Friday Night Lights 2021 (NC)

Friday Night Lights 2021

Mooresville, N.C. - Carolina Girls Hoops Report & NYGHoops Report in a collaborative effort hosted the 4thannual Friday Night Lights Middle School open run. This event has become pivotal for middle school prospects gaining national exposure prior to playing a high school game. In past years, the event hosted players like Joyce Edwards, Ella Hobbs, Rachel Douglass, Zameraya Jones and Mia Giles-Jones just to name a few of the event alums. This recap will focus on some of the players that made the all-star game last week.


130 Jaida McClure 5’8 (G) Queen City Ballers 2026

McClure is a veteran when it comes to Friday Night Lights Middle School Open Run, this may have been her third time attending. She wasted no time, in her first game scoring 50 points breaking the previous single game record with help from the top 2024 prospect in the nation, Joyce Edwards(2024). McClure’s scoring outburst was withing the flow of the game.  The crafty ball handler also flaunted nice foot work and range beyond the arc. Three level scorer that see the floor and creates easy baskets for teammates. Her passing ability is a bit underrated.

39 Jordan Speller 5’6 (PG) FBC United 2027

This was my first-time seeing Speller Play in person. The first thing that caught my eye, was her ability to made everything look very easy and that she was having fun. Explosive athletic floor general with a scorer mentality, stays on the attacks in transition as well as in half court setting. Tough to contain when she has the ball in her hands, threat to score at any point.


17 Kaleigh Lucas 5’3 PG Queen City Ballers 2027

Scoring lead guard with some flare in her game; Lucas showed the ability to carry the scoring load. Her size is not an issue, she finds ways to get shots off against bigger players, showed range to the arc. Lucas was not afraid to get after it on the defensive end. I’m sure this is a name you will be hearing a lot more form in the near future.

47 Ja’Nyia Cunningham 6’0 F Queen City Ballers 2027

Strong frame forward, she may have been the best rebounder at the event. If it touched her hands, it was her at time event high pointing the ball.  A nice combination of strength and agility allowed Cunningham to navigate her way around the court. Nice soft touch around the rim and showed the ability to finish with contact.

50 Aneya Britt 5’8 W Palmetto 76ers 2027

The Long lean active nimble combo forward had a strong showing last week at Friday Night Lights Middle School Open Run. Britt is a stat sheet stuffer and very efficient scorer. The two-way player also did a really nice job rebounding.  As she continues to add to her perimeter game, she will be one to look out for in South Carolina.



90 Finley Weaver 5’3 PG Virginia Havoc 2026

This was my first time seeing this guard from Virginia. She did a nice job balancing between scoring and keeping teammates involved for a camp setting. Range to the arc, dependable ball handler, showed some ability to get her shot off in the lane amongst the trees.

28 Kelsey Rhyne 5’9 G Charlotte Dream Elite 2026

Rhyne is a gym rat, she showed up early. She used the time wisely getting acquainted with the gym by form-shooting. Kelsey did a nice job knocking down perimeter shots, but she is a bit more than just a shooter. During camp, she exhibited the ability to score on all three levels.

55 Alani Smith Rogers 6’0 (F) Mt. Luxor Rockets 2026

While not yet a finished product, the first thing that jumps out at you is Smith-Rogers size and athletic ability. At this point, she is an athletic rim protector that finishes around the rim. But also showed some ability to rebound, block shots, and looked good running the floor.

67 Elizabeth Kirkland 5’6 (G) Lady United 2026
39 Brianna Cerelock 5’6 (G) NC Gems 2026
6 Jaleita Littlejohn 5 ’5 (G) NC Gems 2026
29 Simone Johnson 5’9 (W) Palmetto 76ers 2026
129 Makayla Scott (F) Excel 2027
18 Nai’Alla Blakes 5’3 PG Queen City Ballers 2027
7 Kaiya “Yaya” Bond 5’8 W/F Mt. Luxor Rockets 2026
51 Jahnae Duncan 5’7 (G) Mt. Luxor Rockets2026
54 Nykira Arrinhton 5’10 (P) NC Gems 2027