Rockvale Lady Rockets Team Preview
In this article:
5,4,3,2,1 Rockets Up! One of Rutherford County’s newest schools, the Rockvale Lady Rockets are an exciting program to watch. Nestled along Highway 99, this school (which there was a Rockvale HS school back in the day), was built in 2019…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading5,4,3,2,1 Rockets Up! One of Rutherford County’s newest schools, the Rockvale Lady Rockets are an exciting program to watch. Nestled along Highway 99, this school (which there was a Rockvale HS school back in the day), was built in 2019 and since the doors opened, this school has taken the district by storm. They have been fierce competitors night in and night out, but this year, with an infusion of young talent, look to take the next steps towards accomplishing new heights. Most often than not, it takes new schools awhile to be threats in a district. This school has been competing with the big dogs from day one.
Coached by Bill Hockenberry, these Lady Rockets are primed and ready to go. They unveil a tenacious defensive attack, where they get buckets by creating turnovers. They execute offensively, running dynamic sets that create options on getting downhill or open shots on the perimeter. The Lady Rockets were 21-7 last year, winning ball games with hustle and grit. This year, Rockvale will unleash a new set of talented hoopers, that will hopefully add to the foundational blocks that have already been laid. Playing this ball club, you will need to bring your hard hats. These young ladies get after it and they bring everything they have to the party. They pack a fierce punch. Come at you from multiple angles. When it’s all said and done, just know you’ve been through 32 minutes of grind.
Though the district is tough, these Lady Rockets have what it takes to contend and be in consideration within the top 3 of the district. It’s a toss up where they will finish in the district. However, you don’t want to get them in tournament play. This team is a stingy bunch of hoopers and come March, just realize they will be equipped to handle the pressure and fight through any adversary that may come their way. Look for this ball club to rise above and surprise people this upcoming season.
Here are some young ladies from the Rockvale Lady Rockets ball club you will need to keep tabs on.
Jade Watson Jade Watson 5'7" | PG Rockvale | 2027 TN (5’6/Fr./PG)– Shifty dynamic guard who is money with the ball in her hands. Jade has been taking the AAU game by storm this past offseason, displaying an offensive threat of putting the ball in the hole. She can launch it from deep, but her forte is slicing through defenders and challenging them on her way to the rim. Has a nice mid-range jumper, Jade is one of the most creative young guards around. She doesn’t just settle on the offensive end, she will sit down and guard, creating turnovers that lead to easy bucks. Has already received interest from D1 schools, early in her career. Look for her to garnish even more attention moving forward as she adapts to the high school game.
Kamaria Murray (5’8/Sr./G)– Tough kid who is a pest on the defensive end. She uses her speed and awareness to gain extra opportunities for her club. She has a knack for stealing the ball and getting deflections, slowing down an opponent’s ability to score or tempo. On the offensive end, she’s nice from the long range, but also has the ability to put the ball on the floor and finish at the rim. She’s an athlete who is coming into her senior season looking to be one of the top players in the district.
Ayeden Wilkerson Ayeden Wilkerson 5'6" | CG Rockvale | 2025 State TN (5’8/Jr./G)– Solid and steady. She’s going to contribute in ways that affect the game, but does it quietly. You aren’t going to realize her impact until the final horn has been blown. Ayeden can do it all. She can score inside and outside on the perimeter. She can create space, opening up lanes for her teammates to drive, yet knock down the 3 ball on the perimeter. She’s big on the boards on both ends. She’s either starting transitional breaks or finishing them. She defends like crazy, getting steals or blocking shots. She’s an overall solid athlete who gives you 110% every time she steps on the floor.
Caydence Thomas Caydence Thomas 5'7" | SG Rockvale | 2027 TN (5’7/Fr./G)– Solid prospect who is going to be a big time player. Young freshman ,she’s going to give you all she has plus more. She’s a speedy player who can knock down shots on the perimeter, or go get a bucket in the paint. She’s tough on the defensive end, using her quick hands to get steals or cause deflections. She’s going to be a tough player to play against over the next coming years. Look for her to flourish in this game as her confidence continues to grow.
Havyn Harris Havyn Harris 5'6" | SG Rockvale | 2027 TN (5’6/Fr./G)– Solid kid who is a catch and shoot threat. Once the confidence button is pushed, it’s money from the arc. She can get to the rim and finish as well, but her forte is the long ball. Havyn has the quickness to put the ball on the floor. She has creative instincts where if she feels pressure, she can hit open teammates for the dump down or kick out. Great kid who has a bright future in this game.
Isabella Wright Isabella Wright 5'6" | SG Rockvale | 2026 State TN (5’5/So./G)– Young, but coming into her own. Bella can knock down open shots especially on the perimeter. Always seems to be in the right place at the right time, spotting up for an uncontested shot attempt. Moves well in space without the ball. A nice trait of hers is her ability to get down and defend. She’s not giving up on this end of the court and is relentless with her pressure.
Kailah Crawford Kailah Crawford TN (6’1/So./C)– Post presence in the middle that has a soft touch in the painted area. Kailah has the ability to stretch the floor, then insert herself within the offensive attack. Contributes on the boards, deterring second chance opportunities for opponents. With more court time, her confidence should shoot through the roof as she gets more comfortable. Solid kid who can be a force down the stretch.
Grace Ussery Grace Ussery 5'9" | SG Rockvale | 2024 State TN ( 5’10/Sr./F)– Rangy kid who has good length. Gets deflections, steals, can cause disruption. Can step in when needed and contribute. Can shoot the 3 ball or finish in the paint.
Maritza Wright Maritza Wright 5'6" | SG Rockvale | 2024 State TN (5’6/ Sr./G)– Tough player who has a nice shot on her. Can knock down the open 3. Defenses have to watch out for this kid as she can apply pressure on them with her quick release. Contributes on the defensive end, being in position to get steals, deflections, or causing disruption. Kid gives her all and hustles on every play.
Talea Gray
Talea
Gray
5'0" | PG
Rockvale | 2024
State
TN
(5’1/Sr./G)– Scrappy defensive player who gets steals and loose balls. Does the little things right. Packs a big punch. Can score the rock, unleashing it from the arc. She’s the lion of the group. Vocal leader who has a big heart.