Sandy’s Spiel Tip-Off Classic Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chestatee High School hosts the second annual Sandy's Spiel Tip-Off Classic on 11/19. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a preview of the four girls games. Games can be viewed LIVE via <strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZNGpb7GbtSGqEe4TXn7fAA/streams">War Eagle TV</a>.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>12:00: 4A No. 8 Chestatee vs. Sequoyah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams open up their 2022-23 seasons coming off banner campaigns, Chestatee reaching the Sweet 16 and Sequoyah falling in the Class 6A State Championship. Chestatee loses two starters but returns the rest of their roster including All-State guard [player_tooltip player_id='302973' first='Riley' last='Black'] who averaged 18 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals while drawing 26 charges. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='375896' first='Addison' last='Boyd'] and [player_tooltip player_id='506251' first='Caroline' last='Bull'] make Chestatee tough to beat when they are hitting their threes.&nbsp; Sequoyah is anchored by Southern Miss-signee [player_tooltip player_id='154585' first='Elle' last='Blatchford'] who is coming off a season in which she posted 16.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 3.1 steals per game. A lot graduates around Blatchford, leaving Coach Chris Yarbrough with a young nucleus packed with sophomores. The development of 6-foot center Milanni Abdus-Salaam in Year 2 will be fun to watch. Juniors Sayler Davies and [player_tooltip player_id='335821' first='Addison' last='Ghorley'] have experience and should see increased roles in the offense. Senior Callie Gaddis is a tough-nosed guard that plays bigger than her size. Outside shooting will be key in this game. If Chestatee can get open looks off Black drives and cash in threes, they will be in good shape. Finding someone to slow down Blatchford and limit second chance points will be an area of focus for the War Eagles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>3:00: 3A No. 8 White County vs. 2A No. 8 Banks County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>White County has never been shy about playing everyone on the roster, often shuffling in multiple players at a time to keep them fresh as the Warriors full court press. Banks County will have to find a way to break the press consistently and ease into their halfcourt sets. 6-foot-1 Emmanuel-signee [player_tooltip player_id='286840' first='Kamryn' last='Grier'] missed the first game of the season for the Leopards. If she is back, she represents a dominant low block scorer that records double-doubles regularly, averaging 16.3 points and 11.8 rebounds a season ago. White County has capable size however in [player_tooltip player_id='450162' first='Claire' last='Beckman'], a sturdy post presence that defends and rebounds well. The Warriors have the numbers advantage in the backcourt with a slew of experienced guards in Aaliyah Anderson, [player_tooltip player_id='434276' first='Emma' last='Lightsey'] and [player_tooltip player_id='350358' first='Mya' last='Yeh'] to name a few, but Banks County has firepower as well with [player_tooltip player_id='364631' first='Addison' last='Hoard'] and sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='446086' first='Ryleigh' last='Murphy'] and Reese Murphy.  An X-Factor for White County is Emmanuel-signee [player_tooltip player_id='302963' first='Naomi' last='Roberts'], a versatile 5-foot-10 wing. The Warriors have a ton of multi-positional length with 5-foot-10 [player_tooltip player_id='434291' first='Maci' last='Shelnut'] and 6-foot [player_tooltip player_id='288509' first='Kylie' last='Watkins'] while Banks County has 6-foot-1 [player_tooltip player_id='364635' first='Carley' last='Segars'] as their second tower inside to help control the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>6:00: 7A No. 8 Cherokee vs. 3A No. 2 Lumpkin County</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cherokee graduated six seniors including four starters from last year's Class 7A Elite 8 team while Lumpkin County returns all but one rotational piece from their 30-1 Class 3A State Championship group. While the Warriors will have nearly all new faces playing key roles, one constant returns in [player_tooltip player_id='218694' first='Toni' last='Warren'], the team's leading scorer. The D-I prospect is flanked by 6-foot junior combo-forward [player_tooltip player_id='335873' first='Riley' last='Simmons'], a knockdown shooter and athletic sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='426695' first='Alex' last='Whitecliffe']. Cherokee's defense will be tested by Lumpkin County's disciplined offense, with or without North Georgia-signee [player_tooltip player_id='213347' first='Lexi' last='Pierce'] who is still recovering from a broken leg.&nbsp; Reigning Class 3A Player of the Year [player_tooltip player_id='302964' first='Mary' last='Mullinax'] (Emory – 17.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.6 spg), [player_tooltip player_id='186263' first='Kate' last='Jackson'] (Emmanuel – 12.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.4 spg) and [player_tooltip player_id='254161' first='Averie' last='Jones'] (18.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.5 spg) compose a lethal trio. Finding a few points and quality defense out Ciera Brooks, [player_tooltip player_id='476465' first='Madison' last='Lee'] and Elizabeth Walker will help shore up the Indians.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>7:30: 1A D-I No. 5 Rabun County vs. St. Pius X</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The LadyCats fell short in the Class 2A State Championship and graduate four starters but return [player_tooltip player_id='269515' first='Lucy' last='Hood'] and [player_tooltip player_id='269516' first='Ellie' last='Southards'] as their go-to guards, Southards coming off ACL surgery. St. Pius reached the Class 5A Sweet 16 and bring back their core. Where the Golden Lions have the advantage is their experience and length, able to tower over the LadyCats with 6-foot-1 [player_tooltip player_id='356159' first='Alex' last='Schiavo'], 5-foot-10 post [player_tooltip player_id='841720' first='Annabella' last='Sheridan'] and 5-foot-10 wing [player_tooltip player_id='381169' first='Kelly' last='Stephenson']. St. Pius has six players rostered over 5-foot-10 while Rabun County's tallest stands 5-foot-9 on a good day, Mary Lovell, a tough softballer. Rabun County's quickness on defense could frustrate St. Pius, especially in the press. Guards Trea Blalock and Jacie McCall are capable on both ends of the floor. Keeping the Golden Lions off the offensive glass will be a point of emphasis. 5-foot-11 senior Alex Umpierre is effective around the rim and will draw attention once shots go up. The game plan for St. Pius will be to hold Hood and Southards in check and force others to beat them. The recipe for LadyCat success is to see the two juniors combine for over 30 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->