejoy. Simmons is one of the best stretch-fours in Georgia’s 2024 class.

Courtney Davis2024 5-5 G Courtney Davis – Fannin County
If you go under the screen against Courtney Davis, you know what’s coming. The high-octane scorer won her second-straight Region Player of the Year award after netting 20 points per game. I love Davis’ toughness and willingness to step up in big moments. She battled an MCL sprain this season and didn’t miss a beat. She has deep three-point range off the dribble and can blow by defenders downhill once she gets an angle. Davis does a good job drawing fouls and is solid finisher in traffic.

Gracie Byford
2025 5-5 G Gracie Byford – Villa Rica
Coaches and media in attendance quickly took notice of Gracie Byford’s game. The sharpshooter is a playmaker off the dribble. She’s got wiggle to her game, able to get defenders off balance before pulling up for threes. When Byford is really cooking, she can get to her floater and mix in mid-range pull-ups. Gracie can score in bunches and does so with a stoic demeanor.

Kylie Watkins2025 6-0 F Kylie Watkins – White County
Kylie Watkins’ length made an impact on the defensive end of the floor, blocking shot after shot. Kylie does a good job of walling up and not swatting down for any cheap fouls. She’s capable of defending on the move and recovering if someone gets by her. Watkins did a nice job scoring in the paint as she absorbed contact.

Kayla Cleaveland2025 6-0 F Kayla Cleaveland – River Ridge
One of the first names a college coach brought up to me when I walked in the gym was Kayla Cleaveland. One of the state’s biggest stock risers this season, the state champ was back in action two days after hoisting the trophy. What stands out about Cleaveland aside from her game is her character and toughness. She battled a foot injury nearly all season long but didn’t let it slow her down as she grinded her way into being available as much as possible. She reinjured her foot in the state title game after an early seven points but once again showed her mettle as she returned to play and finished with 15. When breaking down her game, the lefty is a true three-level threat. She loves her 15-footer from the elbow, a shot she has perfected. What really impresses me is how well Cleaveland runs the floor and can catch and finish all in one motion with either hand while moving at a rapid pace. Kayla is the real deal with her versatility. Georgia Southern offered after the state title game, marking her first D-I bid.

Arianna Hill2026 6-0 C Arianna Hill – Toombs County
Arianna Hill really caught my eye. The young post has a strong frame and flashed quality footwork with her back to the basket. Hill scored on drop steps and didn’t flail away from contact. Hill is an effective rebounder and a defensive presence in the paint. I think she could be a major player in Region 3-2A and develop into one of the better big girls in the classification.

Tracy Wakefield
2028 5-6 G Tracy Wakefield – Marietta
2028 is a long way away, but Tracy Wakefield and a bunch of other current Marietta middle schoolers have a chance to be flat out special. The youngster had no problem fitting into camp on Sunday as she stripped the nets from deep and had an impressive eurostep through traffic for one of the toughest hoops of the day. Wakefield could log varsity minutes right now. As she continues to add to her game, her confidence will grow concurrently. I’m excited for Tracy Wakefield’s future.

Amaya Harris
2025 5-6 G Amaya Harris – Hillgrove
Harris is a tough cookie in the backcourt. Amaya is a strongly built guard that can shift directions and score in different ways. She’s a skilled finisher, but will also beat defenses with her stop-and-pop game. Amaya is a stingy defender that can help guard 1-3.

Londyn Walker
2025 5-8 G Londyn Walker – Wesleyan
One of the strongest players in camp, Londyn Walker is a battering ram when she puts her head down and attacks the rim. Walker is a powerful player, strong in the weight room which allows her to play much bigger than her size. She can outmuscle opponents for rebounds and has no problem absorbing contact for And-1 finishes. With her strength, Walker holds value defensively as she can hold her own when switched onto bigger oppnents.

Girls Honors

2022-23 GHSA Girls Basketball All-State Honors


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DISCLAIMER: These are Sandy’s Spiel All-State Selections. The GHSA does NOT select All-State Teams.

All-Georgia

Sandy’s Spiel Miss Basketball: Mataya Gayle, River Ridge, Sr.

FIRST TEAM
G – Mataya Gayle, River Ridge, Sr.
G – Chit-Chat Wright, Wesleyan, Jr.
G – Crystal Henderson, Kell, Sr.
G – Diana Collins, Brookwood, Sr.
G – Danielle Carnegie, Rockdale County, Jr.

SECOND TEAM
W – Courtney Ogden, Westminster, Sr.
W – La’Nya Foster, Lovejoy, Sr.
F – Sa’Mya Wyatt, St. Francis, Jr.
F – Jessica Fields, Mt. Paran, So.
C – Essence Cody, Valdosta, Sr.

Honorable Mention
G – Ava Grace Watson, Buford, Jr.
G – Tatum Brown, Grayson, So.
G – Bryanna Preston, Lovejoy, Jr.
G – Tianna Thompson, Galloway, Jr.
G – Gabbie Grooms, Landmark Christian, Jr.
G – Hailee Swain, Holy Innocents’, So.
G – Aubrey Beckham, Hebron Christian, So.
G – Averie Jones, Lumpkin County, Jr.
G – Jania Akins, Norcross, Jr.
F – Olivia Hutcherson, Holy Innocents’, Sr.
C – Janaye Walker, Baldwin, So.

Class AAAAAAA

Coach of the Year: Courtney Mincy, Brookwood (31-1; State Champs; First state title; Outright Region 4 Champs)
Player of the Year: Diana Collins, Brookwood, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Bella Ragone, Mill Creek
Best Scorer: Ava Grace Watson, Buford, Jr.
Best Shooter: Ava Grace Watson, Buford, Jr.
Best Rebounder: Aaliyah Hunt, Peachtree Ridge, Sr.
Best Passer: Marlie Battle, Campbell, So.
Best Shot Blocker: Essence Cody, Valdosta, Sr.
Most Underrated: Graycen Ehlen, Walton, So.
Most Improved Team: Walton 19-10 (Improved from 5-21; Region 5 Tournament Champs)
Most Improved: Danielle Osho, Brookwood, So. (Improved from 1.7 ppg/1.1 rpg/0.2 bpg to 13 ppg/8 rpg/1 bpg)

FIRST TEAM
G – Tatum Brown, Grayson, So.
G – Diana Collins, Brookwood, Sr.
G – Ava Grace Watson, Buford, Jr.
G – Jania Akins, Norcross, Jr.
C – Essence Cody, Valdosta, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
W – Bella Ragone, Mill Creek, Fr.
W – Brooke Suttle, Campbell, Jr.
W – Toni Warren, Cherokee, Jr.
C – Lexy Harris, Walton, Sr.
C – Aaliyah Hunt, Peachtree Ridge, Sr.

Honorable Mention
G – Sanaa Tripp, Peachtree Ridge, Jr.
G – Kalise Hill, McEachern, Jr.
G – Yolanda Floyd, Hillgrove, So.
G – Courtney Nesbitt, Archer, Sr.
G – Clara Morris, South Forsyth, Sr.
G – Eghosa Obasuyi, Carrollton, Sr.
G – Veronaye Charlton, Norcross, Sr.
W – Taniya McGowan, Archer, Sr.
W – Ava Andrews, North Paulding, So.
F – Danielle Osho, Brookwood, So.
F – Jade Weathersby, Brookwood, Sr.

Class AAAAAA

Coach of the Year: Jason Taylor, River Ridge (27-5; State Champs, First state title; Outright Region 6 Champs; Undefeated in Georgia)
Player of the Year: Mataya Gayle, River Ridge, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Kate Harpring, Marist
Best Scorer: Danielle Carnegie, Rockdale County, Jr.
Best Shooter: Yasmine Allen, Forest Park, Jr.
Best Rebounder: Casey Miller, Woodstock, Sr.
Best Passer: Bryanna Preston, Lovejoy, Jr.
Best Shot Blocker: Shane’ Jackson, Brunswick, Sr.
Most Underrated: Megan Reed, Etowah, Jr.
Most Improved Team: Veterans 24-5 (Improved from 9-17; Sweet 16; Outright Region 1 Champs)
Most Improved: La’Nya Foster, Lovejoy, Sr. (Improved from 13.8 ppg/7.1 rpg/1.5 apg/0.7 bpg to 19.2 ppg/10.0 rpg/2.8 apg/1.2 bpg)

FIRST TEAM
G – Mataya Gayle, River Ridge, Sr.
G – Bryanna Preston, Lovejoy, Jr.
G – Danielle Carnegie, Rockdale County, Jr.
G – Kate Harpring, Marist, Fr.
W – La’Nya Foster, Lovejoy, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
G – Elle Blatchford, Sequoyah, Sr.
G – Jayda Brown, Forest Park, Sr.
G – Kyia Barrett, Habersham Central, Jr.
W – Sara Lewis, Woodward Academy, Sr.
F – Kayla Cleaveland, River Ridge, So.

Honorable Mention
G – Karson Martin, Woodstock, Sr.
G – Sophia Pearl, River Ridge, So.
G – Kyla Greene, Langston Hughes, Jr.
G – Kameron Herring, Woodward Academy, So.
G – Yasmine Allen, Forest Park, Jr.
G – Andrea Guilford, New Manchester, Fr.
W – Erin Whalen, North Forsyth, Sr.
W – Jocelyn Faison, Douglas County, So.
F – Gabby Minus, Veterans, Fr.
F – Shamya Flanders, Brunswick, Sr.
C – Casey Miller, Woodstock, Sr.

Class AAAAA

Coach of the Year: Kandra Bailey, Kell (26-5; State Champs; First state title; Outright Region 6 Champs; Beat four ranked teams in state playoffs; lost key starter early in season)
Player of the Year: Crystal Henderson, Kell, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Victoria Ambroselli, Centennial
Best Scorer: Crystal Henderson, Kell, Sr.
Best Shooter: Crystal Henderson, Kell, Sr.
Best Rebounder: Grace Ridley, Dalton, Jr.
Best Passer: Crystal Henderson, Kell, Sr.
Best Shot Blocker: Emaya Lewis, Loganville, Jr.
Most Underrated: Briaiah Lewis, Midtown, Jr.
Most Improved Team: Cartersville 17-11 (Improved from 4-14; Sweet 16; First winning season since 2013-14)
Most Improved: Ashari Washington, Statesboro, Sr. (Improved from 4.9 ppg/1.8 rpg/0.1 apg/1.0 spg to 14.3 ppg/4.8 rpg/1.1 apg/1.7 spg)

FIRST TEAM
G – Malaya Jones, Arabia Mountain, Jr.
G – Taliah Cornish, Maynard Jackson, Jr.
G – Crystal Henderson, Kell, Sr.
G – Britiya Curtis, Calhoun, Sr.
W – Jordynn Dudley, Cambridge, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
G – Taniyah Bowman, Bradwell Institute, Sr.
G – Jordan Brooks, Union Grove, Jr.
G – Jada Morgan, Warner Robins, Sr.
F – Grace Ridley, Dalton, Jr.
C – Emaya Lewis, Loganville, Jr.

Honorable Mention
G – Mya Giles, Northside-Columbus, Sr.
G – Myori Pruitt, Arabia Mountain, Sr.
G – Cornelia Ellington, Decatur, So.
G – Jaliyah Weekes, Heritage-Conyers, Sr.
G – Tasia Agee, Warner Robins, Sr.
G – Sierra Burns, Arabia Mountain, Sr.
W – McKayla Hosley, Northside-Columbus, So.
W – Parris Parham, Bradwell Institute, So.
W – Trinity Thomas, GAC, Sr.
C – Alyssa Staten, Statesboro, Jr.
C – Charlese McClendon, Ware County, Sr.

Class AAAA

Coach of the Year: Roy Johnson, Griffin (27-4; State Champs; First state title; Outright Region 2 Champs)
Player of the Year: Courtney Ogden, Westminster, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Claire Carlson, Cherokee Bluff
Best Scorer: Courtney Ogden, Westminster, Sr.
Best Shooter: Stella Chartrand, Westminster, Jr. 
Best Rebounder: Veronica Sierzant, Islands, Sr.
Best Passer: Rayven Thurston, Westover, Sr.
Best Shot Blocker: Akilah Shelton, Hardaway, So.
Most Underrated: Kassidy Neal, Baldwin, So.
Most Improved Team: Starr’s Mill 19-10 (Improved from 6-18; Sweet 16)
Most Improved: Mia Williams, Cherokee Bluff, Sr. (Improved from 2.4 ppg/2.8 rpg to 12.0 ppg/10.0 rpg)

FIRST TEAM
G – Hailee Swain, Holy Innocents’, So.
W – Courtney Ogden, Westminster, Sr.
F – Olivia Hutcherson, Holy Innocents’, Sr.
F – Ariana Dyson, Luella, Sr.
C – Janaye Walker, Baldwin, So.

SECOND TEAM
G – Madison Ruff, Baldwin, Jr.
G – Riley Black, Chestatee, Jr.
G – Mikayla Johnson, Hardaway, So.
W – Aaliyah Duranham, Griffin, Sr.
F – Zy Thompson, Griffin, Sr.

Honorable Mention
G – Zaynah Preston, Holy Innocents’, Jr.
G – Stella Chartrand, Westminster, Jr.
G – Carrington Wilson, Stockbridge, Jr.
G – Leah Turner, Griffin, Sr.
G – Ella Holbrook, East Forsyth, Sr.
G – Kennedy Baker, Northwest Whitfield, So.
G – Kristina Peach, North Hall, Sr.
G – Madison Morge, Trinity Christian, Sr.
W – Alexcia Murphy, Troup County, Sr.
W – Jah’Naesia Spiers, Southwest DeKalb, So.
F – Veronica Sierzant, Islands, Sr.

Class AAA

Coach of the Year: Jan Azar, Hebron Christian (32-0; State Champs)
Player of the Year: Chit-Chat Wright, Wesleyan, Jr.
Freshman of the Year: Ellison Steinhauer, Pickens
Best Scorer: Chit-Chat Wright, Wesleyan, Jr.
Best Shooter: Averie Jones, Lumpkin County, Jr.
Best Rebounder: Janae Walker, Sandy Creek, Sr.
Best Passer: Jatiana Chambers, Dougherty, So.
Best Shot Blocker: Charity Bellamy, Dougherty, Sr.
Most Underrated: Anaja Lucear, Mary Persons, So.
Most Improved Team: Wesleyan 27-4 (Improved from 13-10; Final 4; Region 7 Tournament Champs)
Most Improved: Ciarra Lunsford, Monroe, Jr. (Improved from 9.3 ppg/6.3 rpg/1.3 apg/2.9 spg to 17.9 ppg/9.2 rpg/1.9 apg/3 spg)

FIRST TEAM
G – Chit-Chat Wright, Wesleyan, Jr.
G – Aubrey Beckham, Hebron Christian, So.
G – Averie Jones, Lumpkin County, Jr.
W – Mary Mullinax, Lumpkin County, Sr.
C – Ja’kerra Butler, Hebron Christian, So.

SECOND TEAM
G – Michaela Bogans, Cross Creek, Jr.
G – Hannah Cail, Calvary Day, Sr.
G – Caylee Simpson, Carver-Columbus, Sr.
W – Naomi Roberts, White County, Sr.
F – Janae Walker, Sandy Creek, Sr.

Honorable Mention
G – Angel Simmons, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, Sr.
G – Christen Collins, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, So.
G – Jatiana Chambers, Dougherty, So.
G – Lexi Pierce, Lumpkin County, Sr.
G – Dakota Phillips, Hart County, Jr.
G – Brinkley Kate Reed, Coahulla Creek, Sr.
W – Aamori Daniels, Peach County, Sr.
F – Johanna Potter, Wesleyan, So.
F – Katharyn Johnson, Savannah Country Day, Sr.
F – Kate Jackson, Lumpkin County, Sr.
C – Aaliyah Robinson, Monroe, Sr.

Class AA

Coach of the Year: Steve Shedd, Banks County (28-3; State Runner-Up; Outright Region 8 Champs; Improved from 10-18)
Player of the Year: Jessica Fields, Mt. Paran, So.
Freshman of the Year: Kerri Fluellen, Josey
Best Scorer: Kiara Turner, Laney, Sr.
Best Shooter: Sara Rhett Farmer, ACE, So.
Best Rebounder: Jessica Fields, Mt. Paran, So.
Best Passer: Gabbie Grooms, Landmark Christian, Jr.
Best Shot Blocker: Jessica Fields, Mt. Paran, So.
Most Underrated: Ivona Djikanovic, Landmark Christian, So.
Most Improved Team: KIPP Atlanta 22-8 (Improved from 1-19; Sweet 16)
Most Improved: Ariel McCarter, Union County, So. (Improved to 15.8 ppg/5.0 rpg/2.0 apg/1.0 spg)

FIRST TEAM
G – Gabbie Grooms, Landmark Christian, Jr.
G – Ja’Quoia Jones, KIPP Atlanta, Jr.
W – Kiara Turner, Laney, Sr.
W – Brooke Moore, North Cobb Christian, Sr.
F – Jessica Fields, Mt. Paran, So.

SECOND TEAM
G – Courtney Davis, Fannin County, Jr.
G – Taliah Grier, Central-Macon, Jr.
G – Alaya Grane, Central-Macon, Jr.
F – Ciara Alexander, Mt. Paran, Jr.
C – Kamryn Grier, Banks County, Sr.

Honorable Mention
G – Jada Kendrick, Thomson, So.
G – Addison Hoard, Banks County, Jr.
G – Laniyah Richardson, Northeast-Macon, Sr.
G – Markera Tarver, Butler, Sr.
G – Nia Anderson, Columbia, Sr.
G – Jacalyn Myrthil, Mt. Paran, So.
W – Shaniya Sanders, Josey, So.
W – Mattie Nuckolls, Murray County, Sr.
F – Arieonna Booker, Josey, Sr.
F – Altierra Gooch, Dodge County, Sr.
C – Lyric Green, Dodge County, So.

Class A D-I

Coach of the Year: Aisha Kennedy, St. Francis (27-6; State Champs; Outright Region 6 Champs; Beat Galloway 3x; Rallied from down 11 points after three quarters in state title)
Player of the Year: Sa’Mya Wyatt, St. Francis, Jr.
Freshman of the Year: Taryn Thompson, Galloway
Best Scorer: Denika Lightbourne, Tallulah Falls, Sr.
Best Shooter: Ellie Southards, Rabun County, Jr.
Best Rebounder: Taniya Williams, Swainsboro, Jr.
Best Passer: Nya Young, St. Francis, Jr.
Best Shot Blocker: Brianna Pelote, Woodville-Tompkins, Jr.
Most Underrated: Brenasia Faust, Elbert County, Sr.
Most Improved Team: Athens Christian 14-12 (Couldn’t field team last year; Sweet 16)
Most Improved: Kayley Wedlow, Bryan County, Jr. (Improved from 8.7 ppg/2.5 rpg/0.9 apg/1.6 spg to 22.2 ppg/4.6 rpg/3.1 apg/3.9 spg)

FIRST TEAM
G – Aaniyah Allen, Elbert County, Sr.
G – Lucy Hood, Rabun County, Jr.
G – Tianna Thompson, Galloway, Jr.
G – Denika Lightbourne, Tallulah Falls, Sr.
F – Sa’Mya Wyatt, St. Francis, Jr.

SECOND TEAM
G – Monet Dance, Mt. Pisgah, Sr.
G – Shakiria Foster, Lamar County, Jr.
G – Niya Moon, Elbert County, Sr.
W – Janiyah Heyward, Woodville-Tompkins, Sr.
F – Kyla Cain, Galloway, Sr.

Honorable Mention
G – I’ziah McCutchins, Trion, Jr.
G – Makiya Parrish, Chattooga, Sr.
G – Denim Goddard, Oglethorpe County, Jr.
G – Ellie Southards, Rabun County, Jr.
G – Sanai Chisholm, Woodville-Tompkins, Sr.
G – Desi Taylor, St. Francis, So.
W – Natalee Goff, Athens Christian, Jr.
F – Mackenna Nix, Temple, So.
F – Kenzie Henderson, Oglethorpe County, So.
F – Tanyia Williams, Swainsboro, Jr.
C – Brianna Pelote, Woodville-Tompkins, Jr.

Class A D-II

Coach of the Year: Chase Daniel, Clinch County (27-4; State Champs; Beat four ranked teams in state playoffs)
Player of the Year: Jada Williams, Lake Oconee Academy, Sr.
Freshman of the Year: Amariah Dean, Clinch County
Best Scorer: Jesstynie Scott, Schley County, So.
Best Shooter: Hannah Heinen, Lake Oconee Academy, Sr.
Best Rebounder: Jaliyah Zackery, Taylor County, Sr.
Best Passer: Georgia Bosart, Lake Oconee Academy, Jr.
Best Shot Blocker: Marley Bell, Montgomery County, Jr.
Most Underrated: Makaylah Garard, Charlton County, Sr.
Most Improved Team: Macon County 21-9 (Improved from 6-16; Sweet 16)
Most Improved: Jacorra Russell, Early County, So. (Improved from 7.5 ppg/6.0 rpg/0.4 apg/2.2 spg/1.0 bpg to 16.2 ppg/6.3 rpg/1.3 apg/5.0 spg/1.7 bpg)

FIRST TEAM
G – Jada Williams, Lake Oconee Academy, Sr.
G – Georgia Bosart, Lake Oconee Academy, Jr.
G – Marley Bell, Montgomery County, Jr.
G – Tykhia Burgess, Turner County, Sr.
F – Jaliyah Zackery, Taylor County, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
G – Jesstynie Scott, Schley County, So.
G – Zoey Holland, Mt. Zion-Carrollton, Sr.
G – Hannah Heinen, Lake Oconee Academy, Sr.
G – Amiyeon Grady, Clinch County, Sr.
F – Amariah Dean, Clinch County, Fr.

Honorable Mention
G – Brelan Sieveking, Towns County, Jr.
G – Christiona Farmer, Charlton County, Fr.
G – Yaz Collins, Hawkinsville, Sr.
G – Amira Walters-Smith, Mitchell County, So.
G – Amire Banks, Montgomery County, Jr.
G – Caitlyn Burgess, Turner County, Jr.
G – Passion Clay, Telfair County, So.
G – Te’Ahja Hardwick, Randolph-Clay, Jr.
W – Makayla Gay, Manchester, Sr.
F – Jacorra Russell, Early County, So.
C – Tyana Dorsey, Clinch County, Jr.

Girls Rankings

Final 2022-23 GHSA Girls Basketball State Rankings


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Class AAAAAAA

1. Brookwood (31-1)
2. Norcross (29-3)
3. Archer (20-7)
4. McEachern (20-9)
5. Buford (27-4)
6. South Forsyth (26-4)
7. North Paulding (26-4)
8. Campbell (23-6)
9. Hillgrove (20-8)
10. Cherokee (22-7)

Class AAAAAA

1. River Ridge (27-5)
2. Lovejoy (26-6)
3. Langston Hughes (25-5)
4. Brunswick (27-4)
5. Rockdale County (23-8)
6. Marist (26-3)
7. Woodward Academy (22-8)
8. Sequoyah (19-12)
9. Veterans (24-5)
10. Tift County (22-6)

Class AAAAA

1. Kell (26-5)
2. Warner Robins (28-4)
3. Maynard Jackson (26-2)
4. Union Grove (23-8)
5. Calhoun (25-5)
6. Bradwell Institute (23-5)
7. Arabia Mountain (26-3)
8. Hiram (22-6)
9. Jones County (20-10)
10. Ware County (19-8)

Class AAAA

1. Griffin (27-4)
2. Baldwin (23-9)
3. Hardaway (24-5)
4. Holy Innocents’ (25-6)
5. Luella (22-7)
6. Chestatee (23-8)
7. Northwest Whitfield (19-11)
8. Westminster (22-8)
9. Stockbridge (21-9)
10. Trinity Christian (25-6)

Class AAA

1. Hebron Christian (32-0)
2. Wesleyan (27-4)
3. Lumpkin County (26-5)
4. Carver-Columbus (20-10)
5. Cross Creek (24-5)
6. White County (19-10)
7. Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (26-2)
8. Calvary Day (24-7)
9. Dawson County (16-15)
10. Mary Persons (25-5)

Class AA

1. Mt. Paran (31-1)
2. Banks County (28-4)
3. Landmark Christian (23-9)
4. Central-Macon (28-2)
5. Thomson (22-6)
6. Josey (25-5)
7. Murray County (22-5)
8. Dodge County (25-3)
9. Butler (20-10)
10. KIPP Atlanta (22-8)

Class A D-I

1. St. Francis (27-6)
2. Galloway (27-6)
3. Elbert County (26-5)
4. Woodville-Tompkins (25-6)
5. Oglethorpe County (20-9)
6. Rabun County (24-4)
7. Mt. Pisgah (17-7)
8. Lamar County (24-5)
9. Swainsboro (18-7)
10. Athens Christian (14-12)

Class A D-II

1. Clinch County (27-4)
2. Lake Oconee Academy (28-3)
3. Taylor County (27-2)
4. Turner County (25-4)
5. Montgomery County (27-2)
6. Mt. Zion-Carrollton (25-6)
7. Towns County (21-9)
8. Randolph-Clay (20-10)
9. Macon County (21-9)
10. Hawkinsville (17-6)

2022-23 GHSA Basketball State Championship Recaps

Boys State Playoffs, Girls Recaps, Girls State Playoffs, Recaps

2022-23 GHSA Basketball State Championship Recaps

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8

CLASS A D-II


Clinch CountyR2 #2 No. 5 Clinch County 45, R8 #1 No. 1 Lake Oconee Academy 42: The Pantherettes (27-4) held the defending state champs and wire-to-wire number one-ranked team scoreless over the final 3:38 to capture their first title since 1993.  Clinch County led Lake Oconee Academy (28-3) the entire first half until the Titans surged ahead on an 8-2 run to start the third quarter to move ahead 28-22. Lake Oconee Academy led 36-30 after three quarters, but struggled to contain Clinch County’s size. Tyana Dorsey finished with 19 points and 20 rebounds, leading the Pantherettes’ charge on the glass, winning the boards 43-31. Freshman Amariah Dean did the vast majority of her damage in the first half, finishing with 9 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals. Lake Oconee Academy was powered by Jada Williams’ 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. A 5-0 flurry from Williams gave the Titans’ their last lead of the game at the 3:38 mark, 42-41. Amyieon Grady, the Pantherettes’ leading scorer, came to life in the second half and provided 11 points. Lake Oconee Academy had a final look with 4.2 seconds coming out of a timeout, but Hannah Heinen, who tallied 10 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals, saw her shot fall short. Clinch County outscored the Titans 15-6 in the final frame and dominated the interior outscoring Lake Oconee Academy 36-8 in the paint.

Wilkinson CountyR5 #1 No. 4 Wilkinson County 40, R2 #1 No. 9 Charlton County 36: It took until the 1:56 mark of the fourth quarter to take their first lead of the game, but Wilkinson County (26-6) found a way to outlast Charlton County (29-3) after fouling out 6-foot-8 sophomore Elyiss Williams to capture their 11th state title and move to a remarkable 11-0 in the big game. Wilkinson County trailed 11-6 after one and 19-16 at the half as Charlton County’s zone stymied the Blue Storm. After three quarters of play, the Indians maintained a 25-20 advantage, but foul trouble continued to pile up. After hitting an important corner three, Jaylen King fouled out following a Justin Stanley answer at the 4:13 mark with the score 32-29 in favor of Charlton County. A Kwaveon Hill turnaround jumper gave the Blue Storm their first lead at 33-32 before just over a minute later Williams fouled out for the Indians with 10 points, 20 rebounds and 6 blocks. Charlton County would not score with Williams on the bench, a 5-0 finish from the Warriors as Stanley scored seven of his 11 points in the quarter. Hill finished with 12 points and 6 rebounds. The Indians had chances to extend the lead and draw closer late after trailing, but shot 2-5 from the foul line in the period and just 8-16 for the game.  Jarvis Wright netted 10 points and collected 5 steals in the loss.

CLASS 4A

Griffin BearsR2 #1 No. 2 Griffin 51, R2 #2 No. 3 Baldwin 47: Griffin (27-4) claimed their first-ever state title, outlasting severe foul trouble the entire game. Zy Thompson and Samiah Puckett logged just 17 and 7 minutes, respectively as Janaye Walker chewed up the interior for the Bravettes (23-9). The sophomore finished with 21 points, 19 rebounds and 3 assists battling Griffin’s long front line, fouling out Puckett, an East Tennessee State-commit in the process.  The Bravettes led 25-20 at the half and could have been more, but Baldwin shot just 5-14 from the line and 11-21 for the game. Following a scoreless first half, Mississippi Valley State-signee Leah Turner found her groove, scoring all 17 of her points in the second half, five buckets coming via the three-point line where the Bears shot 9-22.  Griffin was in trouble early in the fourth as fellow MVSU-signee Aaliyah Duranham, who finished with a team-high 20 points and 7 rebounds, picked up her fourth foul at the 5:45 mark with Baldwin in front 43-38. Baldwin’s final bucket came on an And-1 basket from Kassidy Neal to make it 47-43 with 85 seconds remaining, but the sophomore who had 12 points on the night missed the free throw. Griffin then got a three from Zamiyah Hosley, her first hoop of the game, to make it a one-point game with 1:05 left. From there, Turner cashed in her fifth three of the night and on the ensuing possession got a steal and threw the ball off a Bravette to give possession back to the Bears all of a sudden with a 49-47 advantage with only 23.4 seconds left. Griffin closed on an 8-0 run as Turner scored eight points in the final frame. The win marked the Bears’ third in four games against Region 2 rival Baldwin. The Bravettes won the paint, outrebounding the Bears 40-26 and outscoring them 26-18 inside, but Griffin was plus-27 from the three-point line while Baldwin was 0-9 from deep.

Pace Academy KnightsR5 #2 No. 2 Pace Academy 66, R4 #1 No. 5 Fayette County 54: An 8-0 start to the third quarter pushed the Pace Academy (25-7) lead to 47-32, a lead the Knights would never lose as they won their fifth state title in school history.  A high scoring first half saw the Knights hold a 39-32 lead at the break after being tied with Fayette County (26-6) after one period. The tandem of LJ Moore and Kyle Greene scored 30 of Pace Academy’s first 32 points and finished with 42 combined for the night. The Knights punished the Tigers inside, outscoring Fayette County 52-22 in the paint and outrebounding them 41-19. Moore, who finished with 23 points and 7 rebounds, shot 10-16 from the field. Pace Academy led 55-42 after three quarters after winning the frame 16-10. Fayette County was led by Robert Hurst’s 12 points and Tobi Ijiwoye’s 10. 

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

CLASS 2A

Mt. Paran EaglesR6 #1 No. 1 Mt. Paran 67, R8 #1 No. 3 Banks County 44: Banks County’s game plan of attacking Jessica Fields early worked in terms of taking the star sophomore off the court, but the Leopards (28-4) were unable to take advantage of just six minutes of Fields in the first half as Mt. Paran (31-1) led 18-8 after one period and 31-22 at the half en route to repeating as state champs. Fields picked up her third foul at the 2:16 mark of the first quarter with the Eagles up 9-4. Mt. Paran pushed their lead to 12 points before Banks County closed the gap at 26-20, but the Eagles finished the half on a 5-2 run as Ciara Alexander scored 16 first half points. The junior would finish with 26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks while shooting 12-16 from the field. A 21-11 third quarter gave the Eagles all the separation they would need to hold off Banks County.  Fields quickly made an impact upon returning to the floor, tallying 15 points, 3 rebounds and 1 block in the third quarter. She would finish with 23 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Banks County was led by Ryleigh Murphy’s 14 points, Addison Hoard’s 10 points and Emmanuel-signee Kamryn Grier and Carley Segars’ 8 points apiece.  The Eagles shot 59% compared to Banks County’s 37% while outrebounding the Leopards 32-21 and outscoring them in the paint 40-28. The Eagles outscored Banks County 36-22 in the second half.

Westside-Augusta PatriotsR4 #1 No. 1 Westside-Augusta 89, R8 #1 No. 7 Providence Christian 81 OT: In what was an all-time classic, somehow, someway, Westside-Augusta (25-7) was able to repeat as state champs, withstanding a 17 three-pointer barrage from the high-octane Storm (27-5). The Patriots found themselves down 36-32 at the half as Providence Christian went 7-15 from deep and would finish a blistering 17-34 from beyond the arc. In the third quarter the Storm grew their lead to 50-39 midway through the period but AuMauri Tillman would refuse to let go of the rope. The senior poured in 25 of his game-high 36 points in the second half including 11 in the third quarter but Providence Christian continued to trade twos for threes as Devin McClain scored 10 of his 21 points to match Tillman in the quarter. After three, Westside still had work to do down 58-54. With 3:47 to play, Jalexs Ewing drove to the basket to give the Patriots their first lead since the 6:57 mark of the third quarter as Westside inched ahead 63-61. It looked like McClain may have landed a dagger in the corner off a Thomas Malcolm assist in transition to make it 71-69 with 36 seconds left but Westside-Augusta saw Khalon Hudson snatch an offensive rebound  underneath the basket with 14 seconds to play and from a tough angle, some how spin the ball up and in without using the glass to tie the game at 71 and eventually send it to overtime. Malcolm opened with a three for Providence Christian but Westside surged ahead 79-76. Xavier Goss fouled out for Westside after they got a loose ball and were fouled. Goss was whistled for a technical foul but before he left the game got a chance to extend the lead with a pair of free throws but missed both. Samuel Thacker, who had team-high 22 points off 7-12 three-point shooting split his pair of technical foul shots, leaving the Storm down 79-77 with 58.6 seconds remaining. The Patriots pushed the lead out to four points on a DeMarco Middleton transition finish, but the Storm immediately rushed the ball down and found McClain for his fifth three to make it 81-80 with 38.7 seconds left. Up 83-80 with 27.7 seconds to play, the Patriots saw Dontrell Jackson, who played just eight minutes, rip away a steal from Thacker, giving the ball back to the Patriots. From there, Jackson missed a pair of free throws but got a crucial offensive rebound, the Patriots collecting 20 on the day and outrebounding the Storm 42-27 overall. Jackson would split a pair but then it was Ewing’s turn to sneak in for another offensive rebound to help put the game away has he went 1/2 from the stripe. Westside-Augusta would outscore the Storm 44-20 in the paint, net 23 points off turnovers and score 28 second chance points to survive the Storm’s unbelievable three-point shooting. Hudson posted 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Patriots while Ewing (18) and Middleton (11) both reached double figures as well. Before fouling out, Kamron Carryl provided the Storm with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals. Malcolm finished with 12 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

COED THREE-POINT CONTEST

First Place: Bella Brick & Landon Mealor – Flowery Branch
Second Place: Camiya Starks & Damaris Lewis – Griffin
Third Place: Ellie Southards & Cooper Welch – Rabun County

CLASS 5A

Kell LonghornsR6 #1 No. 1 Kell 57,  R2 #1 No. 2 Warner Robins 36: A 12-3 run to open the second half ballooned the lead to 36-16 and was enough to propel Kell (26-5) to their first-ever state title. The Longhorns led 21-5 early as Warner Robins (28-4) started the game 1-14 from the field with 12 turnovers. The Demonettes got back into it, holding Kell without a field goal over the final 4:43 but still trailed 24-13 at the half. Georgia State-commit Crystal Henderson finished her illustrious career with 29 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 7 steals. Jamiah Gregory contributed 15 points while MaKayah Harris had 8. Warner Robins was led by South Carolina State-signee Jada Morgan and Tori Davis’ 8 points apiece.

Kell LonghornsR6 #1 No. 1 Kell 61, R2 #1 No. 2 Eagle’s Landing 53: Kell (28-2) climbed the mountain top to their first state title, using an 18-6 fourth quarter to erase a tough 24-10 third quarter in which Eagle’s Landing (29-2) rallied to take as large as a six-point lead after trailing the entire first half. Kell was in good shape early, limiting Eagle’s Landing’s chances at transition offense and ripping off an 11-0 run to seize control at 18-6 and eventually finish the first quarter up 18-10. At the half, the Longhorns led 33-23 and controlled the glass 19-9 even with Auburn-commit Peyton Marshall held to just four minutes of action after picking up two fouls. As soon as Marshall got back on the floor to start the third quarter he converted two slam dunks to give the Longhorns’ their largest lead of the game at 37-23 at the 6:48 mark. From there, Eagle’s Landing picked themselves off the mat however behind Mercer-signee David Thomas who finished with a game-high 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Thomas netted 10 points in the quarter and helped spark a 16-2 run that tied the game at 39. Moments later with 1:32 on the clock, Eagle’s Landing took their first lead of the game on a pair of Thomas free throws, making it 43-41. The Eagle’s largest lead of the game was six points and settled for a 47-43 advantage after three quarters. Kell responded with a 7-2 spurt to open the fourth quarter, moving ahead 50-49. With 3:40 to play, Marshall checked back in with four fouls and went to work, going on a personal 5-0 run to give the Longhorns the lead for good at 55-51 with 2:01 remaining. Upon Marshall’s return, Kell closed the game on an 11-2 run. CJ Brown led the Longhorns with 22 point, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks while Cannon Richards provided 11 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 timely blocks. Kenneth Brayboy gave Eagle’s Landing 12 points, 6 rebounds and 5 blocks including back-to-back alley oop dunks during the Eagles’ 16-2 stretch.

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

CLASS 3A

Hebron Christian LionsR8 #1 No. 1 Hebron Christian 68,  R7 #2 No. 3 Lumpkin County 36: Cold shooting doomed Lumpkin County (26-5) as Hebron Christian (32-0) completed a perfect season. The Indians shot just 23% from the field while the Lions connected at a 53% rate including 7-16 from beyond the arc. Hebron Christian outrebounded the Indians 37-26, outscored them in the paint 32-14 and and forced 18 turnovers. The Lions never trailed, holding a 15-7 lead after one, 30-19 at the half and used a 16-6 third quarter to extend the lead to 46-25 heading into the fourth quarter. Aubrey Beckham led the Lions with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists while Ja’Kerra Butler added 16 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks. Amiya Porter added 12 points and Nickyia Daniel had 11. Averie Jones powered the Indians with 20 points, 14 which came in the first half.

Sandy Creek PatriotsR5 #1 No. 2 Sandy Creek 66, R5 #2 No. 7 Cedar Grove 38: Finally after close calls and heartbreak, Sandy Creek (26-6) captured their elusive state title for the first time in school history using an 18-0 second quarter to turn a one-point deficit after eight minutes into a commanding 17-point halftime lead. Cedar Grove (20-10) had a woeful second period, shooting 0-8 with six turnovers as they lost pace with the Patriots. In the third quarter, senior Vic Newsome scored 10 of his 14 points to power the Patriots. A balanced attack saw Micah Smith (17), PJ Green (16) and Amari Brown (10) all reach double figures, Smith adding 7 rebounds and Brown 8 boards. Cedar Grove was led by freshman Manny Green’s 11 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks while Darius Reynolds collected 10 points and 8 rebounds.

GIRLS THREE-POINT CONTEST

First Place: Ellie Southards – Rabun County
Second Place: Bella Brick – Flowery Branch
Third Place: I’ziah McCutchins – Trion
Fourth Place: Sariyah Chester – Pelham

CLASS 6A

River Ridge KnightsR6 #1 No. 1 River Ridge 68, R3 #3 No. 3 Lovejoy 50:  The Knights finally landed a knockout blow in the fourth quarter, ripping off a 10-0 run and holding Lovejoy (26-6) scoreless for the final six minutes of the game to claim the first state title in River Ridge (27-5) history. The Knights led 16-15 after one quarter and 24-17 at the 5:14 mark when Bryanna Preston picked up her third foul. River Ridge extended their lead to 32-19 as Preston was banished to the bench with her fourth foul but Austin Peay-signee La’Nya Foster would sink back-to-back threes to draw the Wildcats closer and would head into the break down 36-29, finishing on a 10-4 run. The Knights sparked a 7-0 spurt to move ahead 43-31 behind Penn-signee Mataya Gayle’s five-straight points and would balloon the lead to 48-34 on a Kayla Cleaveland layup at the 4:35 mark. The defending state champs would claw back however, slashing into the lead with a 7-0 run of their own to make it 48-41, but the Knights would close the quarter up 55-45 as Gayle nailed a shot at the buzzer to extend the lead. Disaster struck for the short-benched Wildcats with 6:25 to play as Preston would foul out with Lovejoy down 58-48. River Ridge would close on a 10-0 run and hold the Wildcats scoreless the rest of the way after a Camiah Muldrow jumper. The Knights forced 19 turnovers converting them into 25 points. River Ridge outscored Lovejoy 26-14 in the paint and outrebounded the Wildcats 38-29. Gayle finished her career with 25 points, 2,015 over her four years , 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal, followed by Kayla Cleaveland’s 15 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals before fouling out and missing some time with an ankle injury. River Ridge’s deep attack saw Sophia Pearl provide 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals while Makayla Roberson netted 7 points and Allie Sweet collected 5 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 5 steals and 1 block. Lovejoy was powered by Foster’s 16 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks. Preston tallied 13 points (10-15 FT), 3 assists and 2 steals before fouling out. Morgan Bone (9) and India McIntosh (8) both stepped up offensively.

Alexander CougarsR5 #2 No. 2 Alexander 64, R1 #1 No. 10 Lee County 42:  A 13-0 run to close the third quarter propelled Alexander (27-5) to their first state title. Down 14-11 at the half and up 26-24 at the break, the Cougars rode Braedan Lue to 11 third quarter points to gain separation. The junior would finish with 26 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Following an Ousmane Kromah And-1 putback to tie the game at 33, Alexander seized control with Lue, Chattanooga-signee Noah Melson and JayQuan Nelson powering the charge. Two monster slams by Marvin McGhee and Lue put the exclamation point on the win early in the fourth quarter pushing the lead to 56-38. Melson ended his night with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists while Nelson provided 11 points.  Kromah paced Lee County (28-4) with 14 points and 9 rebounds. Caden King chipped in 8 points and 10 rebounds.

SATURDAY MARCH 11

CLASS A D-I

St. Francis KnightsR6 #1 No. 1 St. Francis 76, R6 #2 No. 3 Galloway 74 OT:  St. Francis (27-6) overcame 30 turnovers, foul trouble and an 11-point deficit heading into the fourth quarter to win their fourth state title and first since 2016. The Knights, who beat Galloway (27-6) twice prior this season, leapt out to a 9-2 lead before the Scots rebounded and ripped off a 21-4 run to take control in a high scoring first quarter and head into the second period up 25-18. At the half, the two teams were deadlocked at 35. Both teams shot well from the field but the Knights especially struggled with the Galloway press, turning the ball over 15 times and eight more times in the third quarter where Galloway pulled ahead, North Florida-signee Kyla Cain scoring nine points in the frame after a scoreless first half. The Scots led 58-47 heading into the fourth quarter before the Knights responded with a 9-0 run to make it 58-56 as Sa’Mya Wyatt began to dominate inside. Wyatt would score 13 of her game-high 27 points in the fourth quarter while finishing with 10 rebounds and shooting 11-17 from the field. The Scots led 66-64 briefly with 37 seconds left in regulation but Wyatt would quickly answer with a short jumper and the game would head to overtime knotted at 66. In overtime, the Scots had chance to gain separation with Kennesaw State-signee Kailyn Fields at the line with Galloway leading 74-72 with 1:04 on the clock, but Fields, who finished with 4 points, 7 assists and 8 steals, missed the front end of the one-and-one and Wyatt sank a pair of free throws with 51.7 seconds left. Wyatt found herself at the line once again with 7.6 seconds left and buried a pair to gain the lead for good and finish her night 5-5 from the stripe. Galloway had a last opportunity at the buzzer as Tianna Thompson caught a post entry pass and took a short fadeaway on the block but Anaja Hall, who played a large bulk of the game with four fouls, used her 6-foot-4 reach to alter the shot. Nya Young had 21 points and 4 assists for St. Francis while Desi Taylor tallied 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists before fouling out. Kennesaw State-signee Trynce Taylor finished with 8 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Galloway was led by Tianna Thompson’s 23 points (13-15 FT), 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Cain posted 15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists while freshman Taryn Thompson came off the bench to provide 14 points. Danaya Stokes had 12 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks before fouling out late.

King's Ridge Christian TigersR6 #4 No. 4 King’s Ridge 68, R6 #2 No. 2 Mt. Pisgah 58: Blistering shooting from King’s Ridge (23-10) landed the Tigers their first-ever state title, doing it the hard way as a four-seed through the state playoffs. King’s Ridge lost to region foe Mt. Pisgah (23-9) in their only prior meeting 74-65 in early December, but much had changed in three months as King’s Ridge led 21-9 after one quarter and 40-21 at the half. The Tigers shot 60.9% from the field in the first half and finished the game at 54%. Micah Hoover poured in 21 of his 25 points in the first half and snatched 8 rebounds while Zak Thomas netted 14 of his 24 points in the second half as King’s Ridge held a 54-38 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Micah Tucker wouldn’t let the Patriots go quietly into the night. The star sophomore scored seven points in the third quarter and helped trim the Tiger lead to 57-51 at the 4:19 mark of the fourth quarter after trailing by as many as 22 points, but would foul out with 3:45 remaining and the Patriots down 59-51, finishing his night with 19 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.  The Patriots got 11 points from Cedric Haynes and 10 from Tyson Pittman but it wasn’t enough for Mt. Pisgah whose only lead of the game came on the opening bucket.

SLAM DUNK CONTEST

First Place: Jalen Hilliard – McEachern
Second Place: Evan Montgomery – North Oconee
Third Place: Robert Skaggs – Prince Avenue Christian
Fourth Place: Caden Hinton – Trion

CLASS 7A

Brookwood BroncosR4 #1 No. 1 Brookwood 43, R7 #1 No. 2 Norcross 39: Brookwood (31-1) was outrebounded by the smaller Lady Blue 40-29 and saw Norcross (29-3) a plus-18 in the three-point column but what the defending champs didn’t have was Diana Collins, the Ohio State-signee making all the plays late to guide the Broncos to their first ever title. Norcross jumped out to an early 16-9 lead after one period and held a slim 19-17 advantage heading into the half as they struggled to score. Norcross shot just 25.4% on the night, largely anchored down by a 8:37 scoreless span that wasn’t broken until a Veronaye Charlton layup at the 4:56 mark of the third quarter, the Lady Blue only down 23-21 at the time. Brookwood pushed the lead to 31-26 and would take a 31-28 advantage into the fourth quarter winning the frame 14-9. A quick 5-0 spurt from Charlton, who finished with a team-high 17 points and 8 rebounds, brought the Lady Blue even at 33 all. The Broncos saw Collins pick up her fourth foul at the 3:13 mark leading 35-33 but the Brookwood great would never foul out. She would finish with nine points in the quarter, 15 in the second half and go 5-6 from the line over the final 1:09 to help ice the game with a steal with six seconds to play up three the championship-clincher. Collins ended her illustrious career with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Danielle Osho had 10 points and 8 rebounds while UAB-signee Jade Weathersby collected 9 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks.  Jania Akins provided Norcross with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal, nine points coming in the first half. Kayla Lindsey snatched 16 rebounds.

Wheeler WildcatsR5 #1 No. 1 Wheeler 78, R5 #2 No. 8 Cherokee 58: Blistering hot shooting in the first half from Wheeler (26-6) got the Wildcats off to a 22-12 first quarter lead and 39-28 halftime advantage that they would grow throughout the second half en route to their ninth state title and their fourth win over the Warriors this season. Wheeler shot 71.4% from the field in the first half including 7-10 from deep and finished 66% on the night. Cherokee (25-7) scrapped with Wheeler for as long as they could, outshooting the Wildcats 57 attempts to 47 and grabbing 13 offensive rebounds to Wheeler’s 2,  but it wasn’t enough to keep pace.  Wheeler rode a 19-12 third quarter to extend the lead to 58-40 entering the fourth, proving to be the knockout punch. McDonald’s All-American Isaiah Collier scored nine of his 22 points in the third quarter and finished with 3 rebounds and 7 assists. Fellow USC-signee Arrinten Page posted 15 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. Iowa State-signee Jelani Hamilton netted 11 points and 8 rebounds while Ricky McKenzie had 11 points, nine coming in the first half via the three-ball. Cherokee got a balanced attack as well led by Braylin Giddens (17) and Cameron Pope (12). Tayden Owens pitched in 11 points while Dastin Hart battled for 10 points and 9 rebounds. Cherokee shot just 30% and were outscored in the paint 36-18. Wheeler finished the year unbeaten in the state of Georgia.