Week 1 Standouts
Girls Analysis

Week 1 Girls Standouts

2022 5-10 SG Jillian Bretz – Forsyth Central
It was a memorable performance for Jillian Bretz in her junior debut. Bretz put together a brilliant performance in a 51-44 win over No. 9 Flowery Branch. A big guard with agile quickness, Bretz assaulted the Falcons from all three levels. She drilled three threes to open the game and hit four on the night. Bretz collected rebounds and would go coast-to-coast, slicing her way through the defense. She scored off the dribble, getting to the rim and pulling up from the mid-range. Jillian used her length to pick up steals and deflections throughout the game. Bretz looked good on and off the ball. If Forsyth Central needed a spark, they turned to Bretz. Every time the ball was in her hands, good things happened. She scored 8 of her game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter to storm past the Falcons. She added 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals to her ledger. With UMass-signee Aisha Dabo out for the season with a torn meniscus, the Bulldogs go as Bretz goes. It’s unquestionably her team and if she can replicate the success she had last week, Forsyth Central will be just fine and Bretz’ recruitment will ignite.


2023 5-11 W Jordynn Dudley – Cambridge
Long, athletic and lightning quick, Jordynn Dudley has all the physical tools to play at a high level in college. She played at a breakneck pace in Cambridge’s 51-47 win over Walton, dumping in 29 points, 3 rebounds, 6 steals and 1 block. Dudley scored 22 of her points in the paint while the other seven came from the line. She exclusively drives to the basket and is skilled at doing so. When she catches on the perimeter, she immediately looks to attack the rim. Right when the ball touches her hands, it’s a sprint to the basket. She doesn’t dance around with the ball at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if she gets called for some travels throughout the season if referees aren’t expecting her quick burst, but she was turnover free in that regard on Tuesday. Dudley covers ground at an alarming rate with her long strides. She can hit defenders with quick side steps to avoid charges and finish difficult layups. For a wiry, yet somewhat light frame, Dudley has great body control and absorbs contact well. Defensively, she’s a nuisance in Cambridge’s full court press. She jumps passing lanes routinely and earns countless deflections. To take her game to the next level, she must develop an outside shot. Not many players will be able to stay in front of her at the high school level, but looking toward the future she will need to diversify her game. Dudley is the perfect fit in Coach Lesley Broadwell’s system and will become a hot prospect sooner rather than later.

 

2023 6-2 C Lexy Harris – Walton
I did not know who Lexy Harris was heading into the season. After two robust stat lines to start the year, I decided to check her out and I’m glad I did. Harris, who already has a college-ready body that will only improve over the next three years, is a legit D-I post prospect. She worked hard and lived at the foul line as it was the only way Cambridge could guard her. Harris finished with 18 points (8-11 FT), 13 rebounds, 3 steals and 4 blocks while battling early foul trouble. Harris is a load inside with terrific footwork and back-to-the-basket post moves. She implements up-and-unders, can face up and hit the 10-15 footer and most impressive are her aggressive spin moves to the basket. Only a sophomore, Harris was making moves that I haven’t seen from a few High Major bigs in the state of Georgia. Big, strong and physical but with a soft touch, Harris needs to be on college radars immediately. If she can keep up her torrid pace once she hits region play, she could be in the discussion for Region Player of the Year if Walton can have success. With Davidson-signee Tomisin Adenupe currently sidelined, if she returns the Raiders will have a scary good core between her, Harris and Anna Conza.

 

2023 5-8 CG Anna Conza – Walton
In from Long Island Lutheran (NY), Anna Conza provides a sharp shooting lefty that can also get to the basket and facilitate when needed. The sophomore has a good feel for the game and can play either on or off the ball. She’s a trustworthy ball handler and a patient driver that probes the defense for angles before she gets downhill. Conza’s balanced scoring puts up points from all three levels.  She finished with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal vs. Cambridge.The growth of her and Lexy Harris together will be fun to watch blossom. They could develop into one of the best one-two punches Cobb County has to offer.

Cayla Cowart2022 5-10 CG Cayla Cowart – West Forsyth
One of Georgia’s most relentless slashers, Cayla Cowart was on a mission in West Forsyth’s season-opener against Blessed Trinity. Cowart got to the line at will as she forced her way into the teeth of the defense time and time again all but forcing them to hack her. She finished with 22 points (9-13 FT), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 6 steals and 1 block. She followed up her performance with 31 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals against Flowery Branch. Cowart had a few missed opportunities in Game 1, a little sloppy with the ball and a couple missed layups, but made the proper adjustments for Game 2. The foul magnet will need to improve her outside shot incase defenses close off driving lanes. Her defensive anticipation and playmaking for others makes her an invaluable piece for the Wolverines.

2021 5-9 G Imani Smith – Hiram
Hiram has gotten off to a hot start thanks to the dynamic play of Imani Smith. I liked Smith when I saw her back in July and she hasn’t disappointed come high school season. Imani is a high motor guard with great athleticism and quickness. She flies around the floor, jumping passing lanes, collecting rebounds and slashing to the basket. She’s a streaky three-point shooter that can get hot in a hurry once she sees one drop. Smith has great upside on defense and drew the assignment of defending All-State guard Cheyenne Holloman who she harassed all game in the 56-34 win. Smith is a good passer as well, looking up to outlet when she’s on the break. She finished with 16 points (3 threes), 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 7 steals and 2 blocks. Smith could be a great haul for the right program. She’s still flying under the radar.

 

2024 5-6 PG Paris Fillingame – Collins Hill
“Who is number 4?” That’s what people in the crowd including myself kept asking. It was Paris Fillingame, who was making key plays throughout the game for Collins Hill as they slipped past No. 1 McEachern 52-51 in a state championship preview. While the experienced guards of Collins Hill struggled mightily against the McEachern pressure, it was the freshman who played the best, making the most out of every minute. Fillingame provided a steady presence and did a good job setting up the offense. She had a big 5-point stretch in the second quarter then converted a late And-1 in crunch time. Fillingame finished with 8 points and 1 assist. She was the X-Factor in the game and might be for the entire season.

2024 5-7 PG Dakota Phillips – Hart County
Hart County is at their best when they have good guard play to go around Taniya Alexander inside. The double-double machine is always going to get hers, but it’s the pieces around her that determine how good Hart County can be. Enter Dakota Phillips. Not a freak athlete or a long guard, Phillips is simply a steady player with an advanced feel for her age. She’s got some muscle to work with and won’t get pushed around. Phillips can handle vs. pressure and when she gets downhill, she’s got a variety of skillful finishes. Her jump shot can get flat at times and be pushed, but Phillips can score from the mid-range and in. She will need to get better arc and extend her range as her career goes on, but Coach Mike Edwards couldn’t be more pleased with how she played in her first varsity start at the North Georgia Showcase. Phillips tallied 15 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block in a white-knuckle 44-40 win over host Cherokee Bluff, Phillips netting six points in the fourth quarter including the go-ahead bucket. Dakota is well on her way to having a productive career in Hartwell. It will be fun to see how she develops over the next four years.