Norcross Blue Devils


Region: 7-AAAAAAA

Coach: Ashley Luke Clanton

2025-26 record: 20-9, 12-3 Region 7-AAAAAA, first round state playoffs

Returning regulars:

C Taylor Johnson, Sr.

G Tobi Owolabi, Sr.

G Gabby Thomas, Jr.

G Catherine Harris, Jr.

C Geontae Simpson, Jr.

Others to watch:

G Faith Badmus, Jr.


Outlook: Norcross had a very strong 2025-26 season, breaking the 20-win threshold and finishing third in the region. Now with nearly the entire roster back including some highly decorated players, there is a lot of belief heading into the new season.


“We have a lot of returners,” Clanton said. “We return basically everyone. We only graduate one kid. We’ve got a lot of talent, a lot of ability, it’s just a matter of putting it all together and getting a little bit of toughness built into it. But we’re excited about them, I think it’s going to be a fun year. We’ve got a tough schedule, so we’ve got a lot of good teams to test ourselves against and to grow against. I think we’ll be a different looking team at the end than we are at the beginning.”

Owolabi has been one of the best scorers in program history, already over 1,000 points for her career in three years. The Stetson commit will be a large part of the offense again from her guard spot, joining Thomas — another player with Division I offers — and Harris in a dynamic backcourt.

“Both Tobi and Gabby, last year they had to take a lot of shots that they probably won’t be taking this year,” Clanton said. “Because they had to force some shots just because that was kind of how we were. At the start of the year we asked them to take tough shots, and now I think they’re learning how to tailor that back. And now we’ve got a lot of kids on the floor that can score and are good scorers, so now it’s getting them to change their roles and become more distributors and playmakers. We saw that growth over the summer and I think they’ll continue to grow in those regards.”

The 6-foot-4 Johnson and 6-foot-5 Simpson might give this team its biggest advantage, though. With two post presences most teams will not be able to match, the Blue Devils should be able to work the ball down low, have great rim protection and win the rebounding battle most nights.

“Taylor’s one of those kids that came in and she’s a completely different looking kid than she was at the start of last year,” Clanton said. “I think since there were so many spots available [last year], they got a ton of experience and a ton of opportunity, and they made the most of us. We’re excited. Everyone really has gotten better, and I think we’re going to be really, really strong across the board.

“We’ve got a lot of depth now, too. Our young kids from last season have really brought themselves into a position where they can really help us on the floor. We’ve got a lot of kids that can play.”

Norcross opens action Nov. 17 against Dacula.