The St. James She Got Game Classic Atlanta 2026

Gabby Minus's return from injury is a big plus for the Hebron Christian Lions.

Many Terrific Contests; Still a Few Blowouts

January 12, 2026

In its 7th year, The St. James She Got Game Classic Atlanta was again held at LakePoint Champions Center (using 6 of its 12 courts) in Cartersville, Georgia, during the January 2-4, 2026, weekend. A total of 76 teams played one to three (as they signed up for) preset games.  Over the course of the event, 28 college coaches (mostly NCAA Division 1) attended for at least one day (mostly on Saturday). This was one of multiple events held by the St. James away from its headquarters in Springfield, Virginia.

Trying for best competition possible (a lot of research and some luck)

As one of the individuals who helps in pairing She Got Game Classic events, trying for competitive matchups is the number 1 goal (This writer defines competitive as a margin of 12 or few points between the opposing teams for over half the game). 

Before pairing, input is garnered from high school coaches, media and scouts familiar with the participating teams.  Also, the coaches of each participating team have the opportunity to give input as to the level of competition that they see as best for its squad. All this takes time.  The final pairings are only as good as the information which is inputted. Another problem is the late dropout of teams which sadly can result in a less competitive matchup. Also, unaccounted for injuries can turn an on-paper competitive game into a lopsided route.

Friday night we saw competitive matchups on almost all of the six courts in use. Unfortunately, on Saturday there were several blowouts. In multiple cases, these contests were between two teams judged as “below average.”  All too often, observers lump these teams as “bad” making it difficult to separate out how bad. Records can also fool you as some weak teams beat up on yet weaker teams in their area. Some areas/leagues are just stronger than others.

To some up, this writer found it easier to judge degrees of ‘goodliness’ than levels of ‘bad’ as to team strength. All I can say is as I am involved, I will keep trying to do strive for best competition for all teams being paired. This is always a work in progress.

A few of my favorite games from the event…

Hebron Christian Academy (Dacula, Georgia) 62-56 Winter Haven (Florida) High School

This game pitted top 5 state-series teams from Georgia and Florida.  Hebron won the game, dominating in the paint with its physical posts versus Winter Haven’s tall but slender posts. Winter Haven guard play was superior but not by enough. The game was closer than the final margin for most of the contest. 

Southwest DeKalb High School (Decatur, Georgia) 50-48 Cherokee Bluff High School (Flowery Branch, Georgia)

I made this pairing and just hoped the Cherokee Bluff point guard was not going to be off playing soccer as she is the team’s best player. Early, it looked like Southwest was going to run them out of the gym, but Bluff caught up to have the score tied at 26 at half. In the end, Southwest quickness prevailed but just barely over the Cherokee Bluff more patient offense.  Hopefully, both teams learned something from this.  

Rosedale Christian School (Rossville, Maryland) 65-64 ot McEachern High School (Powder Springs, Georgia)

McEachern is young and probably more talented as to college prospects.  Rosedale has played several good teams including nationally ranked St. John’s College (losing by a respectable 11).  The lesson from this game is details matter. Up two in overtime, McEachern failed to secure a rebound off a missed Rosedale foul shot. As the game clock was about to hit zero, a Rosedale player shot a three, resulting in a one-point win. 

Bob Jones High School (Madison, Alabama) 67-60 Grace Christian School (Sanford, North Carolina)

Moving from court to court, I only watched the fourth quarter of this game that undefeated Grace was favored to win.  Bob Jones was up double digits, but Grace made several runs at getting the game close to one possession.  However, each time Bob Jones countered to push Grace safely back until time expired.  The poise of the Bob Jones team was impressive on this afternoon. At this event, they also beat a talented Albany Monroe team 88-68. For the year, it has been a bit up and down for the talented Bob Jones squad.

Below are some of the players that had impressive outings at the event. For the most part, players discussed in Hoops Review articles written in the last few months were omitted. Players are listed alphabetically with listed height, position, graduation year and school with location in parenthesis.   

Layla Adams, 6-5, power forward, 2027, Archer High School (Lawrenceville, Georgia)

Already with Power 4 offers, Adams has good body control for her height with offensive skills still needing to come into focus.
Dyarri Braddick, 6-6, center, 2026, First Baptist School (Charleston, South, Carolina)

A Clemson signee, Braddick has nice touch in the lower paint. At times she could play harder.

Leah DeWitt, 5-9, point guard, 2028, Marrietta (Georgia) High School

One of the top prospects in Georgia’s 2028 class, DeWitt has been known as a good shooter for some time. To her credit, she is improving in her ability to run a team now capable of playing either guard slot.  

Jordyn Ellis of Whitney Young High School has a lot of upside.

Jordyn Ellis, 6-3, forward, 2028, Whitney Young High School (Chicago, Illinois)

To say Ellis is just scratching the surface would be an understatement. She moves very well, has good hands and decent stroke form.  She needs to finish better to reach the high level of Division 1 which is recruiting her. Name of team, teammates and this player all “Young” in game and likely a year away from coming close to fulfilling potential.   

Kyndoll English of Grace Christian - stock riser!

Kyndoll English, 6-3, center, 2028, Grace Christian School (Sanford, North Carolina)

English is a mobile, strongly built post who has helped her team receive recognition in some national polls.  Her scoring is primarily in the lower paint. Major D1 programs are now taking notice if they had not previously.

Chamiah Francis, 6-2, center, 2026, Booker T. Washington High School (Pensacola, Florida)

A Florida State signee, Francis is just returning from A.C.L. surgery. Strong in build, her conditioning, mobility and touch are not yet at the level where they were at prior to injury which at that point saw her as a McDonald’s All-American candidate. 

Peyton Frazier, 6-3, forward, 2029, GAC (Norcross, Georgia)

Frazier is considered one of Georgia’s top 2029 prospects as a player with good size, face-up ability, agility and basketball IQ. In watching her, one will see a sophisticated skill move with gaps of quiet play and some struggle with opposition physicality.  If a stock, Frazier would be a ‘buy’ at this point  

Serenity Hardy, 5-9, guard, 2026, Winter Haven (Florida) High School     

Winter Haven lost two close quality games at the event. This South Florida signee tried to keep her team competitive shooting the ball. Hardy comes from an amazing family of athletes. Her sister played college basketball, graduating from West Point last year. She has two football-playing brothers (one a sophomore at Indiana and another a freshman at Navy).

Khalia Hartwell, 6-5, center, 2027, Westside High School (Anderson, South Carolina)

Hartwell is considered one of the top post prospects in the 2027 class. She is very strongly built with good hands looking to finish near the block.  Given her build, conditioning must be monitored. Adding a bit of range could move her already high stock up a bit more.

Natalya Hodge, 5-7, point guard, 2026, Bearden High School (Knoxville, Tennessee)  

Unofficially, the Miissouri signee posted 39 points in her team’s win over Creekside of Georgia. Still, there is room for improvement by showing more patience at times on offense.  

Elle Johnson, 6-3, forward, 2029, Hebron Christian Academy (Dacula, Georgia)

Johnson is mobile for her height and has decent face-up stroke. However, she is not physically developed and gets thrown off by physical play. Her maturation should be monitored from the major D1 level and down.

Bristol Kersh, 5-8, point guard, 2026, Cherokee Bluff High School (Flowery Branch, Georgia)

This Notre Dame soccer signee is a natural quality athlete who “moonlights” at basketball, leading her team to the Georgia 3A title last year, sort of coming out of nowhere. One of Georgia’s top high school soccer players, in basketball Kersh is a point guard who sees the court well and has “drive and kick” ability which could be developed for the majors. Shooting would have to become more consistent.  If Notre Dame suffers the misfortune of running out of point guards due to injury (sadly it can happen), the basketball staff might want to head to the soccer field as Kersh might be able to help them to get to the next gas station.

Tiana Marshall, 5-10, guard, 2029, Westside High School (Anderson, South Carolina)

Marshall is a good athlete who can shoot the three and attack the rim. A likely major D1 prospect, together with Hartwell makes Westside one of the top high school teams in South Carolina.

Gabby Minus, 6-1, forward, 2026, Hebron Christian Academy (Dacula, Georgia)  

The Tennessee signee is just coming back from a year off due to the dreaded A.C.L. injury. Her mobility is currently ahead of her skills in attacking the rim, needing to finish more consistently.  Prior to the injury, Minus was easily a top 50 prospect.

Loriel Murray, 6-3, power forward, 2028, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School (Atlanta, Georgia)

Murray was a key factor in her team’s win over Winter Haven. She is a no-frills, lower-key player who works hard and can help team win big games at the high school level. Adding range would help her stock for the next level.     

Ja’Kyah Smith, 5-9, point guard, 2026, Bob Jones High School (Madison, Alabama)

Bob Jones had a big weekend as her team beat a talented Monroe (Albany, Georgia) and nationally ranked in at least one poll, undefeated Grace Chistian. The Tulane commit does much of the ball handing and unofficially scored 20 points in taking down previously undefeated Grace Christian.

Janiyah Weaver, 6-5, forward, 2027, Morrow (Georgia) High School

Weaver is a quality athlete with size likely getting major D1 looks, if not offers. She needs to get a bit stronger and improve her range (if she wants to play further from the rim) and finishing skills regardless of playing in or out of the key.   

Jayden Whelchel, 5-8, guard, 2029, Sequoyah High School (Canton, Georgia)

Whelchel is a strongly built guard with ability to attack the rim. She has a D1 upside with continued maturation.

Paris Wilson, 5-4, point guard, 2029, McEachern High School (Powder Springs, Georgia)  

Wilson is a small guard with good grips and improving three-point stroke.  Height might be the only thing keeping her out of the majors.