Carden Vailes
Ameila Goehring of Jackson, Tennessee, was one of standouts in the Spotlight Session of the Brandon Clay Training Academy in Alabama. *Photo by Tony Lugardo.
BOAZ, Alabama – The BrandonClayScouting.com National Training Academy has become arguably the nation’s premier proving ground to train with our staff during the first summer without live college coach evaluations in decades. My favorite part of the showcase is working with campers during our Spotlight Session Workout. Here’s my takeaway from the session:
Reece Davis (Tuscumbia, AL) – Deshler High School – 2027
Davis was the youngest player in the Academy. Davis’ lack of experience didn’t keep her from showing high level footwork at an early age. She has the ability to take coaching then immediately apply it to her game. In that way, Davis projects as a guard we’ll be excited to track and train for years to come.
Amelia Goehring (Jackson, TN) – Trinity Christian Academy – 2023
Goehring, who already has a Brandon Clay College Recruiting Profile, provided our staff with a fresh take on her game in this setting. She’s a guard with the size to be a legitimate next level off the ball option. Goehring is a prospect capable of making shots from the outside and will be even more proficient as she learns to let her follow through finish the same on every release.
Malea Graves (Muscle Shoals, AL) – Muscle Shoals High School – 2024
Like Goehring, Graves came in with a shot built to be consistent over time. She is a hard worker and was extremely easy to work with during the session. Graves work ethic was on full display here as a tough combo type at the guard spot. Her competitiveness and leadership ability might very well be best served as a point guard putting people in the right spot on both ends of the floor.
Olivia Lee (Jackson, TN) – Trinity Christian Academy – 2023
The first thing that jumps off of the page about Lee’s potential is her length and size on the perimeter. She’s got next level wing written all over her game already. Lee has a nice, soft touch on her shot with the skill to keep building a nice, tall follow through to complete her shot release.
Lilly Beth Morrison (Boaz, AL) – Boaz High – 2021
With the Academy held inside of her home gym, Morrison seemed right at home for good reason. She was a joy to work with taking instruction on widening her shot base under her shoulders. The top of her shot looks fantastic as Morrison possesses the strength to shoot it out beyond the arc at a high percentage clip already.
Whitney Novak (Mobile, AL) – St. Lukea’s Episcopal School – 2021
Novak has the unique package of high academics with the skill needed to play at the next level. She showed here that she can do a little of everything on the floor and is a versatile option at the hybrid forward spot in that regard. That versatility should allow Novak to guard multiple positions on defense based on matchups and scheme.
Samaria Sims (McDonough, GA) – Eagles Landing High – 2023
Sims was just in the gym with our staff at the Atlanta Training Academy. She showed growth in her shooting ability in just three weeks. Vince Smith, who is in charge of BrandonClayTV video capture, remarked that “Sims looked much more comfortable in this workout.” If Sims progress was any indication of what we can expect, it will be good to check back in this August.
Sydney Steward (Huntsville, AL) – Hazel Green High School – 2024
Steward has the skill already to be a sharpshooting option on the wing. She’s got a consistent release point and showed advanced footwork for a prospect who hasn’t hit high school yet. Steward’s ability to keep defenses honest will only continue to grow as she gets more comfortable putting the ball on the floor to attack and score it that way too.
Carden Vailes (Jackson, TN) – Trinity Christian Academy – 2023
Like so many of the players on this list, this was our first opportunity to work with Vailes on her game. She showed quickly that her jump shot is an area of strength in her game. Vailes has a clean release on her shot with the skill to be a consistent threat from beyond the arc. She was attentive and dialed in during the duration of the Academy.
Brandon Clay serves as the Director of Scouting 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.
