Hidden Gems Across Tennessee
In this article:
When you think about women’s sports in our state, the first thing that comes to mind is women’s basketball. From Pat Summitt, the many successful women’s basketball programs, to the pageantry in each of our different high schools, women’s basketball is the “it” thing here. We have ballplayers that are on the Single-A level, all the way to the Triple-A level. Our state just knows how to hoop when it comes to women’s basketball.
Here at PGH Tennessee, we have uncovered some hoopers lately that will have you on the edge of your seat. They may not be big household names yet, but these girls know how to ball. They are your hustlers, your go-getters, they bring the energy every single game night. They are the spark behind their team’s efforts, and just flat out get it done.
Here are some HIDDEN GEMS in the state of Tennessee that will make you take notice.
Mariah Edmonds (Sr., Providence Christian Academy)- This 5’9 PG is smooth. She handles the ball well, can slice through defenses, shoot the 3 ball at a high clip, and lock up your best offensive threat. She will be taking her talents to Kentucky Wesleyan next year, but in the meantime, she is trying to help lead her PCA ball club towards state title contention. Mariah has a great basketball IQ. She knows how to control the game and set her teammates up for easy buckets. She is a leader on the court, a coach’s dream floor general. Look for her to rack up DII accolades this year in the Single-A division.
Jesse Jennings
Jesse
Jennings
5'9" | SF
Richland | 2021
State
TN
(Sr., Richland)- This 5’8 combo guard Miss Tennessee Basketball Candidate can do it all. She has great range, can get to the rim, deliver spectacular passes, and can lock you up on the defensive end. She has a high basketball IQ and anticipates well. Jesse is a magician in the open floor and will dazzle all those in attendance. She has put up over 2100+ points, has over 300+ assists, over 700+ rebounds, and 300+ steals, and she keeps getting better. Older people may think Pistol Pete, the new generation may think Sue Bird, either way, this ballplayer puts on a show every single night.
Sydney Mains
Sydney
Mains
5'11" | SF
Knoxville Catholic | 2024
State
TN
(Fr., Knoxville Catholic) - This 5’10 Freshman will be a household name before her High School career is all said and done. Coaches will be all over her. This is our state’s female Diana Taurasi. Sydney is a special talent and her game speaks volumes. Sydney posses as an offensive threat against any opponent. She has great footwork in the paint, she can put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim, she can shoot the mid-range shot at a high clip, and launch the 3 ball from downtown anywhere on the floor. She has so much poise as a freshman and an amazing basketball IQ. She will only get better from here on out.
Diamond Bryant
Diamond
Bryant
5'6" | PG
Clarksville Academy | 2021
State
TN
(Sr. Clarksville Academy)- Diamond has had an awesome HS career and will leave the CA program in good hands and better than she found it. Nominated for Miss Tennessee, Diamond eclipsed the 1,000pts mark earlier this year, but scoring isn’t just the only part of her game. She can facilitate, grab boards, and lock up her opponents defensively on a nightly basis. She has an all-around game, and coaches looking for a dynamic player need to reach out to her. When we think about her game, we think of Crystal Dangerfield.
Briah Hampton (JR., Memphis East)- The 6’0 PF/C is a monster. Briah has so many different types of weapons to her game, she is a phenomenal talent. On the offensive end, she will shoot the occasional 3, but her strength is hitting that mid-range shot and using her impressive footwork around the painted area. She can handle the ball and has the ability to go coast to coast. She has a great feel for the game, a high basketball IQ, and anticipates well. She controls the boards on the defensive end and will send the ball back to where it came from if you try to come into her zip code. Her game would remind you of Alyssa Thomas. Look for her to entertain some big-time schools as she continues to improve her game.
Atiya Moss (SO, Clarksville Academy)- This 5’8 combo guard is making a name for herself. She plays the game with a high motor, and her energy is infectious. She is a defensive juggernaut, looking to do the dirty things to gain extra possessions for her team. On the offensive end, she can get to the rim and finish with contact. She shoots the 3 ball and mid-range shot efficiently. This kid plays hard, she is athletic with good size and strength.Think of a Seimone Augustus type in our book.She is an exciting prospect to watch as she continues her HS career.
Maddie Lewis (SO, Columbia Academy)- This 5’7 PG is a floor general for her Lady Dawgs squad. Maddie has a high motor and can shoot the ball well. She is a go-getter who can put the ball in the hoop by either dialing it from deep or slashing to the hoop. She has good court vision and can help swing momentum in a moment’s notice. Maddie will eclipse the 1,000 pts mark before the season ends. Think Cappie Pondexter when thinking of Maddie Lewis. Heady young player who can just flat out get after it.
Sydney
Mains
5'11" | SF
Knoxville Catholic | 2024
State
TN
(Fr., Knoxville Catholic) - This 5’10 Freshman will be a household name before her High School career is all said and done. Coaches will be all over her. This is our state’s female Diana Taurasi. Sydney is a special talent and her game speaks volumes. Sydney posses as an offensive threat against any opponent. She has great footwork in the paint, she can put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim, she can shoot the mid-range shot at a high clip, and launch the 3 ball from downtown anywhere on the floor. She has so much poise as a freshman and an amazing basketball IQ. She will only get better from here on out.
Diamond Bryant
Diamond
Bryant
5'6" | PG
Clarksville Academy | 2021
State
TN
(Sr. Clarksville Academy)- Diamond has had an awesome HS career and will leave the CA program in good hands and better than she found it. Nominated for Miss Tennessee, Diamond eclipsed the 1,000pts mark earlier this year, but scoring isn’t just the only part of her game. She can facilitate, grab boards, and lock up her opponents defensively on a nightly basis. She has an all-around game, and coaches looking for a dynamic player need to reach out to her. When we think about her game, we think of Crystal Dangerfield.
Briah Hampton (JR., Memphis East)- The 6’0 PF/C is a monster. Briah has so many different types of weapons to her game, she is a phenomenal talent. On the offensive end, she will shoot the occasional 3, but her strength is hitting that mid-range shot and using her impressive footwork around the painted area. She can handle the ball and has the ability to go coast to coast. She has a great feel for the game, a high basketball IQ, and anticipates well. She controls the boards on the defensive end and will send the ball back to where it came from if you try to come into her zip code. Her game would remind you of Alyssa Thomas. Look for her to entertain some big-time schools as she continues to improve her game.
Atiya Moss (SO, Clarksville Academy)- This 5’8 combo guard is making a name for herself. She plays the game with a high motor, and her energy is infectious. She is a defensive juggernaut, looking to do the dirty things to gain extra possessions for her team. On the offensive end, she can get to the rim and finish with contact. She shoots the 3 ball and mid-range shot efficiently. This kid plays hard, she is athletic with good size and strength.Think of a Seimone Augustus type in our book.She is an exciting prospect to watch as she continues her HS career.
Maddie Lewis (SO, Columbia Academy)- This 5’7 PG is a floor general for her Lady Dawgs squad. Maddie has a high motor and can shoot the ball well. She is a go-getter who can put the ball in the hoop by either dialing it from deep or slashing to the hoop. She has good court vision and can help swing momentum in a moment’s notice. Maddie will eclipse the 1,000 pts mark before the season ends. Think Cappie Pondexter when thinking of Maddie Lewis. Heady young player who can just flat out get after it.
