GBCA Girls Live 2023 Top Performers
Girls Analysis

GBCA Girls Live 2023 Top Performers

Mataya Gayle2023 5-7 PG Mataya Gayle – River Ridge
Coming into GBCA Live, Mataya Gayle had something to prove. In Georgia, Gayle is regarded as one of the best point guards in the state, an elite athlete and playmaker that can do everything. Georgia State is Gayle’s lone offer however. With D-II programs watching, Gayle made a statement against White County, proving just how efficient she really is with her outside shot. Gayle had the game of the week, a blistering 33-point performance to go along with 1 rebound, 3 assists and 3 steals. Mataya came out aggressive, immediately looking to put to rest any doubts about her jump shot, hitting her first three three-pointers and going 7-11 from beyond the arc. Gayle nailed five threes off the dribble. While she was locked in from deep, she still got downhill at will, playing at a break-neck pace in transition, finishing with either hand at the rim. Her change of direction and bursts of speed can be unstoppable at times. Gayle was adept in pick-and-rolls, turning corners and finding her rollers with accurate assists. Defensively, Mataya’s quick hands and foot speed help her rack up steals. I’ve seen Gayle play more times than I can count. There is no question that she is a sure-fire D-I point guard that should be swimming in Mid-Major offers by now. Schools that watched her offensive explosion had their jaws on the floor while a former McDonald’s All-American stopped by and asked me for Gayle’s information so she could share with her contacts of college coaches. The ship is about to set sail. If you’ve passed on an opportunity to offer early, it may come back to haunt you.

Naomi Roberts2023 5-10 W Naomi Roberts – White County
It was another good day of work for Naomi Roberts, one of North Georgia’s most underrecruited do-everything players. Roberts netted 15 points against River Ridge, scoring from all three levels. She scored with her mid-range jumper and three-point shot, while also earning tough buckets in the post and attacking off the dribble. She has major versatility on defense, able to guard inside and out with nimble feet and active hands. Roberts is a very good option for D-III, NAIA and D-II programs.

Niya Moon2023 5-4 G Niya Moon – Elbert County
Giving up nearly a foot to every Forest Park opponent didn’t hinder the Blue Devils from blasting the goliaths. Elbert County drilled 10 threes in a 59-39 blowout of the perennial power. Niya Moon was an offensive catalyst with four threes and an eye-opening stat line of 18 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal.  Moon might not look the part compared to others, her jersey loosely hanging off her slight of build frame, but Niya’s energy, outside shooting and overall tenacity never disappoints. The diminutive guard is pound-for-pound one of the most productive players north of Atlanta. She will provide great value for smaller programs.

Aaniyah Allen2023 5-5 PG Aaniyah Allen – Elbert County
You better have great guard play or Elbert County will eat you alive. Aaniyah Allen feasted on Saturday with 13 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 7 steals against Forest Park. Allen is a blur in transition, which she ignites with her ball-hawking defensive presence. Allen picks off passes and knocks away steals in the Blue Devil press. She’s a well-rounded scorer that is at her best when attacking the rim. Allen has developed a pull-up jumper as a major weapon. Aaniyah is worthy of D-II looks and could be a dynamic game-changer if she falls to a lower level.

2023 5-11 F Andreonia Doe – Mill Creek
Schools need to take a peek at Andreonia Doe. The long, athletic forward quickly passes the eye test. She runs the floor gracefully and can finish with either hand. Doe can put the ball on the floor and pass off the dribble. She’s an active defender and a reliable rebounder. Andreonia has the makings of a becoming a serious sleeper that draws interest her senior season and beyond. She has nice tools to work with.

2023 6-0 C Ava McGlockton – South Forsyth
North Georgia, North Greenville and Anderson have all offered the physical post presence. Ava McGlockton showed flashes of dominance in a 46-44 loss to Warner Robins, posting 14 points. McGlockton bangs down low and can score with a hook shot in traffic. She runs the floor well for her size and can also hit the 15-footer.

Jada Morgan2023 5-8 CG Jada Morgan – Warner Robins
Jada Morgan had it all working in a win over South Forsyth, dumping in 18 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Known for her aggressive slashing in which she overpowers opponents with her strength, Morgan instead showcased her shooting touch by drilling four threes. Jada plays bigger than her size with her pit bull toughness, especially when crashing in for offensive rebounds. Improving her left hand will make her an even stronger offensive threat. Tuskegee has offered the three-time All-State selection.

2023 6-0 C Samara Saunders – Grayson
I liked what I saw out of Samara Saunders in a sluggish loss to Carrollton. Saunders did her job, exploiting the Trojans’ lack of size inside by gobbling up rebounds and drawing fouls on putbacks. Saunders recorded 6 points and 10 rebounds. She worked hard to get into rebounding position, earning her team second chances. Sam is a reliable glue-guy that doesn’t need set plays called for her to make an impact on offense. She will rise up recruiting boards her senior season.

Kanija Daniel2023 5-10 W Kanija Daniel – Carrollton
Each and every season the ball has been in Kanija Daniel’s hands more often. She is transitioning to becoming a full-time guard, which will give her even more value considering her size, length, athleticism and motor. Daniel was great on the glass vs. Grayson and would push the ball in transition with her head up. Her playmaking has improved, able to slice all the way to the rim but now looking to get others involved as well. She tallied 8 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Kanija can play all over the floor with her versatility and is a game-changer on defense with her quick reactions. Continuing to grow her shooting range will help her evolution into becoming a lead guard.

2023 5-5 G Eghosa Obasuyi – Carrollton
The Georgia State-commit gave Grayson trouble with her quickness. The lights out shooter was in attack mode off the dribble, getting into the paint and finishing with floaters and converting And-1s, all while scoring with either hand. Obasuyi netted 12 points. Much like Daniel, she has gotten better each year as a playmaker while diversifying her scoring arsenal.

2023 5-7 W Janiyah Heyward – Woodville-Tompkins
Heyward brought the fight to St. Francis. Janiyah is a bowling ball wing that plays bigger than her size. She’s physically strong and plays with a mean streak in the paint. She attacked downhill and powered her way to the hoop. She showed a nice touch on her jumper, hitting a three. Heyward has been a double-double machine since her freshman season. She’s a great rebounder for her size. Heyward’s effort is always there.

Lexi Pierce2023 5-6 PG Lexi Pierce – Lumpkin County
Facing a great test against a quick and talented Langston Hughes backcourt, Lexi Pierce maneuvered the Indians to a 37-30 win, pulling away late. The North Georgia-commit filled the box score with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal. Pierce did a nice job of handling Langston Hughes’ full-court pressure and calmly got Lumpkin County into their sets.

Erin Whalen2023 5-10 W Erin Whalen – North Forsyth
What separates Erin Whalen from most is her instincts. She is so quick to the ball and always seems to be in the right spot to make a play. Erin was at her best on Saturday against Kell, scoring from all three levels, rebounding and defending. Whalen hit a three, went coast-to-coast in transition, scored on a putback and converted a left-handed And-1. Erin crashed the offensive glass hard, reading caroms and immediately flashing in and inserting herself right where the ball was about to bounce. Whalen is a good defender that moves her feet well on the perimeter and is strong when guarding inside. Erin put up 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. I love Whalen as a D-II prospect. I’m eager to see who offers the high academic 3.93 GPA Swiss Army Knife first.

2023 5-10 F Jada Green – Kell
Non-D-I schools need to have Jada Green on their radar. She is a great rebounder and an elite shot blocker for her size. She anchors Kell defensively and has always impressed me with her timing in the paint. Over the course of her career she has shown a growing offensive game that sees post moves, drives and a mid-range jumper. In a loss to North Forsyth, Green collected 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks.

2023 5-2 PG Antonia Pittman – East Jackson
All downhill Antonia Pittman. If it isn’t her nickname already, it should be. Pittman pounds the ball in transition and races her way to the rim. She’s lighting fast with the ball in her hands and will euro past defenders that stand in her way. Pittman will take threes, but her points are primarily found in the paint. All seven of her baskets against Fannin County came on drives as she totaled 21 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 steals.

2023 5-11 F Shamya Flanders – Brunswick
After starring at Brunswick averaging 13.2 points and 6.9 rebounds following a move from Glynn Academy, Shamya Flanders will once again have the Pirates a serious threat in Class 6A. Flanders jumps out at you with her length and athleticism. She’s got a great frame that colleges will vie for in due time. Flanders makes an impact on the offensive glass and can score overtop the defense on lobs. Shamya posted 12 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal in a loss to Ware County. She has covetable physical tools and should see her recruitment pick up her senior season.

2023 5-8 PG Kailyn Fields – Galloway
Kailyn Fields is a wiry guard with quickness. She’s good at getting past her first defender and excels as a drive-and-kick playmaker. Fields is a well-rounded scorer that can shoot the three and score downhill. She made an impact against Grovetown with her on-ball defense and ability to deflect passes.

Brooke Moore2023 5-11 W Brooke Moore – North Cobb Christian
In a two-point loss to GAC, Brooke Moore tallied 8 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Moore has blown up over the travel ball season, netting offers from Jacksonville, Texas Southern, William & Mary, Chattanooga and Appalachian State. She is a prototype wing, equipped with elite length and athleticism. The toolsy swingman drained a pair of threes, hitting one off a pull-up. I would like to see Moore have the ball in her hands more often. She’s naturally an unselfish, smooth laid-back player, but she’s too good not to have the offense run through her. Moore should be getting 15 shots a game and even then, she’s good enough of a playmaker to still get others involved with her passing. Moore is a potential triple-double every time she’s on the floor. When she has the ball and is aggressive, she’s one of the most dynamic players in the state.

Trinity Thomas2023 5-8 W Trinity Thomas – GAC
Every time I watch Trinity Thomas, I like her more and more. She plays incredibly hard and has a great nose for the ball. Only 5-foot-8, Thomas is a warrior in the paint as she outrebounds bigger opponents. Down the stretch in the playoffs last season, Thomas made timely play after timely play. She’s an inside-out threat that can get to the rim and score on putbacks but also is able to space the floor with her shot. She sank a pair of threes in the second half vs. North Cobb Christian and finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 1 block. Thomas’ versatility on both ends of the floor should put her on college radars.

Hannah Cail2023 5-7 PG Hannah Cail – Calvary Day
A heavy scoring burden is placed on Hannah Cail. She scored 17 of her team’s 27 points against Rabun County and nearly stole a victory once she got hot in the second half. Cail took over late in the game, hitting shots from the perimeter and converting an And-1 that gave the Cavaliers the lead with seconds remaining. Hannah had to work hard to get her points but didn’t force any bad shots. She sank a pair of threes and was able to turn corners to get to her floater. She added 4 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block. Another week, another positive showing for the potent point producer.

Taniyah Bowman2023 5-2 PG Taniyah Bowman – Bradwell Institute
I loved what I saw out of Taniyah Bowman in the opening game of GBCA. She tacked on 15 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists in a 33-27 win over Calhoun. Bowman is a great athlete, shifting speeds and using her bounce to get on the backboards. She accelerates in transition, going coast-to-coast through the defense. Bowman finishes with both hands and has a strong core which helps her absorb contact. She has great speed and doesn’t get out of control. Bowman is well worth a look for smaller schools looking for a high motor playmaker.

2023 5-6 G Britiya Curtis – Calhoun
Tabby came to life in the second half, sparking a Calhoun surge. She finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 1 assist. Curtis hit a pair of corner threes, netted a mid-range jumper and converted an And-1 drive. Britiya found a spark by crashing the offensive glass. Curtis started to drive to the rim and draw fouls in the second half. Curtis is strong and fast enough to blow by defenders and set up her teammates. When she was aggressive, Calhoun made their run.

2023 5-6 G Sierra Burns – Arabia Mountain
After a two-point first half, Sierra Burns nearly led the comeback against Cherokee, finishing with 12 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal. Burns has a compact build with strength. She likes to get to her mid-range pull-up. Sierra has proven over the course of her career that she can take over games once she gets hot.