The Way Too Early State Contenders Preview

Now that state football has died down, it is now time for the rest of the volunteer state to turn their attention to the round ball game. Heading into week four, teams are slowly starting to enter district play. Early season bouts over Thanksgiving, as well as Hall of Fame games, have given teams a little taste of what the next few months will be like. Some teams have gone out and loaded their early-season schedule with tough teams. Then there are some who have just played enough games to find their identity. Either way, the hoops scene is back and is a full go. In this article, we have identified some very tough and talented teams throughout the state. These teams could possibly make it to the state tournament, yet, it is way too early to even mention it, but we are going to. Obviously, this is not a shoe-in, plus we may be wrong in just merely guessing, but this is just a fun article to talk about some players and some teams. Plus, so much good has got to happen in order for a team to go deep into the tournament anyway. You must be healthy, hot, clicking on all cylinders, get a good draw (seed), and much more. You are playing with the unknown, but at the same time doing what you can control. That’s putting your head down, grinding it out to obtain the W. Below you will find a list of clubs in no particular order or district, who have shown glimpses of state contention very early in the season. These teams have shown some chemistry along with displaying some highly-touted girls. Here are some clubs who have shown some contention for this way too early state contention preview. Webb-Bell Buckle- Big, strong, quick, and talented, this club boasts some national-level presence on the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="134646" first="Angelica" last="Velez"] (5’7/PG) from Brooklyn, leads the Webb attack as she looks to knife through defenses creating opportunities for her teammates. [player_tooltip player_id="134643" first="Aalyah" last="Del Rosario"] (6’4/C) anchors the middle and is a beast on both ends of the court. She is a walking double-double night in and night out. Summer Bostock (6’0/G), the Maryland commit, provides long-range abilities while also knocking down the mid-range jumper. Bearden- All-star ready, this highly-touted starting 5 is tough to deal with. You don’t know who to match up with because anyone can get hot at a moment’s notice. Bailey Burgess, the fiery floor general, directs the Bearden club. She’s tough on both ends of the floor and does the little things to provide an advantage for her club. [player_tooltip player_id="285349" first="Jennifer" last="Sullivan"] and Emily Gonzalez flank the wings providing three-point marksmen’s ability along with the downhill ability to get to the basket. [player_tooltip player_id="245293" first="Avery" last="Treadwell"] and [player_tooltip player_id="245257" first="Maddie" last="Brillhart"] can play inside and out, creating many open lanes that lead to mid-ranges jumpers or easy baskets. Rockvale- Tough club who haven’t hit their stride yet. Solid all around and will beat you with speed and tenacious defense. [player_tooltip player_id="281332" first="Amani" last="Sharif"], adds toughness and provides a defensive acumen for this club. Tonie Davis and Emaligh Tarpley are solid 3 and 4 players who can knock down threes and high posts shots. [player_tooltip player_id="290997" first="Kamaria" last="Murry"] can attack gaps, knockdown shots or getting to the rim. This is a tough club that is on the rise. Stewarts Creek- Fast and furious, these young ladies play the game poised but with speed. Led by TSU commit [player_tooltip player_id="245224" first="Zyion" last="Shannon"], these girls attack the hoop while providing open kick-out buckets. [player_tooltip player_id="245356" first="Alonna" last="Poole"], the 6’0 standout out displays an inside-out game and can take advantage of smaller opponents who can’t match up with her. Madison McNeal is another RedHawks guard who can change the game. Blessed with speed and quickness, she can get to the rack and finish with contact. Clarksville Northwest- Defensive-minded club that creates havoc the full length of the floor. Led by MTSU commit [player_tooltip player_id="245214" first="Tamia" last="Scott"], this young lady is the catalyst for this club. Has an inside/out game, Tamia can play the 1-5 positions. [player_tooltip player_id="276748" first="Kayla" last="Howell"] is a big ball of energy. A lockdown defender who can get to the rim as well as shoot the 3 ball. [player_tooltip player_id="285337" first="Emiyah" last="Cobb"], silky smooth, this young lady can attack gaps to get high percentage shots. This is a tough club that has a chip on its shoulder. Upperman- Legacy club that isn’t done yet. These young ladies are hard-nosed and play the game the right way. Led by [player_tooltip player_id="245221" first="Brooklyn" last="Crouch"], this multi-level scoring machine plays the game with a high motor. [player_tooltip player_id="245304" first="Abigail" last="Johnson"] is the anchor in the middle and plays well with her back to the basket offensively. Defensively, she controls the boards, leading to transition breaks. Look for a new Lady Bee, Jayla Cobb to play a big role as she continues to contribute from beyond the arc. Bradley Central- Deep roster with up-and-coming talent. Led by upperclassmen, the Lady Bearettes is a tough and solid club. [player_tooltip player_id="245262" first="Syler" last="Falcon"], is a beast in the middle where she anchors the painted area on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="245298" first="Sloan" last="Carpenter"] and Ashlan Crittenden provide the attack from the outside. With a solid bench, this club is built to make a deep run. Page- Solid club led by outstanding guard play. Lilli Wilken and McKenzie Cohran provide the senior leadership. These two young ladies are a dynamic tandem that is the catalyst for the Lady Patriots attack. From knocking down shots to creating havoc on the defensive end, these girls are the one-two punch that open up other opportunities for their teammates to go to work. Loretto- Led by Alabama commit [player_tooltip player_id="245207" first="Karly" last="Weathers"], this club is tough all around. Karly is the can-do-it-all player who not only scores the ball, but opens up so many other opportunities for her teammates. This club is fierce and plays defense, which leads to transition buckets. A fundamentally sound bunch of girls who love to compete. Clarksville Academy- Club that is coming into their own, this bunch of gym rats love to compete. Led by [player_tooltip player_id="421980" first="Atiya" last="Moss"], the junior is a multi-level scorer who has excellent floor presence and can distribute the ball among the best of them. Look for the Lady Cougars to get hot and make a run towards state contention. Knoxville Catholic- [player_tooltip player_id="245355" first="Sydney" last="Mains"], a long and rangy kid who can shoot it from all over the floor. Only a sophomore, she is the lynchpin for a talented Knox. Catholic team. Jasmin Williams, the junior PG is great in the transition game. She can facilitate the ball as well as get to the rim with ease. Both Caroline Kruger and [player_tooltip player_id="281325" first="Ella" last="Renfree"] can stretch the floor as well as provide inside buckets. Look for this club to return back to the state once again. Oakland- Another deep club that has a tough 1-5 match-up. [player_tooltip player_id="285353" first="Myah" last="Sutton"], is a fiery floor general who can shoot the rock but commands the Lady Patriot attack. [player_tooltip player_id="316608" first="Beth" last="Nelson"], the Brown University commit, can stretch the floor knocking down 3s, but can also hit the mid-range jumper. [player_tooltip player_id="245309" first="Ni’Kiah" last="Chesterfield"], anchors the middle, providing board support on both ends, is excellent in the pick n roll game, and can attack from the arc. Look for [player_tooltip player_id="326329" first="Artasia" last="Cole"] to add a little spice to this club as she attacks downhill and unleashes mid-range floaters. [player_tooltip player_id="245228" first="Carleigh" last="Wilson"], the senior transfer from Hillsboro, comes over to add a dynamic multi-level threat to this Lady Patriots attack. This club will be a force to be reckoned with. Jackson Southside- Fierce and competitive club that plays the game the full length of the floor. Led by Ti’mia Lawson, this club loves to get after it and will do it in multiple ways. From knocking down 3s to finishing at the rim, the size and length of this club, along with the foot speed, creates matchup problems nightly for their opponents. [player_tooltip player_id="245209" first="Sharnecce" last="Currie-Jelks"], who is on the IR at the moment, will provide a leadership role until she recovers from an injury. Bartlett- Hungry. Talented. Bold. Humble. The list of adjectives can go on and on. The Lady Panthers have D1, a bunch of D1 girls who flat-out get it done. [player_tooltip player_id="245226" first="Mya" last="Pratcher"], the Auburn commit, provides an inside-out presence for this club. A relentless competitor who contributes on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id="245232" first="Kennedy" last="Claybrooks"], a Texas State commit, is a slashing guard who is shifty with the ball in her hands. A high-level scorer who has great court vision. [player_tooltip player_id="195902" first="Mallory" last="Collier"], 6’5 beast in the paint. Anchor in the painted area on both ends, great footwork, and back to the basket post moves. Naveah Scott, shooting specialist who can dial it from deep or as well as hit the mid-range. A deep and talented club that is hungry for that gold ball. Ensworth- A very talented club that can beat you inside or out. Led by the dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id="245210" first="Kennedy" last="Cambridge"] and [player_tooltip player_id="245351" first="Jaloni" last="Cambridge"], this tandem is one of the state’s best. Both can shoot it at a high clip from anywhere on the court, slash through gaps to create open shots for teammates, and create havoc on the defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id="245234" first="Kamil" last="Collier"], the Lipscomb commit is a beast down low. Defensively, she blocks shots and grabs boards. Offensively, she is great back to the basket and has a nice mid-range game. Millington- Foot speed. These girls play in your face lockdown defense. Led by [player_tooltip player_id="276713" first="Keria" last="McGhee"] and [player_tooltip player_id="276721" first="Micaiah" last="Halliburton"], this club competes the full length of the floor. Both girls can get to the rim and finish against contact. They feed off each other, with amazing court vision that gets their other teammates involved. This Lady Trojan club has great length and size that will create havoc for opposing teams. Westview- Solid club trending in an upwards trajectory. With great guard play from [player_tooltip player_id="245287" first="Jada" last="Harrison"] and McCall Sims, these backcourt battery mates are poised to lead this club deep into the tournament. Both are very skilled at knocking down shots from multiple levels of the court. Add Angelina Barr to the mix down low, you have a great inside-out game. With solid contributors, this club is a tough opponent to match up with. McKenzie- Small school that competes big time on the floor. This club is relentless and tenacious when it comes to the game of basketball. [player_tooltip player_id="290967" first="Savannah" last="Davis"] leads the charge as she gets it done in multiple statistical categories. She’s a savvy player who is the spark plug for this McKenzie attack. This club is hungry and is on the upswing as they look to make a statement this season. Cookeville- The Lady Cavaliers are a skilled attacking team. They have both great inside and out presence, which leads to multiple kids contributing on a nightly basis. Headlining this club is [player_tooltip player_id="245313" first="Jordan" last="Gillies"] and [player_tooltip player_id="285379" first="Cassie" last="Gallagher"], dynamic scoring wingers who can beat you in multiple ways. Add KK Graves to the mix and you have a trio of scorers who can light it up inside and from beyond the arc. The Lady Cavs are a fundamentally sound group with some talented heady players. Arlington- Another deep roster with D1 caliber girls, this team is hungry for state contention. [player_tooltip player_id="245236" first="Taylor" last="Dupree"], long lanky athletic center who can deter shots. She’s a beast on the boards and can play with her back to the basket. [player_tooltip player_id="245225" first="Alindsey" last="Long"], is a quick guard who can shoot beyond the arc. Finishes well against contact. [player_tooltip player_id="276708" first="Briah" last="Hampton"], transfers over from Memphis East, talented forward who can handle the rock. A multi-level scorer who will make an impact on the defensive end. [player_tooltip player_id="276704" first="Keanna" last="Coburn"] anchors the middle contributes in multiple statistical categories. Tierney Echols, a shifty guard who is a slasher. Tough club who will compete for state contention. Blackman- Talented club who is poised to repeat again. Led by [player_tooltip player_id="245299" first="Emily" last="Monson"], this young lady is a multi-level scorer who is a fierce competitor. With a long and lanky frame, the 6’0 wing is a gem that’s coming into her own. Kaelyn Flowers, is a hard-nosed guard who commands the Blackman squad. Lockdown defender who can slash through gaps on her way to the rim. Rounding out the Lady Blaze attack is Lyriq Mastin, a freshman who can do everything. From knocking down shots to getting to the rim, this young lady is the next big thing coming out of the Lady Blaze program. Lebanon- Solid club that competes for 32 minutes. This club plays the game hard and the right way. [player_tooltip player_id="316607" first="Asia" last="Barr"] leads the Lady Devilettes attack. Heady player who can get to the rim, knock down the open shot, and distribute the ball on time. [player_tooltip player_id="245347" first="Finley" last="Tomlin"], a nice guard who can knock down the 3ball and start transitional breaks. [player_tooltip player_id="245238" first="Meioshe" last="Mason"], the MTSU signee controls the middle by grabbing boards and finishing in the paint. Look for [player_tooltip player_id="245252" first="Terri" last="Reynolds"] to contribute when she comes back from injury. She’s a dynamic player who plays the game with a high motor on both ends of the floor. Fayette Ware- Big squad who will beat you up down in the paint. [player_tooltip player_id="245369" first="Rachel" last="Griffin"] and Chrisunti Walker are the twin towers (think San Antonio Spurs with David Robinson and Tim Duncan). These girls control the painted area, get blocks, grab boards, and display a high-low game on the offensive end. Add Mariah Jones to the mix and you have a dynamic trio that can score the basketball. Look for this club to go out and give teams fists on both ends of the floor. Collierville- Quick. Fast. Organized chaos. These young ladies who suit up for this squad are on a mission. Led by [player_tooltip player_id="276703" first="Nakiyah" last="Westbrook"], this talented guard is a fierce competitor. Heady player who doesn’t force things, she looks to get her teammates involved, while getting buckets herself. Sariah “Boxer” Conley, is a tough kid who can flat out get it done. Loves to shoot that deep ball, but also has the passion to compete on the defensive end. Has nice handles and can attack the rim. Jordan Harris is an undersized big who is a bucket around the rim. Displays amazing passing ability and has a sweet stroke from 15ft. Chrystina Boyd looks to attack downhill while creating havoc on the defensive end. Look for both kids to add some flair of scoring acumen to an explosive Collierville attack.