GHSA Title Game Top Performers

Some of the very best players in Georgia led their teams to Macon with the hope of cutting down the nets in celebration as champions. Only half of those teams were able to win their final game and experience the emotions that go along with it, while the other half is dealing with an entirely different set of emotions. These players rose to the challenge and finished off their seasons, and in some case careers, with very impressive performances in the title games.    Rudolph, one of the state's best scorers, left it all on the floor in her final game for Grayson. She had a very efficient performance scoring 32 points, shooting 11-23 from the field including 2-5 from three and a very good 8-10 from the free throw line. She has shown elite ability and proven leadership getting Grayson to the last three state championship games, winning the first, and cementing her place as one of the best players in Georgia in recent years. Due to a coaching change at Kennesaw State, Rudolph has re-opened her recruitment and should be a hot commodity for college coaches looking to sign an impact guard in the '26 class.     Landrum is another very good player in the '26 class in Georgia who may be looking for a new home in college as Boston College, the school she initially chose, recently fired their coach. Like Rudolph, if Landrum were to re-open her recruitment she would be a highly sought after player on the open market. Her talents were on full display as she finished as the game MVP of the AAAAAA state championship game. Morgan scored 17 points in the game, and was perfect from the free throw line converting all 11 shots from the stripe. Shooting perfect from the line and looking comfortable doing it was impressive enough, but Landrum also finished the game with 21 rebounds totally controlling the glass on both ends in the game for North Paulding.     Ledford and Murray County were able to avenge last year's loss to Hardaway with a close, but impressive win in the rematch in this year's AA state championship game. Ledford moves constantly and with purpose, with and without the ball, wearing down defenses and taking advantage of scoring opportunities when they present themselves. She has been the focus of every defense Murray has played the last two to three years and at this point can pick apart just about any defense. Offensively, Callan has a lot in her arsenal and has sneaky strength and athleticism to go with her good height/length.She is one of the very best unsigned seniors in Georgia and she will make whatever program she chooses better. Ledford finished her last high school game as a state champion and MVP after scoring 19 points on 7-16 shooting including three made three pointers.     Kailyn has had one of the more solid, but quiet high school careers that came to a close, rightfully, with a state championship and her winning the MVP. Hamby has been consistently scoring the basketball against the best teams in the state the last two to three seasons with little recognition. She plays the game with very little style, but a whole lot of substance. Hamby has continued to work and improve while keeping a low profile compared to some of the state's big stars. She finished the game with 20 points on 7-12 shooting including 2-5 from the three point line and making 4-5 free throws. I expect Kailyn to play early and often at Brenau and it would not surprise me at all if she were to replicate her individual and team success on the next level.     Mitchell was a player I had not seen before, and honestly never heard of. She, however, made an early and obvious impact on the game for East Laurens scoring the ball and grabbing rebounds while flashing impressive athleticism and effort to go along with her size and length. She finished the game scoring 17 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, most of which game in the first half where she was able to keep her team in the game while others struggle to score. She is a player to watch in the 2029 class with a lot of physical gifts and a very high ceiling when it comes to her potential.

Some of the very best players in Georgia led their teams to Macon with the hope of cutting down the nets in celebration as champions. Only half of those teams were able to win their final game and experience the emotions that go along with it, while the other half is dealing with an entirely different set of emotions. These players rose to the challenge and finished off their seasons, and in some case careers, with very impressive performances in the title games.