Michaela Fairwell
Lydia Ledford of Buford, Georgia, was making an impact on both sides of the ball. *Photo by Tony Lugardo.
SUWANEE, GEORGIA - The Spring Showdown has been an elite way for club teams across the region to start off the spring/summer season for almost 20 years now. Here’s a look at several of the standouts from the day.
Class of 2025
Sa’Niah Dorsey of Calhoun (GA) is asserting herself as a player to keep close tabs on throughout the 2024 club season. She was dialed in for both of her team’s games including a game winning jumper in overtime to end her day. The Brandon Clay Showcase alum is displaying the ability to create her own shot.
Another Brandon Clay Showcase alum, Annarose Tyre of Lambert (GA) made her presence felt going off for 34 points in her team’s opening game on Saturday. Tyre has legitimate shooting range out to the 24-25 foot line. She’s one to keep an eye on this spring.
The 1-2-3 punch of Tatum Brown of Grayson (GA), Kayla Cleaveland of River Ridge (GA) and Skyla Tuthill of Winston Salem Christian (NC) should be amongst the nation’s elite this club season. Not many opponents will have the experience or talent that those three do on the club circuit. Tuthill has committed to Rice while Brown and Cleaveland both have multiple scholarship offers already.
A different type of 1-2-3 punch yet similarly effective was the combination of Michaela Fairwell of Dutch Fork (SC), Maggie Kernodle of Charlotte Catholic (NC) and Elizabeth Wynn of Oconee County (GA). All three prospects are wide open in their recruitment and must see players during the April, May live periods.
Class of 2026
Plenty has been said about Kate Harpring of Marist School (GA) over the past three weeks. What was evident on Saturday was on her pairing with classmate Ellison Steinhauer of Pickens (GA) is a potential win-win for them both this season. Steinhauer’s presence on the floor will allow Harpring to play on or off the basketball.
It appears that Lydia Ledford of Buford (GA) is ready to take the next step in her progression and serve as both a primary scorer and perimeter defender at the same time. Ledford, who already has several Division One offers, was all over the place on both ends of the hardwood. She’ll be a focal point for Buford next winter as well.
Class of 2027
Reece Davis of Deshler (AL) committed to Auburn earlier in March then came to get work at the Elite 100 Showcase shortly after. For Davis, who is a finalist for Alabama State Player of the Year next month, there’s so much untapped potential still left for her to summon as a true lead guard.
Like Davis, Finley Parker of River Ridge (GA) is also using this club season to assert herself as more of a primary basketball handling option. Parker, who holds multiple scholarship offers already, showed growth from where she left off last club season especially rebounding the basketball on Saturday.
Loren Withrite of Chattahoochee (GA) followed up a nice showing at the Elite 100 Spring Showcase to start the month with high level play on both ends to close it out. There’s a lot of potential here for Withrite’s game.
AROUND THE RIM
OMG-TGE is one of the region’s premier programs in terms of skill development. Quade Aalim and his staff have put numerous kids in college over the past decade. A large part of their success comes from playing in events like this one. They’re poised for another quality spring / summer.
Wood Elite does a really good job of producing talent at the younger age groups before the kids enter high school. This showing was no different. Class of 2028 Guard Aftyn Heiden (GA) is a prime example. She’s a multiple time Brandon Clay Showcase alum as well.
Tom Mason has done an excellent job over the years with the Georgia Flames group. A single 17u team, Mason has been able to add quality pieces year over year to compete against anyone sent their way.
Southeast All Stars was led by Brandon Cerezola and Xavier Johnson who filled the head coaching role admirably for Sean “Sticks” Smith. The All Stars showed multiple defenses and designed offensive set calls despite having a single practice prior to the Showdown.
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.
