Team Slink Pink 2019
2020 6-0 F Sophia Singer (Woodstock) provided a major spark off the bench, hitting two threes during a stretch in the first half that gave Team Slink the lead for good. She scored all 9 of her points in the half and grabbed 3 rebounds.
Lady Rebels Platinum
2019 5-10 W Markiema Lancaster (Northview) came out of the gates hot for the Lady Rebels, brining intensity on defense and a slashing mindset on offense. She picked up 8 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Quick and versatile, Lancaster is capable of defending multiple positions while able to help facilitate on offense.
2021 6-4 F Jillian Hollingshead (Holy Innocents’) finished with 9 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assists and 1 block. With a major size advantage, Hollingshead strayed away from the paint and instead handled guard duties. Her ball handling was impressive for her size, able to get to the bucket on occasion, but I felt like she could have been more effective down low. I would like to see her work inside-out instead of outside-in with her exceptional length. Her quickness as a face-up post presence could be a matchup nightmare but instead she started her touches catching at the three-point line. Long term, having those guard skills at that age and at that height make Hollingshead a future High Major prospect. Clemson, Minnesota, VCU, Western Kentucky, UIC, Western Carolina, Detroit-Mercy, Old Dominion and Ohio were a few of the schools in attendance for the Lady Rebels’ 50-47 loss to Michigan Storm Elite Taylor.
Lady Rebels Gold
2021 5-5 CG Mariah Baltierra (Norcross) didn’t make the biggest dent in the score book, but her feel for the game and her decision making caught my eye. Baltierra came off the bench and provided important minutes in the Rebels’ 57-44 victory. Her IQ was apparent as she was always willing to make the extra pass and was able to probe the defense until she found something her or a teammate liked. She had 6 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 steal.
2019 6-2 F Ashlee Austin (Northview) is no stranger when it comes to GHSA basketball fans, opposing coaches and national scouting agencies. Austin picked up where she left off last season, leading Northview to a 1-0-1 start to open camp. She dumped in 23 points, 10 rebounds and 3 steals against GAC before wrecking Hillgrove’s frontline for 25 points, 18 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Her size and touch were on full display, stepping out to hit three threes on the day. Austin is a physical rebounder that can score through contact. She went 9-for-9 total from the foul line. The UGA coaching staff had a hawk’s eye on her throughout camp.
2020 5-8 CG Caroline Martin (North Forsyth) dropped in 22 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal in a come from behind win against Winder-Barrow. Martin’s three-point shot opened up driving lanes. She nailed three three-pointers and weaved through traffic to get to the hole. She had a meaningful first step that was quick enough to put defenders in the dust. Martin is a well-polished guard that knows how to win games.
2019 5-8 CG Michelle Smith (Hillgrove) was the biggest eye-opener at UGA. Smith is an athlete with tight movements and a silky-smooth jump shot. Hillgrove was at their best when she had the ball in her hands. She was a playmaker, getting the ball in the right spots. Northview was never able to fluster her. Smith was in complete control with a strong handle. She posted 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 steals and 1 block. It would behoove Hillgrove to run the offense through Smith and let her create her own offense or find shooters Logan Van Arsdale and Breah McGrady on the perimeter. Smith was a Second Team All-Region 3-AAAAAAA selection last season. In Athens, she looked like a future D-I player.