GHSA State Championship Week Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are new names and familiar names that stepped up on the big stage in Macon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1806662"],"_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-69ba8fb54632f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The long-armed freshman was mighty impressive, hurting Elbert County early on with her length and athleticism. Mitchell double-doubled with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks. She was effective at the top of the press, showing off her athletic tools as she quickly tracked down ball handlers and helped force turnovers in traps. Mitchell is springy. She snagged five offensive rebounds and was a foul magnet, heading to the line to shoot 7-12. Continuing to expand her offensive game will help broaden her ceiling. Garyunna is a nice prospect to track moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["855042"],"_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-69ba8fb5463b3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gracy made headlines for her toughness and heady play in a wild win over Sandy Creek in overtime. Georgia, back from an ACL tear that cost her her sophomore season, played with immense emotion the entire game. With ice in her veins, Gracy buried a three with four seconds left to force overtime. In the extra period, Georgia fell to the floor when bumped by [player_tooltip player_id='899789' first='Morghan' last='Reckley'] after a Sandy Creek And-1, her fifth foul of the game. The Patriots would not score from the field after losing their five-star guard. Gracy nailed three threes, part of the Generals' comeback from down 10 points in the third quarter. Georgia tallied 10 points and 9 rebounds in the history making victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["476497"],"_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-69ba8fb54640e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sandy Creek almost won the state title as the USC Upstate soccer-signee was nearly perfect from the floor, dumping in a massive 22 points on just 6-7 shooting. The speedster was locked in from deep, shooting 3-3 while also adding 7-8 from the foul line. McCoy's offensive production on the biggest stage was impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1660115"],"_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-69ba8fb54645f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While [player_tooltip player_id='541419' first='Kate' last='Harpring'] made history for becoming the All-Time Leading Scorer in the state of Georgia, it was the support of [player_tooltip player_id='1660115' first='Emily' last='Morrison'] which may be most memorable from Marist's 58-50 win over Kell. With the War Eagles dire for someone to score outside of Harpring, only two others broke the box score. The sophomore was massive with 13 points on 6-9 shooting, hitting mid-range jumpers and converting at the rim as she patiently gathered herself to score while defenders flew by. Shot distribution will be spread out next year with Kate gone, meaning Morrison may no longer be a surprise candidate to consistently hit big shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kaylen Rucker","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Elbert County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ba8fb54652b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rucker went 4-7 from deep in a loss to East Laurens, finishing her career with 16 points. Kaylen shot the ball with confidence, her high arcing shot tickling the twine as Elbert County attempted to battle back, trailing nearly the entire game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1238912"],"_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-69ba8fb54658f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Turman's energy in the press and timely offense gave the Blue Devils a spark in their comeback bid against East Laurens which fell just short. Tiyah was relentless on defense, always on the floor trying to win 50/50 balls. Her toughness going up against bigger players helped set the tone for the Blue Devils. She dug out 7 steals to go with her 12 points and 3 assists. Tiyah went 7-8 from the line and drained a three-pointer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Payten Day","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Creekview","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ba8fb54662a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Creekview's overwhelming depth paid dividends as it was Payten Day's turn to come off the bench to help win the state title. Day had a key And-1 late along with a crucial block, helping the Grizz secure a 45-43 win over Milton. Payten, a physical forward, recorded 6 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. The junior has a ton of momentum heading into her senior season whether as a starter or a reserve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Marlana White","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hardaway","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ba8fb5466c6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Marlana caught my eye with her length. The combo-forward has a chance to play both on the wing and in the post. She was efficient against Murray County, only turning the ball over twice as she shot 5-6 from the field to finish with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. She set up shop at the high post and also on the block sealing for post entries. She defended in the full court, able to keep pace with smaller guards. White has the tools to steadily grow into a solid college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1110874"],"_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-69ba8fb546719"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The softball star has blossomed into an equally bright basketball player. Hinkson is tough as nails with her physical play in the backcourt and mental toughness. She drew the assignment of face guarding CoCo Rudolph after her blistering start. A two-way impact player, Hinkson not only defended Grayson's best player but also led North Paulding in scoring with 19 points on 8-14 shooting going 3-4 from deep. Kalee dished out 6 assists as well as she played the full 32 minutes helping the Wolfpack to their first ever state title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->