Calia gets the first nod for our all defensive team from the Freshman Showcase. The scrappy guard was the first player to dive on the floor after a loose ball and set the standard for the day. Whether she was picking up and guarding full court, deflecting passes in the passing lanes, or stripping the ball from offensive players trying to split gaps, Calia was lock-down for her team all day.

This kid exemplifies the word HUSTLE. She makes tons of plays off her toughness and work ethic. She slithers through the defense and gets shots off that left me shaking my head in amazement. Calia is a good one on one defender keeping her girl in front of her and out of the paint.

We at Prep Girls Hoops previously spotlighted Jackson as a 2030 to look out for in a future set of rankings. Jackson has maintained an active athletic schedule throughout the years as she has also competed in volleyball, flag football and as a sprinter. She has competed with one of North Carolina’s premier travel teams in Charlotte Dream Elite and is due for a breakout freshman campaign at 5A Rock Hill. Jackson played in 26 of coach Kenny Orr’s Bearcats’ 27 games last season – the team went a stellar 18-9. She previously attended Dutchman Creek MS. Jackson was one of only two from the middle school ranks that was on Rock Hill’s roster last season. 

Jackson was part of a 5A Rock Hill team that concluded last season with a record of 18-9. She was one of two from the middle school ranks on last season’s Bearcats team and one can count on her development improving under the tutelage of coach Kenny Orr. She has spent the last couple of months running with Charlotte Dream Elite for her grassroots schedule. In addition to hoops, Jackson has also played flag football at Dutchman Creek MS. She played up in class in the 15U division during last month’s live period at the Live at LakePoint in Georgia. Jackson competed in 26 games last season at Rock Hill. 

The 15U division at this past weekend’s Southeast Kickoff utilized a showcase format as opposed to a bracket one. Despite that, Charlotte Dream Elite 14U’s matchup with Fire Ball Basketball Academy was a de facto championship game given both squads were unbeaten going into that matchup. Jackson giving Charlotte Dream Elite 14U key minutes were integral in what became a 27-point win. She was one of two middle schoolers on this past season’s roster for coach Kenny Orr at 5A Division 1 Rock Hill. Jackson can find minutes either as a guard or a forward and has plenty of speed with an ability to find attacking lanes to the basket with strong finishes at the cup. 

Jackson represents the future of the program at Rock Hill. She competed in 26 games this past season for coach Kenny Orr’s Bearcats and her sporting a Charlotte Dream Elite 14U uniform is an indication that she is loaded with upside. Jackson helped in ensuring her club team would be the lone squad competing in the 15U field that would depart from Hickory with an unblemished record. Jackson does not take plays off and can be a scoring threat either from behind the arc or by attacking the basket. Jackson was one of two middle schoolers that earned roster spots with Rock Hill this past season.