Batson's Ballers: AAAAAA ALL STATE Selections

It was almost impossible to narrow down this list to eight players. This classification, from top to bottom, has the most depth of quality teams and individual players in the state, which is quite a feat. This players were the most important and impactful kids on their teams, which were all very successful. I went with Co-Players of the year after [player_tooltip player_id='541429' first='Coco' last='Rudolph'] led Grayson to its third straight championship game in three years. [player_tooltip player_id='991134' first='Carib' last='Morris'], a once in a lifetime talent and just a freshman, had all but sealed that title up for herself before Grayson defeated South Forsyth and made a run to the title game. No one had a bigger impact on their team than [player_tooltip player_id='991134' first='Carib' last='Morris'], who despite facing junk defenses and double teams, managed to average almost 30 points per game most of her freshman season. The other players selected are all very deserving and earned their place on this list.    Carib was a consistent as any player in the state scoring in her first year of high school basketball. Her presence on the floor alone drew the attention of entire defenses and yet they still could not stop or even contain Morris. She had an excellent supporting cast with [player_tooltip player_id='904613' first='Calleigh' last='Salvador'], [player_tooltip player_id='1671678' first='Dylan' last='Austin'], and others who stepped up and played great alongside the star all season. At 6'3, Morris is almost impossible to guard as she routinely makes shots far beyond the three point line where defenses forced her. It did not matter what other teams threw at Carib defensively, Morris adjusted and continued to get buckets. She got better and better over the course of the year of finding ways to score inside the three point line. She has gotten very effective at diving to the block from the high post and using backdoor cuts when she is being overplayed. Morris is also scoring at a much higher clip around the basket and in the paint now. She is starting to think the game at a higher level and is just getting started with three more years in high school. That has to be a terrifying thought for other coaches in the AAAAAA classification. She is well on her way to being a McDonald's All American and being able to choose whatever school she wants to play in college.     Coco does not get enough credit for the career she put together under the guidance of Tim Slater. She went from being an extremely gifted player physically to a complete basketball player with a very good understanding of what is going on in the game and making adjustments to still maximize her effectiveness. Rudolph, first and foremost, is an excellent defender. she uses her quickness, length, and anticipation skills to disrupt passing lanes, often resulting in deflections and steals for easy points in transition. In the half court, she is a very good shooter from deep (even better in big moments) and can get to the basket just about anytime she wants. Her ability to finish at the rim through contact and in traffic was always impressive to see. She got to the free throw line a lot and made the most of those opportunities. I hope that the change in coaching staff at Kennesaw and her re-opening recruitment gives her an opportunity to play at a higher level in college. Something I have no doubt she can do.     Another successful season for Buford, finishing the year 27-2 (12-0 in Region 8) before a lose in a clash of the titans with Newton in the second round. I saw them play several times and Ledford was the straw that stirred the drink for the Lady Wolves. She was excellent on defense as well, particularly putting extreme pressure on ball handlers and forcing several turnovers a game. Many of those resulted in uncontested layups for Lydia as she did the work on defense. Offensively, she is very efficient scoring the ball. She did an excellent job picking her times and opportunities to score while also getting her talented teammates involved. She has some swagger to her game, but the foundation, her fundamentals are as good as anyone in Georgia. She is an elite shooter from the perimeter and crafty with strength getting to the basket. She, along with [player_tooltip player_id='541419' first='Kate' last='Harpring'], maybe the two best midrange jump shooters I saw all year. I expect her to have an outstanding college career.     Another one of the very best players in Georgia and the country in the 2028 class. DeWitt, like the other players on this list, is extremely disruptive on defense, whether it's picking the ball off a dribbler or jumping in the passing lane to intercept the ball. She also gets multiple open court layups from the work she does on that end of the floor. No one is more athletic or flashy with their handle in Georgia, making Leah one of my favorite players to watch. She, [player_tooltip player_id='899789' first='Morghan' last='Reckley'], and Deyva [player_tooltip player_id='1242017' first='Davis' last=''] do things on the court with their athleticism that very few others can resulting in a couple sportscaster-type highlights every game. She is almost impossible to stay in front with the ball, especially if she has momentum and a full head of steam attacking the defense. She shoots the ball exceptionally well from behind the three point line and beyond and gets to the foul line often where she is a high percentage shooter. People in the rest of the country may not know how good she is yet, but they will come to know over the next few years just how elite DeWitt is. She should get the national attention she deserves after a successful travel ball season!     If I had to pick one point guard in the state of Georgia to start my team, it would be [player_tooltip player_id='674571' first='London' last='Smith']. Over the past three years I have become a real admirer of her game and how she leads her very talented Newton team. Not only do the Lady Rams play in one of, if not, the toughest regions in the state with Archer, Grayson, and others, but Coach Bailey and his team play in showcase events around the southeast against other top teams in our region. London is consistent in her excellent decision-making, knocking down big shots, and the level of calm and maturity she plays with. In the 4ThaCulture event at Whitefield against [player_tooltip player_id='899789' first='Morghan' last='Reckley'], Smith was excellent and showed just how special she is leading her team to victory while showing she is a very skilled and capable scorer herself. Like the other players on the list, Smith is surrounded by other talented players and she is fantastic getting them involved early and often before she seizes on her opportunities to score. Don't be surprised to see her as the lead guard of a very good Power Four team in a few years. Her college selection next year will be one I am very interested in, but until then we get one more season to enjoy watching her compose the orchestra.     Morgan showed just how good a player she is and how important she was to this team's success finishing her junior season in the state championship game with 17 points, 21 rebounds, and five steals in the win. North Paulding finished the season 30-2 and the undisputed top team in AAAAAA. That would not have been possible without Landrum's size, skill, and athleticism. Landrum is long and can really run and jump for her size which allows her to impact both ends of the floor. She has added more muscle to her frame the last couple of years and is utilizing that strength in the post finishing around the rim. She is a very good shot blocker, both on the ball and coming from weak side help positions. I think her best basketball is still in front of her. Like Rudolph, Landrum will have a big decision to make as the school she was committed to, Boston College, has fired the coach she chose to play for. Will she stay committed to the Eagles or will she seek other opportunities like Coco. The good news for Landrum is she has another year of basketball, travel and high school, to figure all that out. If she does land on the open market, expect her to be in very high demand with Power Four programs.     Maybe a surprise pick for some, but not for me as Jackson lead her mostly young, but talented team to an excellent regular season and a place in the Final Four. It's not a surprise pick for Grayson head coach Tim Slater either, who had to play and beat Hillgrove to get to the state championship game. Jackson is fundamentally sound and a very capable scorer from all three levels. She plays with maturity and intelligence, never forcing shots and letting the game come to her. Hillgrove has so many young, talented players with bright futures themselves, but they deffered to Jackson and let her lead. Something she did exceptionally well. She is an elite athlete with excellent quickness and lateral movement. She handles the ball well and is an outstanding passer. She plays the game with no fear and a high level confidence and conviction. I expect Jackson to have a very good college career with a chance to potentially play overseas when she is done.     Kaleigh was as smooth and polished as any player I saw this season. A little bit of style here and there mixed in with a whole lot of substance. She does not lack ability in any facet of the game and plays with a very high IQ. Her decision making elevates her above most of the guards in the state in her class. Kaleigh could try and go score every trip down the court on offense, probably more times successfully than not. She is that talented and gifted with the ball in her hands. However,she is very unselfish and just as talented a passer as she is a scorer. She did an outstanding job bringing up the play of her teammates and leading them by example. Heywood dealt with all of the extra defensive attention great players do by using her vision to find open teammates and set them up for success. When it was time to get a bucket, everyone in the gym knew she was getting the ball and time and time again she delivered in big moments when her team needed her most. I would not be shocked at all if after a solid freshman season at Alabama State, Heywood is hot commodity in the transfer portal amongst Power Five coaches.

It was almost impossible to narrow down this list to eight players. This classification, from top to bottom, has the most depth of quality teams and individual players in the state, which is quite a feat. This players were the most important and impactful kids on their teams, which were all very successful. I went with Co-Players of the year after Coco Rudolph Coco Rudolph 5'9" | PG/CG Grayson | 2026 State GA led Grayson to its third straight championship game in three years. Carib Morris Carib Morris 6'3" | SF South Forsyth | 2029 State GA , a once in a lifetime talent and just a freshman, had all but sealed that title up for herself before Grayson defeated South Forsyth and made a run to the title game. No one had a bigger impact on their team than Carib Morris Carib Morris 6'3" | SF South Forsyth | 2029 State GA , who despite facing junk defenses and double teams, managed to average almost 30 points per game most of her freshman season. The other players selected are all very deserving and earned their place on this list.