GBCA Live: Playmaking, Productive PGs

With twelve courts running at once filled with teams from every region of Georgia, there were more players than one person could possibly see. These players had the basketball in their hands the majority of the game showing off their skill and decision-making ability throughout along with communication skills and controlling the pace of play. It's not a coincidence that their teams all performed very well as these kids led from the front.    Camp led Dalton to a very impressive 4-1 record at GBCA with their only loss coming in a close, wild affair with Kell who played Marist in the state championship game last season. Camp was excellent in the game dictating pace and controlling tempo against an athletic, long, and talented Kell group. She was very good pushing the ball in transition where she scored the majority of her 14 points while also dishing out several impressive assists. Camp knocked down multiple three point shots in the game. Against Starrs Mill and her Southeast All Star teammate Lindsey Kopachek, Bri led all scorers with 23 points. Camp was also the leading scorer in the game versus Hardaway finishing with 18 points, including four three point shots made. She currently has offers from Liberty University and in state schools Young Harris and Augusta, I expect that list to grow after a very good showing all four games.     Wilson was a kid I had on my list coming in to watch heading into the event. She is a player I have heard a lot about a seen a little bit of, but had not watched a full game for one reason or another. She was impressive averaging right at 13 point per game against excellent competition while helping to lead McEachern to a 3-1 record. In their lone loss against an extremely loaded Creekside team and backcourt, Paris scored 16 points leading her team in scoring. If you blink while she has the basketball, then she could easily be out of sight when you open up your eyes back up. She looks like she has the basketball on a string and put together several ball handling sequences throughout the weekend that created enough space for her to get her shot off over taller defenders from the perimeter. Paris also had no problem scoring over taller defenders when she broke defenders down off the bounce and got into the lane. I look forward to seeing her play again, soon. She is will only get better with time and she is an outstanding player already.     I'm not sure anyone made a bigger impression on me at the GBCA Live event than [player_tooltip player_id='968103' first='Peyton' last='Mann']. Saint Francis played the best competition there so I saw them for at least two games and she was the perfect partner with [player_tooltip player_id='671759' first='Giaunni' last='Rogers'] in the backcourt. The pair took turns creating for themselves, their other teammates, and each other with ease, high efficiency and productivity. Peyton was smooth running the show and punished defenses that gave her space to shoot from the perimeter knocking down multiple shots, both inside and outside the three point line, every game. Mann led St Francis in scoring in the championship game finishing with 17 points including three shots made from deep. Consistency was the key for her scoring as she was in double figures each game and averaged just over 11 points for the weekend. She was an excellent facilitator dishing out assists while rarely turning the ball over and leading her team to a perfect 4-0 record. The next event that we are both at, I will make time to find and watch her play again. That's how highly I think of Peyton.     Mia recently rejoined her Hebron teammates after a long trip to Puerto Rico for training camp with the national team before playing in the FIBA U18 AmeriCup championships. Huckaby's experience with the PR national team was highlighted with a clutch, late three that helped her team beat the Dominican Republic 56-55. She came into the games I saw as a super sub averaging 11 points while helping Hebron to a 4-0 record and a championship in their division. Against East Laurens and Langston Hughes Huckaby was lethal from three and getting to the rim utilizing her quickness off the dribble. She was the game leading scorer against Langston Hughes finishing with 17 points including 3 three point shots made as well as 4 two point shots made while giving her team a huge boost offensively. Not only did Mia score the ball, but was very good distributing the ball once she got past the first defender on the break and in the half court. with here high level of skill, athleticism, and intelligence. Mia definitely has the ability to play the position on the next level and that versatility should bring more interest and potentially offers from college coaches sooner rather than later.     I knew going into the game versus River Ridge that Mahliya could potentially pose serious problems for their guards and as it turned out I was correct. She went back and forth scoring the ball with Indiana commit [player_tooltip player_id='608120' first='Finley' last='Parker'], who finished the game with 24 points, in helping River Ridge hold off Camden 51-48. Reeder finished the game with 20 points leading Camden scoring the ball in the paint, from the midrange, and hitting multiple shots from behind the three point line. She was excellent getting into the paint, drawing contact, and getting to the free throw line where she went 8-12. Reeder was excellent in the spring with Southeast United and continued her stellar play at GBCA Live. She currently holds offers from East Georgia State, Pensacola State, New Orleans, Florida State- Jacksonville, and recently picked up offers from Albany State and Shorter. She will be an excellent player in college as she competes hard on both ends and plays with confidence and a high level of intelligence. I expect that list to grow as she finishes out her last ravel ball season in July and helps lead Camden on a deep run in the playoffs her senior year.     Sofia picked the right time to score 21 points as I was watching the Union County game for a few minutes with Basketball Bob Corwin. He asked who is any good in this game and she was one of the first names out of my mouth. Seconds later Sofia hit a deep, pull up three and a few trips later got to the basket and scored in traffic, making me look like I know what I am talking about. Thanks Sofia! That two point score was her only one of the game as the rest of her scoring came off of excellent shooting from three point range where she buried five shots. Pihera had a similar performance at Peach Games where she simply refused to let her team lose, like this contest where St. Pius kicked off Union County 55-50 in a pretty big upset. She also had another huge game scoring the ball with 24 points in a 44-36 win over Mill Creek, where she hit six shots from three point range. She is not only the point guard, but also the quarterback on the flag football team, and an excellent soccer player. She has told me that her dream and goal is to play basketball in college. Coaches from NAIA to Division Two should be evaluating her as she will be a very good player in college for someone.

With twelve courts running at once filled with teams from every region of Georgia, there were more players than one person could possibly see. These players had the basketball in their hands the majority of the game showing off their skill and decision-making ability throughout along with communication skills and controlling the pace of play. It's not a coincidence that their teams all performed very well as these kids led from the front.