Deep South Classic: 2022 Stock Risers
5-7 CG Sophie Smith – Atlanta Cagers BlueChip-Storms – Denmark Sophie Smith is a swift athlete with a quick trigger. She’s capable of taking and making threes off the dribble with deep range. She moves very well and can use…
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Continue Reading5-7 CG Sophie Smith – Atlanta Cagers BlueChip-Storms – Denmark
Sophie Smith is a swift athlete with a quick trigger. She’s capable of taking and making threes off the dribble with deep range. She moves very well and can use her foot speed to stay in front of ball handlers. She reminds me of current Liberty freshman Sophia d’Oliveira (Dawson County) with her agility and perimeter shot making.
6-0 G Sydney Bowles Sydney Bowles 6'1" | CG Woodward Academy | 2022 State #17 Nation GA – Georgia Pearls – Woodward Academy
While its hard to imagine Sydney Bowles Sydney Bowles 6'1" | CG Woodward Academy | 2022 State #17 Nation GA ’ stock rising any higher, the five-star prospect did just that with a sterling performance against FBC BounceNation Jay. Bowles piled in a game-high 19 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 blocks in a heartbreaking 45-43 loss. Bowles looked good attacking the basket and using her size to her advantage. She was aggressive and was rewarded with trips to the foul line going 7-7. She sank a pair of threes and provided rebounding and shot blocking inside. When Bowles doesn’t fall completely in love with her outside shot and starts getting to the hoop, she can be tough to stop. Saturday’s performance showed her complete arsenal.
6-0 G Flau’jae Johnson Flau’jae Johnson 6'0" | CG Sprayberry | 2022 State GA – FBC BounceNation Jay 2021 – Sprayberry
The Summer of Flau’jae continued as the confident slick scorer did a little bit of everything. She went for 20 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist and 3 steals vs. DL Impact before providing 11 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks and some trash talk in a win over the Georgia Pearls. Johnson is extremely smooth with the ball in her hands. She can switch gears effortlessly, going slow to fast to slow whenever needed. Johnson is a skilled dribbler, going behind the back often, but sometimes can try to do a little too much in traffic which can lead to lost dribbles or turnovers. Flau’jae brings her flash from the studio and can perform like she’s got a mic in her hand. She can play up to the crowd and feed off their energy in big games. You could tell she relished the moment against the Georgia Pearls and did everything she could to win the game. Johnson is a big guard that will only get better and better over her next two seasons.
6-2 F Kharyssa Richardson Kharyssa Richardson 6'2" | SF New Manchester | 2022 State GA – Hoop Dreams Athletics – New Manchester
The versatility of Kharyssa Richardson Kharyssa Richardson 6'2" | SF New Manchester | 2022 State GA has landed her a handful of High Major offers. Richardson has the size and physicality to bully opponents inside but also the skill and finesse to handle on the perimeter and shoot from distance. She is a matchup nightmare. Richardson can stretch the floor and pull out defenders where she can take them off the dribble and absorb contact when getting to the basket. Defensively she has good instincts, blocking shots and earning multiple deflections. She’s been Hoop Dreams Athletics’ best and most consistent player in the four games I’ve seen this summer. She had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks in a win over Georgia Metros Blue.
5-10 CG Cayla Cowart Cayla Cowart 5'10" | CG West Forsyth | 2022 State GA – FBC Black Nxt Gen JG – West Forsyth
Cayla Cowart Cayla Cowart 5'10" | CG West Forsyth | 2022 State GA is a very good finisher inside. She uses both hands equally as well and can attack both sides of the floor. Cowart thrives in transition both as a facilitator and scorer. She makes crisp bounce passes and can set up her teammates. Continuing to develop a consistent three-point shot well help her game. She had 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. She’s a good-looking prospect.
5-2 SG Chesnee Freeman – DL Impact – White County
In a loss, Chesnee Freeman was fearless against FBC BounceNation Jay’s intimidating length. Freeman worked hard and bombed away from deep when she got the chance. She sank two long balls and finished with 8 points, 2 rebounds and 1 steal. It was a good opportunity to get better playing against elite competition.
5-6 F Lauryn Towns – E33 Eagles – North Cobb Christian
An undersized combo forward, Lauryn Towns brought toughness to the table in a loss to FBC Legacy. Towns served time in the paint as an undersized post and battled every chance she got. She’s a gritty rebounder and overall solid glue-guy. She had 7 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal. She hit a pretty spin fadeaway in the lane. Towns is the type of player that will get the job done when doing the dirty work.