PGH Circuit Introduction: Wood Elite (Triumph Region)

Now that we are moving into the 2022 grassroots season, I wanted to take the time and introduce several of the PGH Circuit programs over the next month. There will be four regions that comprise this year’s PGH Circuit – the Victory Region, the Legacy Region, the Dynasty Region, and the Triumph Region (the Region I’ll be covering). I’ll have articles specifically for those teams in the Triumph Region of the Circuit as we highlight and preview them. Below is a look at the Wood Elite Program out of Canton GA who is in their 4th year of existence, and it will be their 1st year on the PGH Circuit. They’ll be with us for the Knoxville Knockout (TN), Peach Games (Atlanta, GA), and the Triumph Region Finals (Spartanburg, SC).

The Wood Elite Program was founded in 2018 by Quinton Wood. Coach Wood was already running training sessions and camps, so he figured it made sense to open up a club team under the same umbrella. Coach said, “One of the main pillars that I have built my program around is development. Developing fundamentally sound players and building their IQ to help them understand the game at a higher level to prepare them to play at the next level is the goal.” Lauren Mullinax will be coaching the girls 2025 group.

The players for Wood Elite are in good hands with Coach Wood as he played all 4 years at the college level and spent time playing internationally and at the semi-pro level. His most memorable basketball moment from his playing career was putting up 36 points against Coastal Carolina and setting the record for most points scored in their arena at the time. Coach Wood said he got involved in youth sports in 2015 when he started training kids and hosting camps/clinics. Between the boys and girls side, Wood Elite currently has 23 teams from all different areas. He’s confident Wood Elite will be one of the best programs in the next 2-3 years. Here is a look at their rosters:

Top Players on the 2024 team:

Caroline Mullins Caroline Mullins 5'9" | CG Pickens | 2024 State GA | 5’9 G | 2024

Notes: Slasher, Outside Shooter, Expectational Defender

Julia Geis | 5’9 G | 2024

Notes: Court Vision, Mid-Range Game

Gaby LoPresti Gaby LoPresti 5'9" | SF North Cobb Christian | 2024 State GA | 5’9 G | 2024

Notes: Strong in the Paint, Court Vision, Makes Plays

I’ziah McCutchins I’ziah McCutchins 5'3" | PG Trion | 2024 State GA | 5’4 PG | 2024

Notes: Facilitator, Shooter, Defensive Pest

Jayda Jackson Jayda Jackson 5'5" | PG North Paulding | 2024 State GA | 5’6 CG | 2024

Notes: High IQ, Solid Defender, Knock Down Shooter

Top Players on the 2025 team:

Kaleigh Calloway | 6’1 F | 2025

Notes: Plays with 24’s & 25’s, Controls Paint, Soft Touch, Mid-Range Game 

Taylor Wills | 5’4 PG | 2025

Notes: Crafty, Improved Outside Shot, Defender

Marlee Stoeckl | 5’5 SG | 2025

Notes: Shooter, Applies Pressure on D, Vocal Leader

Underrated players to keep an eye on:

Klaire Henkle Klaire Henkle 5'5" | PG Cherokee | 2025 GA | 5’5 G | 2025

Notes: Plays up with 24’s, High Motor, Physical on Defense, Knock Down Shooter, Scorer

Sa’Niah Dorsey | 5’6 G | 2025

Notes: Handles the Rock, Scrappy Defender, Knock Down Shooter

Summer Smiley | 5’9 F | 2025

Notes: Inside/Outside Game, Rebounds on Both Ends

Best of the rest:

Mary Stunda Mary Stunda 6'0" | C Blessed Trinity | 2024 State GA | 6’1 F/C | 2024

Notes: Athletic, Raw, Rebounder, Runs Floor, Finishes Strong

Addie English | 6’0 F | 2024

Notes: Rebounder, Can Range Out to Shoot

Aliza Chastain | 5’4 G | 2025

Notes: High Motor, Outside Shooter

One of the main goals of Wood Elite is to be mentioned with some of the best programs in the state and the nation. They are entering year 4 and are nowhere near where they will be in the next couple years. Another major goal for Quinton Wood is to be known for producing several college athletes each year.

Wood Elite chose to play on the PGH Circuit because they feel we (Prep Girls Hoops) do a great job of promoting the players, and because of the good relationship that has been built with Keydrick Barlow, our Regional Event Director.

Wood Elite is in for some elite competition, exposure, and coverage in the Triumph Region on America’s #1 Independent Grassroots Basketball Circuit.