Anchors Away- Bigs who anchor Tennessee clubs
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Tennessee is a big-time state for women’s basketball. So it is only fitting that we talk about the bigs who anchor the middle for the clubs within these borders. Being a big is huge news in this state. You’re considered…
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Continue ReadingTennessee is a big-time state for women’s basketball. So it is only fitting that we talk about the bigs who anchor the middle for the clubs within these borders. Being a big is huge news in this state. You’re considered an asset. Someone who a team has a gameplan for. You have what it takes to be a staple on both ends, providing an extra level of confidence to your team. You’re an intimidation factor. An X factor. A big creates chaos that determines how a coach attacks on the offensive end. Either way, having a big on your team can propel a club to a victory in numerous ways.
I can honestly say that in this state, we have bigs who are skilled. Girls who can work block to block, the elbows, immaculate in the pick and roll game, and can shoot the 15ft. Sure, they can step beyond the arc, but inside the painted area, that’s their bread and butter. The girls who play the 5, bring a presence to the floor like no other player. Being able to put the ball in the hoop on the initial entry, creating second chance shots, controlling the boards on the defensive end, and deterring shots from going in, can be huge factors towards obtaining the W. Guess what, this state has these types of girls.
Here is a list of some of the most outstanding girls who anchor the painted area in the state of Tennessee. These highly touted girls are the X factors that help bring an extra level of confidence to their team’s backline of defense. With them in the game, you can be assured that they will have an affect on the game in more ways than one. Here are PGH Tennessee’s top bigs (in no particular order).
Mallory Collier Mallory Collier 6'5" | C Bartlett | 2023 State TN (6’5/ Jr./ Bartlett)– Power 5, big body down low. Mallory is a dominate post that is a jack of all trades. Is a beast in the painted area on both ends of the floor. Has a nice touch from the 15ft range. Runs the floor really well. Defensively , she is a juggernaut . Deterring shots and collecting boards, she is a defensive catalyst for her club.
Aaliyah Del Rosario (6’6/Jr./ Webb Bell-Buckle)– big body in the painted area. Great back to the basket moves. Reads the trajectory of the ball well to create second chance shots. Awesome in the pick n roll game. Shot blocker who creates an intimidating presence down low.
Avery Treadwell Avery Treadwell 6'2" | C Bearden | 2023 State TN (6’3/Jr./ Bearden)- Fierce competitor who is a beast down low. Impact player who has create footwork near the basketball. Has a bevy of counter moves and can finish through contact. Senses when double teams are coming and can kick to an open girl. Has a great touch from the mid-range. Defensively, has a knack for collecting boards and can run the floor well in transition.
Kamil Collier Kamil Collier 6'0" | C Ensworth | 2022 State TN ( 6’1/ Sr./ Ensworth)– Great footwork down low on the offensive end. Back to the basket post who can step out and knock down elbow shots. Big time on the boards on the defensive end.
Ny’kiah Chesterfield (6’0/ Jr./ Oakland)– Great on court presence. A hustler who goes all out. Used in the pick n roll game as well as creates mismatches down low on the blocks. Can step out and hit the 15ft jumpers. Great presence on defense and communicates effector with her teammates .
Amelia Pfeiffer Amelia Pfeiffer 6'2" | C Alcoa | 2024 State TN (6’2/ So./ Alcoa)– Dominate low post game working the painted area. Can grab second chance boards and finish through contact. Has a great mid- range shot. Defensively an aggressive presence in the paint, grabbing boards and blocking shots.
Madison Lovelace(6’5/ Sr. / Collierville)– Big post presence. Can play inside out. Nice mid range game to complement her ability to bang down low. Great court vision that enables her to pass out of double teams. Communicates effectively on the court.
Brady Branam( 6’2/ Fr./ TKA) – Versatile big who can play both inside and out. Won’t hesitate to shoot beyond the arc, but can also bang down low . Contributes defensively on the boards and blocking shots. Will start transition breaks leading to fast break points for her team.
Josie Horner Josie Horner 6'2" | C Northview Academy | 2024 State TN (6’2/ So/ Northview Academy)– Post player who knows how to use her size and length to her advantage. Offensively, works great going block to block. Excels in the pick n roll game. Defensively, blocks shots and creates transition breaks by grabbing boards.
Kamiyah Love (5’11/ Fr./ The King’s Academy)– Young and strong post player who is playing early in her high school career. Has a nice touch from outside the paint. Possesses a bevy of counter moves against opponents inside the paint. Defensively, creates chaos by blocking shots and clogging up the lane.
Taylor Dupree Taylor Dupree 6'3" | C Arlington | 2022 State TN (6’3/ Sr./ Arlington)– Big dog down low, she’s a rim protect and one of the best shot blockers in West Tennessee. Runs the floor well in transition, creating opportunities to get layups. Finishes through contact around the rim.
Meioshe Mason Meioshe Mason 6'3" | C Lebanon | 2022 State TN (6’3/ Sr./ Lebanon)– Back to the basketball post who has a plethora of moves she can unleash. A anchor in the middle on defense, she is tenacious on the boards. Can read the trajectory of the ball well, which enables her to create second chance shots. Great floor communicator.
Maddy Newman Maddy Newman 6'2" | C Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2024 State TN (6’1/ So./ Gatlinburg-Pittman)– Great back to the basket post. Has a sweet first step to create a shot in the painted area. Contributes on the boards on both ends of the floor. Is a big presence for her club.
Chloe Gannon Chloe Gannon 6'0" | C Coffee County | 2023 State TN (6’0/ Jr. / Coffee Co.)– Great at establishing post position at the lower blocks. Can finish on either side of the rim. Has a soft touch around the painted area. Contributes on the boards on both ends of the floor.
Jordan Harris (5’10/Sr./ Collierville)– Undersize post who can bang with 6’ footers. Has a soft touch around the rim. Contributes on the boards on both ends of the floor.
Syler Falcon Syler Falcon 6'1" | C Bradley Central | 2022 State TN (6’1/ Sr./ Bradley Central)– Versatile big who has a great mid range presence. Can finish around the painted area. Big on the boards and blocks shots using her long wing span.
Chrishunti Walker Chrishunti Walker 6'2" | C Rossville Academy | 2024 State TN – (6’2/ So./ Fayette Ware)– Big body down low who. Possesses great footwork. Can finish around the rim using her body to create and finish through contact. An anchor in the paint on the defensive end.
Abigail Johnson Abigail Johnson 6'0" | C Upperman | 2023 State TN (6’0/ Jr./ Upperman)– Back to the basket post who uses her strength to punish opponents. Can finish through contact. Used many ways to create offense for her club. A staple on defense as she reads and reacts really well. Rebound leader.
Kijanae Marion Kijanae Marion 6'0" | C Science Hill | 2022 State TN (6’0/ Sr./ Science Hill)– Athletic big that can jump. Defensively, she is a shot blocker who established a major presence on that back line. Defensively, she is tremendous block to block and create shots if she has to go down hill.
Kia Bolton(6’0/ Sr./ Memphis East)– Great leader who has incredible instincts. Get a lot of second chance points and has a knack for being around the ball. Great defender who excels at cleaning up on the glass.