The regular season grind is nearing an end, and as we hit February, we reveal our latest BLITZ Power Rankings for girls hoops!
#1 RABUN CO LADY WILDCATS
RECORD: 22-1
PREVIOUS RANKING: #1
REGION STANDING: 13-0; 1st Place
Make it 20 wins in a row for the #2-ranked Lady Cats, who are ON FIRE and just posted win number 100 for the senior class! Even without star guard Georgia Stockton for a large chunk of this season, it’s been Brooke Henricks, Laken Stiles, and a bunch of others pick up the slack (if there was such a thing). Rabun is a perfect 11-0 on the home court as well. Best offense in the region by a long shot in pts/game average, and one of the better defenses as well.
#2 JEFFERSON LADY DRAGONS
RECORD: 21-2
PREVIOUS RANKING: #3
REGION STANDING: 10-1; 1st Place
Eight straight wins for Jefferson, and no sign of slowing down for perhaps Georgia’s most surprising team this year. We all figured the girls would make a playoff run, but a 21-2 record is a wonderful surprise! The well-deserved #1-state ranking is nice, too. Livi Blackstock, Deshona Gaither, Natalia Bolden, and others are making this a team that’s here for the long haul, as it has just one senior. The girls’ defense is by FAR the greatest in the region!
#3 BANKS CO LADY LEOPARDS
RECORD: 19-5
PREVIOUS RANKING: #2
REGION STANDING: 9-4; 2nd Place
It’s another fantastic season for Banks, which has won 11 of its past 13, with the two losses to powerhouse Rabun in yet another thriller and an upset loss to Union on Wednesday. The Lady Leopards continue to dominate, and have the second-best offense and the very best defense in 8-AA. Jaycie Bowen, Amber Williams, and Heather Vaughan are a dynamic trio, and many others can emerge any night to lead the way for the #6-ranked girls.
#4 DAWSON CO LADY TIGERS
RECORD: 17-7
PREVIOUS RANKING #4
REGION STANDING: 8-3; 2nd Place
The #8-ranked Lady Tigers’ offense behind Kaylee Sticker and Madison Anglin, Sophia d’Oliveira, Anna Lowe, and others ranks as the best in the region. The defense is also pretty solid! Winners of four straight and six of the last seven has Dawson perhaps peaking at the perfect time.
#5 LUMPKIN CO LADY INDIANS
RECORD: 17-8
PREVIOUS RANKING: #5
REGION STANDING: 6-6; 4th Place
The “Great Eight” still have some work to do to make playoffs a reality. But this team is so fun to watch behind Isabel Davenport and Mackenzie Pulley, as well as Ashlynn Wistoski and Makenzie Caldwell. The defense is the best in the region in terms of pts/game allowed. A 4-5 January isn’t ideal, but the Lady Indians are still in good shape.
#6 TALLULAH FALLS LADY INDIANS
RECORD: 16-7
PREVIOUS RANKING: #6
REGION STANDING: 4-3; 5th Place
It’s been a solid year for Tallulah Falls, which has the second-best offense in the region. However, the defense ranks near the bottom in the region, which hurts. Still, a 6-3 January has been very good for this team’s playoff chances. Nyah Williams stands to lead this team to a deep playoff run, perhaps.
#7 WHITE CO LADY WARRIORS
RECORD: 13-9
PREVIOUS RANKING: #7
REGION STANDING: 7-4; 3rd Place
Five wins in the last six games bodes well for this young senior-less program. It’s been hard for anyone to beat them at home, with a 5-1 mark in Cleveland. This is a very balanced team with Dasha Cannon, Bentley Cronic, Naomi Crumley, Maddie Futch, Ellie Gearing, and others!
#8 UNION CO LADY PANTHERS
RECORD: 13-10
PREVIOUS RANKING: #8
REGION STANDING: 6-7; 5th Place
This is a talented group with Andelin Hill, Ava Hunter, and Kait McCarter leading the way. The win over Banks was monumental for this group, but there is still a lot of work to do. Losing four of the last six overall shows there is room to improve in order to be a playoff contender, but this team has many playmakers that can burn anyone, as evidence from the Banks win.
#9 TOWNS CO LADY INDIANS
RECORD: 11-11
PREVIOUS RANKING: #9
REGION STANDING: 5-2; 4th Place
Three straight losses is not the best outcome, but what a year it’s been for this group of girls, led by Kennedi Henson, Vanessa Floyd, and others. Could we see another playoff run for Towns County? A strong finish would be huge steps to nail it down.
#10 COMMERCE LADY TIGERS
RECORD: 13-10
PREVIOUS RANKING: #10
REGION STANDING: 4-5; 6th Place
The Lady Tigers are led by young Bryanna Sanders, who has had a great sophomore season. Coincidentally, Commerce is arguably better on the road (7-4) than at home (6-6). Still, a 5-5 January isn’t what the girls are capable of. Still some work to do to make the playoffs a reality.
#11 STEPHENS CO LADY INDIANS
RECORD: 5-17
PREVIOUS RANKING: #11
REGION STANDING: 1-6; 5th Place
Five straight defeats and losing seven of eight has hurt Stephens, but the girls still can make the playoffs in a five-team region. There’s talent throughout the roster. If anything, the Lady Indians could stand to get some more points on the board.
#12 HABERSHAM CENTRAL LADY RAIDERS
RECORD: 4-17
PREVIOUS RANKING: #12
REGION STANDING: 1-8; 6th Place
Five losses in a row for Habersham has them at the bottom of our Power Rankings. Eventually, this team will rise, but it may need to be reminded that hardly anyone from last year is on the roster in 2018-19. It takes time.
