Jackson EMC Tip-Off Classic: Top Guards

<strong>Jackson EMC Tip-Off Classic: Top Guards</strong> <strong>2024 5-8 G [player_tooltip player_id="195978" first="Ava" last="Grace Watson"] – Buford</strong> The quickness of [player_tooltip player_id="195978" first="Ava" last="Grace Watson"] was too much for Lumpkin County to contain in Buford’s 56-39 win. The High Major recruit posted 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block. Watson got into the lane at will with her dribble penetration. She’s a fleet-footed agile guard that changes directions quickly. Watson finished with floaters and used both hands when at the rim. Her first bucket came on a crossover step-back three which set the tone. Watson has a lot of upside as a drive and kick facilitator with her ability to see the floor and suck in the defense. <strong>2023 5-6 G [player_tooltip player_id="213347" first="Lexi" last="Pierce"] – Lumpkin County</strong> Aside from her 8 points and two three-pointers, what impressed me most was [player_tooltip player_id="213347" first="Lexi" last="Pierce"]’s competency against the aggressive Buford 1-2-2 press. Pierce was able to split traps with her dribble and advance the ball up. She threw over the top on numerous occasions and helped get the Indians settled in the halfcourt. <strong>2022 5-8 G [player_tooltip player_id="148868" first="Deshona" last="Gaither"] – Jefferson</strong> Like she has all of her career, [player_tooltip player_id="148868" first="Deshona" last="Gaither"] got downhill against the length of St. Pius X, recording 12 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal in a 57-47 win. Gaither scored all six of her field goals in the paint, using three drives and two nice step-through moves on the block. Deshona is an attractive prospect with her quickness, energy and overall attacking mindset on both sides of the ball. She can be an immediate impact maker defensively at the next level. <strong>2022 5-7 G [player_tooltip player_id="302950" first="Ellie" last="Kinlaw"] – Jefferson</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="302950" first="Ellie" last="Kinlaw"] shot lights out at the Jackson EMC Tip-Off Classic. The coveted NAIA prospect buried four threes and handled the ball in the offense. She has gotten better off the dribble and is a capable defender. Kinlaw will see her recruitment heat up her senior season. <strong>2022 5-11 W [player_tooltip player_id="334303" first="Natalia" last="Bolden"] – Jefferson</strong> The long-awaited return of [player_tooltip player_id="334303" first="Natalia" last="Bolden"] had its first storybook ending as the senior drilled a three at the buzzer to beat Buford for the Jackson EMC Championship 54-51. Before her 17-point title game heroics, Bolden put up 18 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 1 block in the semifinals. Bolden is an interesting prospect. She has a high skill level and can play 1-5. She’s primarily a wing but has no issue running the lead guard spot. Natalia scores at all three levels. She has a nice hesitation dribble move that gets her downhill.  Bolden isn’t as explosive as some of the elite players at her position, but she’s still mobile enough to find mismatches and exploit them. D-II schools are starting to offer.