PeachStateBasketball.com – Georgia Red Storm – September 12, 2014

Coach Kelly Stallworth has developed a culture homework manager of cohesion and teamwork with the Georgia Red Storm. They will compete at the PSB End of the Road Championships on September 27-28. Photo cred – Ty Freeman/PSB

The Georgia Red Storm began their organization just a few years ago. However, they are beginning to reap the benefits of their work already. Their cohesiveness extends beyond the court into car rides and camp experiences. Their dedication to a common goal has brought young ladies together on the court and will help them get to the next level.

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

Program Director

Kelly Stallworth

Program Headquarters

Gwinnett County, Georgia

PeachStateBasketball.com Tournaments attended

Pre Season Shootout
Spring Showdown
May Day Challenge
Summer Invitational
Elite 32 Summer Jam

Notable Players

Faustine Aifuwa – 2016
Alayna Ford – 2017
Lexi Maddox – 2017
Jazmin Smith – 2016
Jordan Stallworth – 2016
Kanna Suzuki – 2016

Program Notes from Kelly Stallworth:

Coach Kelly Stallworth, along with Red Storm founders Patrick Scales and Tony Green, began this program with the simple idea of helping kids in her area extend their education through the game of basketball. Collectively with the help of the coaches on the Red Storm staff they have been able to move toward achieving those goals. She says, “If we can help 50 to 60 kids go on and get a college education within the next decade, think about how that will impact our community.”

Keeping that focus on education is important for the Red Storm as Stallworth and her coaches keep a close eye on their player’s grades. They combine those efforts by teaching character and service within the community. She goes on to say, “We remind them that anytime we go out into public that we are representing good quality writing paper each other.”

Class of 2016 post Faustine Aifuwa with the Georgia Red Storm. Photo cred – Ty Freeman/PSB

This blending of off the court actions with on the court performance started this spring when Stallworth had her players participate in a book reading. The reading prompted a summer long conversation about bringing the right energy to the team. She says, “We read John Gordon’s Energy Bus and that paid off this summer. Our team began to understand that we have to bring positive energy all the time. Our motto became ‘Energize-Communicate-Dominate.’”

As a result of this preparation, the Red Storm gained the attention of college coaches during the summer circuit. Several players within the organization have already garnered phone calls, visits and offers from college programs already. As Stallworth says, “The coaches noticed the culture that we have developed and commented on this several times. Our goal is to send our kids off prepared for the next level both physically and mentally.”

Coach Stallworth talks about how the culture of the Red Storm could be seen no clearer than after the season ended. After their last game ended at the PSB Elite 32 Summer Jam in Augusta, Ga., all the players demanded to go out to eat together. Then after the meal, all of them wanted to go back to Georgia Regents University to watch more games. Stallworth says, “This is a great example of how these young ladies wanted to play for each other and truly loved being around one another.”

The Program

One of the prime examples of hard work paying off is Faustine Aifuwa of Dacula, Ga. The 6-foot-5 class of 2016 center essay on my role model mahatma gandhi did not start playing basketball until eighth grade, but has made tremendous progress in a short amount of time. Her performance over the summer and recently at the EBA Fab 5 Camp earned her a 4-star rating per ProspectsNation.com. A number of college programs have been in to see her recently.

Another player that has made tremendous strides over time is class of 2016 Jordan Stallworth of Lawrenceville, Ga. In only her fourth year of playing the sport, the 6-1 forward has not only earned the respect of her teammates, but also the attention of college coaches. Recently coaches visited her high school gym to watch her and her teammates workout.

The Red Storm would not be who they are without the point guard play of Jazmin Smith of Lawrenceville, Ga. According to coach Stallworth, “All the players say that everything is better with Jazmin on the floor.” The class of 2016 prospect is like an extension of the coach on the floor and is a calming influence for all of her teammates.

Class of 2016 point guard Kanna Suzuki. Photo cred – Ty Freeman

A player that has garnered the adoration from everyone in the program is Japanese native Kanna Suzuki who now resides with a host family in Decatur, Ga. Suzuki moved to the United States with a dream of playing college basketball. As Stallworth says, “How badly do you want to win? We talk about wanting to win ‘Kanna bad.’ We all want the dedication that this young lady has. She left everything and everyone she knew behind her. That speaks volumes about her passion for the game.”

The depth of the Red Storm can be seen with other essay proofreader players such as class of 2017 prospects Alayna Ford of Alpharetta, Ga., and Lexi Maddox of Bogart, Ga. Ford, a 5-10 forward, and Maddox, a 6-1 wing, both are just beginning to scratch the surface of their potential.

Future

Although the Red Storm’s older team will only have one more year on the travel circuit, there is reason to pay attention to this program beyond now. Stallworth and her coaches have put together a younger team full of class of 2018 and 2019 prospects.

A few names to remember in the class of 2018 are Latrice Perkins of Winder, Ga., and Jaron Stallworth of Lawrenceville, Ga. Both of these players bumped up to the older team at the end of July and fit in easily versus the older competition.

Also, class of 2018 Shekya Watson of Athens, Ga., is an athletic guard to watch moving forward. She comes from an athletic bloodline that should translate for success in the future. In addition, class of 2019 guard Katherine Fourie of Lawrenceville, Ga., is a player that has had past success both at the middle school and travel ball level.

The Red Storm will compete at the Peach State Basketball End of the Road Championships on September 27-28 at Suwanee Sports Academy in Suwanee, Ga.

Jonathan Hemingway is the Assistant Director of Scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com. The service is used by more than 150 colleges and universities nationwide. He also serves on the selection committee for the EBA All-American, Fab Five and Super 64 Camps. He has been involved in the community since 2002 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com You can reach him via email at [email protected] and follow him on twitter @JLHemingwayPSB