North GA Holiday Hoops- Sophomores Showing Out

It's the best time of the year, holiday hoops season, where showcase events and tournaments are being held all over the state. Several sophomores showed up in a big way and played outstanding ball for their teams. Some, like [player_tooltip player_id='926798' first='Blaklee' last='Ledford'], are well know. Others, like her teammates Aspen Rogers and [player_tooltip player_id='1591680' first='Finley' last='Dotson'], were new names and faces that made huge first impressions.    Ledford did everything she could to keep Murray in the game, which she did, until late against nationally ranked Hebron Christian. Ledford scored from three, got in the paint and finished against tall opposition, as well as knocking down midrange jump shots. She was equally impressive distributing the ball on Murray County's fast break and half court offense to her teammates in position to score. Ledford, a physically strong kid, chased down rebounds and loose balls all game long and generated steals on defense.     Powers, like Hadley, did a little bit of everything from getting steals to taking charges to creating extra possessions for Murray by tying up the ball on defense and grabbing offensive rebounds. Powers scored from the midrange and had a very nice and one play after a nice head fake from three that shook the defender and finishing at the rim through contact for the and one. Powers plays with no fear and is a vocal leader as a sophomore. She is a fiery competitor who will be a huge factor as Murray County tries to make another deep run in the Georgia high school state playoffs.     Dotson, a scrappy guard, played a very solid game on both ends of the court for Murray County showing Dotson's athleticism was obvious. On defense Finley had high, active hands when pressuring the ball at the top of the Indians' zone defense and used quick feet in covering her responsibilities when the ball moved. Dotson did a good job rebounding the ball as well. Offensively, twice in the game Finley out ran her defender the length of the court, caught a tough pass, and finished through contact for and one plays.     Murdock came alive in the second half for Habersham against Franklin County scoring the ball to go with her stellar play on defense and rebounding the ball in the first half. Murdock got very active on the offensive boards in th third quarter grabbing rebounds and getting put backs or getting fouled and going to the line. Murdock showed her skill on one up and under move where she finished with her left hand and was fouled. Murdock showed her athleticism hauling in a full court Hail Mary pass and somehow scoring when she was seemingly to far under the basket. Murdoch has a very good motor and plays very hard.     Merritt was hard to miss streaking up and down the court for Franklin County, especially with the basketball in her hands. Merritt has elite speed and more than once blew past everyone on the court and laid the ball up with no one around her. Merritt was very good penetrating the lane and scoring herself or finding open teammates. She was key in helping Franklin County beat Habersham's press and score once they did. On defense Merritt created steals and did a good job moving her feet and getting her hands on the ball causing tie ups.

It's the best time of the year, holiday hoops season, where showcase events and tournaments are being held all over the state. Several sophomores showed up in a big way and played outstanding ball for their teams. Some, like Blaklee Ledford Blaklee Ledford 5'5" | PG Murray County | 2028 State GA , are well know. Others, like her teammates Aspen Rogers and Finley Dotson Finley Dotson 5'7" | SG Murray County | 2028 GA , were new names and faces that made huge first impressions.