TBW Tryout Was Lit!
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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 Team Brandan Wright tryouts. Normally…
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Continue ReadingThose 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 Team 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.
Here are a few notes from the event.
2025
Ella Ryan Ella Ryan 5'10" | PG Brentwood | 2025 State TN 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 Leilani Washington Leilani Washington 5'6" | CG Nolensville | 2025 State TN out of Nolensville was hoopin. Attacking downhill to the rim, she was putting girls that guarded her on skates. Emma Smith Emma Smith 5'8" | SG Cleveland | 2025 State TN 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. Abby Teter 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. Aliyah Hawkins Aliyah Hawkins 5'7" | PG Cumberland County | 2025 State TN from 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 Libby Geisler from Mountain Brook in Alabama and Macie Collins from Heritage High in Georgia were solid from the field as well. I loved their energy and what they brought to the table.
2026
Nori Jamison Nori Jamison 5'5" | PG Ensworth | 2026 State TN 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. Kayte Madison Bjornstad Kayte Madison Bjornstad 6'1" | C Franklin Road Christian School | 2026 State TN 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. Caroline Kieffaber Caroline Kieffaber 6'0" | PF Father Ryan | 2026 State TN from Father Ryan played solid. She has a nice stroke from the 15ft range and she was shooting it with confidence. Merlie Routh from CPA was locking down her opponent. Utilizing her speed, she was causing disruption left and right. Lilly Espelet Lilly Espelet 6'0" | SF Page | 2026 State TN from Page is back and looks good. She was shooting the ball with confidence and it was good seeing her out there.
2027
Very talented class for sure. Coaches will have some tough decisions but man talent was out there. Derryn Goode from Sparkman HS in Alabama looked awesome. She was in attack mode, getting to the cup with ease. Jade Watson Jade Watson 5'7" | PG Rockvale | 2027 TN 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. Ava Zenner Ava Zenner 5'7" | PG Franklin Road Academy | 2028 TN , 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. McKenna Solomon McKenna Solomon 5'5" | PG Green Hill | 2027 TN from Green Hill was a bucket from the arc. She shot the ball with confidence as it found the bottom of the net. Gabby DeBord Gabby DeBord 6'2" | PF PCA | 2027 TN 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. Serenity Barksdale Serenity Barksdale 6'1" | C Ezell-Harding | 2027 TN from Ezell-Harding was nice. She was efficient around the rim and displayed toughness down low. Nyla Johnson Nyla Johnson 5'8" | CG Nolensville | 2027 TN 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. Jane Ellis Jane Ellis 5'11" | PF CPA | 2027 TN 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. Caydence Thomas Caydence Thomas 5'7" | SG Rockvale | 2027 TN from Rockvale was all over the place. She contributed on D, but was aggressive taking the ball to the hoop. Blake Maple Blake Maple 5'8" | CG Lipscomb Academy | 2027 TN from Lipscomb Academy and McCallie Meyers McCallie Meyers 5'10" | SF Brentwood | 2027 TN from Brentwood, both looked solid and contributed on the offensive end for their squads. Izzy Smith Izzy Smith 5'8" | SG Cleveland | 2027 TN 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.
Thanks for the invite TBW, looking forward to covering a very talented squad next season!