2022 Rankings Update: Stock Risers

Kyle Sandy February 26, 2021 @ 01:42 PM

No. 6 || 5-6 PG [player_tooltip player_id="118143" first="Bridget" last="Utberg"] – Woodstock Up from No. 11 The flashy playmaker and potent scorer became Woodstock’s all-time leading scorer. Utberg is a dynamic player that uses quick hands to poke away steals. On offense she can create separation and uses her body exceptionally well to draw contact and finish through fouls. Utberg is a sharp passer and a streaky three-point shooter with a high IQ. No. 17 || 5-10 CG [player_tooltip player_id="194708" first="Cayla" last="Cowart"] – West Forsyth Up from No. 24 One of Georgia’s elite slashers, [player_tooltip player_id="194708" first="Cayla" last="Cowart"] assaults the rim with hard drives and the ability to finish with either hand. She’s a stat sheet stuffer with her athleticism and motor. Cowart is a very good playmaker off the dribble that is able to find open teammates on dump off passes. Her outside shot is still developing, but her consistency cannot be overlooked. No. 21 || 5-11 SG [player_tooltip player_id="186270" first="Jillian" last="Bretz"] – Forsyth Central Up from No. 71 With [player_tooltip player_id="191963" first="Aisha" last="Dabo"] sidelined for her entire senior season, [player_tooltip player_id="186270" first="Jillian" last="Bretz"] stepped up into the limelight and shined as one of the biggest stock risers in the state. At 5-foot-11, Bretz is skilled with the ball in her hands. She can grab rebounds and go coast-to-coast where she’s able to finish at the rim. Bretz is a knockdown shooter off the bounce that can fill it up from three and the mid-range. Her size and well-rounded scoring touch along with her overall smooth feel make her a legitimate prospect that needs to be watched closely. No. 22 || 5-8 SG [player_tooltip player_id="195885" first="Caelan" last="Ellis"] – McEachern Up from No. 60 A lethal three-point shooter that can also attack off the dribble, [player_tooltip player_id="195885" first="Caelan" last="Ellis"] is up 38 spots in the rankings. Her offensive numbers don’t jump off the page due to playing with a handful of other D-I guards, but her 10 points per game are crucial with how she can space the floor. Expect the ball to be in her hands much more next season as she pours in the points. No. 39 || 5-9 CG [player_tooltip player_id="195843" first="Sydney" last="Bolden"] – Loganville Up from No. 68 [player_tooltip player_id="195843" first="Sydney" last="Bolden"] is stating to piece it all together. She’s got a good motor and athletic build equipped with long arms. She can play on and off the ball, but she’s really improved as a playmaker. Bolden can get downhill and either score herself or find the open man. Defensively she’s capable of jumping passing lanes and earning deflections. No. 40 || 5-7 SG [player_tooltip player_id="148868" first="Deshona" last="Gaither"] – Jefferson Up from No. 55 One of the keys to Jefferson’s full court pressure, [player_tooltip player_id="148868" first="Deshona" last="Gaither"] is an athletic slashing guard that attacks on defense. Her quickness allows her to move side to side with ease and cut off and driving angles. Her ball handling and outside shot are improving each year. No. 47 || 5-10 F [player_tooltip player_id="186274" first="Kaylynn" last="Kirklen"] – Mt. Paran Up from No. 67 [player_tooltip player_id="186274" first="Kaylynn" last="Kirklen"] has found her niche inside with the Eagles. She works the high-low game as both a passer and scorer very well with [player_tooltip player_id="118141" first="Kara" last="Dunn"]. Kirklen battles on the glass and still has enough versatility to steal some minutes on the perimeter and beat her man to the hoop. No. 62 || 5-11 W [player_tooltip player_id="195601" first="Zaria" last="Hurston"] – Norcross Up from No. 81 An aggressive wing that uses her athleticism to clear rebounds and alter shots inside. Hurston can slash to the basket and move without the ball. Extending her outside shot will help her climb even higher in the rankings.