2021-2022 Opening Weekend Recap

This weekend we saw teams across the state open their season. Some came out and dominated at every facet of the game, and others struggled and need to find their footing. However, it is just one game so teams who came out strong, have to work twice as hard to maintain that consistent play. The teams who came out and struggled, see areas where they can improve and have things to look forward to in practice. <strong>Farragut High School, Knoxville, TN</strong> The Farragut Lady Admirals are experienced, poised, and looking for a redemption season. This team is graduating eight seniors, and all of them are looking to make this season a championship run.  This team is led by their go to player, Ace Strickland. Ace Strickland is a 6’1 combo guard who can handle the point guard duties and play off the ball. She shows the ability to shoot comfortably from the volleyball line, handle the ball in traffic, and rebound at a consistent rate. In her second game of this season, she posted a double double. The great thing about this team is she is not forced to do all the heavy lifting on her own. She gets help from [player_tooltip player_id="245247" first="Ashlyn" last="Sheridan"] who is a 5’11 Senior, who can knock down the three. She has a high release point allowing her to shoot over smaller defenders. Lastly, [player_tooltip player_id="281328" first="McCall" last="Willis"], she grabbed an impressive 19 rebounds, 12 defensive and 7 offensive one game. This team has everything needed to make a run at a state title. They just need to remain focused on the goal. <strong>Pope John Paul II, Hendersonville, TN</strong> Pope John Paul II got their second win of the season this past week against Donelson Christian Academy. This team is going to score as a collective unit. They will need everybody to pitch in on offense and remain solid on defense. In their last game, Avery Droz knocked down 5 threes in the win, and they came within the flow of the offense. She found the openings within the defense and made herself available. <strong>Coffee County Central, Manchester, TN</strong> The Red Raiders are looking to redeem themselves after falling short of their goal last year. They finished the season 25-2, and lost in the state tournament by three points. They graduated Bella Vinson, who is now playing for Lipscomb University, but Olivia Vinson, Chloe and Channah Gannon will be able to share the load and pick up the offense. Olivia Vinson, only a freshman and is capable of scoring at all three levels and can finish through contact with her off hand. [player_tooltip player_id="285338" first="Chloe" last="Gannon"] is an anchor to the defense. She does not just sit in the paint on the 2-3 zone, but she is agile and contest shots on the three point line. This team will be looking to return to the state tournament with unfinished business. <strong>Harding Academy, Memphis, TN</strong> Harding Academy is a team you cannot prepare for. You cannot replicate their intensity in practice and can be overwhelming when teams are not confident in their skillset. This team thrives on the defensive end. They make playing defense fun. Hard traps and easy steals that turn into layups energize this team. They can get hot from three, and when their best player Ashley Henderson has it going this team will be hard to beat. <strong>Boyd Christian, McMinnville, TN</strong> This is a very young team who can only can get better as the season goes on. They are capable of scoring the basketball putting up 82 points in their last contest. Regardless of the opponent 82 points is not an easy feat. They are led by their Senior Captain Lia Wright. Lia will be the number one scoring option for the Lady Broncos. Laney Copeland will also be a scoring option on nights where Wright struggles. This team will go as far as Wright can take them, but she will definitely need the help of her teammates. &nbsp;