Category Archives: Girls Basketball

GHSA, Girls Basketball, Girls Honors

GHSA 2017-18 Girls Preseason All-State

Class AAAAAAA

FIRST TEAM
G – Za’nautica Downs, Colquitt County, Sr.
G – Chanel Wilson, McEachern, Sr.
G – Asia McCoy, Archer, Sr.
F – Simone Lett, Westlake, Sr.
F – Taylor Hosendove, Westlake, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
G – Lexii Chatman, Newton, Sr.
G – Bria Harmon, Collins Hill, Jr.
F – Shekinah Howard, Westlake, Sr.
F – Diamond Hall, Colquitt County, Sr.
C – Jada Rice, Collins Hill, Sr.

Class AAAAAA

FIRST TEAM
G – Genesis Bryant, Lovejoy, So.
F – Amari Robinson, Douglas County, Jr.
F – Ashlee Austin, Northview, Jr.
C – Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Winder-Barrow, Sr.
C – Destiny Thomas, Tri-Cities, Jr.

SECOND TEAM
G – Alyssa Cagle, Sequoyah, Sr.
G – Azhana Maxwell, ML King, Sr.
G – Chellia Watson, Winder-Barrow, Jr.
G – Audrey Jordan, Harrison, Sr.
F – Ayanna Collins, Grovetown, Sr.

Class AAAAA

FIRST TEAM
G – Tory Ozment, Buford, Sr.
F – Deasia Merrill, Villa Rica, Jr.
F – Taniyah Worth, Flowery Branch, Sr.
C – Jessika Carter, Harris County, Sr.
C – Taziha Fanning, Harris County, Jr.

SECOND TEAM
G – Zamiya Passmore, Locust Grove, Jr.
G – Taylor Brown, Carrollton, Sr.
G – Ashley Foster, Eagle’s Landing, Sr.
F – Nadia Marshall, Bainbridge, Sr.
C – India Bellamy, Dutchtown, Jr.

Class AAAA

FIRST TEAM
G – Brooke Moore, Henry County, Sr.
G – Anna McKendree, West Hall, Sr.
G – Mariah Igus, Carver-Columbus, Sr.
F – Jordan Bailey, Madison County, Jr.
C – Olivia Cochran, Carver-Columbus, So.

SECOND TEAM
G – Zaria Bankston, Luella, Sr.
G – Alycia Reese, Carver-Columbus, Sr.
G – Kamya Hollingshed, Luella, Sr.
F – Jazmin Allen, Jefferson, Sr.
F – Kiana Banks, Spalding, Sr.

Class AAA

FIRST TEAM
G – Jenna Brown, Lovett, Sr.
G – Robyn Benton, GAC, Sr.
G – Mya Jones, Franklin County, Sr.
G – Sy’Marieona Williams, Johnson-Savannah, Sr.
C – Jada Clowers, Central-Macon, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
G – Carly Winters, East Hall, Sr.
G – Taylor Sutton, GAC, Sr.
G – NaTeari Chaney, Beach, Sr.
G – Alexis Boykin, Haralson County, Sr.
C – Jayda Jackson, Cedar Grove, Sr.

Class AA

FIRST TEAM
G – Jhessyka Williams, Laney, Sr.
G – Kirstin Crook, Fitzgerald, Sr.
F – Rykia Pennamon, Putnam County, Sr.
F – De’sha Benjamin, Laney, Sr.
C – Victaria Saxton, Model, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
G – Dynesha Brown, Swainsboro, Jr.
G – Nijeria Jordan, Washington County, Sr.
G – Madison Abbott, Monticello, Jr.
F – Brooke Henricks, Rabun County, Jr.
F – Destanee Wright, Dodge County, Jr.

Class A-Private

FIRST TEAM
G – Amaya Register, Wesleyan, Sr.
G – Cameron Swartz, Fellowship Christian, Sr.
G – Morgan Jones, Our Lady of Mercy, Sr.
F – Kalia Hubbard, Holy Innocents’, Sr.
F – Kennedy Suttle, Holy Innocents’, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
G – Elizabeth Gibbs, Landmark Christian, Jr.
G – Ansley Hall, Prince Avenue Christian, So.
F – Amirah Abdur-Rahim, St. Francis, So.
F – Jordan Isaacs, St. Francis, Sr.
F – Joy Nnamani, Greenforest, Sr.

Class A-Public

FIRST TEAM
G – Le’Andrea Gillis, Treutlen, Sr.
G – Jasmine Larry, Macon County, Sr.
G – Mahogany Randall, Pelham, Sr.
F – Brittany Davis, Greenville, Sr.
F – Zakiyah Office, Turner County, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
G – Jazmin Grayson, Woodville-Tompkins, Jr.
G – India Wells, Telfair County, Jr.
G – Jamia Mobley, Mitchell County, Sr.
G – Miya Byrd, Turner County, So.
F – Jamiya McDaniel, Terrell County, Sr.

GHSA, Girls Analysis, Girls Basketball, Spielin' & Dealin' Podcast

Spielin’ & Dealin’ Ep. 28: C.T.B.C. Elite Camp analysis

***SUBSCRIBE/DOWNLOAD/LISTEN ON iTUNES***
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Rameen Forghani took to the Riverside Epicenter in Austell on 9/24 to check out Torrey Bates’ Created To Be a Champion Elite Camp. Rameen shares his top performers from 4-on-4 & 5-on-5 play.

 

Girls Basketball, Girls Honors

GHSA 2017-18 Girls Preseason All-Area Teams

All-Augusta

G – Jhessyka Williams, Laney, Sr.
G – Jaiden Hamilton, Laney, Jr.
G – Lexius Jeffcoat, Evans, Sr.
F – Ayanna Collins, Grovetown, Sr.
F – De’sha Benjamin, Laney, Sr.

All-Columbus

G – Mariah Igus, Carver-Columbus, Sr.
G – Alycia Reese, Carver-Columbus, Sr.
G – Ja’nya Love-Hill, Carver-Columbus, Jr.
G – Trinity Vasquez, Columbus, Sr.
C – Olivia Cochran, Carver-Columbus, So.

All-Coastal Georgia

G – Sy’Marieona Williams, Johnson-Savannah, Sr.
G – NaTeari Chaney, Beach, Sr.
G – Madison Evans, Beach, So.
G – Jazmin Grayson, Woodville-Tompkins, Jr.
F – Jabrekia Bass, Beach, Sr.

All-East Georgia

G – Dynesha Brown, Swainsboro, Jr.
G – Le’Andrea Gillis, Treutlen, Sr.
G – Torrion Starks, Hart County, Jr.
G – Ansley Hall, Prince Avenue Christian, So.
F – Jordan Bailey, Madison County, Jr.

All-Middle Georgia

G – Jasmine Larry, Macon County, Sr.
G – Nijeria Jordan, Washington County, Sr.
F – Rykia Pennamon, Putnam County, Sr.
F – Kiana Banks, Spalding, Sr.
C – Jada Clowers, Central-Macon, Sr.

All-Metro Atlanta

G – Tory Ozment, Buford, Sr.
G – Morgan Jones, Our Lady of Mercy, Sr.
G – Jenna Brown, Lovett, Sr.
G – Brooke Moore, Henry County, Sr.
C – Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Winder-Barrow, Sr.

All-North Georgia

G – Anna McKendree, West Hall, Sr.
G – Carly Winters, East Hall, Sr.
G – Mya Jones, Franklin County, Sr.
F – Taniyah Worth, Flowery Branch, Sr.
C – Victaria Saxton, Model, Sr.

All-South Georgia

G – Za’nautica Downs, Colquitt County, Sr.
G – Mahogany Randall, Pelham, Sr.
G – Kirstin Crook, Fitzgerald, Sr.
F – Diamond Hall, Colquitt County, Sr.
F – Nadia Marshall, Bainbridge, Sr.

All-West Georgia

G – Taylor Brown, Carrollton, Sr.
F – Brittany Davis, Greenville, Sr.
F – Deasia Merrill, Villa Rica, Jr.
C – Jessika Carter, Harris County, Sr.
C – Taziha Fanning, Harris County, Jr.

Girls Analysis, Girls Basketball

Georgia Tech Girls Team Camp Notes

By Bre Singleton (@bre_singleton)

Daishai Almond
Daishai Almond

Reigning Class 6A State Champion Mays faced Peach County in what ended up being a battle. Down by just two points at the half, Peach County had a few bigger guards on the roster to help combat Mays’ quickness. One player in particular stood out. Daishai Almond, a 5’9” point-forward is a baller. On several occasions, she snagged a rebound and pushed it the length of the floor for a smooth bucket. Almond has recently gotten interest from the host team, Georgia Tech to go along with offers from Louisville and Kennesaw State. Whether she chooses to stay in-state, or to take her talents elsewhere, I’m confident that Almond will be able to step in and immediately bring scoring and versatility to any program.

Life after Kamiyah Street will be difficult for Mays but Natoria Hill will look to step up and run the point guard position. Hill, a 5’8” junior, has the length to be a pesky defender and the aggression to get to the rim. With a little more work on her mid-range game, I think she has the potential to be a very solid player. Chardae Bell also contributed with a scrappiness on defense that would frustrate many. Much like Hill, the addition of an outside jumper to Bell’s game would really help her stretch the floor in that Raider offense.

Rematch

After picking up the win over Peach County, Mays had a state championship rematch with Harrison, who I had the chance to watch a week or so ago and Georgia State’s team camp. I profiled Harper Vick at GSU, but Sarah Woghiren had a command over the court on Saturday for the Lady Hoyas. She put up 17 points and pulled six boards against the defending champs on their way to a win. Woghiren is strong and finishes well at the rim. If you’re going to foul her, you’ve got to make sure she doesn’t get the shot up at all, because if she does, there’s a good chance she’s getting the and-one.

Vick did not disappoint either. Her quickness led to easy leak-outs as Mays defenders had a hard time keeping track of her on the court. Finally for the Hoyas, Mae Willis had a solid game, getting to the free throw line early and often. Willis turns defense into offense for Harrison, coming up with steals and forcing the issue on the break.

Duluth leans on upperclassmen 

The last game of the day that I was able to catch was Duluth vs. Hardaway out of Columbus. As Endia Banks gets settled into college life in Miami, the Wildcats will have some work to do to replace her and Brianna Dixon in the backcourt. Victoria Oglesby is still looking very strong, coming off of several great performances in the state tournament. She was aggressive, getting to the line at will. She’ll look to decide on a school either later this month or early in July after re-opening her recruitment.

Zaniaya Williams is also on top of her game this summer. She pounded the boards hard for Duluth and had several putbacks for scores. Torey Walker, a 5’10” point-forward also looks promising going into her junior year. She seems to be getting more comfortable with her game which ought to bode well for the Wildcats. The only problem that stood out for Duluth was its inability to score. Oglesby broke Hardaway’s pressure but Duluth couldn’t seem to put the ball into the basket very much in the second half. Hardaway on the other hand attacked the basket and finished more often than not. It’ll be interesting to see how Duluth’s rotation shakes out when the GHSA season rolls around. They’ll need to address the backcourt to keep up with the likes of Collins Hill in Region 6-AAAAAAA.

Girls Analysis, Girls Basketball

St. Pius End of Summer Classic notes

By Bre Singleton (@bre_singleton)

St. Pius and Head Coach Kyle Snipes hosted an eight-team tournament on Friday, that would serve as the last summer high school outing for a few of the teams present. Among those in attendance were Northview, Brookwood, and Carrollton (teams I’ve had the chance to watch already this summer), as well as Franklin County, North Forsyth, Northwest Whitfield, Centennial, and finally, the host team.

Best Matchup

The first game of the day that I had the opportunity to catch was Carrollton vs. Franklin County, and I must say, that matchup was definitely my favorite of the tournament. Franklin County sisters Mya and Asia Jones were able to push the Lions past Carrollton, but it was by no means easy. Coach Shon Thomaston and the Trojans gave Franklin County all they could handle. Specifically, 5’9” rising senior Taylor Brown, had an outstanding performance. Finishing with 17 points and four rebounds, Brown’s effort was amazing to watch. She plays G/F for the Trojans but is obviously an undersized post. What was so great about this though, was her ability to take smaller guards down to the block and come up with points almost every time. She and Mya Jones went head-to-head for the latter part of the game in an incredible duel. Jones got the last laugh, putting up 25 points including four threes to lead her team to a 53-49 victory. Her sister Asia contributed 13 points and was an absolute menace on the boards.​

Sleeper Pick

​Carrollton High School has an incoming freshman that I think people out to look out for. De’Mauri Flournoy doesn’t look like she’ll have much trouble adjusting to high school ball this upcoming season. She attended Brandon Clay’s #EBASuper64 event earlier this month and is already catching the eye of several teams early on. She put up 16 points against a very solid Franklin County team and hit four threes. Finishing at the rim was her specialty though. I saw her take an in-and-out dribble into a left-handed finger roll finish that had me questioning if she was really just a freshman. With a natural feel for the game, Flournoy is shaping up to be one of the best point guards in the state of Georgia.

Heating Up

​Things got pretty intense between Brookwood and Northview, but it was just good competition if you ask me. Northview was without its star forward Ashlee Austin and lost its first game by two points to Franklin County. Others stepped up for Coach Yarbrough in her absence. Among them was Asjah Inniss, whose play I really liked when I saw the Titans at Johns Creek last week. She maintained a level of aggression from the PG spot that Brookwood had a little trouble with. Maya Richards put up her usual double-double in this one, and was the most seasoned post player on the floor for both teams. Richards and the Brookwood posts went at it from the jump, being very physical. Malia Grace did not back down at all. She had a slew of points and rebounds herself, and matched Richards’ physicality. Selma Kulo is a 6’4” center who has only been playing basketball for two years. She’s raw, but playing with EOTO on the AAU circuit for the rest of this summer ought to help her progress. She had a few nice blocks and putbacks for Brookwood. Kiera Adams had another great game, leading the Broncos in scoring. When Adams wasn’t running the point, TaylorAnn Cushenberry had the job. She was able to get to the basket on several occasions and give the Broncos timely scores to help with edge out the win. Coach Carolyn Whitney, a Wesleyan graduate and standout player, ought to be excited about the fire and talent she has rising through the program.

Championship Game

​North Forsyth and Franklin County went at it for the final game of the Classic. The first half was pretty evenly matched. The Raiders were running through their offense but couldn’t hit very many shots while the Lions’ isolation approach wasn’t really working against North’s packed in defense. But, in a tale of two halves, North Forsyth made all of the shots that wouldn’t fall for them earlier. Georgia College verbal commit Cassie Markle had a good game on the boards and came up with several putbacks. Amber Jones, a smaller guard, shot the ball very well from deep, hitting four threes. Mya Jones and Franklin County got it going eventually but just didn’t have enough scoring.

North Forsyth will be at Georgia Tech’s team camp this weekend, along with Carrollton, Northview, and a host of others. I’ll be there to keep you all updated on the various games and players I catch!