2029 Rankings Update: Deserving Debuts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Several deserving players were on the "Waiting List" for the 2029 rankings in Georgia heading into their sophomore seasons. Over the last few months I have had the chance to see some play in different environments (team and individual) and they have earned their spots in the newest ranking update. I will be following these players during their high school seasons, along with other players in this class, and reviewing their initial rankings for the next update. Each player has shown proficiency in a lot of areas and stood out with their play during multiple viewings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1260814"],"_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-6adfcb271a914"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Spears is a very talented wing player who transferred into Sandy Creek during the offseason from Alabama. I was familiar with her game playing however playing with Legacy for travel ball. I had the chance to watch her closely at the GBCA Live event at Lakepoint as well as the Milton Summer league in June. Spears can score the ball from all three levels offensively and did a good job creating turnovers on the defensive end. She was able to get out in transition and score a couple of times in each of the 5-7 games I saw Sandy Creek play in June. She is a powerful player who is very strong on the ball and finishes well through contact at the rim. Spears should have a very productive season playing on a team loaded with talent playing a schedule full of big-time matchups including: St. Francis, Hoover, Newton, and Luella.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1726740"],"_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-6adfcb271a958"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Hall has a very talented group of young players returning to a team that surprised some people doing big things last year. Not only did they knock off then-undefeated GAC, but they made it to the second round of the state tournament before losing to Pickens with a very inexperienced squad. One of the big reasons why was Malorie Wise, who was outstanding in the GAC game and their late season run. Wyse is a ball of energy who is always in the middle of the action. She was at the front of their relentless press, causing deflections and steals while shadowing the inbounder and then trapping the ball in the corner. Malorie is an excellent shooter from both behind the three point line and the midrange. Wyse scored a lot of point slashing to the basket as a freshman as well. She followed up an excellent freshman season with an outstanding travel ball season and in June at the Wildcat Shootout. If people don't know who she is now, they will in the next few years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1866683"],"_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-6adfcb271a97d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I watched Scout play with Union County, Tennessee United, and in a couple of showcases since her freshman season ended and each time I have walked away with a higher opinion of her as a player. She is never going to be the biggest player on the court, but few players were more effective and impactful in the last few months of watching ball. Henry is one of the better shooters in the state from three-point range and does not need much time or space to let the ball go. She is scrappy and tough on defense and always seems to be around the ball tying up opposing players when they lose their dribble. Henry has no fear of contact attacking the basket and consistently finds ways to score over and around post players in the paint. Pound for pound, Scout is one of the best players in her class in Georgia.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1823940"],"_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-6adfcb271a99f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Amana was impressive coming off the bench for Hebron Christian as a freshman a year ago. Fast Forward a year and she has followed coach Jan Azar to Gainesville where she will be counted on to help lead this young and somewhat inexperienced team. Friend was very good when I watched Gainesville play at Wofford team camp in June. Amana was especially effective on the defensive end where she applied good on-ball pressure while also jumping in the passing lane and creating turnovers. Friend scored a lot of points in transition turning that defense into offense in South Carolina. It was also the effort she showed sprinting out on the break that got my attention. When given time and space, Amana shot the ball well from the perimeter. She is a player with a lot of potential and now the opportunity to show just how good of a player she is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["887688"],"_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-6adfcb271a9bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ari almost cracked the top 20 and may find herself in the top ten (maybe higher) when it's all said and done in three years. She had a very solid freshman season, but not many were aware because of where she played. The size combined with her skill makes her a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses, both inside and out. Ari shoots the ball at a high clip from the perimeter and easily over smaller guards when she doesn't back them down on the block. Her length, quickness, and leaping ability made her unguardable slashing to the basket in the showcases I saw her play this Summer. McElrath has a great set of mits as well, catching quick passes in tight quarters with ease before finishing around the rim. She could be the breakout player of the year after transferring to North Paulding, feasting off defenses trying to stop [player_tooltip player_id='904720' first='Kenzie' last='Hinkson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1874886"],"_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-6adfcb271a9dd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sadie made a huge splash with her play at the Prep Girls Hoops Georgia Sophomore ID Camp scoring the ball at a very high rate during the three versus three and five versus five sessions. When left open, Spurlock made the defense pay knocking down several deep three-point shots and midrange jumpers. Sadie was very good staying in perpetual motion without the basketball and also scored baskets on backdoor cuts. With Northwest Whitfield's two leading scorers graduating, someone has to pick up the load and Sadie proved she can do that. She should partner very well with [player_tooltip player_id='1838751' first='Veyda' last='Jones'], who was a standout performer at the PGH Expo recently. The duo should give Northwest Whitfield a realistic shot at winning the region and themselves a shot at postseason honors this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->