Hoops 4 Hunger 5th Annual Metro ATL November 2025
Kristen Winston (#1) and Aaliyah Blanchard are two reasons why Hoover is strong.
Few answers given but a lot of questions remain as to Georgia’s 2025-2026 season
December 9, 2025
Held November 28-29, 2025, in its 5th year, Hoops 4 Hunger saw 44 teams (mostly from Georgia) play one or two pre-set games at Charles Drew High School in Riverdale, Georgia. Sponsored by the E Foundation, approximately 15 colleges ranging from NCAA major division 1 to junior colleges attended at least one day of the event.
More questions than answers as to who is best in Georgia high school ball?
It appears there is a lot of parity amongst the top Georgia teams (at least those present). For 6A, Newton went 1-1 but showed well. In 5A, North Paulding looked good going 2-0. In 4A, Kell was a major stock riser going 2-0 with a team of positionless players (taking turns bringing the ball up, going to the wing of posting up). With an impressive 2-0 showing, Sandy Creek looks like a threat to make a deep run 3A. Josey showed a couple of college prospects in spite of not winning a game but must still be considered amongst the 2A favorites. From the Privates, St. Francis showed it has plenty of talent but lost to both Hoover and Newton. Still, they are one of the favorites in Georgia’s Private Division.
Best teams present
As in Jacksonville at Insider Exposure’s event, Hoover won both its games but had to dig deep to beat Collierville (out of Tennessee) 63-58. Hoover was the only team at the event that looked worthy of national ranking consideration. Both Tennessee schools (Collierville and The Webb School of Knoxville) were impressive despite only one win (by Webb) between them. Look for both to be candidates for deep runs in their respective classes in Tennessee ‘s TSSAA playoffs!
Amongst the Georgia teams, there was no clearcut best with cases being able to be made for several teams.
Players below are listed alphabetically with listed height, position and school within graduation year. Worthy players discussed in other recent articles may not have been mentioned below. All are from Georgia unless marked otherwise after school name.
2026
Voldie Basana, 6-2, power forward, Athens Christian School
A Providence commit, Basana runs adequately, scores down low with either hand and is a functional rebounder. From the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Basana is above raw but not yet a finished product (has upside).
Aaliyah Blanchard, 5-11, forward, Hoover High School (AL)
A Middle Tennessee commit, Blanchard continues to be the player who holds things together in crisis times via handle, pass, score or rebound for nationally ranked Hoover.
Kennedy Deese, 6-0, guard/forward, Kell High School
A Howard commit, Deese typifies her team playing hard with versatility. One time she brings the ball up. The next time she is on the wing and the following possession in the post.
Camryn Golston, 5-3, point guard, St. Francis High School
A South Alabama commit, Golston is active on D, plays hard and can hit the three. Lack of size is one issue that turned many D1 programs away as they want taller guards.
Meeyah Green of Knoxville Webb impressed with shooting and control of tempo.
Meeyah Green, 5-9, guard, The Webb School of Knoxville (TN)
A Clemson commit, Green can score the ball but is also good at controlling tempo whether at point or on the wing. Her team split two games at the event, beating a good Bob Jones (AL) team 72-62 before losing to Kell 51-47 where injury forced Green to the sideline in the third quarter (although Kell was winning prior to the injury).
Za’Miyah Jenkins, 6-2, power forward, T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School
Unsigned, a long athlete, Jenkins has major D1 athleticism, but skills are not yet at that level.
Fran Kelly, 5-10, guard, Collierville High School (TN)
An Austin Peay commit, Kelly showed an ability to attack the rim while playing hard.
Lydia Ledford, 5-10, guard, Buford High School
A Tennessee Chattanooga commit, Ledford is a good off-the-catch shooter from behind the arc. Doing more off the bounce will help her to greater success at the next level.
Jekhyra Rodgers, 5-8, guard, Collierville High School (TN)
Uncommitted, Rodgers showed the ability to score at midrange and attack the rim. Combining with Fran Kelly above, Collierville was very competitive but lost both games at the event, most notably forcing nationally ranked Hoover to bow the back to pull out a 63-58 win.
Ja’Kyah Smith, 5-10, point guard, Bob Jones High School (AL)
The Tulane commit was her team’s most impressive player, showing good agility, ability to run the offense and score the ball primarily via attacking the rim. Despite her efforts, Bob Jones lost 72-62 to a talented Knoxville Webb and then 55-51 to nearby Sandy Creek.
2027
Kie’Aundria Acree, 6-0, wing, Monroe High School
Acree is a high major prospect based on size, athleticism and perimeter skill. In watching her at the event, she appeared to be shooting the ball better and this year’s team seemed to be playing more together than last year’s edition.
Aila Courtenay, 6-2, center, St. Francis High School
Courtenay missed most of her sophomore year recovering from an A.C.L. When faced with an equally tall defender, she has struggled to finish around the rim. Versus Newton’s shorter defenders, she posted 22 points scoring mostly at the block. Take progress as you can!
E’miah Fields, 5-9, wing, Buford High School
Fields is a lefty who is learning to go right. She can score with perimeter stroke or by attacking the rim. D1 programs should be monitoring her progress!
Nimah Ibidunni, 6-1, forward, Alexander High School
With a long medium build, Ibidunni is smooth going to the rim in the quarter court and is a strong rebounder. Word in the gym is that she has multiple mid-major offers.
Morgan Landrum, 6-0, wing, North Paulding High School
With an assortment of offers from the Power 4 and down, Landrum is a high motor athlete who passes well and hits the glass. She had just seven points in the win over Newton but her effects in other areas were critical to the 63-53 victory. In the 54-40 win versus New Smyrna Beach, her 17-point outing earned her game MVP honors.
Zuri Quintyne, 6-0, center, Carrollton High School
An undersized post scoring near the rim, adding shooting range would increase her stock with D1 programs.
Iniya Reddicks, 5-9, guard, New Smyrna Beach High School (FL)
Reddicks posted 17 points in her team’s loss to North Paulding. She demonstrated a nice perimeter stroke from mid-range and beyond the arc. She should be getting D1 looks.
Giuanni Rogers, 5-8, shooting guard, St. Francis High School
Rogers can be very hot or very cold as a perimeter shooter. She posted 14 points in her team’s 72-58 loss to Hoover and 21 points (on fire in second half) in her team’s 73-72 loss to Newton. Word in the gym is that she has offers from the Power 4 level down.
London Smith, 5-6, guard, Newton High School
A solid combo guard capable of playing either guard slot, Smith can score via the drive or perimeter stroke. She posted 23 points in the 63-53 loss to North Paulding and 17 points in her team’s 73-72 win over St. Francis. She has multiple mid-major offers.
Kamiya Webb, 6-2, center, Midfield High School (AL)
Webb is a strongly built post who has moves around the rim but needs to finish better if the one viewing at the event was indicative. Call her a work in progress! Word in the gym is that she has offers from mid-major D1 programs and down.
2028
Ansley Dunn, 5-3, point guard, Cherokee Green High School
Of medium build, Dunn is a skilled ball handler and can shoot the three. Where she will fall as to college recruiting depends on whether a program will recruit a small point guard.
McKenzie Green, 6-0, guard/forward, Kell High School
Green is another of Kell’s multi-positional players. D1’s should be monitoring her maturation.
Kenzie Hinkson, 5-7, point guard, North Paulding High School
Of medium build, Hinkson is a point guard who can handle the ball and shoot the three. Word in the gym was that she has offers from the mid-major D1 level and down.
Taylor Liberal, 5-10, forward, Brookwood High School
Liberal is a quick leaper, mostly scoring in the lower paint. Adding shooting range should be a priority.
Jazmin Maddox, 5-9, shooting guard, Newton High School
A decent athlete, Maddox looks to shoot the ball. She posted 13 in the loss to North Paulding and 22 points in the 73-72 win over St. Francis. Her maturation should be monitored from the Power 4 level and down.
Kyndall Mays 6-1, center, The Webb School of Knoxville (TN)
Mays is a strongly built low post for whom adding range would increase her stock with D1 schools. Her body type says more 4F than C. Her maturation should be monitored from the Power 4 level and down.
Morghan Reckley of Sandy Creek was the best player at the event.
Morghan Reckley, 5-7, point guard, Sandy Creek High School
Reckley was the #1 star of this event. Whether she scores (17 in the 60-38 win over Cherokee and 24 in the 55-51 win over Bob Jones High School) or not, Reckley can dominate a game with passing and defense. The USA U16 point guard this past summer, Reckley’s game continues to refine itself and become more efficient. Although only a sophomore, she is one of the top players in Georgia regardless of class.
Zahnyah Rockett, 5-5, guard, The Webb School of Knoxville (TN)
Rockett is aptly named as she has high energy to supplement her above average speed and quickness. Improving skills should be number 1 priority.
Ella Watts, 6-1, wing, Bob Jones High School (AL)
Watts is a tall three-point shooter with multiple Power 4 offers. Becoming more efficient at scoring and adding additional offense off the bounce would add to her chances of a successful transition to the Power 4 level.
2029
Paizley Hicks, 5-9, shooting guard, Carrollton High School
Hicks has a sturdy build and nice three-point stroke. Improved mobility would help her now and later.
Maleyah Hines, 6-1, center, Monroe High School
Hines has adequate mobility for her height and is a work in progress.
Kandyce Hopkins, 6-1, center, Sandy Creek High School
With sturdy build, Hopkins has good hands scoring near the rim and rebounds well for a young player. She needs to improve footwork and add post moves but D1’s should be monitoring this player regardless.
Ivy Napier, 5-9, shooting guard, The Webb School of Knoxville (TN)
Like many young players, Napier can stand out here via her three-point stroke, or disappear for stretches at a time. Another player for D1’s to monitor.
Safari Underdue, 6-0, forward, Langston Hughes High School
Underdue is a young player on a rebuilding Langston Hughes team. She has power in her body but is just learning how to use it. Potential D1 player in time!
Kristen Winston, 5-10, guard, Hoover High School (AL)
Winston is considered one of the top prospects in the 2029 class. She is a special talent with overall very mature on-court presence. More than not, she looks like a budding superstar but at times just a nice freshman.