2027 Update: Rankings Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2027s in the state of the Georgia preparing for their final high school basketball seasons, most will finish their competitive careers in February while others have and will earn the right to continue playing on the college level. There are over 200 players listed in the 2027 girls basketball rankings on the Prep Girls Hoops website, so it would be impossible to evaluate each person individually. The players who are moving up have really shifted into another gear over the last few months preparing for their senior seasons and beyond. They have earned a rise in the newest update of the 2027 rankings and several of these players have already committed to college programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["743530"],"_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-6ae4cd5655c47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Thompson looks like a college player right now at close to 6', with a long wingspan, and a kid who clearly knows where the weight room is at Kell. Thompson is a threat to opposing defenses in a variety of ways, whether she is pulling up quickly from three-point range in transition or finishing impressively at the rim. Asiah has a very quick first step as well that she does a good job utilizing in the half court. She can get 20 points in the flow of the offense on any given night and Kell will need her to that more than once during region play and the tournament if she and her very talented teammates want to go out as state champions. The St. Johns commit has the potential to put up some very impressive point totals as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["968153"],"_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-6ae4cd5655c9a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McKenzie is another of the very talented players at Kell in the 2027 class who has already made her college decision, committing to Howard University in early October. I talk about offense first generally, but because of how hard Green plays on the defensive end of the court I want to shout her out now. Her effort and energy on that end of the floor, to go along with her length and leaping ability, could see her on the All Defensive team this season and in the MEAC in a few years. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see her win Defensive Player of the Year. Offensively, Green uses those same gifts to create matchup nightmares for opposing post players. She is too quick for bigger defenders on the perimeter and elevates easily over smaller ones, specifically in the post whether her back is to the basket or not. Green could have a huge season in her final one as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["743545"],"_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-6ae4cd5655ccc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sanderson recently chose her college home committing to D2 Carson Newman over schools like Valdosta State, Shorter, and West Georgia. Jace is without question one of the very best shooters in the state of Georgia, regardless of classification, and has been for a couple years. She has also been All Region and named MVP of multiple holiday tournaments for Gilmer County over the last three seasons. At nearly six feet tall, Sanderson should have no problem scoring at the rim to go with her prolific shooting in her final season allowing her to continue to add to her career point total. With the very talented McKenna Turner ('29) in the same backcourt, teams cannot focus all of their attention on Sanderson which should allow for some big games scoring the basketball. Gilmer has a chance to make a deep run in the playoffs this season with Jace leading that very skilled and talented duo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1255447"],"_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-6ae4cd5655ced"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mia has one of the better resumes in the state, but has somehow not received more recognition for just how good the first three years of her high school career have been. Huckaby went over the 1,000 point scoring mark as a junior, while also helping Hebron win a state championship. This summer she represented Puerto Rico in the FIBA U18 Women's America, including one game where Mia scored 15 points in under 15 minutes against the Dominican Republic. With the numerous departures at Hebron, she should have the time on the court along with the opportunity to prove to college coaches that she can be a meaningful contributor on the next level. There is no question for me, or her previous head coach, Jan Azar, that Huckaby will be a great addition to whatever school she chooses. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["968157"],"_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-6ae4cd5655d15"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Late on one of the nights at Peach Games this spring I watched Pihera almost finish with a triple-double in the last game of the day as she lead her team to a very close win. She continued her excellent play throughout the Spring and Summer and as a result will have a difficult decision to make about where she will continue her career in college. Hollins, Berry, and Oglethorpe have all offered Pihera since June. She is the main scorer, facilitator, and second-highest rebounder on her team while leading almost every other category as well. Sofia is shifty with the basketball and a very good shooter with a quick trigger. I have seen her play a handful of times (against legit comp) and she is a legit three-level scorer. With Kate Harpring graduated from Marist and in Chapel Hill, Pihera should battle outstanding freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1826533' first='Melody' last='Ashford'] for Region Player of the Year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["743568"],"_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-6ae4cd5655d34"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pugmire has been a stalwart at the point guard position for Athens Academy since starting as a freshman and averaging 15 points per game three years ago. She was the biggest difference-maker for her team as I watched them play in and win the A D1 Region tournament last February before being eliminated by GAC in the state tournament. Millie is crafty, very intelligent, and finds ways to score from the point guard position (offensive rebounds and put backs and with her back to the basket in the post) that are not traditional, but very effective. She is nearly automatic from three when left open, which is rare at this point in her career, and shoots almost as well off the bounce and off balanced, which is also somewhat I don't typically see. She has had a very impressive, but quiet career in a lower classification, but that should not scare college coaches off. Millie is a proven player who will help whatever program she chooses for college.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["676592"],"_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-6ae4cd5655d51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's hard to believe that three years ago I was Peyton's head coach when she was selected (unanimously) to the 8-AAAAA All Region team after averaging double digit points per game scoring as a freshmen. She actually played the point guard position then, but has now moved to the wing and the four position for both Buford and Redline. Denmark plays well over six feet with very long arms and legs and is an above-average athlete who has started to figure out how to use her physical gifts best. I was most impressed with her energy and effort, especially on the offensive boards where she was excellent grabbing missed shots and getting easy put-backs during the high school offseason. Peyton sprinted on the break when it looked like her teammates ahead would easily score and was rewarded more than once with uncontested lay ups when they did miss. She still shoots the ball well from deep and has the ability to get hot and make a bunch in a short spurt at any given time. Denmark and Emiah Fields will try and get Buford back to the Final Four in their last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->