Game Changers: 2026 Edition

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Carolina is deep in the high school season already and gearing up for some holiday tournaments.  There's a number of players who have already been making their impact known, but these athletes are true game changers whether it's shifting the momentum, packing the stat sheet, or being the energy that their team needs in each game.  Here's the 2026 edition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["621996"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694a09d81f289"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='621996' first='Kiara' last='Anderson'] is a high motor guard handling the ball well with efficiency and speed.  She is shifty getting the ball by her opponents, and she makes the best adjustments to hit her teammates with a good pass.  She's been an excellent scorer, especially this season, showing off her ability to score on all levels attacking the basket or creating her own space for the shot.  Her defense is tough on the ball knocking it away from her opponents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["363332"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694a09d81f2fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='363332' first='Jniya' last='Weaver'] has never been intimidated by defenders as she can create her own open lane with the way she moves with the ball.  She times her moves perfectly executing them at the perfect time to blow by her opponents and roll the ball off her fingertips at the rim.  She movs well off the ball, too, making effective cuts being ready for the pass and going to work right away.  Her ability to shoot from deep makes her an asset all over the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["509584"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694a09d81f34e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='509584' first='Mackenzie' last='Ortscheid'] is yet again making herself a double-double machine.  She's tough on the boards on both ends of the court, and she goes to work right off these boards whether it's pushing it up the court or making her points off the offensive glass.  Her jab step has been lethal getting her shot up off the dribble with an open look even from around the perimeter.  Her post moves are sure to create space with her quick footwork and strength to get into position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["515584"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-694a09d81f39e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='515584' first='Ma-Kaela' last='Gidney'] is as tough as they come handling her business defending the basket making sure her opponents don't have an open look for the pass or the shot.  She's tough handling the ball on the other end whipping quick passes to her teammates for the assist, or she attacks the basket on her own not backing down from contact.  She's a quick decision maker showing off a nice release on her shot even from around the perimeter for three.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->