PGH Roll Tide Rumble: 17U Frontcourt Forces from Day One

The second weekend of April is a busy one for the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit as a grand total of seven events emanated from locales across the country.    One of those events was the Roll Tide Rumble which once again emanated from Guntersville in the northeastern regions of Alabama. In addition to Supreme Courts, games also took place at the Guntersville Recreation Center and at Guntersville HS whose girls basketball team won its second state championship this past season.    We at Prep Girls Hoops were on hand for the weekend's festivities. A number of the notable performances from Roll Tide Rumble Saturday were delivered by forwards and centers competing in the 17U division.     One of the first 17U contests of the day would see [program_tooltip program_id='1803035' first='Britt' last='Basketball Academy'] 17U match up against TAC Elite 17U. Playing up in class as a 2028, the standout for 5A Newnan was ready to go despite participating in one of the first games of Saturday's action. Mack thrives as either at the four or as a traditional big but displays the ball-handling skills more commonly found in guards. She is an effective interior scorer who plays with her back to the basket and understands the art of being aggressive as a point-getter. Mack averaged 8.4 points, six rebounds and 1.2 blocks per contest this past season with the Cougars.      Even though TAC Elite 17U began Saturday's play on the wrong end of a 43-41 decision to [program_tooltip program_id='1803035' first='Britt' last='Basketball Academy'] 17U, Kelly helped in what was a very resilient effort for her team. It was late in the contest when Kelly's veteran instincts really shined as she managed to make plenty of plays to put her team in a spot to complete a comeback. Kelly is one of several graduating seniors on the team roster. She does not shy away from contact that can place her at the free throw line. Kelly was a key piece for a 6A Buckhorn team that concluded the 2025-26 season with a solid record of 20-11.      Tibbs is another from this past season's 6A Buckhorn assembling that helped the Bucks to that 20-win season. She adds plenty of height to any team she is on and that is complimented by her all-around talent. That six-foot stature combined with her ability to keep defenders guessing with her post moves makes Tibbs very difficult to game plan against. Tibbs was one of four from the class of 2027 on this past season's Bucks team. One can expect for that height to also come in very useful as a rebounder and when looking to win many battles on the boards.     McDaniel is playing up in class as a 2029 and displayed throughout her team's matchup with Premier Girls Basketball 17U why she belongs on the same court against more experienced competition. McDaniel effectively operates at the three to give a team a potent frontcourt scoring threat but can also be placed in a team's lineup as a center or power forward. We at Prep Girls Hoops have become familiar with McDaniel as she was one of our Top Performers from last year's Peach Games. Her [program_tooltip program_id='713624' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713452' first='FBC' last='']' last='Dynasty Elite'] 17U team is set to participate in two more Prep Girls Hoops Circuit events throughout the ensuing few months. McDaniel stands at 5-foot-8.      A scheduling issue meant Florida-based Premier Girls Basketball 17U's day began earlier than expected. It began auspiciously as Fournier's team earned a win to begin its Roll Tide Rumble weekend. When Fournier gets to making a consistent string of plays – which she does often – it is extremely difficult to keep her off the scoreboard. Fournier is listed as a big and the ability to make plays in the transition game is part of her overall skillset. Versatility is a hallmark of Fournier's game as she also can operate in the backcourt. Fournier was part of a 6A Lake Howell assembling that finished the 2025-26 season with a 23-6 record. She averaged 10.1 points this past season.      Murphy was another from that 6A Lake Howell team that powered the Silverhawks to a solid 2025-26. At 5-foot-10, she thrives as a frontcourt force – particularly as a four. If she has an opportunity at a high-percentage shot, there is a great chance it will be two more points for Murphy's team. Murphy also understands that playing in close proximity to the rim means drawing contact – and taking plenty of chances at the free throw line. She had a previous stint with East River before arriving on the scene at Lake Howell. Rebounding is another strong element to Murphy's game.      After a rough start to this year's Roll Tide Rumble against Lady Bombers 17U, Cooke helped right the ship for Alabama Roadrunners Premier 17U Silver against a tough TAC Elite 17U assembling. As someone who plays in the frontcourt, Cook does not shy from physicality and is one of the reasons why she is playing up in class against her 17U peers. Cook leads by example in addition to setting an example with her stellar play. She is an efficient runner of the floor and knows how to call for the ball when she is confident in her ability to make a play – which is often.      The weekend for Alabama Generals 17U began in promising fashion with a commanding victory over Bars Elite 17U. Johnson not only contributed to her team's offensive output by placing points on the board but also with rebounding to limit second-chance point opportunities. Drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line proved to be another strong point of Johnson's overall game. Alabama Generals 17U may be playing in the most veteran-laden division there is, but it is doing so with a roster that has only one 2027. Johnson thrives as a frontcourt standout for the Indians of 3A Colbert County.      Even though McCulley is listed on [program_tooltip program_id='713704' first='Alabama' last='Elite'] 17U's roster as a center, she understands the art of making plays from the backcourt either at the point or at the two. Defensively, she will keep her hands outstretched and that is complimented by her ability to efficiently run the floor. McCulley can display how accurate she can be from behind the 3-point line and can handle the ball with either her right or her left hand. The Bucks of 6A Buckhorn were well-represented at the Roll Tide Rumble and McCulley played a major role in the Bucks reaching the 20-win plateau this past season.      At 6-foot-3, Bookout is the tallest player on this year's [program_tooltip program_id='713704' first='Alabama' last='Elite'] 17U roster. While her team may have started this year's Roll Tide Rumble in the loss column against White Tigers Elite 17U, Bookout provided a formidable presence in the interior. She also did plenty of the same for a 3A Whitesburg Christian team that concluded its 2025-26 season with a solid record of 19-4 – plus winning eight of its nine region contests. Her tall stature enables her to corral plenty of rebounds and win plenty of battles on the boards. Bookout is an efficient screen setter and understands how to receive passes to finish plays at the basket.      Anderson is a multi-sport athlete who also excels as a volleyball standout in addition to her basketball achievements. Softball also takes up a significant portion of Anderson's athletic schedule. She can find plenty of time at the wing as a team can place her in its lineup of five either in the backcourt at the two or in the frontcourt as a three. Anderson was part of a 7A Fairhope team that put together a banner 2025-26. Her Pirates concluded this past season with a record of 28-5. Anderson was one of a quartet of 2027s on the 2025-26 Fairhope roster.      Mississippi-based YAG Ballers 17U may have had to wait longer than a number of its peer teams to begin its Roll Tide Rumble weekend, but the wait was worth it as Jones lifted her club team to a 50-43 victory over Alabama Roadrunners Premier 17U Gold. Jones' stature at 6-foot-1 means a team will get effective minutes from her on both ends of the floor either as a traditional big or at the four. Jones was part of a 2025-26 Booneville team that prevailed over Belmont last month to win the 3A state championship and, as performances such as Saturday's display, that momentum is translating to the grassroots realm.      [program_tooltip program_id='713624' first='[program_tooltip program_id='713452' first='FBC' last='']' last='Dynasty Elite'] 17U's Saturday got off to a rocky start with a loss to Florida-based Premier Girls Basketball 17U. In life – including sports – how one finishes is more important than how one starts. A stellar performance from Leonard ensured her team would close its Saturday at Supreme Courts with a win by virtue of a 38-31 overtime result against [program_tooltip program_id='1808695' first='THB' last='United'] 17U. Leonard is an effective interior defender who has a 3-point shot as part of her offensive repertoire. She is also a skilled rebounder who understands how she can help a team by drawing contact and finding her way to the free throw line.      Clanton is listed as a forward on the [program_tooltip program_id='1808695' first='THB' last='United'] 17U roster. When observing how she plays, Clanton appears to be more of a three than a four but she can definitely give a team worthwhile minutes from the four. Her toughness is a hallmark of her overall game as she has plenty of occasions where she draws contact to get to the free throw line. She can handle the ball with either her right or left hand and will attract a great deal of attention from opposing defenses given her playmaking capabilities. Clanton is one of two from 2A Sand Rock on this season's [program_tooltip program_id='1808695' first='THB' last='United'] 17U team.      Massingale is a versatile prospect listed at 5-foot-8 that not only can operate in the frontcourt as a three but at the point as well. Her E.S.T. Lady Shiners team did not begin its Roll Tide Rumble schedule until late Saturday afternoon. Massingale would tally eight points to lead her team against a tough out in Alabama Roadrunners Premier 17U Gold. Six of those eight were placed on the scoreboard in the second half. Massingale also managed to steer mostly clear of the referee's whistle as she was only booked for one personal foul in that contest. She had a few occasions where she tried her hand at the free throw line. At 5-foot-8, when she plays the point, she can have a height advantage over a number of her peer guards.      Smith fits the same mold as her E.S.T. Lady Shiners 17U teammate Massingale – a small forward who can also be placed in a team's lineup of five as a point guard. Her team's first game was in the latter portions of the afternoon against Alabama Roadrunners Premier 17U Gold. Smith proved to be a bright spot with a seven-point performance. Smith is a multi-sport athlete who also excels as a softball standout in addition to what she gets accomplished on the basketball court. With a 5-foot-9 stature, Smith is another that particularly can have a height advantage over a number of her peer guards but has showcased the talent to thrive as a frontcourt force as well.      Duncan finished her Saturday at Supreme Courts with a flourish as E.S.T. Lady Shiners earned an emphatic win over [program_tooltip program_id='1808833' first='Truth' last='Athletic Club'] 17U. She is listed as either a combo guard or a small forward but had plenty of moments where she put points on the board in that contest as if she were a conventional big. Duncan is a skilled attacker of the rim who knows how to corral her own rebound in case of a missed shot. She brings a fearless and ferocious attitude to the court as she is more than willing to attack against multiple defenders.      The “YAG” in YAG Ballers 17U stands for Young and Gifted. Those are attributes that certainly can describe the entire roster and Macon is no exception. Her play ensured YAG Ballers 17U would begin this year's Roll Tide Rumble on the right pair of sneakers by virtue of a 50-43 victory over Alabama Roadrunners Premier 17U Gold. Macon is the lone name representing the Indians of 4A Itawamba Agricultural - a team that concluded its 2025-26 campaign with a record of 22-8 – on the YAG Ballers 17U roster. She is listed at 5-foot-11. Macon was announced as part of YAG Ballers 17U during this past season.

The second weekend of April is a busy one for the Prep Girls Hoops Circuit as a grand total of seven events emanated from locales across the country.