Sandy’s Spiel Tip-Off Classic Preview
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Chestatee High School hosts the second annual Sandy’s Spiel Tip-Off Classic on 11/19. Here is a preview of the four girls games. Games can be viewed LIVE via War Eagle TV. 12:00: 4A No. 8 Chestatee vs. Sequoyah Both teams…
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Continue ReadingChestatee High School hosts the second annual Sandy’s Spiel Tip-Off Classic on 11/19.
Here is a preview of the four girls games. Games can be viewed LIVE via War Eagle TV.
12:00: 4A No. 8 Chestatee vs. Sequoyah
Both teams open up their 2022-23 seasons coming off banner campaigns, Chestatee reaching the Sweet 16 and Sequoyah falling in the Class 6A State Championship. Chestatee loses two starters but returns the rest of their roster including All-State guard Riley Black Riley Black 5'8" | CG Chestatee | 2024 State GA who averaged 18 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.3 steals while drawing 26 charges. Sophomores Addison Boyd Addison Boyd 5'5" | PG Chestatee | 2025 State GA and Caroline Bull Caroline Bull 5'5" | PG Chestatee | 2025 State GA make Chestatee tough to beat when they are hitting their threes. Sequoyah is anchored by Southern Miss-signee Elle Blatchford Elle Blatchford 5'11" | PG Sequoyah | 2023 State GA who is coming off a season in which she posted 16.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 3.1 steals per game. A lot graduates around Blatchford, leaving Coach Chris Yarbrough with a young nucleus packed with sophomores. The development of 6-foot center Milanni Abdus-Salaam in Year 2 will be fun to watch. Juniors Sayler Davies and Addison Ghorley Addison Ghorley 5'8" | SG Sequoyah | 2024 State GA have experience and should see increased roles in the offense. Senior Callie Gaddis is a tough-nosed guard that plays bigger than her size. Outside shooting will be key in this game. If Chestatee can get open looks off Black drives and cash in threes, they will be in good shape. Finding someone to slow down Blatchford and limit second chance points will be an area of focus for the War Eagles.
3:00: 3A No. 8 White County vs. 2A No. 8 Banks County
White County has never been shy about playing everyone on the roster, often shuffling in multiple players at a time to keep them fresh as the Warriors full court press. Banks County will have to find a way to break the press consistently and ease into their halfcourt sets. 6-foot-1 Emmanuel-signee Kamryn Grier Kamryn Grier 6'1" | C Banks County | 2023 State GA missed the first game of the season for the Leopards. If she is back, she represents a dominant low block scorer that records double-doubles regularly, averaging 16.3 points and 11.8 rebounds a season ago. White County has capable size however in Claire Beckman Claire Beckman 6'0" | C White County | 2023 State GA , a sturdy post presence that defends and rebounds well. The Warriors have the numbers advantage in the backcourt with a slew of experienced guards in Aaliyah Anderson, Emma Lightsey Emma Lightsey 5'5" | CG White County | 2025 State GA and Mya Yeh Mya Yeh 5'5" | PG White County | 2025 State GA to name a few, but Banks County has firepower as well with Addison Hoard Addison Hoard 5'6" | PG Banks County | 2024 State GA and sophomores Ryleigh Murphy Ryleigh Murphy 5'8" | SG Banks County | 2025 State GA and Reese Murphy. An X-Factor for White County is Emmanuel-signee Naomi Roberts Naomi Roberts 5'10" | SF White County | 2023 State GA , a versatile 5-foot-10 wing. The Warriors have a ton of multi-positional length with 5-foot-10 Maci Shelnut Maci Shelnut 5'10" | SF White County | 2023 State GA and 6-foot Kylie Watkins Kylie Watkins 6'0" | PF White County | 2025 State GA while Banks County has 6-foot-1 Carley Segars Carley Segars 6'0" | C Banks County | 2024 State GA as their second tower inside to help control the paint.
6:00: 7A No. 8 Cherokee vs. 3A No. 2 Lumpkin County
Cherokee graduated six seniors including four starters from last year’s Class 7A Elite 8 team while Lumpkin County returns all but one rotational piece from their 30-1 Class 3A State Championship group. While the Warriors will have nearly all new faces playing key roles, one constant returns in Toni Warren Toni Warren 6'0" | SF Cherokee | 2024 State GA , the team’s leading scorer. The D-I prospect is flanked by 6-foot junior combo-forward Riley Simmons Riley Simmons 6'0" | SF Cherokee | 2024 State GA , a knockdown shooter and athletic sophomore guard Alex Whitecliffe Alex Whitecliffe 5'7" | PG Cherokee | 2025 State GA . Cherokee’s defense will be tested by Lumpkin County’s disciplined offense, with or without North Georgia-signee Lexi Pierce Lexi Pierce 5'6" | PG Lumpkin County | 2023 State GA who is still recovering from a broken leg. Reigning Class 3A Player of the Year Mary Mullinax Mary Mullinax 5'10" | SF Lumpkin County | 2023 State GA (Emory – 17.6 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.6 spg), Kate Jackson Kate Jackson 5'11" | PF Lumpkin County | 2023 State GA (Emmanuel – 12.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.4 spg) and Averie Jones Averie Jones 5'7" | CG Lumpkin County | 2024 State GA (18.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.5 spg) compose a lethal trio. Finding a few points and quality defense out Ciera Brooks, Madison Lee Madison Lee 5'10" | PG Lumpkin County | 2026 GA and Elizabeth Walker will help shore up the Indians.
7:30: 1A D-I No. 5 Rabun County vs. St. Pius X
The LadyCats fell short in the Class 2A State Championship and graduate four starters but return Lucy Hood Lucy Hood 5'9" | PG Rabun County | 2024 State GA and Ellie Southards Ellie Southards 5'8" | SG Rabun County | 2024 State GA as their go-to guards, Southards coming off ACL surgery. St. Pius reached the Class 5A Sweet 16 and bring back their core. Where the Golden Lions have the advantage is their experience and length, able to tower over the LadyCats with 6-foot-1 Alex Schiavo Alex Schiavo 6'1" | SF St. Pius X | 2023 State GA , 5-foot-10 post Annabella Sheridan Annabella Sheridan 5'11" | PF St. Pius X | 2025 State GA and 5-foot-10 wing Kelly Stephenson Kelly Stephenson 5'10" | SG St. Pius X | 2023 State GA . St. Pius has six players rostered over 5-foot-10 while Rabun County’s tallest stands 5-foot-9 on a good day, Mary Lovell, a tough softballer. Rabun County’s quickness on defense could frustrate St. Pius, especially in the press. Guards Trea Blalock and Jacie McCall are capable on both ends of the floor. Keeping the Golden Lions off the offensive glass will be a point of emphasis. 5-foot-11 senior Alex Umpierre is effective around the rim and will draw attention once shots go up. The game plan for St. Pius will be to hold Hood and Southards in check and force others to beat them. The recipe for LadyCat success is to see the two juniors combine for over 30 points per game.