2028 Rankings: Noteworthy Moves

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a number of players who were waiting to be included in the 2028 rankings for girls basketball in the state of Georgia. That number of players seems to grow every year making it difficult to see each prospect perform. So some of the these players I may had only seen once before updating the last 2028 rankings, but since have seen multiple times. Players from both of those groups earned their moves upward on the list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1838751"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae22a6e41180"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Veyda was one of the very best players overall, not just posts, at the recent Prep Girls Hoops Georgia Expo at Lakepoint. When it came to the posts players in attendance, Jones was by far the best shooter from the perimeter making shots from everywhere on the court 18 feet and out. In the paint Veyda showed really good hands, catching and finishing with both, often in traffic. Her footwork was very good too as she was able to utilize up/under moves and drop steps before smoothly scoring. She plays a lot bigger than 6'1, especially on defense where she was able to block and alter shots. Jones has a chance to be one of the breakout players in Georgia this season if given enough touches on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1244499"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae22a6e411f4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1241700' first='Reese' last=''] can and will impact games in a major way for Lumpkin County again this season. Her stats were not available, but she was outstanding when I saw her at the Region tournament at GAC this past February. As a freshman, E.K. was selected All Region in both basketball and volleyball for the Lady Indians which is not a surprise given her size and athleticism. At six foot tall, [player_tooltip player_id='1241700' first='Reese' last=''] is a consistent and smooth shooter from behind the three-point line. She knocked down several when I saw her at an Open Gym at South Forsyth recently. [player_tooltip player_id='1241700' first='Reese' last=''] has very good ball skills to go with her very good shooting, making her a mismatch for post players and guards alike on the offensive end. She has the ability to average well over double figures scoring and around ten rebounds a game, with multiple 20-point games included. If she does, then E.K. will see her ranking continue to rise and college coaches rightfully take notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1648599"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae22a6e4124a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With the departure of Hailey Houlder to Oak Hill Academy in the offseason, Smith should be her natural replacement at the point guard position for Archer this season. Elite quickness with the basketball makes Smith a real concern in the open court for opposing teams whether she scores herself or gets racks up easy assists. Smith shot the ball very well and in rhythm at the Prep Girls Hoops Georgia Expo earlier this month as well. Defensively, Taliya has the ability to put immense amounts of pressure on the ball and also jump into the passing lanes creating deflections and steals. Bethune-Cookman and Norfolk State have seen enough and have already extended offers to the talented junior. If she continues playing like she has recently, then other schools should and will join that list.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1643914"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae22a6e4129c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If Westlake is going to break through and advance further in the state tournament this year, then [player_tooltip player_id='904630' first='Miami' last='Solomon'] needs a reliable sidekick to help them try and add to their impressive trophy case. Physically, Omonira looks the part at 6' with broad shoulders and I watched her dominate stretches against a very good North Forsyth team a season ago. She is a powerful slasher to the basket with good quickness and good finishing ability. Whether it was pushing the ball on the break or slashing to the basket in the half-court, Aamani was too big and quick for defenders in that game. I have seen her make shots from the perimeter for Westlake and Legacy. as well. Omonira has the ability to average a double-double in her final two seasons and elevate herself to legitimate D2 or Low D1 college prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["968088"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae22a6e412ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With the graduation of Lydia Ledford (UT-Chattanooga) someone needs to step up and fill the void for Buford at the guard position. No one alone will do that, but Haley has the shooting ability and ability to create steals which are two big voids the Lady Wolves will try to fill. Haley is a very good (sneaky) athlete who also does a very good job sprinting out in transition and scores more than once in the games I saw her play with Redline this Spring and Summer. Haley will more than likely spend most of her time off the ball and on the wing where she should have a lot more opportunities to shoot the ball from three this season. She also plays the game with a high IQ and knows how to use head and shot fakes when defenders close out sloppily allowing her driving lanes to the basket as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["966436"],"_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"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6ae22a6e4133f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With the departure of Londyn Lane to Oklahoma (10.6 ppg/10.6 rpg), someone is going to have to step and lead an Eagle's Landing team that really struggled a year ago (4-17). Zoe is coming off a sophomore season that saw her average 10 points per game, nine rebounds per game, and three assists per game to go with two steals earning her second-team All-Region. If her play at the Prep Girls Hoops Expo was any indication of how she will play this season, then I expect Hill to average closer to 15 points per game and get her rebounding average over double digits. Zoe was at her best slashing to basket, whether she had the basketball or not, and then finishing quickly before the defense could react. Zoe also looked competent and confident shooting the basketball from the perimeter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->