The timeless adage “it’s not how one starts but how one finishes” certainly applies to McCulley and her Alabama Elite 17U assembling. The team began its Roll Tide Rumble weekend with a 21-point defeat to WT Elite 17U before reeling off three consecutive wins. An accurate 3-point shooter, McCulley showcased exactly why she earned offers from schools such as Calhoun and Crowley’s Ridge. She gets the value of keeping one’s hands outstretched on defense, is an efficient runner of the floor and can attack the basket from either her right or left side around a defender or defenders. McCulley played for a 6A Buckhorn team that finished 20-11 last season. 

Even though McCulley is listed on Alabama 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. 

Harper’s playmaking thrives on her high basketball IQ and understanding of spacing. She knows exactly where to be to keep the offense flowing and create open lanes for her teammates. Her smart passing choices reflect her patience and vision—she doesn’t force plays but waits for the right moment to deliver the ball. Whether it’s swinging the ball quickly to shift the defense or making a crisp interior pass, Harper consistently makes decisions that put her team in a position to succeed. Her presence helps stretch the floor and opens up scoring opportunities across the court.

Right below the two unbeatens was Alabama Elite 16U which finished Roll Tide Rumble with three wins and one loss. McCulley arrived at Guntersville’s Supreme Courts with her balling shoes on. She displayed throughout the weekend how gifted a 3-point shooter she is. McCulley also has no issues with drawing contact to give her team opportunities at the free throw line. She possesses the long-range ability of a two but can also find time playing point. Coming away with steals to give her team additional offensive possessions is another strong point of McCulley’s game. When one can drain 3-pointers at the rate McCulley does, it can get defenders off balance when she switches to point guard mode in driving to the rim.

With Buckhorn HS as her academic and athletic home, McCulley did not have far to go to arrive at the Roll Tide Rumble on Saturday. Her Alabama Elite team had a rough go of things against a tough out in Team Elite Hubbard 16U 3SSB but she proved to be that bright spot so often found when teams have tough games. McCulley is not shy about taking 3-pointers – and why should she be when one has the long range accuracy she possesses. McCulley also has no problems drawing contact to get to the free throw line. She can play as either a one or a two guard. McCulley helped her Bucks to a 17-10 record this past season. 

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Harper is a sophomore who is a great teammate who her coaches say is excellent for the culture in the locker room. Offensively, she can score from multiple levels and is really tough to contain off the bounce. Her scoring will be needed for the Lady Bucks to be successful this season.