GBCA Junior All-Star Game Top Performers

<strong>GBCA Junior All-Star Game Top Performers</strong> <strong>2023 5-7 PG [player_tooltip player_id="154599" first="Mataya" last="Gayle"] – River Ridge </strong>D-I schools need to pile in offers. Gayle was electric leading her team to an 82-78 win dropping in 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals and 1 block. Her uncanny ability to stuff the stat sheet consistently and her elite athleticism and motor that help her do so make her one of the best playmakers in the entire Southeast. Gayle’s court vision, slashing and pinpoint pull-up jumper are as good as it gets in Georgia. She can do everything on the floor. Her only possible knock is her height. If schools hold that against her, they will pay dearly over her years in college. Gayle should be swimming in Mid-Major offers by the end of this summer. Based on her skill and athleticism alone, she is good enough to play High Major. <strong>2023 6-3 PF [player_tooltip player_id="154583" first="Essence" last="Cody"] – Valdosta </strong>The most established prospect in the game proved why she is viewed as a four-star prospect. Cody, who won MVP though on the losing team, was dominant in the paint, posting 23 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 3 blocks. Cody is big and strong, but isn’t just a banger. She’s extremely skilled with terrific hands and feet. She can stretch the floor with her three-point shot and is nimble enough to take her defender off the dribble. Cody scores through contact with ease and is a nightmare to keep off the glass. Essence has quality ball skills and can start fastbreaks by pushing it up the court. Cody is a cornerstone. She’s the type of player that needs to touch the ball every trip down. She is a lock at the Power 5 level. <strong>2023 6-3 C [player_tooltip player_id="154594" first="Aaliyah" last="Hunt"] – Peachtree Ridge </strong>[player_tooltip player_id="154594" first="Aaliyah" last="Hunt"] was up to the task of defending [player_tooltip player_id="154583" first="Essence" last="Cody"]. The two big bodies battled down low all game long and it was Hunt that made a key block late in the game to preserve the victory. Hunt tallied 7 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 5 blocks off the bench. She did a great job rebounding and altering shots. Hunt got the majority of her points from the line going 5-8. Hunt has the ability to shoot the mid-range jumper and will help initiate fast breaks. Hunt’s size and overall effectiveness will land her multiple D-I offers. <strong>2023 5-9 W [player_tooltip player_id="188323" first="La’Nya" last="Foster"] – Lovejoy </strong>Equipped with wide shoulders and strength to boot, [player_tooltip player_id="188323" first="La’Nya" last="Foster"] made an impact on both ends of the floor for Team MaxPreps. She finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 block. Foster got hot in the second half hitting a pair of threes, one being a pull-up off the dribble. La’Nya drew fouls when she got to the hoop and was able to finish with both hands. She is a great rebounder for her height and a physical defender. Multiple D-I schools are involved. <strong>2023 6-1 F [player_tooltip player_id="154591" first="Trynce" last="Taylor"] – St. Francis </strong>Taylor collected 10 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. The long forward looked improved with her handle, able to make plays off the bounce as a passer, showing nice touch on lob passes inside. In the post, Taylor scored with her back to the basket diving middle. She also earned second chance points on putbacks and knocked down a floater. Her size, mobility and expanding skill set are intriguing.