IE Cherokee Invitational: 2026 Standouts
In this article:
Insider Exposure hosted their Cherokee Invitational last week where high school teams from across the southeast came to compete before the holidays. We’ve looked at a lot of upperclassmen from the event over the past week. Let’s see what sophomores…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingInsider Exposure hosted their Cherokee Invitational last week where high school teams from across the southeast came to compete before the holidays. We’ve looked at a lot of upperclassmen from the event over the past week. Let’s see what sophomores stood out at the tournament.
Aleksandra Kubiak Aleksandra Kubiak SG Winston-Salem Christian Regional | 2025 NC
Aleksandra Kubiak Aleksandra Kubiak SG Winston-Salem Christian Regional | 2025 NC
Aleksandra Kubiak Aleksandra Kubiak SG Winston-Salem Christian Regional | 2025 NC was tough taking the ball to the hoop, and she stepped outside to show off her range shooting the ball. She was the leading scorer for her team scoring on multiple levels knocking down shots from deep and pulling up for her midrange jumper. She hustled up and down the court scoring on fast breaks or protecting the basket on the defensive side of the ball.
Britni Silver Britni Silver 6'1" | SG NC GBB | 2026 State NC
Britni Silver Britni Silver 6'1" | SG NC GBB | 2026 State NC
Britni Silver Britni Silver 6’1″ | SG NC GBB | 2026 State NC showed off her range shooting the ball sliding into the opening and knocking it down from deep. She does a nice job on defense following her opponent, and she knows how to slide into help defense being able to guard a range of players on the other end. She did a nice job causing dead balls, and she didn’t back down from getting on the floor going after loose possessions.
Zariah Burnette Zariah Burnette 5'7" | PG Willow Spring | 2026 NC
Zariah Burnette Zariah Burnette 5'7" | PG Willow Spring | 2026 NC
Zariah Burnette Zariah Burnette 5’7″ | PG Willow Spring | 2026 NC was a great offensive threat knowing how to move with the ball drawing defenders towards her as she made the dish inside to her teammates. She had a nice shot around the arc making the perfect cuts to get open and put up the shot. She turned defense into offense being able to jump in front of passes grabbing the steal and take the other direction. She had a nice hustle back play locking the ball up as her opponent tried to go up on a fast break shot.
Kennedy Jackson does a nice job attacking the paint creating her own space, and she can bounce the ball into her teammates for the entry pass hitting them right where they want it. She has a nice shot around the perimeter showing a quick release to get some points. She made some good adjustments hitting her open teammates as they cut to the rim.
Highlights
Katherine Leonard was showing off her range shooting the ball hitting four from deep in the game making some crucial ones in the second half to put the game away. She knew how to get to the openings to put up her shot. She was a nuisance on defense getting her hands in the way of her opponents.
Kenzie Board did a nice job sliding into the opening and putting up the jumper. She handled the ball well up the court knowing how to make a play and get something going offensively. She drove hard to the basket making the kick out to her teammates.
Highlights
Sami Ward had some nice ball fakes attacking the paint, drawing her defenders towards her, and making the dish to her teammates. She can hit the shot from downtown, too. She was constantly finding her teammates open for the shot. She did a nice job getting her hands involved on defense knocking the ball away exploding in front of her opponent.
Brianna Carelock is so strong with the ball coming out hot after halftime finding the open lanes and attacking the basket. She controls the tempo for her team, and she gets her teammates involved as she attacks the basket opening up the court for others. She can finish on both sides of the rim knowing how to create her own open lane to score.