GBCA Girls Live 2024 Top Performers

GBCA Girls Live 2024 Top Performers

Toni Warren2024 6-0 W Toni Warren – Cherokee
Cherokee’s rotation will look much different this year after graduating a large senior class but one constant remains: Toni Warren. The lanky swingman is a legitimate bucket getter. Warren has an elite scoring touch. She’s a terrific shooter that peppers defenses from the mid-range. Warren has a high release which is tough to defend. She’s got very good footwork. Warren drives the lane and can spin back into a fadeaway jumper that is indefensible. Toni is getting more consistent downhill, attacking both left and right, using a crossover and quick first step. She’s a tough shot maker. Warren had 18 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists in a 49-42 win over Arabia Mountain. Her length led to multiple putbacks inside. The scoring machine has a D-I future at the Mid-Major to High Major level.

Kyia Barrett2024 5-11 PG Kyia Barrett – Habersham Central
Kyia Barrett came out of the gates hot on Thursday night against Fayette County, drilling three quick threes to ignite the onslaught. The Raiders would win 38-14, Barrett finishing with 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals. Kyia has great length on the perimeter and has improved her handle against ball pressure. Barrett is capable of playing on or off the ball. She’s got a quick first step to the basket and a variety of finishes in the paint. Barrett holds value on defense, able to guard multiple positions. As she continues to fill out her wiry frame, Barrett will draw more and more attention. With her size, court vision and outside shooting, I wouldn’t be surprised if D-I schools eventually get involved.

Lucy Hood2024 5-9 PG Lucy Hood – Rabun County
When a big play needed to be made, it was Lucy Hood that saved the day. Rabun County found themselves down 27-26 with 14.3 seconds to play after leading Calvary Day the majority of the game. After a free throw, Hood received the inbound and raced down the heart of the defense for a coast-to-coast go-ahead layup prompting a 30-27 win. When Lucy wanted to, she could get to the rim and did so physically. Hood protects the ball by shielding off defenders with her off arm. Hood is good at faking passes when going up for layups to give herself extra space to finish. Lucy finished with 11 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal and did a nice job of holding Hannah Cail in check for the majority of the game.

Courtney Davis2024 5-5 PG Courtney Davis – Fannin County
The dynamic scorer poured in 20 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal against East Jackson. Courtney Davis is lights out, pound-for-pound one of the more explosive three-level scorers in Georgia. Davis has great range on her three-point shot, nailing four long balls. She’s creative with the ball, getting separation with step backs. Davis can get her points on pull-ups and can freeze defenders with a hesitation dribble. While the size may scare off some, Davis’ offensive game translates extremely well to the next level. I expect D-II programs to try and land her.

Riley Black2024 5-8 G Riley Black – Chestatee
In a tight physical game with Dutchtown, Riley Black was the ace in the hole. Black stuffed the stat sheet as usual, producing 14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks, leading all players on both teams in each category. Riley got downhill scoring on four drives but also mixed in a mid-range jumper and a putback. Her drive-and-kick game led to open threes for teammates. Black showed toughness on defense, defending Dutchtown’s much bigger posts. Riley sacrificed her body and drew a charge while taking a bump inside. Black is a habitual high-level performer. She litters the box score in all columns. D-II programs are starting to track.

Cameria Reed2024 5-4 PG Cameria Reed – Walnut Grove
Cameria Reed nearly single-handedly dismantled Murray County with her incredible quickness and effort on defense. Reed is the head of the snake for Walnut Grove. In their 2-2-1 press, Reed made life difficult for the Indians as they struggled to advance the ball up the floor. Reed used her aggressive on-ball defense and quick-twitch reactions to earn deflections and pick off steals. Cameria would finish downhill through contact in transition, converting on four And-1s as she recorded 17 points, 1 rebound, 4 assists and 6 steals. Reed’s compact frame is strong, barreling through the chests of defenders and getting into the paint where she could kick to shooters. She’s a high motor playmaker that will really take off if she continues to improve her outside shot.

Brianna Pelote2024 6-2 C Brianna Pelote – Woodville-Tompkins
It was a great test for Brianna Pelote against St. Francis. While the Wolverines came up on the short end of the scoreboard, Pelote proved she could battle with anyone inside. Locking horns with 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-4 length, Pelote still managed to pull down rebounds and block shots. The defensive specialist is a very good post presence that is flying under the radar in Savannah. Brianna has good hands and finishes well around the rim. With another year-plus of development, I expect D-II schools to be banging on her door. I believe in Brianna.

Averie Jones2024 5-7 G Averie Jones – Lumpkin County
Three three-pointers and a strong left-handed drive summed up the scoring for Averie Jones who finished with a game-high 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Jones never takes a play off. She is a steady defender and a microwave scorer that can take over games in a blink with her three-level scoring.

Malaya Jones2024 5-4 PG Malaya Jones – Arabia Mountain
The reigning Region 6-4A Player of the Year dropped in 17 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals. Jones is small, but she has such a mature game. The ball is on a string and she’s able to find her points without taking bad shots. Malaya hit a pair of corner threes and did the rest of her scoring on drives to the basket. Jones is really good at getting her feet in the paint. D-II programs were impressed. Jones already holds offers from D-I’s Stony Brook, East Tennessee State, Winthrop and North Florida.