Real Deal In The Ville

This past weekend, the first annual Circuit Lyfe tournament took place in Nashville, TN. Teams from the volunteer state competed against teams from Alabama, Kentucky, and Georgia. The gym was rockin, with a great atmosphere from morning til night. All games were tight, coming down to the wire. Fans were cheering, benches were rowdy, to be a 1st year event, it surely lived up to its billing. There was a lot of excitement in the air and for this to be a new tournament, this will surely be a successful one moving forward. Teams that played, were matched up perfectly. There were some rivalry games between clubs. New matchups that will surely spark something between clubs. Overall, the event was truly a tremendous one. The best thing about this event, there were some top quality Tennessee girls in the building. Girls that put on a show, dazzling the crowd with their moves. From ankle breaking handles, driving to the rim, spectacular passing, and lockdown defense, all gyms were jumping. The tournament really left all attendees excited about what they witnessed. Top competition and great quality young ladies competing, it was good not only from a Tennessee perspective, but a regional perspective as well. Here are some notable Tennessee girls who stood out from this event. [player_tooltip player_id="245292" first="Jailyn" last="Banks"] (5’7/Jr./CG/MTCS/Team Tennessee/ TN Flight Silver)- Dynamic scoring guard who put everyone on notice. Unleashing dynamic step back 3s, getting to the rim, playing lockdown defense, and just getting hands on the ball. She was doing a little bit of everything against top competition. She has taken huge strides over the past year. Her stock keeps rising every time she takes the court. Cori Allen (5’10/Jr./CG/Montverde Academy/Team Tennessee/TN Flight Silver)- She’s back in the area doing her things. She was getting to the paint unleashing a dynamic mid-range game. She was facilitating the offense, kicking out to open shooters or breaking opponents ankles. Her talents were on display as she was knifing through defenses throughout the tournament. Great player who is such a tremendous talent. [player_tooltip player_id="285365" first="Megan" last="Henegar"] (5’7/ Jr./G/ Stewart’s Creek/ Team B. Wright)- Lethal shooter who was on this weekend. The girl can dial it from deep and she was on green all weekend long. Hustling kid who contributes in multiple ways, stood out as her team looked for her to provide that spark launching deep 3s. [player_tooltip player_id="285387" first="Emaleigh" last="Tarpley"] (5’10/Jr./W/ Rockvale/ EAB Tennessee)- Again another quality tournament from this super talented wing. Great size and strength she was getting to the rim, finishing putbacks, taking charges, and shooting consistently from multiple spots on the floor. Confidence is rising and she is poised to take off come July live periods. Keep an eye out on this sensational talent. [player_tooltip player_id="285370" first="Madi" last="Lewis"] (5’8/ Jr./PG/Columbia Academy/ EAB Tennessee)- She just keeps scoring and scoring. Has a nice shooter’s touch, as she unleashes it from multiple levels. Sees the court well, hitting open teammates, has a knack for making the right play at the right time. Finished multiple games as the leading scorer for her club. [player_tooltip player_id="421980" first="Atyia" last="Moss"] (5’8/Jr./CG/Clarksville Academy/EAB Tennessee)- Dynamic guard who can score the rock. Has incredible court vision, as she was knifing through defenses or knocking down 3s. Great communicator and was always making plays on D. Unselfish, she’s poised with the ball in her hand. Look for her stock to continue to rise as she heads in July. [player_tooltip player_id="245356" first="Alonna" last="Poole"] (5’11/ So./G/ Stewart’s Creek/ FBC Nashville)- Talented guard blessed with size, speed, and length. Such a dynamic scoring threat, she’s a lot to handle. High basketball IQ, knows how to create mismatches. Was everywhere on the floor this weekend. Knocking down shots, distributing the rock, contributing on the boards. Such a talented kid with a tremendous upside. Kaelyn Flowers (5’6/So./PG/ Blackman/ Team B. Wright)- Another dynamic guard for the B. Wright team. Knows how to run a ball club, dishing the ball and finishing plays. Can score the rock on multiple levels. Tremendous floor general who understands the game so well. Hustling kid who gets after it. Loves playing pressure D, causing havoc for her opponents. Comes from good stock, as well as continuing to come up in the Blackman PG culture. Great work ethic, does the little things right beyond the stat sheet. Take note of this young lady. Will continue to shine in more ways than one. Lyric Mastin (5’6/Fr./CG/Blackman/ Team B. Wright)- Dynamic scoring guard who can fill it up. Tough kid to stop. Can get to the rim, pull up, create her own shot, come off screens, you name it, offensively, she’s super tough with the ball in her hands. Has a high basketball IQ, where she basically runs the show. Floor general who can get her teammates the ball with ease. Confident and hungry young hooper who has such tremendous upside. Two-way player who is electric. Look for her to continue on a upwards trajectory throughout her HS career. Amiya Redus (5’9/So./CG/ Hazel Green (AL)/ Team B. Wright)- Dynamic, multi-level scoring threat. Plays the game with tremendous speed. From knocking down clutch shots to getting to the rim, tough to deal with. Plays great defense. Anticipates well, getting hands on balls, leading to transition buckets. Sees the floor well, can feed players through tight gaps. Led the TBW attack in multiple games over the weekend. Unleashes a nice shooting stroke that cuts through her opponents hopes. Another high-caliber kid in the TBW program for you to keep your eyes on. [player_tooltip player_id="290721" first="Claire" last="King"] (5’3/ So./ G/ White House Heritage/ Tennessee Sol United)- Hard working kid who just gets it done. Leaves everything on the court every time she plays. Has a nice first step that she utilizes getting to the rim. Can shoot it consistently from deep. Two-way player who defends well. Exceptional teammate who is passionate about the game. Doesn’t get rattled easily. Look for her to continue to grow the more she laces her shoes up. Jade Watson (5’6/ 7th Grader/PG/Rockvale Middle/ EAB Tennessee)- Dynamic scoring guard who plays like her idle Crystal Dangerfield. Shifty guard who can get to the rim, has a nice touch from downtown, and can distribute the rock. Super tough with the ball in her hands. Sees the floor well. Can lock opponents up on D. Great young player with huge upside. A gym rat who will continue to grow. Plays the game with heart and passion. Keep your eyes on this young lady as she is becoming something special. Kayte Madison Bjornstad (6’1/8th Grader/C/ Franklin Road Christian School/ EAB Tennessee)- Big-time player who is a beast downlow. Has a nice mid-range game, finishes in the paint against contact, was great in pick n roll and pick and pop action. Blocked shots and contributed on the boards on both ends. Tremendous upside and is a hidden gem. Coaches will be keeping an eye out for her that’s for sure.