Sandy's Spiel Tip-Off Classic Girls Top Performers
Girls Analysis

Sandy’s Spiel Tip-Off Classic Girls Top Performers


PRO Movement

Cayla Cowart2022 5-10 CG Cayla Cowart – West Forsyth
With emotions running high on her official signing day, inking her letter of intent to play at Tennessee Tech just two hours before tip-off, Cayla Cowart shook off a slow start to power West Forsyth to a convincing 45-39 win over Greenbrier, propelling Mallory Ranfos to her first career coaching victory. Cowart got aggressive in the second half and used her trademark slashing attack to find weaknesses in the Greenbrier defense. Cowart finished with both hands and was able to create scoring opportunities for others once she got downhill. Cayla’s quick hands on defense helped account for 23 team steals. Cowart finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 steals to cap off her celebration.

2023 5-9 W Molly Quincy – West Forsyth
Molly Quincy emerged as an X-Factor in West Forsyth’s statement win, a game in which the Wolverines led the Preseason Class 5A No. 3 ranked Wolfpack 39-16 heading into the fourth quarter. Quincy’s energy and effort was infectious as she posted 17 points, 9 rebounds and 1 steal. In dire need of a consistent third scorer with the loss of Kalie Thrower, Quincy stepped up by attacking the basket and getting on the glass. Molly found herself in the right place at the right time and capitalized on every opportunity presented.

2023 6-3 C Caitlin Staley – Greenbrier
One of the hottest post prospects in Georgia this offseason, piling in multiple D-I offers of all levels, Caitlin Staley made a positive first impression. Greenbrier was sloppy with the ball through the first three quarters which limited post touches for Staley, but when she did get the ball either off post entries or off the glass, she was effective. Staley is blessed with great size, strong up top with a lean lower half. She seals hard and can make moves over either shoulder. She scored on a nice hook shot and was a nuisance on the offensive boards. Caitlin has a soft touch at the foul line and could develop a mid-range jumper over time. Defensively, Staley was an anchor inside. She altered countless shots and when pulled out on the perimeter, she held her own and was able to close ground and block shots from behind whenever a guard beat her off the dribble. Staley collected 12 points, 7 rebounds and 8 blocks. While her rim protection is the best aspect of her game right now, she has plenty of offensive upside and should improve steadily over her final two seasons.

2023 5-5 PG Trinity Barrow – Greenbrier
The energizer bunny that makes the Greenbrier offense tick, Trinity Barrow showed flashes of her playmaking ability. Barrow is quick and shifty with the ball. She can create her own offense off the bounce and shoots the ball well of the dribble. Trinity is a skilled ball handler with a low center of gravity which makes her hard to keep in front and knock off course. Barrow finished with 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals and 1 block. The Wolfpack came out lethargic after playing the night before and a long bus ride in the morning, but when they got their legs in the fourth quarter you could see why Greenbrier is a threat in Class 5A, outscoring West Forsyth 23-6 in the final stanza.

Sharon Tolliver2023 5-7 CG Sharon Tolliver – South Forsyth
South Forsyth has all the pieces to make a run in Class 7A over the next two years. The War Eagles’ top perimeter scorer is Sharon Tolliver, a nimble guard with a dangerous outside shot. Tolliver paced South Forsyth with 17 points, 3 rebounds and 1 steal. She scored at all three levels, knocking down a three, hitting from the mid-range, scoring on two drives and going 4-7 from the line. Continuing to find ways to impact games aside from scoring will help raise Tolliver’s stock. She should be on D-II radars.

Clara Morris2023 5-9 SG Clara Morris – South Forsyth
Known for her three-point shooting, Clara Morris did a little bit of everything for South Forsyth, setting the tone in their 1-2-2 press. Morris hit a pair of threes and finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. She was in attack mode early, driving to the basket for two first quarter layups which helped open up the defense on the perimeter as the game went on. Morris has good overall instincts and is quick to loose balls.

Lucy Hood2024 5-9 PG Lucy Hood – Rabun County
Lucy Hood was a bright spot for Rabun County but could have been even better; a scary proposition. It was a complete 180 from her scrimmage performance earlier in the week where she couldn’t buy a bucket, finishing the game without any field goals but sinking 13-16 from the line. On Saturday, Hood’s jump shot was locked in, hitting 3 threes and nailing two pull-ups en route to 20 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and 1 block, but Hood couldn’t cash in from the foul line going 3-10. Aside from her free throw woes, Hood was mightily impressive. She drew positive reviews from Georgia State who was in attendance. Lucy is inching closer to cementing herself as a D-I prospect. If she continues to develop, she will be in a great position come senior season.

Madison Lee2022 6-1 W Madison Lee – Statesboro
It was an ugly, knock-down-drag-out war between Statesboro and Preseason Class 5A No. 2 Griffin. With gobs of length, athleticism and physicality on the floor, both teams could use an ice bath after the game. In search of an early season signature win to crack the 6A Top 10, Statesboro turned to Madison Lee down the stretch to get the job done. The long athletic swingman scored nine of her team-high 11 points in the second half to go along with 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and 4 blocks. Lee was everywhere in crunch time. She went down in a heap at the 2:23 mark of the third quarter with Statesboro down 26-24 – the air seemingly about to go out of the balloon for the Blue Devils, but Lee was able to eventually shake it off and remained in the game showcasing her toughness. Madison helped get Griffin in foul trouble, going 7-12 from the line. She used her length to great success on defense, blocking shots, snatching rebounds and picking up key steals in the fourth quarter. Not a lot came easy for anybody on either side, but Lee was able to pick up her team without a prolific scoring night and made all the winning plays when it mattered most.

2024 6-3 C Alyssa Staten – Statesboro
You can’t teach size and Alyssa Staten has plenty of it. The sophomore is an unmovable mountain in the paint that wears on opponents over the course of 32 minutes. She forces her way onto the offensive glass, collecting rebounds and keeping the ball high on putbacks. Staten still has room for growth offensively but did show the ability to put the ball on the floor and attack from the high post. Staten draws plenty of fouls on the low block and demands attention when shots go up. She had 9 points, 9 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 blocks. Staten will likely draw D-I attention sooner rather than later.

2023 6-0 F Zy Thompson – Griffin
The motor, length, quickness and athleticism of Zy Thompson caused issues for Statesboro. Thompson was at her best when she caught the ball at the high post and immediately attacked the rim. Thompson is a long strider that covers ground. She’s a springy finisher that uses both hands inside. Zy had a game-high 15 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks. She shined in the absence of Samiah Puckett and carried the load while Aaliyah Duranham battled foul trouble.

2023 5-8 CG Leah Turner – Griffin
An errant foul call ended Leah Turner’s night early at the 4:56 mark of the fourth quarter. Her importance was glaring as the Bears failed to score a single point with her on the bench. Turner is an interesting player. More of a combo guard, Leah has gotten better at being the primary ball handler for the Bears. When she was hunting her offense, she was tough to stop. Turner scored on two drives, a cut, a pull-up jumper and a left-handed finish as she contributed 11 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 3 blocks. She’s an uncanny shot blocker for her size, able to turn away smaller guards that can’t match her physicality. For a team loaded with front court talent, Turner may be the most integral piece for Griffin.