Coach, don't sleep on girls in Tennessee!

Oftentimes, prospects are sought after due to their size. Yet, so many girls who may not have the height, go unnoticed because they don’t pass the eye test. They aren’t that 5’11 or above eye candy that so many D1 coaches desire. Coaches, here in the state of Tennessee, you could build a powerhouse with our girls. Coaches around here, they grow them right. Depending on what you are looking for, this state is littered with talented girls looking for an opportunity to continue their education and hoop it up. In Memphis and West Tennessee, you got the girls with swagger. The girls who know how to put it on the floor, take it to the rack, and finish with contact. When they smell blood, game over. Period. These girls are hoopers who can get down on both ends of the floor. Fierce competitors who want the challenge. Want the noise. These girls are “tough,” and it’s a dog fight all 32 minutes. In the East side of the state, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and in between, here are your shooters. These girls who can catch and shoot, your 3pt girls, your mid-range girls, and your bigs who have finesse around the rim. They too can take it to the rack, but these girls are country strong. These are your go-getters, tough-as-nails ladies, the girls who just play hard because that’s the only way they know how to play. In Middle Tennessee, this area has a little bit of flavor from both sides of the state. Girls who can shoot, pound the rock, get a little freaky with their handles, and of course score buckets. City girl, county girl, doesn’t matter, they can hoop as well. These girls are savages who love to compete and will go toe to toe with anyone. There are your girls with size, your girls with specialties, and your girls who just love to play defense. Whatever their skill set may be, competition is what they’re known for. Coach, if you are reading this, consider yourself in the midst of a gold mine. This state is “Women’s Basketball.” There is a reason why they put the Hall of Fame here. All the more, this state is the place to be to get prospects for your squad. Grab your college packet books and thumb through to any Tennessee squad, you are bound to find someone with the skillset you are looking for. Good luck. Here are some girls who are underrated that you need to keep an eye on. [player_tooltip player_id="245232" first="Kennedy" last="Claybrooks"] (5’9/ PG/ Bartlett/ Bluff City/ Class of 2022)- Oh my! This chick is raw. KC has crazy handles that enable her the ability to slash through defenses. She is a heady player who makes the hard things look easy. She can shoot the ball at a high clip from multiple levels and distribute passes with the best of them. She has an amazing court vision. On defense, she is a dog. She will defend the length of the floor, locking up the best girl the length of the floor. She doesn’t need to be on your radar. She needs to be on your target list. Don’t let the height fool you, she is a go-getter. [player_tooltip player_id="245224" first="Zyion" last="Shannon"] (5’8 / CG/ Stewart’s Creek/ EAB Tennessee/ Class of 2022)- Stellar with the ball in her hands. She can get to the rack with ease but is quick to unleash from downtown, displaying a magnificent touch. Zyion is a volume scorer who can most definitely leave her stamp on the game. She is a difference-maker offensively especially with the ball in her hands. She has great court vision and can be counted on for buckets. Radar? Yes. Target. Yes. This girl is someone to keep your eyes on. [player_tooltip player_id="245236" first="Taylor" last="Dupree"] (6’3 / C/ Arlington/ Bluff City/ Class of 2022)- Great length with a motor. TD is a beast on both ends of the floor. Offensively, she is a bucket inside the painted area. Putbacks? It’s hers. Pick n’roll game, she’s incredible. Mid-range. Done. She is a game-changer, especially in the two-man game. Defensively, there is a no-fly zone when she is taken up real estate. Shots go back to where they came from. Keep an eye on this young lady. [player_tooltip player_id="245262" first="Syler" last="Falcon"] (6’2/ PF/ Bradley Central/ TN Flight Select/ Class of 2022)- This post player can be the anchor down low you are looking for. Offensively, she has great footwork working block to block. She has a nice back-to-the-basket game as well as a face-up game. Defensively, she is a staple. For one, she communicates so well, that it allows her teammates to maneuver and stay in front of their girl. Secondly, she is a shot block who walls up to provide the extra length that offensive players can’t shoot over. This young lady will be a great addition to any program looking to have a big presence in the middle. A.C. Milam ( 5’9/ SG/ Dickson Co./ Stars Basketball Club/ Class of 2023) - Knock-down shooter who can fill it up. If points are what you are looking for, this is your girl. She can shoot it off the dribble or spot up on the wing. She has a great release that equals money from deep. Keep your eye on this girl as takes her game to the next level. [player_tooltip player_id="245218" first="Millie" last="Brown"] (5’7/ PG/ Brentwood Academy/ Team B. Wright/ Class of 2022)- Impressive. This young lady has great court vision and plays the game with a killer instinct. She can slash through the defense, knock down the 3 ball, and run the show with poise. She is a floor general who has the heart of a lion. She can defend and get hands-on balls to create turnovers. This girl has an incredible game about her and continues to get better. [player_tooltip player_id="245292" first="Jailyn" last="Banks"] (5’9/ CG/ Middle Tennessee Christian Academy/ TN Flight/ Class of 2023)- Smooth. This young lady is tearing competition up little by little. Her wiry body type allows her to maneuver in between gaps to get to the cup. She can score it from multiple levels. When the ball is in her hands, good things tend to happen. Defensively, she has a long wingspan that allows her to get deflections and steals. She contributes on the boards as well. Keep this name in mind as she continues to rack up offers going into her junior year of HS.