No one in the state covers high school basketball like Kyle Sandy (Sandy’s Spiel). He’s got the pulse on the entire state. So when a team or individual earns recognition, it’s worthy of the hype. Our local teams were well-represented with Sandy’s Spiel Preseason All-State selections, top 2026 player rankings, and team Preseason Rankings.

TEAM RANKINGS

GIRLS

• Rabun County – #3 in 1A DI
• Banks County – #6 in 1A DI
• White County – #10 in 3A

BOYS

• Rabun County – #3 in 1A DI
• Commerce – #5 in 1A DI
• Towns County – #6 in 1A DII
• Franklin County – #8 in 2A

PRESEASON ALL-STATE

GIRLS

• Janakate Gibson – Banks County SO G – 3rd Team All-State 1A DI
• Maddie Siuta – Dawson County SR PG – 2nd Team All-State 3A
• Millie Southards – Rabun County FR G – 1st Team All-State 1A DI
• Adelyn Thompson – Rabun County JR G – 2nd Team All-State 1A DI
• Regan Trlica – Union County JR G – 3rd Team All-State 2A

BOYS

• Huey Blalock – Rabun County SR PG – 1st Team All-State 1A DI
• Tucker Engert – Towns County SO PG – 1st Team All-State 1A DII
• Hayes Free – Rabun County SR F – 2nd Team All-State 1A DI
• Maki Mitchell – Commerce JR G – 2nd Team All-State 1A DI

CLASS OF 2026 PLAYER RANKINGS

GIRLS

• Madison Houck – Rabun County SF – #19
• Maddie Lee – Lumpkin County SF – #15
• Ava Roberson – Dawson County C – #14
• Maddie Siuta – Dawson County PG – #13

BOYS

• Huey Blalock – Rabun County PG – #3
• Hayes Free – Rabun County PF – #17
• Jake Mihalik – Habersham Central SF – #15

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