Tag Archives: girls basketball

GHSA, Girls Basketball, Girls Honors

GHSA 2018-19 Girls Preseason All-Area Teams

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All-East Georgia

G – Kayla McPherson, Madison County, So.
G – Torrion Starks, Hart County, Sr.
G – Ansley Hall, North Oconee, Jr.
F – Tykedra Rolland, Josey, Sr.
F – Jordan Bailey, Madison County, Sr.

All-West Georgia

G – Janya Love-Hill, Carver-Columbus, Sr.
F – Deasia Merrill, Villa Rica, Sr.
F – Amari Robinson, Douglas County, Sr.
F – Taziha Fanning, Harris County, Sr.
C – Olivia Cochran, Carver-Columbus, Jr.

All-Metro Georgia

G – Morgan Robinson-Nwagwu, Norcross, Sr.
G – Genesis Bryant, Lovejoy, Jr.
G – Raven Johnson, Westlake, So.
F – AC Carter, Wesleyan, Jr.
F – Ashlee Austin, Northview, Sr.

All-Middle Georgia

G – Aniaya Jester, Spalding, Sr.
G – Tomiyah Alford, Lamar County, Sr.
G – Crystal Corley, Baldwin, Sr.
F – Destanee Wright, Dodge County, Sr.
F – Corriana Evans, Spalding, Jr.

All-North Georgia

G – Kaylee Sticker, Dawson County, Sr.
G – Georgia Stockton, Rabun County, Sr.
G – Caroline Wysocki, Flowery Branch, Sr.
G – Lacie McCoy, Cherokee, Sr.
G – Chellia Watson, Winder-Barrow, Sr.

All-South Georgia

G – Dynesha Brown, Swainsboro, Sr.
G – J’Mya Cutter, Johnson-Savannah, Sr.
G – Olonna Rawls, Bryan County, Jr.
G – Miya Byrd, Turner County, Jr.
C – Makayla Timpson, Early County, So.

Girls Analysis, Girls Basketball

ATL Summer Slam Day 2

Georgia Pistols Gold 2019

2019 6-3 Kyndall Golden (New Manchester) double-doubled in a loss with 13 points, 14 rebounds and 4 blocks. Golden is a lane clogger with her size and length. She is an average athlete that doesn’t try to do anything she’s not capable of. She did a great job of crashing the offensive glass and keeping rebounds high. She showed a lefty hook in the lane.

2019 5-10 F Jada Griffin (Northwest Whitfield) is more of a center during the high school season, but on the travel circuit she fits more as a slashing small forward or a quick power forward. Griffin brought great energy as she cleaned the boards and tried to get to the rim. She had 8 points, 9 rebounds and 1 assist. Her physical frame and quickness gives her value as a combo forward. She hit one jumper on the day and will need to continue to improve her outside shot.

Porter Sports

2019 6-0 PF Taziha Fanning (Harris County) did her usual damage inside, hanging 19 points, 9 rebounds and 1 steal. Fanning, an All-State big, is a physical power post that uses her sturdy frame to move defenders out of her way. Fanning is a strong rebounder. She sticks with it even when she gets her shot blocked, on numerous occasions regathering herself and powering through for a bucket or a foul. She has decent footwork on the low block and knows what her strengths are. At the foul line her free throws are very flat. She shot 44% from the line as a junior.

2019 5-7 PG Kennedi Miller (McIntosh) didn’t score but she managed to keep the pressure on the defense with hard drives to the basket. After failing to convert at the rim on her first attempts, Miller made the smart decision to finish her rim runs with a dump off to her bigs on the block. Her ballhandling and her defense kept her on the court in a close game as she finished with 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals.

Georgia Pistols Elite East 2019

2019 6-0 SG Kai Carter (Paideia) looked good before going down with an ankle injury and having to get carried off the court. Carter is a long athletic guard that is best when slashing to the hoop. She had 8 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. She didn’t show it on Tuesday, but if she has a three-point shot in her arsenal, it wouldn’t be hard to see her attracting some serious D-I interest.

2019 5-10 SG Summer Dilwood (Tucker) is another good looking long perimeter player. She hit a three and finished with 7 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Her activity on defense shone through in a 50-43 loss to 16U Gauchos.

2019 6-1 C Kennedi Manning (Arabia Mountain) is a svelte agile post that has the length to block shots and clean up misses. She had 5 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks. She provided good effort in the paint but could be even more aggressive when trying to score inside.

Lady Rebels Platinum

2021 6-4 C Jill Hollingshead (Holy Innocents’) responded in a big way on Day 2. After opening the tournament by floating around the three-point line, Hollingshead got in the paint and battled with Natalija Marshall. She tallied 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 blocks. Hollingshead’s length gave the 6-foot-5 Marshall and the rest of Exodus some issues when getting in the paint.  Hollingshead is still learning her craft and identifying mismatches will make her an even tougher cover once she matures.

2019 5-7 PG Alea Spears (Brookwood) was a bowling ball of competitiveness. She had a quiet Summer Slam opener but brought it on the big stage against two of the better guards in the event. Spears was good in transition pushing the ball down the floor. She played solid defense and hit shots on offense on her way to 12 points. Here compact build let her absorb contact and finish when getting to the hole.

2019 6-0 F Kierra Adams (Brookwood) displayed her versatility. The talented forward scored inside and out, hitting a pair of threes in her 14-point outing. Adams has the size and skill to play 1-5 during the high school season.

Girls Analysis, Girls Basketball

ATL Summer Slam Day 1

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.

Girls Analysis, Girls Basketball

UGA Girls Team Camp Standouts

Ashlee Austin2019 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.

2019 5-8 SG Chellia Watson (Winder-Barrow) will have to carry the Lady Doggs offense her senior season. While losing an All-American and a D-I signee obviously hurts, Winder-Barrow will still be competitive on the back of Watson. She ignited the action, drilling five threes in the first game of the day. Watson was able to create her own shot off the dribble. She has a strong build which allows her to get into the paint and finish against bigger defenders. Watson finished with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 2 blocks.

Caroline Martin2020 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.

Michelle Smith2019 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.

Deasia Merrill, Georgia Stockton
Deasia Merrill & Georgia Stockton

2019 6-2 F Deasia Merrill (Villa Rica) is rolling in D-I offers with Clemson and Duke the latest to pop. More are coming for the extremely skilled big. Merrill has a wide base and knows how to use it to her advantage, whether shielding defenders away or getting in position to rebound. Her court awareness is as high as anyone’s in the state. She is a great passer and truly makes everyone on her team better. Her hands are outstanding on defense and when rebounding. While defenses will do everything in their power to slow her down, Merrill can still affect games in other ways than just scoring. She posted 10 points, 19 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks in a dominating performance against Rabun County.

2019 5-8 CG Georgia Stockton (Rabun County) provided a spark for the Lady Cats in their duel with Villa Rica. Stockton started slow, but the Presbyterian-commit got hot, drilling four three-pointers to get Rabun County back in the game. The Region 8-AA Player of the Year pumped in 19 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 7 steals. Stockton is a leader on the floor and an extension of Coach DeeDee Dillard. Her attitude and play on both ends of the floor is infectious.

GHSA, Girls Basketball, Girls Transfers

2018-19 GHSA Girls Basketball Transfer List

Here is a rundown of some transfers I have heard through the grapevine and a summary of what the additions mean. If you know of anymore or any that are incorrect, please shoot me a tweet @KyleSandy355, leave a comment or email kylesandy355@gmail.com

Thanks!

Class AAAAAAA

SR Alea Spears – 5’6″ – (Mountain View to Brookwood)
JR Malia Grace – 6’2″ – (Brookwood to Grayson)
JR Jalyn Bell – 5’8″ – (Brookwood to Parkview)

Class AAAAAA

SR Markiema Lancaster – 5’10” – (Johns Creek to Northview)
SR Meghan Schneller – 5’6” – (Christian Heritage to Dalton)
SR Kelsey Schneller – 5’6” – (Christian Heritage to Dalton)

Class AAAAA

Class AAAA

SO Logan Wiggins – 6’1″ – (North Forsyth to Chestatee)
JR Ansley Hall – 5’6″ – (Prince Avenue Christian to North Oconee)
SR Paris Mullins – 6’3″ – (Westlake to Henry County)

Class AAA

SR Maddie Thomas – 5’11” – (Banks County to Cherokee Bluff)
JR Madi Phillips – 6’1″ – (White County to Cherokee Bluff)
SR Brooklynn Talton – 5’7″ – (Westside-Macon to Central-Macon)

Class AA

JR Heather Vaughan – 5’5″ – (Habersham Central to Banks County)

Class A

SR India Bellamy – 6’1” – (Dutchtown to ELCA)
SO Keslynn Oxendine – 5’7″ – (Woodland-Stockbridge to ELCA)
JR Taylor Greene – 5’7″ – (Taylor County to Marion County)
SO Ali Rumpel – 6’0″ – (Starr’s Mill to Athens Academy)
JR Alanni Brown – 5’9″ – (North Gwinnett to Wesleyan)
JR Savannah Samuel – 6’1″ – (River Ridge to St. Francis)
JR Eliza Snyder – 5’10” – (St. Francis to Lakeview Academy)

Out-of-GHSA

JR Kemia Ward – 6’1 – (McEachern to Holy Spirit Prep)

Class 7A

Alea Spears brings help at the guard position for Brookwood, coming in from Mountain View where she was a Region 6-AAAAAAA Second Team selection. The 5-foot-6 ball handler averaged 10.6 points, 3.8 assists and 2.2 steals per game.

6-foot-2 junior Malia Grace transfers from Brookwood to Grayson.  Grace is an imposing figure inside with a physical frame. She averaged 9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game with the Broncos.

2020 5-foot-8 point guard Jalyn Bell departs Brookwood for bitter rival Parkview. Bell, an athletic defensive specialist, will look to provide ball handler and some scoring in the backcourt for a Parkview team with a young and talented front court. As a sophomore, Bell averaged 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game.

Class 6A

The addition of Second Team All-Region selection Markiema Lancaster from Johns Creek to reigning Region 7 champion and back-to-back state semifinalist Northview gives the Titans one of the best starting fives on paper in the classification. At 5-foot-10, Lancaster brings a much needed extra ball handler to the roster. A versatile piece with the length and quickness reminiscent to that of former Northview star and current Mercer Bear Shannon Titus, Lancaster can ignite her own fast breaks off the glass and will chip in defensively. Lancaster needs to keep her head up while dribbling. She can tend to have her eyes down when pushing the ball up the court, but once her focus is in front, she has a nice passing touch.

Class 5A

Class 4A

All-State point guard Ansley Hall heads to North Oconee after leading Prince Avenue to their best season in school history. The stat sheet stuffer provides the Titans with a dynamic ball handler that makes her teammates better.

Class 3A

New program Cherokee Bluff will look to build a tradition with the help of Maddie Thomas, a big time winner while at Banks County where she was an All-Region Honorable Mention selection. Thomas will provide outside shooting and length on defense for the Bears.

Brooklynn Talton makes the move from Westside to Central-Macon for her senior season. With the Seminoles, Talton was a rebounding machine, pulling down 11.6 per game. She also added 5.9 points and 2.4 steals per contest.

Class 2A

Heather Vaughan leaves Habersham Central for Banks County after averaging 15 points per game as a sophomore. The 5-foot-5 guard was Region 8-AAAAAA Honorable Mention. She also made the All-Region Tournament Team. She will provide shooting and ball handling for a Banks County team coming off a 25-win season.

Class 1A

India Bellamy returns to ELCA after spending a year at Dutchtown where she earned Class 5A All-State Second Team Honors after averaging 14.7 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3 steals per game. She now joins forces with international sensation Weronika Hipp, who averaged over 24 points per game as a freshman. The duo should become one of the best inside-out punches in the state and instantly boost ELCA into becoming a legit Final Four contender.

Taylor Greene provides some much needed outside shooting to Marion County. Greene should see good looks throughout the season as defenses key in on stopping the Eagles’ dominant post play.

Sophomore Ali Rumpel will provide a physical low block presence that can score around the rim and protect the paint at Athens Academy. Rumpel, 6-foot, was named Region 3-AAAAA Freshman of the Year at Starr’s Mill after averaging 10.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. She will pair up with fellow 2021 forward 5-foot-10 Rose Bone to form a strong, talented, bruising frontcourt.

Wesleyan’s annual reload starts with Alanni Brown of North Gwinnett. Brown, 5-foot-9, was a Region 6-AAAAAAA Honorable Mention selection her sophomore season after averaging 12 points per game.

After breaking out as a Class AAAAAA All-State star at her home school River Ridge, the well traveled 6-foot-1 junior Savannah Samuel bounces to her third school in three years joining St. Francis. Samuel averaged 20.1 points and 5.7 rebounds as a versatile inside-out wing. Samuel picked up a Virginia Tech offer in July but to keep her recruitment momentum she will now have to fit into a much different role at St. Francis.

Out-of-GHSA

The transfer market bites McEachern for once as 6-foot-1 post Kemia Ward transfers to Holy Spirit Prep. Ward will head to the GISA with freshman sister Kaela. Kemia reclasses to 2020 after seeing her season end short with an injury. Ward is a physical and athletic rim protector which will be sorely missed at McEachern.