TBW Tryout Was Lit!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those who live in the Nashville market, radio co-host and University of Tennessee alum Ron Slay has a saying “ I'm in the building!.” Yesterday, I was in the building for the 1st of two [program_tooltip program_id='713296' first='Team' last='Brandan Wright'] tryouts. Normally I don't get a chance to catch talent at events such as these, but I had an inkling that talent would be showing up, boy wasn't I right. From 2025-2032, young ladies turned out in droves to try out. I must say, the program did very well on allowing student-athletes to showcase their talents. Oh yes, there was talent in the building for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few notes from the event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409017' first='Ella' last='Ryan']</strong> from Brentwood was back to her magical ways. The girl is super tough with the ball in her hands and she showed everyone out there why this season will be special for the Lady Bruins. Speed demon <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506234' first='Leilani' last='Washington'] </strong>out of Nolensville was hoopin. Attacking downhill to the rim, she was putting girls that guarded her on skates. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='810500' first='Emma' last='Smith'] </strong>from Cleveland was solid. She was making things look easy as she was hitting bucket after bucket. Didn't matter if it was contested or not, the ball was finding the bottom of the net. <strong>Abby Teter</strong> from Cannon Co. was playing with confidence. She was big on the defensive end, but was knocking down clutch shots when her squad needed a score time and time again. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='411847' first='Aliyah' last='Hawkins'] f</strong>rom Cumberland County is sweet. She's a go-getter and plays the game with a lot of energy. She was very impressive with the ball in her hands, seeing the floor and making the right plays. She shot the ball with confidence and you could tell she was comfortable on the floor. Both <strong>Libby Geisler</strong> from Mountain Brook in Alabama and <strong>Macie Collins</strong> from Heritage High in Georgia were solid from the field as well. I loved their energy and what they brought to the table.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='514123' first='Nori' last='Jamison']</strong> from Ensworth was nice with the ball in her hands. The lefty was playing with confidence as she did the little things right. Knocking down shots, hitting open teammates, she's poised for a breakout year for the Lady Tigers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513278' first='Kayte' last='Madison Bjornstad'] </strong>was big on the O-boards. She anticipates well reading missed shot attempts and was there for the put back. She also did her thing by establishing a presence on the block. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='636402' first='Caroline' last='Kieffaber']</strong> from Father Ryan played solid. She has a nice stroke from the 15ft range and she was shooting it with confidence. <strong>Merlie Routh </strong>from CPA was locking down her opponent. Utilizing her speed, she was causing disruption left and right. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513279' first='Lily' last='Espelet']</strong> from Page is back and looks good. She was shooting the ball with confidence and it was good seeing her out there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Very talented class for sure. Coaches will have some tough decisions but man talent was out there. <strong>Derryn Goode</strong> from Sparkman HS in Alabama looked awesome. She was in attack mode, getting to the cup with ease. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821670' first='Jade' last='Watson']</strong> from Rockvale, was tough with the ball in her hands. Knocking down shots and hitting open teammates, she didn't get rattled one bit in the face of pressure. Keeping her head up, seeing the floor, she's gonna be a problem to deal with for opponents. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='822483' first='Ava' last='Zenner']</strong>, an 8th grader from Franklin Road Academy, was nice with the ball in her hands. Silky smooth, she was hard to stop as she was in attack mode. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='822221' first='McKenna' last='Solomon']</strong> from Green Hill was a bucket from the arc. She shot the ball with confidence as it found the bottom of the net. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821741' first='Gabby' last='DeBord']</strong> from PCA was nice as well. She's a big who can play on the perimeter. She swished a couple of 3s from the arc. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821744' first='Serenity' last='Barksdale'] </strong>from Ezell-Harding was nice. She was efficient around the rim and displayed toughness down low. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='813470' first='Nyla' last='Johnson']</strong> from Nolensville is tough. She's just an all-around player who competes and contributes on every possession. She isn't afraid to get into the mix of things. Can attack downhill or stay on the perimeter to unleash the rock. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='822235' first='Jane' last='Ellis']</strong> from CPA looked nice. She was big around the rim and from the field. Hitting tough contested shots, she did her thing when it came to opportunities to score. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821986' first='Caydence' last='Thomas']</strong> from Rockvale was all over the place. She contributed on D, but was aggressive taking the ball to the hoop. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821870' first='Blake' last='Maple']</strong> from Lipscomb Academy and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='822228' first='McCallie' last='Meyers']</strong> from Brentwood, both looked solid and contributed on the offensive end for their squads.<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='821760' first='Izzy' last='Smith']</strong> from Cleveland dazzled from the field. She was solid, displaying energy effort on both ends of the floor. Shot the ball well, played with poise. Displayed an all-around game that was really impressive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thanks for the invite TBW, looking forward to covering a very talented squad next season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->