Payton Caudle
Brandon Clay directs players in Fayetteville, Arkansas, for the BCE 100 Showcase. *Photo by Alex Hall.
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - The Brandon Clay Elite 100 Showcase featured some of the state’s premier prospects. From high school prospects fresh off state tournament runs to middle school prospects who have next, there was no shortage of talent in the building. We’ll be back in Fayetteville on August 3rd. Here’s a first look at some of the names from the day:
STATE TOURNEY FINALISTS
Class of 2028 Wing Peyton Caudle of Fayetteville, Ark., played in the 6A Final on Saturday scoring 16 points in a narrow defeat. A Brandon Clay Brand Marketing client, Caudle was back on the floor less than 24 hours getting shots up and basketball handling work in with National Director of Skill Development, Xavier Johnson. Caudle, who holds multiple scholarship offers from around the country, has the work ethic that it takes to be one of the nation’s best class wide at her position. She’s been on the floor with our staff in Atlanta, Dallas, Fayetteville and Indianapolis. Sessions like this only enhance her skill set.
Class of 2028 Guard Easton McCullough of Farmington, Ark., has a chance to be the best shotmaker in her class nationwide. This was our first time on the floor with McCullough. She’s a low-key assassin. McCullough’s shot looks the same on every release. It’s even smoother in person than it is on film. Like Caudle, McCullough already has multiple scholarship offers and should expect her recruiting trajectory to keep trending upwards based on her skill work here. Less than 48 hours after dropping 24 points en route to winning State Championship MVP, McCullough was right back to work. Judging by her demeanor, that comes as no surprise to our staff.
AROUND THE RIM
Class of 2026 Guard Hadlie Goodson of Jonesboro, Ark., drove over four hours one way to be a part of the event. Her tenacity and energy on both sides of the ball caught our staff’s attention. Heather Healy said positive things about Goodson before the Showcase. All of them appear to be just as states based on her performance here.
Class of 2028 Guard Taige Norwood of Greenland, Ark., has grown multiple inches since we trained in Dallas years ago. The Brandon Clay Brand Marketing Client showed that her game has grown since we trained in Atlanta over the summer. One thing about Norwood is her willingness to work at her craft.
Class of 2029 Guard Natylie Baker of Little Rock, Ark., has filled out since coming to work with our staff in Atlanta last spring. Baker has the physical tools to be impactful early in her high school career next winter. A Brandon Clay Brand Marketing Client, Baker has all of the tools to be a noteworthy kid in her class statewide.
Class of 2029 Wing Hailey Trader of Bentonville, Ark., has been on the floor with our staff multiple times in different regions over the last 12 months. She was a standout in Indianapolis last month. A Brandon Clay Brand Marketing Client, Trader was in the gym on Sunday even though she was unable to play. Keep an eye on her development the next six months.
Brandon Clay is a national contributor for ProspectsNation.com and owns The BrandonClayScouting.com Evaluation Report, which is read by more than 200 colleges and universities nationwide. He also serves as the Executive Skills Director for the Brandon Clay Scouting Academy Series.
