Battle For The Top Spot

It’s about to be crazy in Cookeville, Tennessee this weekend. The Final Four teams in both Single-A and Double-A divisions are tipping off today with hopes of capturing the state title for their prospective schools. It hasn’t been an easy road to get here, but the war isn’t over yet. These teams have battled tooth and nail to fight for this opportunity. The blood, the sweat, the tears, it all meant something. From buzz-beater wins, to slaying opponents who may be considered more highly-touted, each of these teams has had a cinderella story to tell and the final chapter is about to be written. These 8 teams have overcome some spectacular feats to arrive at this moment. Their passion and drive to get here have risen above all expectations. Though only some get highlighted, it has truly been a team effort for each of these programs. Now that the time is here, only one can plant the flag at the mountain top. Which one will it be? All records are thrown out the door now. Whatever path that was chosen, doesn’t matter anymore. The time is now to lace up your sneakers for the top spot. For these teams, the opportunity to reach the pinnacle starts today. PGH Tennessee would like to recognize the following schools for making it to the Final for 4 in their divisions. DII- Single- A Providence Christian Academy Webb Bell- Buckle University School of Jackson Northpoint Christian DII- Double-A Ensworth Father Ryan Knoxville Catholic Hutchison Now that the stage is set for those teams that have made it this far, “Let’s get ready to rumble!.” The battle for the top spot starts today. Let the madness begin! Here are some noteworthy girls who will be featured during the Tennessee State Championships. [player_tooltip player_id="245177" first="AC" last="Markham"] (Sr., PCA)- This 6’0 wing has had an outstanding career for the PCA Lady Lions. She is the “Rosie the Riveter” of this program because she can do all things. From shooting the ball at a high clip from all 3 levels, putting the ball on the floor, rebounding, defending, starting transition break, she can do it all. AC is remarkable with the ball in her hands. Mariah Edmonds (Sr., PCA)- The 5’8 spark plug is the heart and soul for this Lady Lions team. She is a big ball of energy that gets it done. She is a floor general that commands the offense and leads the defense. Mariah can get to the rim using a quick first step. She has a nice mid-range game that compliments her ability to attract defensive eyes. A strength of hers that is overlooked is her defensive ability to lock other opponents down. Abby McFarland (So., PCA)- The 5’8 guard has been clutch for her program this year. Shooting the ball well from 3, she has a nice touch from beyond the arc. Her game isn’t just outside, but she can get to the mid-range area as well. Though a lot of attention will be on Mariah and AC, look for Abby to be the X factor for her team. Bethany Wright (Jr. Northpoint Christian)- The 5’10 wing is long and lanky. On defense, she anticipates well and jumps a lot of passing lanes. She deflects many balls, which leads to transition layups. Offensively, she has a nice mid-range game that also compliments her ability to shoot beyond the arc. [player_tooltip player_id="245132" first="Lashae" last="Dwyer"]- (Sr. Webb Bell Buckle)- One of the most highly-touted guards in the state, 5’8 floor general is the catalyst for her ball club. She can do it all from slashing through gaps, shooting beyond the arc, and using her quickness to shoot the mid-range. She is also a beast on the defensive side of the ball, where she uses her ability to create turnovers. Shanice Simpson-Whitley (Sr., Webb-Bell Buckle)- The 6’0 post player is a monster down low. She controls the boards on both ends of the floor. She has great footwork in the paint that allows her to work from block to block. Defensively, she is a shot blocker who really lets her opponents feel her presence. [player_tooltip player_id="245204" first="Lauren" last="Vann"]- (Sr., Webb- Bell Buckle)- The speedy guard is great attacking from the wing. She is the recipient of kick-outs where she can knock down the 3 ball. She has a quick first step, that allows her to get to the lay to deliver floaters or short jumpers. Defensively, she creates transition breaks by getting her hands on the ball. [player_tooltip player_id="245164" first="Olivia" last="Jones"] (Sr., University School of Jackson)- The 5’10 University of North Alabama signee is one of the most unselfish players in Tennessee. She has a high basketball IQ that allows her to know when someone is hot and has the ability to have poise on when to work the defense. She shoots the ball at a high clip from all three levels, but can get to the rim effortlessly. She has great court vision and can change the course of the game in a split second. Carley Hays (So., University School of Jackson)- The 5’10 wing is a bucket from downtown. She provides the offensive spark when her team needs a big shot. Though this is only her second year of high school, Carley has stepped up to make a name for herself. Julie Wagner (Sr., University School of Jackson)- The 6’2 center is a force to be reckoned with down low. Offensively, she has a nice mid-range game to go along with an arsenal of low block moves. Defensively, she controls the paint. That real estate is her down there. She is a beast on the boards both offensively and defensively. [player_tooltip player_id="245192" first="Maxine" last="Engel"] (Sr. Hutchison)- The senior guard is an offensive threat from all over the court. She is a volume shooter who can have a big night at any moment. She hit 1000 pts earlier in the year and has been one of the catalysts for her team’s success this season. Maxine is great with the ball in her hands. She is always up for hitting the big shot when the opportunity presents itself. [player_tooltip player_id="245133" first="Carmyn" last="Harrison"] (Sr., Hutchison)- The 6’3 athletic big is phenomenal. Her athleticism makes her hard to guard. She can handle the rock like a point guard but can finish through contact around the rim. She is a walking double double nightly. She has a nice mid-range game that compliments her ability to get up and down the floor. Defensively, she is a beast that controls the boards and swats away shots. Jeila Greenlee ( Sr. Knoxville Catholic)- A scoring guard, Jeila loves to dial it from deep. She shoots the ball at a high clip from any parts of the floor. She has impressive footwork that enables her to attack gaps to shoot a mid-range or step back to create space to dial it from deep. She plays the game with a lot of heart and passion. Jazmin Williams (So., Knoxville Catholic)- 5’10 shifty point guard who is a floor general. She can get to the rim, knock down the 3 ball, and pickpocket opponents. Jazmin is key in the transition game, where she leads breaks for her club that leads to easy buckets. She has had a tremendous sophomore campaign this season. [player_tooltip player_id="245355" first="Sydney" last="Mains"] (Fr., Knoxville Catholic)- The next Diana Taurasi, Sydney has blasted on the high school scene with gusto. She has been phenomenal throughout her freshman year. Sydney is a momentum shifter. She can shoot the ball from all 3 levels at a high clip, lockdown her opponents, control the boards, and create opportunities for her teammates. Look for her to be the X factor in her team’s success. Mary Mackie (Jr., Father Ryan)- Is an intelligent player who doesn’t force much. She plays the game with a high basketball IQ. Mary is exceptional in the pick n roll game where she can shoot the mid-range or knock down the 3 ball. She shot over 50% this season from downtown. Mary is a hard-working young lady who is determined to just get it done. [player_tooltip player_id="245222" first="Deayonna" last="Cambridge"] (Jr. Ensworth)- A quick guard who can shoot the 3 ball from other zip codes. Kennedy shoots the ball well from all three levels, but getting to the hole isn’t a problem for her.. She is a scoring machine and a tenacious defender. Her ability to lock up opponents creates transition buckets for her ball club. [player_tooltip player_id="245351" first="Jaloni" last="Cambridge"] (Fr., Ensworth)- This highly-touted 5’6 PG is a dynamic player. She can do it all both offensively and defensively. Her quickness and speed allow her the ability to get to the rim and finish with contact. Jaloni shoots the ball at a high clip from all 3 levels, but her effort on defense separates her from the pack. Her ability to handle the ball, allows her to attack gaps to create opportunities for both herself and her teammates. This future power 5 hooper will be a force to reckon with for years to come.