PRO Resolution Girls Top Performers
Girls Analysis

PRO Resolution – The Return: Top Performers

Jayla Cook2022 5-5 PG Jayla Cook – Redan
Possibly the biggest stock riser in camp, Jayla Cook’s effort and energy was infectious throughout the day. Cook left spectators in awe with her motor. She flew around the court and made plays on both sides of the ball. She went full-blast the entire camp and may need to change speeds at times, but her play could not be overlooked. At just 5-foot-5, Cook crashed the glass as well as anyone in camp. In her two best games she posted 5 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and then went for 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Cook’s energy made her a stat sheet stuffer. She was a pesky on-ball defender and on offense got a bulk of her point at the rim. She uses a blinding euro step to flash past defenders. While Cook will likely need to improve her outside shot to remain effective on offense at the next level, her performance on Sunday should put her on small school radars. Jayla is looking to build off her sophomore season in which she averaged 10.7 points and 2.9 assists.

Cayla Cowart2022 5-10 CG Cayla Cowart – West Forsyth
Cayla Cowart has become a regular on the site with her consistent skillful play. Her near-ambidextrous ability to both handle and score with either hand can’t be overstated. Cowart got to the basket at will with her crossover dribble. She turns the ball over so well when she decides to dart to the opposite direction. Once at the rim, Cowart uses floaters and layups with either hand to avoid shot blockers. She’s got a bit of a hitch in her outside shot as she brings the ball in close to shoot. Right now, she’s a better slasher than perimeter scorer but Cowart’s value is more than just scoring. Cayla has great court vision and delivers pinpoint passes to teammates. She can find the open man uncovered downlow while at the top of the key when organizing the offense and can drop off crisp bounce passes on fast breaks in advantage situations. Cowart’s versatility will be on display this upcoming season. While she’s clearly a guard in college, she has to play more of a forward role with West Forsyth being one of their tallest players. She averaged 11.5 points and 7 rebounds as a sophomore and should be on D-I and D-II radars.

 

Caelan Ellis2022 5-7 SG Caelan Ellis – McEachern
Coming off a season where she hit 92 threes to lead Class 7A, Caelan Ellis brought her marksmanship to camp on Sunday.  Ellis was lights out, drilling 3 first half threes en route to a 17-point performance. Just when I was about to label her as specialist, Ellis proved that running her off the line may not be a great idea either. Though she didn’t have blinding speed with the ball in her hands, Ellis was smooth when attacking the basket, precise with her movements and able to get where she wanted to go. Caelan loved driving left and finishing with her off-hand. You can tell that she’s an intelligent player. Ellis moved very well without the ball, running from side to side and then drifting into open areas around the perimeter where she was shot-ready when the ball touched her hands. Part of a loaded roster that opens up at No. 1 in Class 7A, Ellis’ three-point shooting and crafty driving gives McEachern a multiple level scorer on the wing.

 

Kristyn Goshay
2021 5-5 PG Kristyn Goshay – Heritage-Conyers
The floor general. Kristyn Goshay may be a little undersized but the sparkplug is the heart and soul of every team she plays on. She’s a quick shifty ball handler that is always looking for the open man. The ball never sticks in her hands. Goshay is decisive. She will probe the defense to see whether she can turn the corner or if she needs to kick it out. Goshay had a good day getting to the rim and drawing fouls. Even with her lack of size, Kristyn did an exceptional job of finishing amongst length. In a 38-37 win, she tallied 10 points, 2 assists and 1 steal. Defensively, you can always count on her to lock up on-ball. Her lateral quickness frustrates ballhandlers as she can turn them numerous times and can poke away steals. Smaller schools looking for a trustworthy lead guard need to check in with Goshay ASAP. She’s seen the best of the best during her travel ball and high school career and has proven she can hold her own.

Samiya Wayne2023 5-3 PG Samiya Wayne – Buford
Another jitterbug quick guard, Samiya Wayne had a great day defensively. For her age, Wayne showed an advanced level of focus on the defensive end. Wayne has great speed and she wasn’t afraid to challenge ballhandlers, getting into their breathing space and pushing up tight. Her defense energized her offense as she hit a three and finished a tough And-1. Wayne could eventually fill the role left behind by senior Ashyia Willis (Georgia College) as a reliable ball handler and willing defender.

Haelim Adle2022 5-8 G Haelim Adle – North Forsyth
Haelim Adle’s size, strength and body control sticks out to you when you watch her. She is a sturdy guard that won’t get bumped off path when attacking the basket. Her ability to absorb contact when getting inside helps her always stay on balance. She pounds the ball hard and avoids turnovers. Adle is a great fit in dribble-drive systems that look to kick out to shooters. Adle’s strength also helps her when the ball isn’t in her hands. She’s a solid contributor on the glass and can make offensive players uncomfortable with how physical she can defend. Adle could be a breakout candidate at North Forsyth this season. She put up 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in a blowout win at camp. Right now, she looks like a priority recruit at the D-II level.

Laila Battle2022 5-6 G Laila Battle – Campbell
The backcourt of Haelim Adle and Laila Battle was almost unfair at times. Battle’s knowledge of the game really shined through. At 5-foot-6, Battle wasn’t the tallest or quickest player in camp but her ability to always be in the right spot helped her find success. Battle plays under control and plays at her own pace. She doesn’t get sped up or flustered by pressure and instead is able to use the over aggressiveness of the defense against them. Laila protected the ball and was able to get teammates involved with some nice pocket passes. Her effort on the glass really impressed as she tacked on 8 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in a 40-29 win. With the Alston twins graduating, Battle will be an integral piece to Campbell’s success joining North Florida-commit Sarah Taub and Nia Bozeman in the backcourt, a savvy 2022 trio.

NeKaya Williams2022 5-9 G NeKaya Williams – Brookwood
It didn’t take long for NeKaya Williams to make a statement. She was ready to rock and roll starting in Game 1 as she made countless plays on both ends of the floor. Williams is a wiry off-guard with a great motor. A nimble athlete, Williams excelled at slashing her way to the basket. She was shifty when she got downhill and could lose defenders with sharp euro steps. Her length played well on defense, getting into passing lanes, blocking shots and clearing rebounds. She had no problem taking rebounds the length of the court and finishing at the opposite rim. She double-doubled with 10 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Transferring from Duluth where she averaged 10.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.8 steals to Brookwood, Williams will make an immediate impact in the backcourt next to Diana Collins and could see her stock skyrocket over the next two seasons.

Gabryelle Matthews2021 5-8 F Gabryelle Matthews – Elite Scholars Academy
An intriguing prospect, Gabryelle Matthews was one of spectators’ favorite players. Matthews is a physically built forward that looks like an old school anchor-on-the-block post at first glimpse, but she is so much more than that. Matthews is immensely skilled on offense. She has good feet for her size and handles the ball exceptionally well as she attacks the basket. Matthews has a soft touch in the paint and from the mid-range. She can power through contact inside and earns plenty of trips to the line. Matthews methodically works her way to the basket and doesn’t get flustered when smaller defenders try to dig down on her. Matthews averaged 13.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.2 steals while hitting 21 threes a season ago. She will now be the go-to option with Layla Hood at Lovejoy. Small schools will want to take a good long look at Gabryelle. She could be a steal at the right level.