PGH Peach Games: 15U Standouts from Saturday (Part 2)

With one month of the AAU season in the books, the start of the ensuing month would prove to be a very active one for the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit.    Four events took place during the opening weekend of May – Duel for the Dynasty in Dallas, the Champions Challenge in Wisconsin, Grassroots in Gem City in Ohio and Peach Games in Georgia.    This year's version of Peach Games emanated from several venues in Cobb County – including the Next 360 courts, Marietta HS and Marietta MS.    There were plenty of names from the 15U ranks that turned in impressive performances. We unveiled our initial list in an earlier article – and here is the second part of said list.     The Colonels of 4A Cass can boast that one of its own is not only thriving on the grassroots scene, but is doing so against more experienced competition. Hayes is a 2029 playing against 2028s. Her [program_tooltip program_id='713452' first='FBC' last=''] Dynasty 15U team may have got its Peach Games weekend off to a rough start against All Alabama 15U but she still put together a strong showing as she led her team with 11 points. It may be easy for some to think that because she is 5-foot-1 that it also leaves her undersized. What she provides a team more than makes up for it. Hayes is another that is anything but a one-dimensional guard as she can play either point or at the two.     The Cass connection of Hayes and McDaniel will be a formidable one for many in Georgia high school basketball to contend with for the next several seasons. McDaniel also scored seven points as she displayed she could hold her own against a very tough All Alabama 15U team. With what she can do as either a two guard or as a three forward, McDaniel will find plenty of time as a wing. And as is the case with Hayes, McDaniel is also playing up in class. She describes her style of play as physical. McDaniel understands how to be every bit as effective as she is physical.     The fall and winter portions of Whitener's athletic schedule are already busy between the softball she takes part in and the basketball with a 4A Cartersville team that finished 19-10 in 2024-25. Even on teams that get placed into the loss column, bright spots still turn in winning performances. That is what Whitener did when she tallied seven points against All Alabama 15U. Whitener also managed to steer clear of the referee's whistle for much of the contest as she only had two personals called against her for the game. As confident as she is in her 3-point shot, one can see why it is such an important element to her game.     Last season, the Cougars of 5A Alexander put together a 20-win season for only the third time since 2006-07. The other occasion occurred in 2019-20. As long as Bojgere is sporting Alexander red and black, winning basketball will continue to be a theme with the Cougars. Standing at 5-foot-9, Bojgere – a three forward – tallied eight points to earn its first win of this season's Peach Games. Out of the eight that Bojgere scored, six occurred in the first half of play which greatly helped towards setting the tone for her Team XYZ Golden Eagles Basketball Organization 15U team. Bojgere was only called for one personal this game and established herself early and often by not only scoring but getting to the free throw line.     The Hawks of 6A Hillgrove put together a 22-8 last season. [program_tooltip program_id='713698' first='Lights' last='Out Ballers (LOB)'] Elite 2028 has two standouts from Hillgrove that will surely continue those winning ways. Gill would score 13 points in what was a very entertaining contest against Team XYZ Golden Eagles 15U. Big time players step up in big time moments – nine of Gill's 13 occurred in the second half. Along with being a playmaker, Gill also displayed that she has a high basketball IQ. She only got called for one personal foul in that game. She is listed at 5-foot-5 with an ability to put points on the board at all three levels.     Witherow is one of the representatives from 6A McEachern on this team. Her [program_tooltip program_id='713698' first='Lights' last='Out Ballers (LOB)'] Elite 2028 matchup against Team XYZ Golden Eagles 15U was one of the games of the day. It resulted in that 57-53 decision, but Witherow came through with a 13-point performance. A coach looking at a stat sheet will particularly be impressed with how she scored eight points in the second half of a close game. Witherow's ball distributing skills are a great compliment to what she gets accomplished scoring wise. Witherow is listed at 5-foot-7 and can play at either of the guard spots in the backcourt.     The second part of that dangerous Hillgrove connection is Murphy and she too put together a noteworthy game against Team XYZ Golden Eagles 15U. Murphy concluded Saturday's game against Team XYZ Golden Eagles having scored 14 points in that competitive 57-53 matchup. Her skillset includes the ability to receive the ball in the perimeter and successfully attack the rim. Murphy is one of the taller participants on this year's LOB Elite 2028 team as she is listed at 5-foot-10. The height of a four but the rim attacking skills of someone who plays point is a difficult combination to overcome.     In addition to her excellent guard work for both 4A Cartersville and [program_tooltip program_id='713173' first='Wood' last='Elite'] 15U Howren, Gibson also is thriving in the junior varsity volleyball realm with the Hurricanes. Her play put a lid on what was a highly successful Peach Games Saturday for her team. It went 3-0 and her 14 points were instrumental in finishing the day with a victory over [program_tooltip program_id='713452' first='FBC' last=''] Dynasty 15U. Once she gets going from behind the 3-point line, she is particularly a tall task to try to contain. She stands at 5-foot-8 and can play at the two or the three – which is appropriate given she knocks down many of her 3-point attempts from the wing.     Maira concluded her Peach Games Saturday with an 11-point performance, enabling [program_tooltip program_id='713173' first='Wood' last='Elite'] 15U Howren to finish the day with a 3-0 record. The final victory of the day was against [program_tooltip program_id='713452' first='FBC' last=''] Dynasty 15U following earler wins over Team XYZ Golden Eagles 15U and [program_tooltip program_id='713452' first='FBC' last=''] Team All In Sisterhood 15U. Maira maintains a high level of court awareness in addition to her ability to drain a large number of 3-pointers. Her AAU career has included a stint with Lady Game Elite. She has also placed plenty of emphasis on ball handling and attacking the rim. Maira will be part of a 5A Creekview team that concluded its 2024-25 campaign with a record of 23-6.     Kelley stands at 5-foot-9 and is actually the tallest participant on this year's [program_tooltip program_id='713452' first='FBC' last=''] Dynasty 15U team. Her team may have encountered plenty of hard luck at Peach Games Saturday, but she did conclude her day with a seven-point performance. Kelley, being the tallest participant on the team, can play plenty of minutes playing either as a traditional big or even as a four. Regardless of where she is on the court, she is a tough matchup defensively and can make plays either in close proximity to the rim or with a midrange jump shot. She is the lone representative from Coosa on this year's [program_tooltip program_id='713452' first='FBC' last=''] Dynasty 15U team.     The McEachern Witherow act was an element of [program_tooltip program_id='713698' first='Lights' last='Out Ballers (LOB)'] 15U resembling one of the more impressive teams of the day. Her team got in the win column on Saturday against [program_tooltip program_id='713452' first='FBC' last=''] Team All In Sisterhood as she scored 13 points. At 5-foot-9, she may be primarily a shooting guard but can actually play as more of a combo guard. Witherow will be in games where she manages a great deal of production from 3-point range and can collect a sizable amount of steals on defense. Another element to her skillset is her ability to draw contact and take her chances at the free throw line.     In a realm where Blue Devils typically play, an Angel had her wings and halo. Rising stars from 6A McEachern had themselves a day at Peach Games Saturday and Hurst was no exception. With a 14-point performance to dispatch Team Brandon Wright 15U Red, Hurst ensured [program_tooltip program_id='715404' first='North' last='Metro Elite'] 15U's record at Peach Games would improve to 2-0 for the day. She possesses the 3-point shooting prowess of a conventional two guard along with the ball handling skills of a point guard. Another of her traits that make her a fit at the one is how she can set up an offense in a half court set.     Height has not, cannot and will not ever be coached. Arnold brings plenty of it at an even six feet. She is one of two from 6A North Paulding that is coming off a 2024-25 season where the Wolfpack finished with a 26-3 record. Arnold added 10 points to ensure [program_tooltip program_id='715404' first='North' last='Metro Elite'] 15U would improve its Peach Games record to 2-0. She gave her travel team a consistent presence in the interior and she also managed to draw contact and get to the free throw line. Combine that with what Arnold can do as a rebounder and she is a double-double possibility on a game-by-game basis.     Dyer is the other half of that 6A North Paulding connection that gave plenty of opposing teams (and coaches) fits during the winter months. Dyer has translated the Wolfpack's winning ways to club basketball and the 14 points she scored to earn [program_tooltip program_id='715404' first='North' last='Metro Elite'] 15U its win over [program_tooltip program_id='713296' first='Team' last='Brandan Wright'] 15U Red. When watching how accurate she is from behind the arc, one can see why she concluded her middle school career as the most prolific long range specialist in the history of her middle school alma mater – North Paulding. Dyer is also a problem for opposing teams on defense with her ability to force opponents into turnovers.     It is only appropriate that a Bulldog would do great in Georgia. Everette is a name on the rise for 2A Hickman County in Tennessee. Her [program_tooltip program_id='713296' first='Team' last='Brandan Wright'] 15U Red assembling ran into trouble when matched up against [program_tooltip program_id='715404' first='North' last='Metro Elite'] 15U, but Everette's bunch were victorious in earlier contests with JSI Elite 15U and Team Unleashed South Carolina 15U. Her team's success has occurred in large part because of accurate 3-point shooting – she drained three triples in the aforementioned contest en route to an 11-point performance. Everette stands at 5-foot-7. She can also throw opposing defenses off balances with her willingness to attack and connect from mid range.     The Patriots of 4A Page have Dolata in many ways to thank for its 25-8 showing from this previous season. Dolata and her [program_tooltip program_id='713296' first='Team' last='Brandan Wright'] 15U Red team had a successful first day of Peach Games on Saturday. Even though it concluded with a defeat to [program_tooltip program_id='715404' first='North' last='Metro Elite'] 15U, Dolata still finished with eight points in that contest. There are few things coaches are enamored with more than six-foot youngsters who have a 3-point shot in their offensive arsenal. Add in the interior physicality that is more typically found in bigs plus rebounding and shot-blocking capabilities and one only wonders what sort of player she will be when we get to 2028.     Want to win? Smith is the one to go with. [program_tooltip program_id='715404' first='North' last='Metro Elite'] 15U learned this in spades as it began Peach Games play with three wins and no losses. Smith's performance was particularly key in the last game of the day when her team won a tough contest against [program_tooltip program_id='713173' first='Wood' last='Elite'] 15U Select. While Smith can certainly make things happen from long range, she throws defenses for a loop with her ferocity in attacking the basket. Smith can get creative at times with how she does finish at the cup and maintains activity away from the ball as she will look to find spacing.

With one month of the AAU season in the books, the start of the ensuing month would prove to be a very active one for the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit.