NGR Thanksgiving Classic notebook

NGR Thanksgiving Classic notebook

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

Winder, GA – Just before families gathered together several teams came together for the NGR Thanksgiving Classic at Winder-Barrow High School. This event had some strong boys and girls matchups.

There were strong team and individual performances to help get everyone into the festive mood of the holidays ahead. Here are the things we saw on the floor.

Mill Creek girls are flying high

When opponents think about the Mill Creek girls basketball program many focus on Isabella Ragone, which is understandable. She is a 6-foot-2 forward ranked in the top 100 in the Class of 2026. The lefty showed exactly why there is so much attention on her on the court. She was named the tournament MVP after averaging 20 points a game.

The Lady Hawks (4-0) showed its roster has some depth. Senior point guard Caroline Cadena helped orchestrate the offense finding teammates averaging about seven assists for the tournament. Her poise and leadership will help Mill Creek navigate through the season. Then some players helped carry the scoring load.

Mia Huckaby, a freshman, knocked down several shots to help extend the Lady Hawks lead or stop a scoring drought. Her confidence in shooting the ball grew with every shot and carried over to others on the floor. Senior Sammi Spees drilled open and made plays on both ends of the floor.

The season is early but Mill Creek is looking to make some major noise.

Winder-Barrow’s tenacity leads to championship

Winder-Barrow’s boy’s basketball roster is pretty deep. The Bulldoggs are still building an identity to get them to their main goal at the end of the season. They took some steps toward that growth this week.

The Bulldoggs (5-1) have won four straight, but it wasn’t easy winning by no more than 10 points. Winder-Barrow had to hold on to secure the championship. The game was secured behind the efforts of Jaden Baskin. This 6-foot-7 senior was on the glass at both ends. His efforts led to him being named the tournament MVP. Tyrin Sims nailed free throws down the stretch to help keep Mill Creek at bay.

Being able to close out games will be important for Winder-Barrow this season. The schedule ahead is challenging enough to help these Bulldoggs understand what it will take to make a deep run this season.

Players to track this season

Claire Carlson | 2026 | Cherokee Bluff | will be one of the more talked about players in the state before long. The sophomore guard is a smooth scorer. She fills the stat sheet from performances all over the floor. This Swiss Army knife prospect finishes in traffic well, shoots the ball effectively, and is willing to mix it up on the defensive end of the floor.

Jaden Baskin | 2024 | Winder-Barrow | is a prospect coaches will want to check in on this young man. He is an energizer who disrupts things on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-7 wing is a relentless rebounder. He alters shots at a high rate. His ability to finish around the rim was impressive. He will be a large factor in the Bulldoggs success this season.

Addison Smith | 2026 | Winder-Barrow | is a decent player. She gives the Bulldoggs a threat from the perimeter with her ability to shoot the ball. Her consistency and willingness to keep moving for a scoring opportunity was solid. Smith worked hard and made shots despite the attention. Looking forward to more of Smith’s development because she is more than willing to learn.

Cameron Bland | 2025 | Lambert | played a strong game for the Longhorns. He got to the basket with tremendous quickness while making solid decisions. His movement helped keep defenders off balance. The Longhorns point guard is a tenacious defender. There is nothing bland about his game.

Julian Finch | 2024 | Mill Creek | played a fluid game in the two games. The guard has a solid mid-range jumper. He gets to his spots and is comfortable finishing through traffic and disrupting the offense with his jumper. Finch is a solid rebounder at his position. Look for his effort to help the Hawks this season in an open region.

Bristol Kersh | 2027 | Cherokee Bluff | is a fearless first-year player. She is a pass first-floor general always looking to get teammates into scoring positions. Her IQ, feel for the game, and court vision are on par with more experienced players. She is a strong on-ball defender. Kersh has plenty of growth ahead. For some casual basketball fans, her name is not known because Kersh is an elite-level two-sport athlete.