2026 4 THA CULTURE: MLK EDITION
Carib Morris (left) and Jayden McClain are two of the most talented members of the class of 2029.
High quality young talent brought out top level college programs to watch!
January 26, 2026
In its third year, the 2026 4 THA CULTURE MLK EDITION was held at Whitefield Academy in Smyrna, Georgia, on Saturday, January 17 and Monday, January 19 (no federation high school play allowed on Sundays in Georgia). On each date, eight pre-set games were played. A total of 40 colleges (several sent more than one representative) (mostly NCAA Division 1 with many Power 4 programs) and 30 media attended at least one day of the event. As is common in these events, some teams played just one day while others played both. Presented by Whitefield Academy, sponsors included Nalley Toyota of Roswell and JIM’N NICK’S COMMUNITY BAR-B-Q.
How an event gets decreased in quality without really doing anything wrong?
First, very late dropouts of invited teams force the organizers to grab a team (usually significantly worse than the team dropping) resulting in one or more non-competitive contests. This practice of waiting until the last 10 days (or less) is sadly becoming more and more prevalent as too many coaches seem to have little regard for the upheaval their dropping can cause for an event. At this event only one team dropped out late, but it still degraded the quality of the replacing matchups.
Second, late injuries to star players! When a player goes down, the cliché is “next man up!” Unfortunately, star players do not grow on trees and for some high school teams (particularly with limited talent), can go from well above average to well below average pretty quickly in spite of coach rhetoric.
Players, please involve your stars regardless of age!
The game at the event between Ryle High School (KY) and South Forsyth High School (more below) marked the first time I can remember seeing a “double freshman freeze-out.” I asked other observers on coaches’ row and they agreed this was subtlety happening. A freeze-out occurs when support players try not to pass the ball to the star player (usually a freshman or a sophomore) of their team any more than necessary, making more key decisions without the star’s involvement. Again, this seems to occur more so when the perceived star is young (particularly a freshman) and the rest of the team are upperclassmen.
In this game, both teams had a 2029 star (Jayden McClain, 6-6, center, Ryle, and Carib Morris, 6-2, forward, South Forsyth). Both support crews did not go out of their way to give their young stars quality touches. Motto might be “you got your scholarship offers; I got to go get mine!” Ryle won (71-64) by having an extra future NCAA Division 1 player (see below) on their side. Despite this, both young stars (see below) performed well in the game.
Practice playing against end-of-game pressure!
It is hard to press and trap for an entire game. For one thing, the team pressed adjusts and thereafter, returns can be negative. However, for stretches of two to three minutes at the ends of games, it can produce great rewards garnering quick ‘steal and score’ opportunities. This can also get the leading team rattled and thus miss foul shots that would close the game out. Below a game (Hoover’s win) involving this will be discussed. Similar situations also occurred recently with top level California teams Archbishop Mitty and Ontario Christian also falling in similar fashion.
My favorite games on Day 1 (Saturday)
Ryle High School (Union, Kentucky) 71-64 South Forsyth High School (Cumming, Georgia)
Ryle led 46-33 at half and 56-49 after three quarters. Largely on the back of its star freshmen Carib Morris (33 points in game), South Forsyth had the score tied as late as near the three-minute mark before Ryle (more talented around its freshman star) pulled away.
Hoover (Alabama) High School 61-54 Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (Dallas, Texas)
The word in the stands and college along coaches’ row was that Faith Family played one of its best offensive halves (leading 35-27) at halftime. Things still looked positive for the Texans, leading 50-45 after three quarters. Down the stretch, intense Hoover pressure got the lead with about three minutes left in regulation nursing it to the final seven-point margin as time expired. Having written about Hoover players multiple times in the last few months, let’s just say that the Hoover trio of Aaliyah Blanchard (19 points), Khloe Ford (20 points) and Kristen Winston (16 points) got the job done running its win streak to 22 in a row after being upset in game one of this season.
As for Faith Family, this is a talented team that needs to cut down on unforced errors during the majority of the game and learn to deal with all-out pressure in the closing minutes that cost them in this contest.
My favorite games on Day 2 (Monday)
Westside High School (Anderson, South Carolina) 59-42 Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (Dallas, Texas)
What fascinated me about this game (tied at 35 after three quarters) was the lack of knowledge about the young player who would take over the game down the stretch. All the major D1 coaches present were locked in on Westside’s nationally ranked post Khalia Hartwell (6-5, 2027). When I mentioned to several coaches prior to this contest that Westside had a second major D1 prospect, the reactions mostly ranged from puzzled to dismissive of my comment. After a game-leading 23-point performance, I suspect Tiana Marshall’s name was circled on programs of major D1 coaches.
To answer the question (from Westside fans) of why once-beaten Westside is not ranked nationally, strength of schedule as developed by the MaxPreps Computer puts it fourth behind Hoover, Miami Country Day (FL) and Hebron Christian Academy (GA) amongst one-loss teams of note in the Deep South. And not all national polls even have Hoover (my pick as best of these four) ranked nationally.
Ryle High School (Union, Kentucky) 61-48 Whitefield Academy (Smyrna, Georgia)
What made this game so special was the young talent on display. As in Ryle’s previous win at the event, the difference was Ryle’s one senior D1 signee (discussed below). Whitefield is probably too young to win the Georgia Private title this year but look for this program to move up the Georgia rankings over the next two years.
Newton High School (Covington, Georgia) 48-44 Sandy Creek High School (Tyrone, Georgia)
The theme of this one was who laughs last, laughs best. Sandy Creek got off to a very good start up 12-2 after one quarter and 22-11 at the break. Even after three quarters, Sandy Creek still led 35-29. Down the stretch, the well went particularly dry for Sandy Creek scoring only two points in the last three minutes as the more veteran Newton pushed passed them. The night was keyed by a 20-point outing by Sandy Creek sophomore star Morghan Reckley, but the production was based on a high volume of shots. Meanwhile, Newton was both more efficient in shooting and ball protection in the second half led by junior London Smith (18 points with 15 in half two).
Below players who stood out at the event are discussed listed alphabetically within graduation class with listed height, position and school (state location in parenthesis). Please note that most players written about in articles in the last few months are mostly omitted below even if they did well.
2026
Amayah Garcia, 5-11, guard, Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (Dallas, Texas)
On a talented team, this University of Washington signee is the top player. She can score at all three levels. Garcia played well in both games (two losses) at the event, posting double digits but still could have done more given her offensive talents.
Andrea Guilford, 5-7, guard, New Manchester High School (Douglasville, Georgia)
The Austin Peay signee posted 13 points (including three triples) in her team’s 51-34 loss to a more talented Holy Innocents’ team.
Jaelyn Jones, 5-10, guard, Ryle High School (Union, Kentucky)
The Western Illinois signee is not her team’s best prospect, but she Is her team’s best player posting 27 and 17 points in her team’s two wins at the event. Able to score at all three levels, she impressed those on college coaches’ row with her offensive versatility.
Tamaia Vines, 5-8, point guard, South Shore High School (Brooklyn, New York)
Committed to Chipola College in Florida, Vines is well above average athletically. She handles the ball well and can attack the rim. She posted 20 points in her team’s 61-58 loss to Bishop Ireton. One area that could be improved on, as a lead guard, she needs to move the ball quicker at times rather than dribbling down the possession clock but going nowhere while doing it.
Faye Williams, 6-2, forward, Bartlett High School, (Bartlett, Tennessee)
A SEMO (Southeast Missouri State) signee, Williams is an above average athlete with face-up stroke. Game to game consistency of production might be an area to aim to improve.
2027
Cass Antoine, 5-8, guard, Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (Dallas, Texas)
With multiple mid-major offers, Antoine is a decent athlete with versatility to her offense but game to game needs to be more productive (here 24 points on Saturday but only 5 on Monday).
Geornae Davis, 5-11, forward, Bishop Ireton High School (Alexandria, Virginia)
Incorrectly listed as a 2029, this junior plays hard and likes to play baseline to basket. Building shooting range would raise her recruiting stock as she is now a bit of a tweener. Her efforts helped her team go 2-0 at the event.
Jayla Forbes, 6-5, center, Montverde (Florida) Academy
Having high major offers, Forbes looks in better shape physically with her strong build. While improving in this area, she still could finish better. Summary – an improving work in progress!
Madison Reckley, 5-5, guard, Sandy Creek High School (Tyrone, Georgia)
Reckley keyed her team’s first half 11-pont lead versus Newton with nine points scoring at the rim and behind the arc. You can get overlooked when your younger sister is one of the best in the 2028 class and you are just trying to push forward toward modest college scholarship offers. So good job Madison!
London Smith, 5-6, guard, Newton High School (Covington, Georgia)
Smith is a decent yet patient athlete who can go quiet on offensive at times. She picks her spots but when aggressive, she can shoot the three or attack the rim. Her 20-point performance was critical to Newton’s 48-44 come-from-behind win over Sandy Creek (one of the 3A favorites while Newton is one of 6A favorites come late February).
Jordan Speller, 5-6, point guard, Montverde (Florida) Academy
A lefty with speed, Speller can get to the rim with either hand. Outside scoring ability is there but not first option. Her 24-point (unofficial) outing keyed Montverde’s come from behind (at half trailing Bartlett 34-28). She has high major offers.
2028
Sakura Barnes, 5-9, point guard, South Dade High School (Homestead, Florida)
Possessing D1 offers below the Power 4 level, Barnes is a decent athlete with decent all-around skills, needing to get better at one to crack open Power 4 offers.
Millie Newman, 5-11, shooting guard, Whitefield Academy (Smyrna, Georgia)
In posting 14 points in her team’s loss to Ryle, Newman showed an ability to get to the rim or hit the three. Word in the gym has this sophomore with mid-major offers.
Kelenna Ozumba, 6-5, center, Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (Dallas, Texas)
This sophomore has a high major upside due to a combination of height and overall above average (light on feet!) athleticism. She also is a good passer at the high post. She still needs to get physically stronger and more involved offensively (not reaching 10 points total in these two MLK games).
Maddy Pojani, 5-10, shooting guard, First Baptist School (Charleston, South Carolina)
Pojani has good size with a trim medium-solid build, adequate footspeed and solid perimeter stroke. She posted 19 points in her team’s 51-48 loss to Marietta. Word in the gym is that she has mid-major offers.
2029 (all Power 4 prospects at some level)
Ava Anthony, 6-4, center, Whitefield Academy (Smyrna, Georgia)
Anthony is strongly built with good hands (a combination often found at the low post in Power 4 ranks). She moves adequately for her size/build. Offensive skills are just emerging.
Tiana Marshall: a major freshman discovery for many colleges at the event.
Tiana Marshall, 5-10, guard, Westside High School (Anderson, South Carolina)
Marshall was the star of the game as her second half outburst (14 points; 23 total including four 3’s) helped break open the Faith Family game tied at 35 after three quarters. She is an above average athlete playing bigger than height with superior ‘ups’ and good basketball IQ. Earlier this month, she impressed in her team’s win over River Ridge (GA) at She Got Game Atlanta and perhaps more so here.
Jayden McClain, 6-6, center, Ryle High School (Union, Kentucky)
McClain has been on the national scene for several years. However, this tall player’s skills (stroke, passing, rebounding) are catching up with her height (still could get stronger). She recently set her school’s record for blocks (Note that in Kentucky public schools can use players as early as grade seven). She posted double digit scoring in each of her team’s two MLK wins. An All-American candidate for the 2029 class!
Nina McEldon, 6-2, forward, Bishop Ireton High School (Alexandria, Virginia)
McEldon is strongly built yet mobile with baseline to basket game. A strong rebounder, perimeter stroke probably could be on target more consistently.
Carib Morris, 6-2, forward, South Forsyth High School (Cumming, Georgia)
Morris is another player who has been well known for several years getting elite camp invites. She has had a nice three-point stroke for some time but at this event demonstrated an all-around offensive package. Posting 33 points in a loss versus Ryle, Morris is almost certainly the top player (averaging around 28 per game) in Georgia’s 2029 class and an All-American candidate down the road!