Lady Spartan Team Camp
Girls Analysis

Lady Spartan Team Camp Top Performers

Mataya Gayle2023 5-7 PG Mataya Gayle – River Ridge
D-I programs are missing the boat with Mataya Gayle, the most athletic guard in Georgia. The dynamic athlete has improved each season and already has two All-State selections under her belt. Gayle plays with an infectious bubbly energy, always talking and laughing on and off the court. She has blazing speed and gets into the heart of the defense at will with her lightning quick first step. Gayle is a talented ball handler that gets downhill but can stop on a dime and pull-up from the mid-range with consistency. Mataya has gotten better as a passer. She has the court vision and hangtime to see plays develop in mid-air and kick out to shooters or drop off to teammates at the rim. Gayle shoots the three-point shot at a high clip and defensively, can dog opposing guards with her lateral quickness. In an age where young prospects get offered without having produced yet and having shown far less upside, it’s hard to believe Gayle hasn’t landed one offer yet. That should change by the start of her junior season. She is one of the elite point guards in Georgia’s 2023 class.

Bridget Utberg2022 5-6 PG Bridget Utberg – Woodstock
Mid-Major programs have already offered the dazzling playmaker and High Majors should be on the horizon. Bridget Utberg produces every time out. She can do anything that is asked of her. She can carry the load and score 20+ a night, she can distribute and she can defend. Packed into a 5-foot-6 frame – surely the only reason why she isn’t swimming in High Major offers just yet – Utberg is a complete player. On Friday she tallied 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in a 46-29 win over Southwest DeKalb. Bridget had her customary sparkling finishes and creative moves, but it was the consistency in which she was able to deliver passes into the sweet spot of her shooters that was most impressive. Utberg lasers one-handed pinpoint passes across the floor to open teammates who catch it right in their shot pocket and are able to rise and fire before the defense rotates. Whoever lands Utberg is getting a tenacious two-way player that has already competed with the best of the best.

Karson Martin2023 5-7 CG Karson Martin – Woodstock
I liked what saw out of Karson Martin. Known for her lethal outside shot, she was effective as playmaker getting downhill. She attacked the basket and drew fouls using a strong first step to get past defenders. What caught my eye was Karson’s improved court vision. She was able to dump off to teammates once the defense closed in, leading to easy baskets. Martin finished with 9 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal.

Jada Bates2024 6-3 G Jada Bates – Kennesaw Mountain
There aren’t many players around with a higher upside than Jada Bates. At 6-foot-3, all arms and legs, Bates immediately brings Kevin Durant to mind. Bates has a high usage rate, always with the ball in her hands. Though svelte, Bates can attack off the dribble and get into the teeth of the defense. Her handle is strong enough to keep the ball low and gather herself in traffic to score in a crowd. Her ability to create with the ball in her hands draws the attention of the defenders, allowing her to survey the defense and find the open man. Bates is a three-level scorer and has the length and quickness to guard 1-5. Her skill level is through the roof. High Major programs have already offered.

2022 6-2 F Kharyssa Richardson – New Manchester
Though the offers already solidify it, I think Kharyssa Richardson is a lock as a High Major. She has some Deasia Merrill in her game, but Richardson has the quickness and strength that really sets her apart. She’s a nightmare to defend, able to stretch the floor and consistently sink the mid-range and three-point shot. Once defenders step out, she can blow by with a quick first step and then finish in the chest of whoever is brave enough to challenge her at the rim. Richardson is tough with the dribble. She rebounds and looks to go coast-to-coast where she splits defenders and gets to the rack. In the half court she has a nice pull-up game and of course, is a load to keep off the offensive glass. She finished with 18 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals vs. Westlake. Expect Richardson to be one of the most heavily recruited forwards in the Southeast.

Camerah Langston2022 5-9 W Camerah Langston – Westlake
An unsung hero in Westlake’s latest title defense and now a three-time state champion, Camerah Langston looks ready to further step into the limelight as one of Westlake’s key pieces. After recording 12 points and 7 rebounds in the state championship, Langston has carried her momentum into the offseason as a combo-forward with a dangerous perimeter jumper. Langston peppers the defense from the mid-range but her range has now expanded to the three-point line. After hitting just two threes over the course of her first three seasons at Westlake, Langston buried three against New Manchester as she finished with 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Camerah looked comfortable handling the ball on the perimeter as she will likely transition further away from the basket her final season. Langston was able to go coast-to-coast on the fast break and used her strength to play physical defense and guard multiple positions. I see her as a potential stock riser as the summer goes on.

Abby Hohl2023 5-7 G Abby Hohl – Allatoona
A pleasant surprise was Abby Hohl. An All-Region 6-6A selection as a sophomore, Hohl is sneaky good. She is a quality athlete with good skill level. She has wiggle as a ball handler and can go behind the back and use a hesitation crossover to get past defenders. Hohl is dangerous as both a scorer and distributor when she gets two feet in the paint. Her jump shot may need some fine tuning. It’s an unorthodox form which has a little bit of a twisting launch to it. If Hohl can tighten up her outside shot or at least prove the ability to consistently hit from the perimeter, she could be an interesting option at the D-III level. It will be fun to see how she develops over her final two seasons.

2023 5-7 G Averie Akin – Apalachee
The multi-sport athlete that excels at track is also an aggressive guard on the hardwood. Where she may lack in terms of polish, Averie Akin makes up for with hustle. Akin looks to get to the rim when the ball is in her hands. She puts pressure on the defense and can get to the foul line. Akin does a good job cutting without the ball to get open. Averie applies tough on-ball defensive pressure. Her infectious energy will be paramount for Apalachee’s growth over the next two years.

2024 5-9 F Tai Harvey – Campbell
Only a rising sophomore, Tai Harvey doesn’t look or play like an underclassman. She is very effective inside as both a rebounder and a scorer. Harvey came up big with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block in a 39-23 win over Westlake. Harvey was the beneficiary of good passing, catching dump offs and finishing in traffic. Tai has a big build that can move opponents out of the way but she’s not just a banger. Harvey has nimble feet and can push the ball in transition and get all the way to the hoop. For a team that’s often starved of impactful size, Harvey’s versatility and strength is important for the Spartans.


Laila Battle2022 5-7 G Laila Battle – Campbell
Winning players make winning plays. That’s what Laila Battle has done her entire career and it’s what she did on Friday. She rallied the Spartans past Hillgrove, coming away with a late steal and then later a layup at the buzzer to force overtime. Battle then sank the game-winning free throws in the extra period.  Laila is rock-solid. She has mastered the little things and it’s the little things that add up to become game-deciding factors. Battle blocks out, she takes an extra dribble to get better angles for entry passes and she always competes as an on-ball defender with quick hands. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention her great court vision and savvy passing. Non D-I schools of nearly every level have shown heavy interest in the high academic guard.

2022 6-2 C Jordan Strozier – Dunwoody
Jordan Strozier has come a long way, countless hours in the gym paying off. She’s a good prospect that should be on D-II radars to start with. Strozier is a big strong post that moves well. She is used to banging inside and powering through defenders. Jordan scores in a variety of ways. She can hit the outside shot with range extending to the three-point line, she scores with her back to the basket able to implement a sweeping hook shot scoring with either hand and she can attack off the dribble. Strozier blocks a lot of shots and has active hands in the passing lanes. Jordan can help out a collegiate program.