HUNTSVILLE, AL – With temperatures on the rise and flowers blooming all across the country, tip off tournaments galore dot the new 2019 club schedule. And with less than two weeks remaining until the April NCAA viewing period, Blue Star Media headed down south to the state of Alabama, where some of the top programs in the Southeast gathered to “get their feet wet” and start their journey to July.

With stops in Birmingham for Alabama Heat Elite’s Heat Ball Showdown and in Huntsville for the Alabama Southern Starz Shootout, we got a preview of what to expect from several teams this upcoming season. All age divisions were well-represented, 2025 and up, and as always, southern hospitality was at its finest. Here are some of the prospects to be on the lookout for this year.

Unraysha Barclay – 2021 – 6-0 – Forward – All-Alabama Roadrunners 2021 – Everything about her game is strong- rebounding, passes, how she runs…Rangy, contesting shots…Easily had six blocks in one game…Can grab the loose ball and take it the other way as well…Got to foul line often and converted

Elle Blatchford – 2023 – 5-6 – Guard – Alabama Southern Starz 2023 NIKE – Gets going downhill and to the rim in a hurry…Jumper has shown some growth as well…Shifts it into a high gear with the ball…Potential is there

Madison Booker -2023 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – Alabama Southern Starz 2023 NIKE – Has probably grown an inch and started to fill out some…Elevating well on the pull up jumper…Countless clean blocks on and off the ball defensively…Playing vocal with a lot of fire…Special ability to create her own scoring opportunities in multiple spots on the floor

Anaya Boyd – 2020 – 6-0 – Guard – FBC Bounce Nation Jay 2020 – Next level athlete out on the wing…Finishes when she penetrates and gets airborne…Can score at the outer levels as well…Impressive outlets to start the break…Locked in on winning games

Jacorriah Bracey – 2020 – 5’9 – Guard -Alabama Southern Starz 2020 NIKE – Ole Miss commit is dangerous off the jab…Pull up jump shot was on full display…Gets up off the ground to finish or draw contact…Has a big time look and make up…Still not a finished product

Jayda Brown – 2023 – 5-9 – Guard – FBC Bounce Nation 2023 – Scores points in the paint in different ways…Needs continued development on the jumper…Did hit the three ball on occasion…Impressed with ability to post up to get open on the wing…Trailed offensive players to block shots from behind…One of the more athletic kids her 2023 class

Keilley Brown – 2022 – 6-0 – Forward – Alabama Heat Elite 2022 – Great wingspan…Looks the part…Type of kid that can play the top of the press or zone…Sits down and contains ball handlers…Really made defensive presence known…Offensive boards all day…Still a ways to go but plenty of basketball ahead

Janyla Bush – 2024 – 5-6 – Point Guard – St. Louis Eagles 2023 – Early signs of being a shot creator for herself and teammates…Will body up on defense…Has some deep range with the shot…Quick hands…Nice passes in congested areas…True two way PG in the making

Naveah Caffey -2025 – 5-6 – Point Guard/Guard – St. Louis Eagles 2025 – Plays in attack mode offensively…Advanced handles for her age…Good on ball defender…Plays with some flare…One to pay attention to for later

Jaloni Cambridge – 2024 – 5-6 – Point Guard/Guard – FBC United The Family 16U – Lightning quickness with and without the ball…Finds people with the ball…Fearless driving to the rim…No issue attacking older players…Turns on the jets in a flash

Essence Cody -2023 – 6-3 – Post – FBC United The Family 16U – Keeps adding to her game…Body type is developing…Weight room effect will have impact…Showing ability to catch, rip, and drive in one smooth motion…Lived at the line…Will be a handful on the glass

Zoe Cooper – 2020 – 5-11 – Forward – Alabama Heat Elite 2020 – Left handed rim runner type…Has some ups…Showed no relent in rebounding it and going up again…15 foot range…Ability is there to navigate traffic…Can help break the press

Savannah Dews – 2021 – 6-2 – Forward – Team B-Wright 2021 – Great frame catches attention…Sets a good, big, fundamental ball screen…Rolls well…Active away from the ball…Can finish over the shoulder…15 footers at the top and on the baselines…Will block some shots…One to pay some attention to this summer to see if she continues to improve

Allasha Dudley – 2021 – 5-7 -Point Guard – All-Alabama Roadrunners 2021 – Scorer’s mentality…Plays with confidence on the offensive side…Has the ability to get hot and knock down three’s…Reputation proceeded her in her home state

AD Dunbar – 2024 – 6-1 – Forward – Team B-Wright 2024 Black -Impressive build,,,Has the wing span…Challenges shot attempts…Finishes well in the paint…Explosiveness off two feet…Still a bit tentative on the catch inside…One to know early

Brooke Highmark – 2022 – 5-6 – Point Guard/Guard – St. Louis Eagles 2021 – Keeps making plays…Good energy on the court…Feisty…Not afraid to get out and pressure the ball…Can hit the three…Handles are suitable

Layla Hood – 2022 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – Team Elite Legacy Southwest – Explosive vertical…Feisty on defense…Flashed middle versus the press to make good passes helping break it…Young kid…Figuring things out but has the makings

Olivia Johnigan – 2023 – 6-0 – Forward – All-Alabama Roadrunners 2023 – Possibilities are rising…Big feet and long limbs could mean additional growth…Will take occasional 15 foot pull ups…Competent finisher with the right hand…Will block some shots…Plays “older” at times

Carly Keats – 2022 – 5-8 – Point Guard/Guard – MTP Most Want It 2020 – Easy to watch her compete…Shooter first…Nice, compact, quick stroke that she trusts…Willing to feed the post every time…Knows where to put it…Keeps the ball moving…Deep three range…Can step back behind the screens to knock it down

Jayla Kimborough – 2020 – 5-8 – Guard – Team Elite Legacy Southwest – Covers ground with the ball in her hands…Effective crossover…Showed a commitment to the defensive end…Pull up is her go…Can fade if necessary

Reniya Kelly – 2023 – 5-5 – Point Guard – FBC United The Family 16U – Plays light years beyond her age…Lots of quickness…Great on ball defensive effort…Can mix in some big time finishes on the drive…Keep watching

Kimora Lockett – 2023 – 5-9 – Guard – Team B-Wright 2023 Black – Bully build matches style of play…Developing scorer at different levels…Can occasionally be a one person show…Likes to crossover into a runner or dump off pass…Still searching for consistency on the jumper

Kristen McMillian – 2023 – 5-10 – Guard/Forward – Alabama Heat Elite 2022 – Mature build among high schoolers…Aggressive and active…Lots of versatility on both sides of the ball…Did a nice job working the high post against zone defenses…Scores herself or assists others

Loyal McQueen – 2020 – 5-7 – Point Guard/Guard – FBC Bounce Nation Jay 2020 – UNC commit…Showed off deep range out of the gate…Lefty combo…Good with the ball in traffic…Showed tenacity on defense versus fast opposition…Great last summer in front of her

Iyana Moore – 2021 – 5-8 – Point Guard/Guard – Team B-Wright 2021 – Mature combo guard…Ball handling is second nature…Knows how to play…Will take the pull up but tough to stop her from getting to the rim…Generates some power when she jumps…Has some of that “it” factor

Vanessa Polk – 2022 – 6-4 – Post – St. Louis Eagles 2021 – Impact interior presence against high level competition…Physical specimen with a nice motor…Sits down…Moves her feet…Serious ups shown with rebounds and put backs…Rejected plenty of shot attempts…Soft touch with the right hand

Debreasha Powe – 2022 – 6-0 – Guard/Forward – Alabama Southern Starz 2022 NIKE – Wing span and physical traits…Combine with a nice skill…Plenty of rebounds and self-pushes…Boxes out…Uses position doesn’t just out jump…Paint protector defensively…Puts up points inside…Will drive when she faces up…Hits the three some but could look to add more

Sara Puckett – 2021 – 6-2 – Guard/Forward – Alabama Southern Starz 2021 NIKE – Worked well in the high post versus zone…Skilled player…Keeps it simple and effective…Lots of 15 foot face up shots…Makes herself a big target inside…Quietly does things that help her team

Schoenwald – 2020 – 5-7 – Guard – Team B-Wright 2020 – Lefty two guard…Knack for shooting the three ball…Moves without the ball…Heady defender…Definitely one to check out

Naomi Smitherman – 2022 – 6-2 – Forward – Alabama Heat Elite 2022 – Has some serious hops…Knows how to find and exploit the openings and gaps against zone…Gets a lot of 12 foot bunnies around the basket…Converting more will make her tough to stop

Bridget Utberg – 2022 – 5-6 – Point Guard -Georgia Metros – Plays with some confidence out there…Playmaker at the point…Makes teammates better…Can also score herself…Drives left…Scoring threat from deep…Came through in the clutch

Jenna Walker – 2021 – 5-8 -Point Guard – Alabama Southern Starz 2021 NIKE – Embraces the point…Uses body and ball control along with change of pace…Arsenal of accurate and effective passes…Can score some as needed but excels being a table setter…Competitive spirit