A very successful high school coach who is in the hall of fame in Georgia saw Jadyn play for the first time live on Saturday and immediately told me how much he loved her game- “She is an elite shooter, but she is a lot quicker than I thought, and she is a bulldog on the court.” This coach I respect a lot and described her game very well. She is scrappy and an intense competitor on both ends. She is relied to generate almost all of her teams offense in high school, so it was great see her perform at such a high level with a much more talented group. She made multiple threes in every game, some several feet behind the line. There was a good mix of hots off the bounce and in catch and shoot situations. If Jadyn doesn’t need much time or space, just a quick look at the basket and the ball is released. She moves constantly and with intelligence getting herself open and available foe drive, draw, and dish sickouts, as well as inside out work with her post players. Shepard looks like a player motivated and confident ahead of the live period in Ohio this weekend.

Jadyn is coming off a season where she had the full attention of opposing defenses every game for Denmark. She began her high school career with a bang, scoring the ball at a high clip and earning a reputation as one of the best shooters in the state as a freshman a year ago. With all of the added attention and coverage from opposing defenses this season, Jadyn still managed to average over 16 points per game and earned a well deserved spot on the All Region team. Shepard will have a much more talented team this Spring and Summer which should allow her the space to operate more freely. Shepard is a very good ball handler and finisher at the rim. She is a sneaky good athlete with quick feet that can defend other quality players at the guard position. If left open, she is nearly automatic from long range.

Jadyn and Denmark’s season came to an end and for the very talented sophomore it was another night where the opposing defense did everything they could to slow her down scoring the ball. North Atlanta mixed up defenders on Shepard all game long and there mission was clear deny, deny, deny, her the ball. Shepard must have run a half marathon coming off down screens and running the baseline trying to shake off the defense. Shepard is an elite shooter so when she did create space and opportunities she made several shots and looked good doing it. Expect a big Spring and Summer for Shepard where she will play off the ball and have more scoring opportunities.

Routinely can go for 5+ made threes. Great shooter that has to handle the primary ball handling duties at Denmark. Jadyn has developed into a very good slasher, tough getting downhill through contact, able to finish with both hands on eurosteps.

Electric scorer. Lethal three-point shooter is one of the best in her class. Gets her points off the bounce on pull-up threes. Shoots over high ball screens. Can strip the nets when playing off ball on the catch. Will likely need to take 15-20 shots per game for Denmark as a heavy burden is on her shoulders. While she spaces the floor extremely well, the lead guard is also exceptional at getting downhill. Does a great job getting defenders on her hip and finishing with either hand in traffic.

Coming off a 26-point explosion, Shepard was on fire once again as she scored 14 of Denmark’s 20 first half points against Jackson County. Instead of banging home seven threes like the week prior, Jadyn sank just one as she instead attacked downhill. She did a great job getting to her right hand eurostepping between defenders to get to the rim to draw fouls. Shepard went 5-5 from the stripe in the first half. The Lady Panthers elected to face guard Jadyn in the second half, holding her to two points, finishing with a game-high 16. Shepard continues to impress as a well-rounded offensive weapon. Though Denmark finished the league 0-7, Shepard’s sterling play landed her on the All-League Second Team by averaging 14.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1 steal with 10 made threes in just four games.

Jadyn nearly carried Denmark to their first win of the season, the sophomore going ballistic from beyond the arc against Dawson County, drilling seven threes en route to 26 points in a 39-37 loss. Shepard has deep range, able to pull off the dribble and off the catch. Jadyn shot with extreme confidence. She will be asked to take 15-20 shots per game her sophomore season as she is needed to shoulder a heavy load. Jadyn has a great future ahead of her. If she continues to add to her game, D-I and D-II programs could be in play.

Athletic scoring guard with range and poise. Plays under control and doesn’t force the issue. Strong off the dribble and sees the floor well. Can shoot from distance and is comfortable creating her own shot. Makes smart reads as a passer and understands how to elevate her team. Confident with the ball and always a scoring threat.

Team Elite Hubbard 16U Josh has no problems giving gifted freshman standouts the opportunity to punch above their weight. Shepard is playing up in class. She may have been a freshman this past season with 6A Denmark, but she does not play like it. A key element of what she does is her 3-point shooting. Shepard connected on four of her 3-point tries in the game with The SisterHood Lady Lions 16U Bolden. Three of those triples occurred in the first half. Denmark was founded only a few years ago in 2018 and last season was the first time its girls basketball team reached 14 wins for a season. 

Shepard is a lights out shooter. She will make you pay if you leave her open. Shot the 3 ball well on the day but also found other ways to score. High IQ guard that range starts as soon as she walks on the floor.