2028 5-5 PG Blaklee Ledford – Murray County
Blaklee lived up to the hype on Saturday, piling in 18 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals, hitting four threes in a blow out of Lambert. I first heard about Ledford from Coach Chris Tipton in Milledgeville at The Brick after Murray County fell to Mt. Paran in the Class 2A Final Four. Tipton said she had a chance to be special and after her first impression at GBCA Live, I tend to agree. Ledford may not necessarily pass the eye-test but to be honest most of Murray County may not, but what doesn’t show up in physical measurements shows up on the court with the amount of heart the Indians play with. Blaklee is no exception. She is strong with the ball and has a great feel for the game. Ledford is a heady passer and is deceptively agile when slicing her way to the hoop. She finishes with both hands and can score in a crowd. Blaklee is aggressive on defense, forcing live ball turnovers converting them into transition hoops. With the new private and public school split for the postseason, Murray County feels like a favorite to contend for a state title over the next few years.

2028 5-5 G Jayla Walton – Southwest DeKalb
Jayla will provide Southwest DeKalb with a polished scorer in the backcourt. With Janiya McCoy transferring to Greenforest, a natural opening presents itself for Walton to step in and see big minutes starting Day 1. Jayla shoots the ball very well from the perimeter. She scores off the dribble with pull-up jumpers with range that extends to the three-point line. In a 41-35 win over Southwest DeKalb, Walton drew the assignment of face guarding Jermiya Winston in spurts, helping hold her to just two made baskets after an explosive opening frame. Jayla finished with 7 points and 2 steals. Walton has an exciting four years ahead of her.

2028 5-8 PG Leah DeWitt – Marietta
In a star-studded matchup against top 2027 prospect Kie’Aundria Acree, Leah DeWitt helped guide Marietta to an entertaining 54-41 win. DeWitt, who holds a Georgia Tech offer and earned a Mississippi State offer immediately following the final buzzer, poured in 15 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Leah’s polish separates her from freshmen and seniors alike. She thrives as a drive-and-kick playmaker and is a three-level scorer with a knockdown three-point shot and crafty moves when finishing with both hands at the hoop. DeWitt is a star both on and off the ball, truly able to take over games whether as a catch-and-shoot scorer or as a creator. An underrated part of Leah’s game is her defense. She has quick hands and will strip opponents whether handling the ball or going up for layups. Marietta will play for a state title within the next four years and Leah DeWitt will be a major reason why.

2028 5-4 PG Jadyn Shepard – Denmark
The Denmark coaching staff is bullish on Jadyn Shepard, as am I. The freshman has a great future ahead of her. I love her athleticism and the bounce she has with the ball in her hands. She plays with poise when handling pressure and can combat it with a tight handle. In a 37-27 loss to Jackson County, Shepard carried the team, netting three three-pointers, going coast-to-coast for a short pull-up and converting an And-1 putback as she finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Jadyn has substantial range on her three-point shot. As a driver, Shepard does a good job seeing the floor and can dish to teammates on the opposite block for layups. I think what I like most about Jadyn is her understanding of what her team needs from her. With Hannah Lopez currently sidelined, the Danes need Jadyn to be aggressive as both a playmaker but even more so as a scorer. She’s not afraid to shoot the ball and is a steady source of offense.

2028 5-4 PG Ansley Dunn – Cherokee
Cherokee has a dynamic young backcourt that should see big minutes right away. Ansley Dunn was very impressive in my first look, watching her go for 7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in a 48-30 win over Tift County. Dunn came off the bench and quickly got to work, dazzling with an elusive handle as she weaved through the defense while keeping her dribble alive and head up. Ansley is very polished with her left hand, making it difficult for defenses to try and corral her by forcing her one way. She wriggles free and is a crafty finisher. Dunn gets others involved well and is a keen defender that will apply pressure far away from the basket.

2028 5-4 G @Ansley01Dunn (@L80warriors) grabs the rebound and pushes for the pull-up jumper.#GBCALive @girlsgbcalive pic.twitter.com/EynIepHe5H

— Kyle Sandy (@KyleSandy355) June 14, 2024

2028 5-6 G Tracy Wakefield – Cherokee
Tracy left a crowded Marietta backcourt and will be a major boon in Canton in Year 1. Wakefield looks the part. She is an athletic guard with compact movements and a pretty shot. Wakefield splashed a pair of corner threes against Tift County and scored on a left-hand layup as she finished with 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Wakefield has a high skill level which can be used both on and off the ball.

2028 5-9 G Amelia Newman – Whitefield Academy
I fully expect Amelia to be one of the best 2028 guards in Georgia and a Day 1 impact maker at Whitefield Academy, a program trying to revamp their roster. Newman, who played with Langston Hughes last summer, is a big guard with a polished game. Amelia is smooth with the ball, a crafty handler who can get to her spots without being knocked off her line. Newman sees the floor well as a playmaker, zipping in hot passes. Amelia does a little bit of everything. In a 42-35 loss to Tri-Cities, Newman hit a pull-up jumper, sank two threes, converted a putback and went 2-2 from the foul line as she racked up a game-high 12 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Newman feels like a future High Major prospect.