Player: Ma-Kaela Gidney
Class: 2026
School: Hickory Ridge
Though there are several names off the board in North Carolina heading to college, there are still prospects that college coaches should be looking at, as they could be tremendous steals for college programs. One of those players we wanted to highlight is 2026 Ma-Kaela Gidney from Hickory Ridge.
Gidney is a player who has had a tremendous high school career, as she just became the all-time leading scorer at Hickory Ridge, and she has consistently proven to be an effective player and leader. Every time we watch her, she has found ways to not only compete but produce, being a leader, playing with a motor, and being such an effective scorer as well as an overall impact player on the court. Right now, she has her team riding high with an impressive 20-4 overall record and going undefeated in conference play as they look to enter the playoffs soon. Gidney, though, is one that still remains available for college programs, as the unsigned senior has proven time after time that she can bring value all over the floor. Check out what we have said before about her game and make sure to follow her towards the end of the season.
What Has Been Said:
“Gidney is simply a tough, scrappy guard that competes so well on both ends of the court. Every time we saw her, she seemed to be making a play, whether it was knocking down shots of the catch, being a playmaker for her team, facilitating to open teammates, and putting her body on the line defensively to make plays. She did a little bit of everything and played with a great motor.”
“She’s a young, unselfish, well-rounded guard prospect with a nice blend of IQ, skill, and athleticism. Gidney is a quality penetrator with quickness, vision, and a tight handle. She is a capable shooter from midrange, but prefers to attack the basket and finish or set up others whenever possible. Gidney defends her position well, both on and off the ball, and displays natural instincts for intercepting passing lanes. She’s also a useful rebounder on both ends of the floor.”