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

Sandy’s Spiel Tip-Off Classic Girls Top Performers


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Riley Black2024 5-8 G Riley Black – Chestatee
On her home floor, Riley Black planted her flag as the best player in Hall County recording 29 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals in a 64-45 win over Sequoyah. Black was consistent throughout, scoring at least six points in each quarter. What stood out most was Riley’s efficiency. She got to her spots extremely well and had her soft pull-up jumper working, netting five on the day, kissing the ball off the front rim letting it roll in. Black did a good job of not forcing the issue or over dribbling. She didn’t get caught too deep in the paint, an area of growth from last season. Black’s overpowering physicality and tenacity couldn’t be matched on the glass. D-II programs are tracking.

2024 5-7 G Shelby Belanger – Sequoyah
With Southern Miss-signee Elle Blatchford out with a high ankle sprain, Shelby Belanger stepped up in a big way, burying 5 threes en route to 15 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists. Belanger lit it up with her quick stroke. When her feet were set, she was automatic from deep. Improving her ball handling and off the dribble game will help open up more avenues to score.

Kylie Watkins2025 6-0 F Kylie Watkins – White County
White County suffocated a shorthanded Banks County in their 51-29 win. Kylie Watkins’ length and versatility were on display as she collected 11 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block. The sophomore spaced the floor with a three-pointer and scored on an And-1 putback. Watkins drew plenty of fouls inside, going 6-7 from the line. Continuing to add weight to her frame will help with her ability to bang consistently and score through contact. Watkins can produce mismatches with how she can pull her man out to the three-point line and high post when not posting up. Kylie should be a stat sheet stuffer throughout the year, impacting games on both ends of the floor.

2023 6-0 C Claire Beckman – White County
I love what Claire Beckman brings to the table. She’s a sturdy post presence that rebounds, scores around the rim and alters shots. She runs the floor well and has a nice touch on her mid-range. She finished with 14 points and 4 rebounds against Banks County. Beckman is signed to play volleyball at Brenau and could easily help out on the hardwood.

Averie Jones2024 5-7 G Averie Jones – Lumpkin County
With Georgia State and West Georgia in attendance, Averie Jones was at her very best in Lumpkin County’s 65-53 win over Cherokee. With UNG-signee Lexi Pierce on a minutes restriction, Jones was tasked with handling the point guard duties and thrived in her newfound role, producing 26 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Jones drained 5 threes and found points in transition, scoring off three steals, two converted for And-1s. Jones’ elite perimeter scoring is enough for me to stamp her as a D-I prospect. Shooting is so heavily valued and there aren’t many girls in Georgia that space the floor better than Jones.  Seeing her handle the ball, initiate the offense and deliver accurate assists was a positive sign. While she doesn’t have superb height, Jones is far from being undersized. She’s been in the weight room since Year 1 and has packed on muscle each season as her body gets closer and closer to being college ready. Throughout her career Jones has also proven to be a sneaky good on-ball defender with quick reaction time. As far as 2024 guards go, there aren’t a whole lot better than Jones – the numbers and the eye test prove it.

2023 5-10 W Mary Mullinax – Lumpkin County
The reigning Class 3A Player of the Year contributed across the board with 19 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals. Mullinax moves very well without the ball, cutting to score. She scored on a pair of flex cuts, knocked down a three and converted on a left-hand drive. Her energy and versatility on defense help set the tone for the Indians. The Emory-signee is a difference maker on both sides of the ball.

2023 5-11 PF Kate Jackson – Lumpkin County
I loved the way Kate Jackson played in Lumpkin County’s 65-53 win. She’s a premier stretch-forward that spaces the floor as well as any big in Georgia. Kate nailed 3 threes en route to finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal. Jackson is a true inside-out threat that identifies mismatches and exploits them. She posts up with a wide base and is physical fighting for position. Jackson likes to duck in for hook shots across the lane and implements a power drop step baseline. When she has the ball atop the key, she doesn’t panic and delivers accurate passes to cutters. Jackson’s skill level should lend to her seeing playing time sooner rather than later at Emmanuel.

2026 5-7 G Lyla Griffith – Cherokee
Lyla Griffith stepped up in a major way. The freshman has a great nose for the ball and isn’t afraid to mix it up. Griffith shot lights out from deep, nailing 4 threes on her way to finishing with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Lyla shot the ball with confidence, not hesitating at all when she got clean looks. Griffith made a few plays downhill, using her strength to ward off defenders as she tried to get to her floater.

2024 5-6 G Hannah Harris – Cherokee
With Alex Whitecliffe missing, Hannah Harris provided a scoring lift making a home in the corners as she buried 3 threes. Harris netted 11 points to go along with 3 rebounds. When she wasn’t spotting up in the corners, she was helping push the ball and find the open man as the Lady Warriors sank 11 threes.

Lucy Hood2024 5-9 PG Lucy Hood – Rabun County
Rabun County desperately needs Lucy Hood to be aggressive this year in order to recreate the success the team had a year ago. With four starters graduated, Hood heeded the call and delivered in Game 1, collecting 19 points, 2 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 steals and 1 block in a 75-53 win over St. Pius X. Hood was the catalyst for the LadyCats, scoring from all three levels while setting up her teammates. Lucy hit a three off the dribble, scored on two And-1 drives and hit three mid-range jumpers, one going left and one going to her right. Hood finished with both hands at the basket and scored through contact using her signature chicken wing move to brush off defenders right before going into her shot attempt. Maybe Hood’s most impressive play was her left-handed assist off the dribble, whipping the ball across the court to an open shooter. Aside from creating 18 field goals, Lucy brought scrappy toughness as an on-ball defender, using quick hands and pressure defense to knock away steals. Hood’s junior season will go a long way in determining what lens she will be viewed as. Right now, she’s teetering on the line of D-I/D-II. More performances like Saturday’s will push her up recruiting boards.

Ellie Southards2024 5-8 SG Ellie Southards – Rabun County
Ellie Southards’ long awaited return from ACL surgery couldn’t have gone better as the junior reminded the rest of the state of her firepower, netting 5 threes on her way to 30 points, 2 rebounds and 2 steals. Southards is a three-level scorer and a unique cover. She has a quick release on her three-point shot and is a creative ball handler with physical strength which helps her get to her spots. Ellie does a good job of squaring her shoulders and finishing through contact inside, converting a pair of And-1s on Saturday. Southards’ toughness often helps her play bigger than her size. While there weren’t a ton of rebounds to go around against St. Pius X, Southards is typically a stout glass cleaner for her size that does a good job of blocking out. Ellie’s stamina looked good and her competitive fire never extinguished over her lengthy time off, getting chippy in a few spots. Southards should have a big year scoring the ball and will draw college attention this season with her shot making.

2025 5-10 PF Annabella Sheridan – St. Pius X
A bright spot for St. Pius X was Annabella Sheridan. The Golden Lions entered the game with a major size advantage and Sheridan was able to capitalize, posting 18 points, 10 rebounds and 1 steal. Sheridan has good hands inside. She’s able to play a physical brand of basketball as she asserts herself on the backboards. Annabella scored on a hook shot and also stepped outside to bank in a three. She showed a soft touch at the foul line going 3-4. Only a sophomore, Sheridan has plenty of time to continue to develop. She will certainly draw recruitment in due time.