Prime Time Performers in Round 2 (Friday)

The number of teams in the field was cut in half on Friday as the second round of the GHSA state tournaments began. There were players from all over the state who put up big numbers for their respective teams. These players did that and those performances are why they will continue to play into round three.    Ledford had one of, if not, the most impressive night scoring the ball on Friday finishing the game with 36 points and six rebounds in a 71-48 win over Laney. Ledford has the ball in her hands the majority of every game and she punishes opposing teams scoring the ball and with the pass. Teams generally put all of their defensive attention on Blaklee or her sister Callan when playing Murray. Both shoot the ball extremely well in catch and shoot situations as well as off the bounce. Both are good creating space of the dribble to get those perimeter shots off. And both use their shooting ability to create chances getting to the rim and scoring when defenders extend out to stop them from shooting. They are one of the best duos in Georgia and there is no surprise that they are still playing in Round Three.     Cooper put on a show scoring the ball for Woodward in a huge win over a very good Evans team. Cooper scored the ball in a multitude of ways including confidently knocking down shots from three and the midrange is very effective shooting the ball at the top and around the key off the dribble. She has a nice finishing package with Euro steps, running floaters, and up and under moves. Cooper uses her quickness well and is very hard to stay in front of for defenders. Cooper's five steals also led to easy points on the break.     Recently named the Region player of the year, Audrey has led her team all year in a lot of categories, in a lot of games. When her team needed her most against a 24-5 Lamar County team led by one of the best sophomores in the state, Lunsford delivered 26 huge points along with six rebounds and three steals. Audrey has elevated her play in big games over the course of three years and Friday night was no different. She is a very talented player who is skilled in a lot of areas on the court. Just a '27, Audrey plays like a senior now leading her young teammates vocally with encouragement and by example with her fearless play. It's on to another Elite Eight appearance for the Lady Devils.     Bass has everything you would want in division 1 guard: size at 6' with a long wingspan, very athletic (watch her on the opening tip), finishes with both hands, and is an elite shooter...from three, the midrange, off the bounce, and in catch and shoot situations. She can play the point. She can play the wing. She quietly goes about her business at Sequoyah with stat lines similar to this routinely. She is a player this time next year that should see more mid major offers and I wouldn't be surprised if a few schools in major division one conferences step up and offer Bass either.     Williams put together one of the more complete performances and impressive stat lines of the night finishing with 24 points, seven rebounds, and eight steals for Woodward in the win over Evans. Like Cooper, Zee turned those steals into easy points for herself and her team converting defense into offense and scoring on the break. In the half court Williams was effective getting to her spots in the midrange and knocking down shots as well as attacking the rim with dribble penetration. She, along with Cooper, give Woodward a very formidable 1-2 punch that could keep their team alive in round three against a very good Coffee team.

The number of teams in the field was cut in half on Friday as the second round of the GHSA state tournaments began. There were players from all over the state who put up big numbers for their respective teams. These players did that and those performances are why they will continue to play into round three.