Region 7-4A Semifinals Girls Top Performers
Girls Analysis

Region 7-4A Semifinals Girls Top Performers


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2025 5-0 PG Kayla Lopez – Heritage-Catoosa
When Heritage needed big plays down the stretch they turned to their juniors to create in a 48-42 win over Northwest Whitfield. Kayla Lopez hit two timely threes in the second half, her first to halt a Bruin run that temporarily put the Generals behind, then later draining a three at the 5:10 mark of the fourth quarter to pull ahead 39-36. While Kayla netted two of Heritage’s five threes, it was her crafty playmaking that was most impressive. Lopez is a smooth facilitator. She did a good job penetrating the defense and not getting swallowed up by the size around her, able to split defenders by threading the needle. Lopez’s finest play was the game-clincher, part of a 7-0 run to close the game. Kayla attacked the baseline and in traffic, wrapped around a pass to Tori Epps for an And-1 bucket with less than a minute to play to extend the General lead to 45-42. Though undersized, Kayla has a strong compact frame which provides her balance when creating in tight spaces. Lopez finished with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Her skill level projects out to the college level. D-III and NAIA programs might want to touch base.

2025 5-9 W Macie Collins – Heritage-Catoosa
Following a slow start with just two free throws in the first half, the Region Player of the Year stepped up in crunch time, scoring six points in the fourth quarter to guide Heritage past Northwest Whitfield 48-42 after trailing 34-33 through three quarters. While her offense evaded her initially, Macie turned to her floor game to make a positive impact for the Generals. Collins is a physical asset that can play in multiple positions. She is a bit of a tweener, serving as a combo-forward able to play inside and out. Her toughness in the paint as a rebounder allows her to play bigger than her size. She does a good job blocking out and walls up when defending around the rim. Macie showcases her strength with her outlet passes, able to quickly advance the ball up the court with lead passes. Collins does the dirty work that doesn’t show up in the stat sheet, willing to step in and draw charges. Offensively, Macie is most successful when she puts her head down and attacks the rim. She’s good and using her shoulders to turn corners and bump defenders off her line. In the second half, Collins got more aggressive looking for her offense. She netted a three in the fourth quarter and coolly sank a pair of go-ahead free throws to take the lead for good at the 1:26 mark. Macie posted 10 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Her toughness and versatility give her value at the next level. NAIA and D-III programs will want to get familiar with Collins’ game. With another year of development, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that D-II schools could show interest. Playing in front of college coaches will be important.

2026 5-9 W Tori Epps – Heritage-Catoosa
Tori was involved in some of the biggest plays of the game in consecutive possessions. First, up 43-42, Epps stepped in to take a charge with 1:03 left to play. On the next play, Tori converted an And-1 layup off a Kayla Lopez assist to extend the lead to 45-42. Epps missed the free throw but Camdyn Carter got a steal and Tori was sent back to the line where she sank both to push the General advantage all of a sudden to 47-42 with only 29.5 seconds remaining. I like Epps and what she brings to the table. Standing at 5-foot-9, Tori has an athletic build. She’s capable of guarding inside and out. Offensively, Epps showed the ability to score with both hands, comfortable using her left. Tori compiled 11 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in the win. She’s a promising young player.

2027 5-6 G Camdyn Carter – Heritage-Catoosa
Camdyn had the hot hand early, netting 10 first quarter points en route to finishing with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal. Carter has a strong frame which allows her to matchup with bigger players. She can play multiple spots on the perimeter, serving as both a two and a three. Carter found her offense inside and out. She scored an And-1 and netted a pair of threes. Camdyn went 3-3 from the foul line. Heritage is hard to guard when Carter is spacing the floor with her outside shot.

2025 5-4 PG Sloan Pender – Northwest Whitfield
Sloan looked like a completely different player from what I saw a month ago against Coahulla Creek. Against the Colts, Pender was passive, getting others involved. On Tuesday, she was relentless getting to the rim, routinely scoring with her left hand on drives. Pender scored 11 points in the first quarter, stepping up with Kennedy Baker coming off the bench and posted a game-high 18 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. The righty scored with her left hand five times using her quickness to get to the rim in a blink. She thrived in transition, weaving through the defense coast-to-coast. Sloan added a three-pointer in the second quarter. It was a major stock-up performance. Pender’s skill finishing with both hands was one of the most impressive performances I’ve seen this season. She’s a good target to track for D-III and NAIA programs.

2025 5-9 W Kennedy Baker – Northwest Whitfield
Reportedly coming off a concussion, Kennedy Baker started the game on the bench. As the game wore on, the stronger Baker got. Last season’s Region Player of the Year had something to prove. The athletic and aggressive wing scored with floaters, in transition and with a mid-range jumper. Baker has the agility of a guard but is best suited within the arc, a threat to score on cuts, putbacks and short drives. Her outside shot will be an area to focus on in the offseason, but she hits just enough to keep defenses honest. Kennedy’s toughness, motor and versatility will draw college attention. She tallied 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 5 steals and 2 blocks in a 48-42 loss to Heritage-Catoosa. Baker is an intriguing prospect. Depending on what position she will be recruited as will determine ultimately what level she will play at.

2025 5-7 G Erin Garland – Sonoraville
Garland was consistent throughout, even when Sonoraville got off to a sluggish start leading Cedartown 6-4 after the first quarter, Erin netting four points. The Phoenix soon thereafter would ignite a 30-2 run to bury the Bulldogs, racing away for an easy 54-20 win. Garland scored in every quarter except the fourth when the bench was emptied. The softball standout found her offense in transition, scoring six hoops on fastbreaks. Garland netted a three and went 5-5 from the line. Erin will need to develop her left hand to make it easier to score on her weak side of the basket. The point guard’s pace powered the Phoenix finishing with 20 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.

2025 5-6 G Ella Kate Walraven – Sonoraville
Ella Kate is a rolling ball of butcher knives, a hard-playing guard that uses her aggressiveness to overwhelm opponents and her strength to help defend bigger players. Walraven shoots in to collect steals and does a good job in transition both as a playmaker and when filling lanes. She showcased the ability to finish with both hands and drilled a deep three at the buzzer to end the third quarter. Sonoraville successfully turned defense into offense, fast breaking the Bulldogs into submission as the Phoenix collected 19 steals as EK scored three buckets. Walraven tallied 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals.

2024 5-9 F Kendal Pace – Cedartown
Volleyball star Kendal Pace shined bright for Cedartown in a game that got away quickly after the first quarter. I loved her activity, athleticism and strength. She played atop the 1-2-2 and was able to hinder easy passes and limited straight-line drives. The lefty got on the glass for putbacks and looked comfortable in the high post against the Sonoraville zone, able to find the open man with quick passes. Pace recorded 6 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals.