Preseason Teams to Watch: The Next Up
Preseason Teams to Watch: The Next Up These teams are ready to take a step up into the spotlight. They’ve grown over time and could play spoiler come state tournament time. Some of these teams have already established themselves as…
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Continue ReadingPreseason Teams to Watch: The Next Up
These teams are ready to take a step up into the spotlight. They’ve grown over time and could play spoiler come state tournament time. Some of these teams have already established themselves as contenders while others are ready to burst onto the scene.
Carrollton
Notable Players
2021: #7
De’Mauri Flournoy
De’Mauri
Flournoy
5'7" | PG
Carrollton | 2021
State
#69
Nation
GA
2022: #34
Kehinde Obasuyi
Kehinde
Obasuyi
5'5" | PG
Carrollton | 2022
State
GA
2023: #8
Kanija Daniel
Kanija
Daniel
5'11" | CG
Carrollton | 2023
State
GA
, #62
Eghosa Obasuyi
Eghosa
Obasuyi
5'5" | CG
Carrollton | 2023
State
GA
Led by Vanderbilt-commit De’Mauri Flournoy De’Mauri Flournoy 5'7" | PG Carrollton | 2021 State #69 Nation GA , Carrollton will have one of the toughest trios in the state between her, now-healthy Kehinde Obasuyi Kehinde Obasuyi 5'5" | PG Carrollton | 2022 State GA and Kanija Daniel Kanija Daniel 5'11" | CG Carrollton | 2023 State GA . Flournoy can do it all at 5-foot-7. She’s a lethal three-point shooter, a crafty slasher and an advanced playmaker. She even rebounds exceptionally well for her size. Obasuyi is back after tearing her ACL last preseason. She’s a lightning quick guard that can score at all three levels with her lefty stroke. Daniel has seen D-I offers pour in. She is a jack-of-all-trades that uses her aggressive athleticism to wear on opponents. Add in Eghosa Obasuyi Eghosa Obasuyi 5'5" | CG Carrollton | 2023 State GA , a steady presence in the backcourt that saw big minutes as a freshman, and Coach Shon Thomaston has a group that no one will want to face come February in the gauntlet known as Class 6A.
West Forsyth
Notable Players
2022: #24
Cayla Cowart
Cayla
Cowart
5'10" | CG
West Forsyth | 2022
State
GA
, Calie Thrower, Kalie Thrower
The big three of Cayla Cowart Cayla Cowart 5'10" | CG West Forsyth | 2022 State GA and sisters Calie and Kalie Thrower represents a potential changing of the guard in Forsyth County. Long dominated by North Forsyth, the city of Cumming may now belong to the Wolverines as almost everybody returns from last year’s 20-8 roster. Cowart is as skilled as they come with the ball. The 5-foot-10 guard scores and facilitates with both hands. She doubles as a playmaker and bucket getter. Cowart has even seen time in the post as one of West Forsyth’s tallest players, showcasing her rebounding skills. Calie led the team in scoring at 15.2 points per game while Kalie chipped in 8 points. In a Class 7A that is up for grabs outside of the top two in McEachern and Collins Hill, West Forsyth has as good a shot as anybody in making the Final Four.
Loganville
Notable Players
2021: #50
Janae Charles
Janae
Charles
6'0" | SF
Loganville | 2021
State
GA
, #93
Rose Bone
Rose
Bone
5'11" | SF
Loganville | 2021
State
GA
2022: #68
Sydney Bolden
Sydney
Bolden
5'9" | CG
Loganville | 2022
State
GA
2024: Emaya Lewis
Size and length propel Loganville into the statewide discussion in Class 5A. 6-foot forward Janae Charles Janae Charles 6'0" | SF Loganville | 2021 State GA is a priority recruit at the D-II level. She sees Lenoir-Rhyne-commit 5-foot-11 Rose Bone Rose Bone 5'11" | SF Loganville | 2021 State GA transfer in from Athens Academy to give the Red Devils a versatile front court. Sydney Bolden Sydney Bolden 5'9" | CG Loganville | 2022 State GA has athleticism and a good motor on the perimeter. She has tools that are still developing and could be finely tuned by the time the season is complete. Coach John Zorn welcomes freshman Emaya Lewis to the program. At 6-foot-3, Lewis is an intimidating presence inside. She will improve rapidly competing with Charles and Bone in practice.
Jefferson
Notable Players
2021: #56
Livi Blackstock
Livi
Blackstock
5'7" | CG
Jefferson | 2021
State
GA
, Courtney Kidd
2022: #55
Deshona Gaither
Deshona
Gaither
5'8" | SG
Jefferson | 2022
State
GA
, Natalia Bolden
Jefferson and Coach Greg Brown have been building for this moment for years. With nearly his entire roster back from last year’s 25-5 team that lost 54-51 to eventual state champ GAC, the Dragons are finally healthy. 5-foot-10 Natalia Bolden is a game changer. She lost her entire sophomore season due to an ACL tear but now provides the Dragons with versatility from the forward position. North Georgia-commit Livi Blackstock Livi Blackstock 5'7" | CG Jefferson | 2021 State GA is a reliably steady guard that scores on slashes to the hoop and long-range bombs. Her and Deshona Gaither Deshona Gaither 5'8" | SG Jefferson | 2022 State GA ignite the offense with their full court pressure defense. Courtney Kidd blossomed last season in her newfound role and strengthens Jefferson’s rotation.
Mt. Paran
Notable Players
2022: #3
Kara Dunn
Kara
Dunn
6'0" | SF
Mt. Paran Christian | 2022
State
#70
Nation
GA
, #38
Katelyn Dunning
Katelyn
Dunning
5'3" | PG
Mt. Paran | 2022
State
GA
, #63
Shamaria Jennings
Shamaria
Jennings
5'9" | SF
Mt. Paran | 2022
State
GA
, #67
Kaylynn Kirklen
Kaylynn
Kirklen
5'10" | SF
Mt. Paran | 2022
State
GA
2023: #30
Caitlin Ealey
Caitlin
Ealey
5'11" | PF
Mt. Paran | 2023
GA
While Hebron Christian enters as a fairly heavy favorite in Class A-Private with a loaded senior class that features four D-I commits, Mt. Paran is not that far behind with their talented junior class. While from top to bottom they aren’t as deep and likely won’t produce four D-I signees, what the Eagles do boast is a top end star that can carry Mt. Paran to a Final Four run. Kara Dunn Kara Dunn 6'0" | SF Mt. Paran Christian | 2022 State #70 Nation GA has emerged as one of the best players in the Southeast and holds countless offers from ACC and SEC schools. The 6-foot wing can do whatever is needed to win games. Joining her is spunky 5-foot-4 playmaker Katelyn Dunning Katelyn Dunning 5'3" | PG Mt. Paran | 2022 State GA , a hardnosed guard that can score in bunches when given the chance. Sham Jennings and Kaylynn Kirklen Kaylynn Kirklen 5'10" | SF Mt. Paran | 2022 State GA bring athleticism and length on the wings while Caitlin Ealey Caitlin Ealey 5'11" | PF Mt. Paran | 2023 GA is a developing forward with a nice ceiling.