Whose hot heading into school ball!
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School is finally out across the volunteer state, but our hardwood hoopers are still in full effect. Now our lady ballers are taking the month of June and transitioning to playing with their school ball team. Though they may be…
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Continue ReadingSchool is finally out across the volunteer state, but our hardwood hoopers are still in full effect. Now our lady ballers are taking the month of June and transitioning to playing with their school ball team. Though they may be gone from their club team duties right now, the girls who have been hooping it up these past couple of months, come back to their school teams better than before.
The girls who take advantage of the opportunity to play travel basketball, get challenged a little differently than they may during the school ball season. They play against girls who may be bigger, stronger, faster. They play against girls who enjoy the game just like they do. They compete against tough competition every game. They learn how to handle adversity. Take no time off. They learn different qualities that they add to their tool belt. Some HS coaches don’t like the travel ball game. Me, I think it challenges kids to be creative and to get better. No knock on club or HS, ball is ball in my eyes. I just think sometimes the message can get lost within what we all are here to accomplish. To grow the game, create educational opportunities, and make better student-athletes that play basketball.
Throughout my journey of being a road warrior these last two months, here are just a few names that have peaked my interest. This is a two part segment, so I will mention the girls from different parts of the state in both articles. No particular order, just keep your eyes on these girls throughout the month of July. They will definitely have eyes on them as they put on a show for college coaches at various stops.
(Classifications based on this past year)
Meeyah Green(5’8/PG/8th Grade/ Knoxville-Webb)– Gym rat who is humbled and hard working. Floor general who has great on-court presence. Flat out gets it done. Mult-level scorer who competes on both ends of the floor. Will continue to turn more heads in July. Keep her on your radar as she is at the top of her class.
Atyia Moss Atyia Moss 5'8" | PG Clarksville Academy | 2023 State TN (5’8/CG/Jr./Clarksville Academy)– Quiet assassin who competes at a high level. Great floor awareness, where she has a tremendous feel for the game. Knows when to attack, kick, post up, ect. Can score it from all 3 levels. Isn’t afraid to do the dirty work. Seems better every time she steps on the floor.
Karli Haworth Karli Haworth 5'6" | PG Alcoa | 2023 State TN (5’6/PG/Jr./ Alcoa)– Super tough kid whose stock continues to rise. Brings a ton to the table as she brings back the old school way of playing PG. Facilitates the ball like no other, she is great getting her teammates involved. High energy kid who can score the ball by either getting to the rim or shooting it from beyond the arc. Hustling player who gets it done on both ends. Coaches, tough kid who would be a tremendous asset to any program out there.
Imari Berry Imari Berry 5'10" | SG Clarksville | 2024 State TN (5’10/CG/So./Clarksville)– Silky smooth game reminds me of a young Candace Parker. Would make the late great Pat Summit proud because this girl can defend. Getting hands on the ball is her thing. Great release and can score it from all over. Very talented kid who has tremendous upside.
Jailyn Banks Jailyn Banks 5'7" | CG MTCS | 2023 State TN (5’8/CG/Jr./MTCS)– Has really transformed herself to an even better prospect. Put on more muscle, she looks stronger, faster, and plays the game with such a high motor. Magnificent with the ball in her hands, she can score it from wherever and whenever. Possesses incredible instincts that enable her to be a threat on both ends of the floor. Coaches, this girl is the real deal.
Mallory Collier Mallory Collier 6'5" | C Bartlett | 2023 State TN (6’5/C/Jr./Bartlett)– A BEAST in the middle. Has spent these past couple of months not only hooping on the circuit, but participating with the USA U17 team at the USOlympic & Paralympic Training Center.. Mallory is a tremendous player who can handle the rock, has a nice mid-range game, face-up, and unleash back to the basket moves. Obviously, she’s a monster on the boards. Committed to the Pack of NC State, she’s a workhorse who keeps adding to her game.
Jaloni Cambridge Jaloni Cambridge 5'8" | PG Ensworth | 2024 State FL (5’6/PG/ So./ Ensworth)– Dynamic. That’s the one word that can describe this young lady. Can score it, dish it, defend for it. USA U17 Team member, she is super talented and super tough. Highly confident, she keeps getting better every time she takes the floor. Competes to the umpth degree, this kid is relentless at everything she does.
Aalyah Del Rosario Aalyah Del Rosario 6'5" | C Webb- Bell Buckle | 2023 State #5 Nation TN (6’5/C/Jr./Webb-Bell Buckle)– Another monster in the middle, made the U18 USA team. Girl has some nice back to the basket moves and is tremendous in the pick n roll game. She’s a beast on the boards. Super tough defender who anticipates well to block shots. Uses her length to her advantage, takes advantage of mismatches. Schools are lining up for her services.
Sydney Mains Sydney Mains 5'11" | SF Knoxville Catholic | 2024 State TN (5’11/W/So./Knox. Catholic)– Sharpshooter who can score the rock from multiple levels. She keeps getting better, accepting any challenge put in front of her. Plays the game with poise. Has a great head on her shoulders. Knows when to attack, pull up, or dish it. Has tremendous upside, Sydney remains at the top of her class. Has great size and will continue to be at the top of her class.
Lyriq Mastin Lyriq Mastin 5'7" | CG Blackman | 2025 State TN (5’6/PG/Fr./Blackman)– Coaches take notice. This girl’s confidence is growing by the game. Great floor general who can manipulate teams’ play by changing speeds. Can score it from beyond the arc, or getting to the lane to shoot a nice floater. Lockdown defender who is gonna be another great PG from the Lady Blaze tree.