Class In Session: ’27s Have Arrived!
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Class is now back in session. Summertime is over and it’s time for rising 8th graders to step onto high school campuses and become Freshmen. The fear of going to a new school, meeting new teachers, seeing upperclassmen, and just…
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Continue ReadingClass is now back in session. Summertime is over and it’s time for rising 8th graders to step onto high school campuses and become Freshmen. The fear of going to a new school, meeting new teachers, seeing upperclassmen, and just adapting to the overall environment of something new can be daunting. Once you were the big dog on campus, now, it’s like you have to start over again. The thing now is, you have a card in your back pocket. It’s an Ace of Spades. You’re not just the new kid, you’re the kid who can hoop that everyone has been talking about. You come in with people knowing your name. You come in with people knowing you can contribute to the girls program right away. You’ve been playing high-level basketball over the summer, competing against some of the best. You’re fierce, you’re hungry, you’re ready to get to work both in the classroom and on the floor.
The class of 2027 is gonna be a special class. One filled with high caliber kids who can hoop and make a big impact for their school right away. These girls come in with proven miles already logged on the court. These young ladies are fierce competitors who get after it. It’s going to be fun covering this class. Here are just a few to get to know as the school year kicks off.
Lauren Hassell Lauren Hassell 6'3" | PF Clarksville Christian | 2027 State TN (6’4/F/ Clarksville Christian)– Prized recruit who is the one of the best all around prospects around. With tremendous size, her ability to take advantage of mismatches is impressive. Of course she can do like other bigs, bang in the paint, knock down short corner shots, be a part of the pick n’ roll game, but she has the ability to hoop like a guard as well. Pull up jumpers, attack down hill, handle the ball, the list of attributes goes on and on. Add her ability to block shots, grab boards, and defend, you’ve got one heck of a prospect.
Marley Spiers Marley Spiers 6'3" | C Clarksville Christian | 2027 State TN (6’3/C/ Clarksville Christian)– A beast in the paint, Marley has all the tools to be a force to be reckoned with. Great size and length, her ability to score the ball from multiple spots such as the blocks, short corners, and elbows, is very impressive. Defensively she’s an anchor who clogs up the middle by blocking shots and grabbing boards. Runs the floor well, establishing herself around the rim. Key component in the high-low action Clarksville Christian runs.
Haylen Ayers (6’0/G/ University School of Jackson)– Highly-touted prospect that plays with a motor. Great size and length, she creates turnovers that lead to transitional buckets. She’s a multi-level scoring threat who strikes fear in opponents. A hard working gym rat who has a great release point that enables the round ball to hit the bottom of the net on a consistent basis. She’s got handles, speed, tenacity, and gets after it on both ends of the floor. Big-time prospect who will continue to make a big time impact.
Jade Watson Jade Watson 5'7" | PG Rockvale | 2027 State TN (5’6/ CG/ Rockvale)– JW is so shifty with the ball in her hands. A downhill attacking threat, she’s gonna find a way to put the ball in the hoop. Has a nice floater game she displays from the mid-range area. Can knock down the 3 ball, can effectively get to the rim with ease. Guarding her can be a daunting task for an opponent. She has great court awareness and has the ability to get by the girl in front of her, creating opportunities for herself or her teammates. Skies are the limit for this young prospect. As she steps onto the high school court, look for her creativity to expand her game as well as others.
Kay Kay Strayhorn (5’5/CG/ Dyersburg)– Don’t let the smile fool you, this prospect is a stone cold grinder. Offensively, she’s shifty with the ball in her hands. Can get downhill, pull up from beyond the arc, or knock down short corner or elbow shots. She is phenomenal in the passing game, hitting open teammates in stride or placing the ball in the catch n’ shoot position. Defensively, that’s where she makes her money. Picking pockets of opponents, taking charges, just creating chaos the full length of the floor. She’s a throwback player and you can tell hooping is definitely in her DNA.
A’Zyua Blair (5’6/ CG/ Webb Academy Knoxville)– Athletic. Shifty. Tough. She’s a magician with the ball in her hands. A 3 level scoring threat who is an X factor on the basketball floor. She makes an impact every time she touches the ball. From knocking down clutch shots to threading the needle with her passes, she’s an impact player who is tough to guard. She gets after it on both ends of the floor. As she steps onto the scene, look for her status/ stock to continue to rise throughout the course of her high school career.
Skyler Walden (5’8/ PG/ The King’s Academy)– Energetic PG who competes every time she steps on the floor. Can score the rock on all 3 levels, but is one of the most selfless ball players around. Well-rounded, she contributes in all statistical categories, willing to do whatever it takes to help her to win. Has a high basketball IQ, a student of the game, looking for ways to give her team an edge. Confident, not cocky, she’s a prospect who creates and distributes with the best of them.