March Madness! DII- Final Four Preview

March Madness is finally here! This week, Division II (Private School Sector) tips off in Cookeville, TN. The final four table has been set and teams are ready to lay it all on the line to capture that championship trophy. This has been a tremendous year across the state in basketball. Truly, this state is phenomenal when it comes to amateur female hoopers. This Thursday marks the opening of the semifinal rounds for Division 2. Here are the matchups DII-AA Thursday,12:00pm Ensworth vs. Knoxville Catholic Thursday,1:30pm Lipscomb Academy vs. Knoxville Webb DII-A Friday, 12:00pm CAK vs. Middle Tennessee Christian Friday, 1:30pm Jackson Trinity vs. Webb Bell-Buckle *All games will be played at Tennessee Tech University Recapping the season, this has been one for the ages. So many talented young ladies eclipsed the 1,000pt mark. We’ve seen some power house schools go down, yet some schools have laid the foundation for a brighter future. We’ve had girls commit to power 5 schools , all the way down to NAIA. The most important thing, no matter the level, is that we as a state have young ladies who are using basketball as a platform to further their education. These remarkable student athletes have done such a tremendous job. As we get ready for the final four, here are some players to watch this upcoming weekend. [player_tooltip player_id="245288" first="Keira" last="Leffew"] (6’0/Jr./G/ CAK)- Scoring guard who can play inside and out. Can attack from the arc to finish at the rim. Can play with her back to the basket, yet can knock down 3s from beyond the arc. A bucket filler, she’s going to lead the Lady Warriors attack this final four trip. Look for her to be the X factor for her club this upcoming stretch. [player_tooltip player_id="245292" first="Jailyn" last="Banks"] (5’8/ Jr./ CG/ MTCS)- Phenomenal athlete, Jailyn is a true X-factor when it comes to the game. Multi-level scorer who can attack down hill to finish or knock down the mid-range or 3 ball. Plays tenacious defense and has a high basketball I.Q. Quick and instinctive, she’s going to find ways to create turnovers and get easy transition buckets. [player_tooltip player_id="245289" first="Olivia" last="Lee"] (5’11/ Jr./W/ Jackson Trinity)- A true grinder who is an all-around stud. From knocking down open shots from beyond the arc, to hitting the mid-range jumper, and finishing on the block, Olivia is going to put that ball in the hole. She’s a great rebounder on both ends of the floor and does the little things to give her team a competitive advantage. This kid is a hustler who never takes plays off. [player_tooltip player_id="134643" first="Aalyah" last="Del Rosario"] (6’6/ Jr./ C/ Webb Bell-Buckle)- Big anchor in the middle, the painted area is her domain. From blocking shots to gaining rebounds, anything around the rim is hers. Has great footwork, great on-court presence, and can finish both face up or with her back to the basketball. Hard working athlete who is a tough opponent. Look for her to be the X-factor in not only scoring the ball, but getting the job done in other statistical columns as well. [player_tooltip player_id="245351" first="Jaloni" last="Cambridge"] ( 5’6/ So./ PG/ Ensworth)- Amazing. Very talented. The Chris Paul of the female basketball world in this state. She just gets it done. From facilitating the rock to scoring in bunches, she is a multi-level scoring threat that won’t and can’t be denied. A lockdown defender who thrives off competition and creates chaos. Plays the game with a high motor and can dish the ball like Magic. Posses great foot speed and on-court awareness that can manipulate the tempo of the game. The X factor that will help lead the Lady Tigers attack. [player_tooltip player_id="245355" first="Sydney" last="Mains"] (5’10/ So./ W/ Knoxville Catholic)- Dynamic scoring threat from anywhere on the floor, Sydney is a phenomenal talent that gets it done. Fundamentally sound with a little sauce to her game, she can unleash her amazing shooting form from anywhere on the court or get to the rim and finish against contact. She can use her frame to take advantage of her opponent inside. Contributes on the boards and on the defensive end on the floor. Opponents must know where she is on the floor at all times. [player_tooltip player_id="392569" first="Ella" last="Grace Thompson"] (5’5/ Sr./ PG/ Lipscomb Academy)- Tough kid who is very instinctual. Ella is a great floor general who can facilitate and handle the rock against pressure. She can run the offense effectively, while being able to attack or knock down open shots. Great at getting hands on the ball on the defensive end, she is awesome in the transition game. [player_tooltip player_id="245250" first="Shae" last="Berry"] (5’7/Sr./SG/ Knoxville Webb)- Sharpshooting threat, this young lady can find the bottom of the net. Can launch from deep or finish at the rim, Shae is a scoring threat from multiple areas on the floor. She’s not a one trick pony, as she contributes to the defense side of the ball by getting steals and gaining rebounds. She can also find open teammates for easy shots as well. Look for her to help lead the Lady Spartans attack. Good luck to all teams in the final 4!