Best of the Best ’26s IX: Sophomore Season Loading
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We continue to analyze the loaded 2026 class in TN, and look ahead at their upcoming sophomore seasons. Karleigh Stevenson TN #105 CG #12 HEIGHT 5'10" POS CG CLASS 2026 View Profile Karleigh Stevenson State: Tennessee School: Dickson Co. As…
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Continue ReadingWe continue to analyze the loaded 2026 class in TN, and look ahead at their upcoming sophomore seasons.
As a 5’10 combo guard for Dickson County HS, Stevenson put together a phenomenal freshman campaign. She played a huge role on a team that won the district championship, while she was name All-District, and All-District Tournament. She’s a lights out shooter that can get hot in a hurry. She’s just knows how to score the basketball: scored 18 in the district championship game vs Henry Co, and averaged 16 in the Region Tournament. Expect a big-time season from her scoring the basketball. Spent the summer playing with the TN SOL 17U team (with Hassell and Spiers) and played vs some of the best competition in the South. Improved tremendously this offseason.
Ricciardelli is a another member of the TBW ’26 team on this list. Standing as a 5’6 PG, is a very good prospect for Harpeth Hall. She is a high level passer with great court vision. Finds teammates on the drive and kick, hits cutters, and keeps her head up in transition. Straight up throws strikes! She’s the type of teammate that makes you want to cut and sprint the floor, because if you’re open, she’s going to find you. Most comfortable attacking the rim looking to create assists, but is a solid finisher. Needs to continue improvement her outside shot to create harder closeouts and more opportunities to penetrate. An excellent defender that can lockdown her position. Will be a great contributor off the bench for Harpeth Hall.
Hayes is as pure a shooter as they come. Grainger HS has a few really nice offensive pieces, and a player like Hayes will help open up the floor if she can carve out a role as a knockdown shooter. Simply the ability and reputation on a scouting report to hit shots is a skill, as it changes how the D can guard the floor–and I can see Hayes as the type of player that makes everyone on Grainger better as her sheer presence changes the gravity on the floor.
She’s a scrappy defender that’s going to compete hard, and win 50/50 balls. Does all the little things well. Fantastic role player.
Makayla Broome Makayla Broome 5'9" | SF Bradley Central | 2026 TN
Makayla Broome Makayla Broome 5'9" | SF Bradley Central | 2026 TN
Broom is an interesting prospect as she grew up playing post, but doesn’t necessarily have great size as a HS post. I can see her developing into a really nice 4 that can play in Bradley Central’s hi-low offense. She’s a tremendous passer for her position, crashes the boards hard, and an effective finisher. I believe she can carve out a role off the bench for Bradley as a backup 3 or 4. If she can really hone in on her offensive skill development on the perimeter, and get to the point skill-wise that she can adequately play the 3, then it really opens up the opportunities for her. I’ve seen how competitive she is, and believe in her work ethic.
Geren is another player that isn’t on the rankings list for TN but absolutely should be. She’d probably be a starter for 80% of teams in the state, but it’s really hard to earn minutes at Bradley Central when you have 4 high level college prospects in the starting lineup (and none are seniors). I was able to coach Geren a bit as a 7th grader in AAU, and her versatility is what set her apart from others. Her basketball IQ and feel for the game is exceptionally high. At 5’9 can slide down to the 4 or up to the 3. She shoots the 3 at a high clip, and is a craft finisher. Competes hard, defends her position, and rebounds well. Geren will be a valuable contributor for BCHS off the bench and will inevitably play a vital role in some big games as Bradley tries to repeat as state champs.
Lilly Mullins
Lilly Mullins
Mullins (So) is another versatile offensive player that is equally comfortable and skilled either shooting from the perimeter or attacking the rim. He HS coach noted she’s a terrific shooter from 15ft either off the dribble or off the catch. Needs to continue stretching her range in order to be tougher to guard. Really nice court vision and her passes are “on time and on target.” Mullins uses her athleticism to be a “tone-setter” defensively as a disruptive on the the ball defender.
Elishia Byrd
Elishia Byrd
Elishia Byrd is a straight snipper, shoots the 3 at a very high percentage, handles the ball very well, underrated passer that finds her team mates in the crowd. She’s a high IQ player that has a team first mentality, she’s a scrappy defender and does not back down to anyone.
Elishia was coming off shoulder surgery her freshman year and was just getting back into it late in the season, She’s a multi-sport athlete that knows how to work hard and what it takes to be successful. Her sophomore years has a potential to be a big year for her and can help Heritage to a long post season.