Contenders (Top Bracket 16-17 Black)

Georgia Blazers – Foster: Joe Foster has one of the best frontcourts in the event with 6’4’’ Shaunice McKinney (Leflore, AL) and Kayla Brewer 6’2’’ F (Jax Ribault). Foster finished 2nd in the 2nd Division last summer of the Summer Invitational but this group has a lot more size and experience then the group from a year ago.

FGB Junior Elite: FGB Junior Elite is coming off wins over Team Breakdown and the PC Challenge in their own event. The last time FGB Junior Elite went to Atlanta they finished 2nd to Peach State Elite in the Summer Invitational. Look for the guard play of Latavia Dempsey (Boca Ciega), Jermisha McRae (Atlantic), and Kim Smith (East Ridge) to pace FGB Junior Elite through the weekend.

Georgia Elite: Georgia Elite has to be the home town favorite to win the event. Georgia Elite is out of Atlanta and will be sleeping at home all weekend. Georgia Elite is led by super-frosh Andraya Carter. While Georgia Elite may not have the stockpiled talent, some of the other teams have they will likely be the best cohesive team in the top bracket.

Blue Chip All Stars: Jim Underwood’s Adidas team will be at the Peach State Tip-Off after by passing the Adidas spring event. Underwood had Adia Mathias last year who ended up signing with Kentucky. Blue Chip’s 15U team from last year went deep into Battle on the Bayeux, so it is likely they are one of the top contenders at this year’s Tip Off Classic.

Sleepers

It will be interesting to see how strong the GA/LINA 76ers team in the event will be. If this is the team that was a Nike travel team last year when they had Kristi Bellock, who was one of the top 50 players in the country, this team could be very dangerous if they have the same talent they have had before.

The Future

If you want to see young talent then you better get to Atlanta early. Southeast Elite, who has Tiffany Mitchell (Providence Day) and several former Peach State Elite Orange Players, will face off in a pre-bracket game with FGB Sophomore Elite, who sports 6’2’’ wing player Wendy Miller and 5’9’’ combo guard Laurie Beaty. The game will start at 2:15 PM at Suwannee, don’t miss it!

Fab Juniors

Shaunice McKinney 6’4’’ C Lefore, AL (Georgia Blazer’s Foster)

Meme Hill 6’3’’ C Winder Barrow GA (Georgia Hoopsters Royal)

Latavia Dempsey 5’8’’ G Boca Ciega FL (FGB Junior Elite)

Claire Watkins 6’3’’ C Butler NC (Southeast Elite)

Lindsey Wright 5’9’’ G East Lincolnton

Lauren Coleman 5’10’’ G Parkview GA (Georgia Elite)

Fab Sophomores

Kayla Brewer 6’3’’ F Ribault FL (Georgia Blazer’s Foster)

Brianna Wright 6’3’’ F Titusville FL (FGB Junior Elite)

Elem Ibiam 6’5’’ C Spalding GA (Southeast Elite)

Quaneisha McCurty 6’4’’ C Northwest Whitfield

Fab Freshmen

Andraya Carter 5’6’’ PG Buford (GA Elite)

Shavontae Naylor 5’10’’ W Ocala Forest (FGB Soph Elite)

Tiffany Mitchell 5’8’’ PG Providence Day (Southeast Elite)