QwikCut Summer Classic
Girls Analysis

QwikCut Summer Classic Day 1 Standouts

Diana Collins2023 5-9 PG Diana Collins – Brookwood
Four-star point guard Diana Collins was simply brilliant at the QwikCut Classic. Her ability to control games and do everything imaginable is fun to watch. Collins’ play is smooth and calculated. Though she may play with a smile, Diana is a stone-cold killer that will rip the heart out of opponents when needed with her clutch shot making from all three levels. In a fun 61-57 win over West Forsyth which saw both teams trade buckets, anytime the Wolverines got close Collins would have an answer. She buried 3 threes on her way to 22 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 6 steals. Collins scored with crafty spin finishes and running floaters in the lane. She has the ball on a string and can twist defenders in knots with her shiftiness and always makes the right decision on whether to take it herself or find the open man. In Game 2, a 60-38 win over Duluth, Collins had an easy 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 7 steals and 1 block. Diana raises the level of play of her teammates and always puts Brookwood in a position to win every game.

NeKaya Williams2022 5-9 G Nekaya Williams – Brookwood
If Diana Collins is considered the ice, Nekaya Williams is definitely the fire. She is a sparkplug that plays with all gas, no breaks. Williams sets the tone with her energy as she makes plays all over the floor on both sides of the ball. Nekaya is lightning quick with a sharp crossover that helps her get to the rack in a blink. Williams is a superb athlete that uses her leaping ability to play bigger than her height. She’s a great rebounder for a guard and can defend 1-3. Nekaya had 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals vs. West Forsyth, followed by 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block against Duluth.

Mataya Gayle2023 5-7 PG Mataya Gayle – River Ridge
It was another dynamic showing for Mataya Gayle, who continues to surge her way into the conversation as one of the elite point guards in Georgia. Gayle got into the lane at will against Archer, using her speed and change of direction to keep defenders off balance. Her outside shot was locked in, drilling 3 three-pointers. Gayle poured in 22 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block in a 51-44 win over host Archer. D-I offers will materialize by the end of the month.

Taniya McGowan2023 5-11 W Taniya McGowan – Archer
Taniya McGowan didn’t have a big offensive game to start the event, but she showed value with her defense. The physical wing was effective on the glass and defended at a high level. McGowan has the strength and quickness to guard nearly any position. Her nose for the ball was apparent, finding ways to come away with steals and blocking shots inside. She finished with 7 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals and 4 blocks.

2023 5-9 G Courtney Nesbitt – Archer
Courtney Nesbitt picked up in the slack for Archer offensively as she scored from the perimeter. Nesbitt was able to create her own offense, gaining separation by using step-backs off the dribble to hit mid-range jumpers. Nesbitt knocked down a three and hit a turnaround jumper as well. The wiry and energetic guard produced 11 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

2022 5-10 F Jaida Fitzgerald – Campbell
For a team that doesn’t have a true post presence, Jaida Fitzgerald uses her versatility to positively affect games for Campbell. She’s got a strong body which she uses to fight for rebounds inside. Fitzgerald can help push the ball in transition. Jaida is a solid defender that can guard 3-5. Her activity around the rim gave West Forsyth issues, posting 11 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 block in a 46-28 victory.

Cayla Cowart2022 5-10 CG Cayla Cowart – West Forsyth
The full package was on display in Game 2 as Cayla Cowart battled blue-chipper Diana Collins. Cowart was at her very best: scoring, rebounding, facilitating and defending. Her aggressiveness attacking the rim in the first half gave her the confidence to fill it up from the perimeter in the second, hitting 3 threes in a 27-point barrage which featured 7 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals. Cowart finished with both hands around the rim as usual and went 2-2 from the foul line. Cayla shot the ball with confidence all day, going 3-4 in total from the line and hitting 5 threes. Her effort on defense was solid and her ability to crash down and rebound helped start fast breaks. Cowart will see attention from both D-I and D-II schools over the next few months.

Jordan Kierbow2022 5-8 G Jordan Kierbow – Mt. Zion-Carrollton
A prolific scorer at the Class A-Public level, Jordan Kierbow was put to the test against Class 7A Mill Creek. The end result was a 41-31 win with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. Kierbow did her damage in the paint, getting to the hoop and drawing fouls inside. She went 3-5 from the stripe and used her physical frame to score in traffic. What stood out most to me was Jordan’s court vision. She excelled as a passer, consistently finding the open man whether it be off the dribble or outletting to start the fast break.

2022 5-7 G Bree Orellana – Mill Creek
The left wing was Bree Orellana’s hot spot vs. Mt. Zion-Carrollton. She drained a pair of threes en route to 12 points. Orellana is a dangerous catch-and-shoot threat, but she also showed the ability to attack with the dribble when ran off the line.

Calie Thrower2022 5-7 G Calie Thrower – West Forsyth
Hesitant to shoot in a Game 1 loss to Campbell, Calie Thrower’s performance in Game 2 explains why Coach David May was pleading with her to let it fly. Thrower drilled 4 threes and finished with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists vs. Brookwood. She’s a strong bodied guard with quick feet and a tight handle. When she’s shot ready and has her mind on scoring, she’s a dangerous cover with her ability to put up points at multiple levels.

Saniya Jones2022 6-4 C Saniya Jones – Duluth
You can’t teach height and you certainly can’t teach height that is coupled with mobility. While Saniya Jones is still raw offensively, she will definitely draw plenty of college attention with her measurables. Jones struggled to finish inside at first, but once she started to slow down and play big, she was unstoppable inside. Whenever she kept the ball high, there was literally nothing Brookwood could do to defend her. Jones is a nightmare to keep off the offensive glass with her length and strength. She posted 16 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks. If Jones can develop a go-to move inside and continue to be ball-strong and finish high, she will be a steal at the next level. She hasn’t yet scratched the surface of her true potential.

2022 5-10 F Amaya Moss – Kell
Productive since Day 1, Amaya Moss continues to shine. The swift-footed forward is always at the right place at the right time. Moss is a ball magnet. She reads passes extremely well in the press, stepping in front for steals. Moss is quick enough to get down the floor and finish with either hand. Amaya is continuing to expand her range to the three-point line. Listed at 5-foot-10, Moss plays closer to 6-foot-2 with how great of a rebounder she is. Moss always finds a way to collect caroms and plays long on defense, blocking shots when challenged. She had a monster two-game stint in a pair of blow outs averaging 21.5 points, 14.5 rebounds and 5 steals with a 4-block game as well. Moss has played her way onto D-II and even High Academic D-I radars.

2022 5-9 CG Sydney Bolden – Loganville
There’s a lot of good that Sydney Bolden brings to the table. The athletic and long-armed guard has really grown as a playmaker over the past year. Now with a key 2021 class gone, more of the burden will be placed on her shoulders. Sydney will have to keep defenses honest by creating separation and hitting jumpers off the dribble. Bolden is tough when she gets downhill and can make things happen once the defense collapses. She really makes a mark defensively, using her activity to deflect passes and force turnovers.

2023 5-6 G Jada Peterson – Kell
Transferring in from Etowah, Jada Peterson is turning into a three-level scorer. She’s a blur in transition and does a great job getting to the rim. Once a streaky shooter, it looks like Peterson may have turned the corner with her three-point shot. She looked comfortable playing alongside Crystal Henderson. Peterson will get tons of catch-and-shoot opportunities with teams doubling Henderson. Defensively, she’s the perfect athlete to help swarm the ball and jump passing lanes.