GBCA Live Girls Can’t-Miss Performers Pt 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Georgia Basketball Coaches Association does an incredible job here in the state organizing these types of events and hosted another round of the GBCA Live series, this one at LakePoint for the ladies before a big turnout of Coaches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Three days of tremendous basketball unfolded, I caught some of Thursday's slate and came away with 12 players who were "Can't-Miss." Here's the first 6:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='316144' first='Mackenna' last='Nix'] | Guard | Temple | 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":927286,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/20240613_182903-rotated-crop-2740x1799-1718724435.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-927286" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='316144' first='Mackenna' last='Nix']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of several big guards at or near 6-foot who impressed across the board last week, plays in the back of their 2-3 zone in more of a forward role and hits the glass and directs traffic back there with smarts and enthusiasm, but she generally handles PG-duties at the other end for the Tigers again directing things with a lead guard's instincts and showing off her notable fiery on-court demeanor, a deadeye shooter from deep she finishes around the rim using her size advantage and provides a host of matchup problems for defenses of all types.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='674581' first='Avynn' last='Kniceley'] | Guard | South Forsyth | 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":927290,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/20240613_163211-rotated-crop-2740x1799-1718724516.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-927290" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='674581' first='Avynn' last='Kniceley']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doesn't carry herself like an incoming sophomore leading a solid returning group for the War Eagles, has loads of poise and confidence and takes care of the basketball like someone who's been around a lot longer, wonderfully unselfish but fully capable of knocking down the floater or showing off shooting range you have to respect, among the better defenders I saw all day both positionally and with seriously active hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='476483' first='Laura' last='Frances Willis'] | Guard | North Oconee | 2026</strong> <strong>(pictured at top)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off 22 wins and an AAAA Final Four trip it was not surprising I was impressed with this group after watching them take care of a good Sequoyah team early in the Thursday schedule, Willis was dynamic carving up the defense using the bounce or setting up at the 3-pt line and making the Lady Chiefs pay for slow rotations, can play some point for them but the Lady Titans have plenty of guard options to both take care of the ball or find Willis in spots to utilize her quick and sweet-looking release.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Malia Loadwick | Forward | Lassiter | 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":927295,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/20240613_142236-rotated-crop-2740x1799-1718724662.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-927295" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Malia Loadwick</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Part of a two-pronged post system with [player_tooltip player_id='674749' first='Claire' last='Mackenny'] that can give you fits the way they position themselves and share the ball, Loadwick is sly in her movements working the angles and then flashing and scoring with no hesitation, they have good guard play to find this tough offensive rebounder and she works really well in their system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='674749' first='Claire' last='Mackenny'] | Forward | Lassiter | 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":927299,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/20240613_142605-rotated-crop-2740x1799-1718724749.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-927299" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='674749' first='Claire' last='Mackenny']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 1B to Loadwick's 1A in the dual post system that Lassiter uses so well, with good guards to find both in good positions to score Mackenny like her cohort Loadwick is adept at using leverage and footwork to get the job done with her back to the basket, she gets on the boards well and has a soft touch when facing up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='450165' first='Graycen' last='Ehlen'] | Guard | Walton | 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":927307,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/06/20240613_153018-rotated-crop-2740x1799-1718724831.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-927307" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">[player_tooltip player_id='450165' first='Graycen' last='Ehlen']</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The standout soccer goaltender is another of the big guards around that 6-foot mark I caught who stood out, didn't perhaps have her A+ scoring game as Walton ran into a hungry Sequoyah team looking to rebound from an earlier defeat, but the skillset was undeniable in spots as she can score it in a variety of ways possessing both some finesse facing up and physicality in closer to the rim, seems a good fit in D2 with that kind of versatility.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->