Peach Games
Girls Analysis

Peach Games 16U Standouts

Emma Hempker2024 5-9 W Emma Hempker – Atlanta Cagers BlueChip 2024 – Denmark
Emma Hempker is starting to come into her own has a perimeter scorer. After averaging 14.3 points and 5.5 rebounds as a sophomore, Hempker’s growth hasn’t stopped this offseason. In the two games I saw this weekend, Emma was consistent, putting up 17 points and 6 rebounds vs. Team Hickory before finishing the tournament with 14 points and 5 rebounds against Wood Elite. Hempker is well-rounded. She plays at her own pace and is able to get to her spots without rushing or forcing things. She drilled four threes over the two games while mixing in pull-up jumpers and drives to the basket. Emma put her head down and drew fouls against Wood Elite, going 9-10 from the free throw line. Hempker is on a steady trajectory to become one of Forsyth County’s best players over her final two seasons.

Emma Hempker2024 5-9 W Jadyn Kniceley – Atlanta Cagers BlueChip 2024 – South Forsyth
On a South Forsyth team loaded with a core four of 2023 talent, Jadyn Kniceley can sometimes slip through the cracks, but make no mistake Kniceley is just as important as the War Eagles’ other starters. Kniceley’s calling card is her hustle. She competes on the glass and is quick to loose balls. Over the weekend she brought that same energy, but also added in a consistent ability to score the ball. Kniceley had 12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 5 steals vs. Team Hickory and wrapped up Peach Games with 13 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals against Wood Elite. Kniceley profiles as a slasher. She finished with both her left and right hand around the rim. Jadyn is the type of player that you don’t necessarily need to call set plays for. When she sees a crease in the defense she will take it, otherwise she is fine with out-efforting opponents with putbacks and break away steals. Kniceley is a subtle piece that does the little things which add up to wins.

2025 6-0 W Ava Andrews – FBC Hoopstarz 2024 – North Paulding
I first saw Ava Andrews last year at Georgia State Team Camp. With her size, length and athleticism, Andrews has too many tools not to develop into a very noteworthy prospect. Playing up in 16U, Andrews once again caught my eye on Saturday by knocking down a three off the dribble and pulling down a handful of rebounds. Andrews’ length and build is similar to that of Brooke Moore, a senior at North Cobb Christian who recently picked up her first D-I offer from Jacksonville. With North Paulding searching for a new identity with West Georgia-signee Aliyah Washington graduated, I think Andrews could play a prominent role for the Wolfpack. She can be a game changer with her mobility and reach atop the press, forcing turnovers and collecting steals. Ava can wear out opponents around the rim with her quick leaping to convert putbacks and she can also take defenders off the dribble from the perimeter. Andrews could become one of Georgia’s better prospects over the next three years.

Jayla Bennett
2025 5-5 PG Jayla Bennett – FBC Legacy 2024 – Grayson
Behind fellow freshman Tatum Brown and a handful of other veteran guards Year 1 in the rotation at Grayson, Jayla Bennett didn’t pout and continued to put in work on her game. Entering Year 2, I fully expect Bennett to see key minutes for one of the state’s most talented programs. Jayla is a reliable ball handler that brings a great spark and a high IQ off the bench. She is fleet of foot and catches opponents off guard with just how fast her first step is. In a blink, Bennett is able to make a quick move and get downhill. What I like about Jayla is that she doesn’t waste any dribbles and dance on the perimeter. She puts her foot down and goes once she sees an angle. Bennett can be a very good drive-and-kick creator for others. When defenses collapse, she knows not to heave up a bad shot and instead sets up shooters. Bennett is a sneaky good rebounder for her size. When she’s able to collect a board, she immediately looks to push the ball and go coast-to-coast. Bennett is a true point guard with a good feel for the game.

2025 6-1 C Lauren Phillip – FBC Legacy 2024 – Campbell
Long and strong, Lauren Phillip could be the piece Campbell has been missing for a while – a true post presence with size. While the Spartans graduate a monumental 2022 class, the future will start with the likes of Marlie Battle at guard and Phillip at center. While she still has room to polish up some things, Lauren has great physical tools to work with. She plays her size, not timid to mix it up on the backboards and protect the rim. Lauren showed an ability to put the ball on the floor when attacking from the high post and could also score with her back to the basket using a spin to the middle. While they say bigs usually take longer to develop, I think Lauren is in a good position and ahead of the curve heading into her sophomore season.

Caroline Mullins2024 5-9 CG Caroline Mullins – Wood Elite 2024 – Pickens
Having to slide over to point guard while I’ziah McCutchins heals from injury, Caroline Mullins had a huge load to shoulder. Wood Elite’s top guard is also arguably their best scorer, rebounder, playmaker and defender. Wood Elite suffered their first two losses of the season, beat 60-31 by juggernaut Lady Strong and 58-46 by Atlanta Cagers BlueChip. Mullins provided 12 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block against Lady Strong. She hit a pull-up jumper moving to her left, a corner three, a short shot in the paint and scored on a drive, finished off with a jump stop and spin back. Mullins does a very good job staying on balance. She plays off two feet in the paint and utilizes ball fakes and her pivot to her advantage. Caroline’s crafty footwork is exemplified on the perimeter, as she likes to side step defenders to gather herself for clean looks on outside jumpers. In the loss against Lady Strong, what impressed me was Mullins’ fight. She eventually drew the assignment of guarding 6-foot-2 five-star post Sarah Strong, hands down the best player out of any age group at the event. Giving up roughly five inches and at least 30 pounds, Mullins was able to hinder Strong a few times in the post with her physical defense. Even when Strong tried to swat away Mullins’ arms while being fronted and denied, Caroline continued to battle and made post entries as difficult as could be. Mullins even blocked her shot, forcing a jump ball. In her final game of the tournament, Mullins provided another team-high outing with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Caroline scored 11 points in the second half as she was able to start hunting her offense. She sank a pair of threes and hit a mid-range jumper. Even with her high usage rate on offense, Mullins still shined as a rebounder. She’s a great competitor in all areas of the game and will for sure be in the mix with D-II programs with D-I schools not out of the realm of possibility.