Best of the Best ’26s VII: Sophomore Seasons Loading

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We continue to look at the best and brightest 2026's as they head into their sophomore seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["513246"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Rucker, is another like [player_tooltip player_id='513240' first='Anna' last='Clay Shirley'], that doesn't get talked about about because of the school and division she plays on.  But MTCS was awesome last season, making it to the state tournament, and they had two freshman play major roles!rnrnRucker is a combo guard that had multiple 20 point outings.  Possessing extraordinary qucikness, she's able to get to almost any spot she wants.  Possesses supreme shot making abilities for her age.  She can get hot in a hurry, and score from all over the floor.  Defensively, she has the ability to take a team out of their offense with her disruptive on the ball defense.  A terrific two way player.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652b10f0be63d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["513238"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"I heard of [player_tooltip player_id='513238' first='Trinity' last='Dixon'] last year when she put up of the following stat-line:  40 points, 9 steals, 4 assists, and 6 3pt FGs made in a 5 overtime 83-82 win for Fayettesville.  She scored nearly HALF of her teams 83 points.  (If you don't believe me, watch for yourself:u003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18237336/63bfce39c11a1b0efc57e9f6u0022u003eClick Here!u003c/au003ernrnYou can watch the lefty sniper scoring from all over the floor.  She does a great job constantly moving around the floor tying to shake free from her defender.  And just only needs a moment to get her shot off.  You can see her knocking down 3's, hitting midrange jumpers, attacking the rim, going to the FT line, and what I loved the mostu002du002dplaying ultra hard in her teams 2-2-1 press.  Anytime you have a kid who can score 40 on one end, and create 9 steals on the other end, you know you have a special talent.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652b10f0be6dd"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["513241"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Nash is a young combo guard with one D1 offer (Lipscomb) already in her pocket.  Nash is one of the premiere shooters in the '26 class.  Playing on an ultra talented TBW '26 team this summer, she put up major 3pt numbers.  She will pull from anywhere, and loves to get out and go, and shoot the 3 ball in transition.  It's obvious she's earned these shots in practice because of how her teammates are constantly looking for her, and her coaches have given her the ultimatel green-light.rnrnNash is a supreme athlete (she's also a phenomenal sprinter on the track) and this gives her tons of potential to turn into a game changing defender, as well as a player with the quickness to attack the rim.  Right now, she's primarily known as simply a shooter, but her physical tools her her the chance to be so much more for Oakland HS this season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652b10f0be76b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Tullock put together a fantastic freshman season, as she led Davey Crockett to 22 wins while averaging 23.7 points, 2.6 steals, 4 rebounds, and averaged 3.7 threes per season. She led the state in scoring for class 4A.  Led the state (all divisions) in 3s made (85).  And, most impressively, Tullock was a 2023 TSSAA 4A Miss Basketball Nominee.rnrnShe's a kid that is incredibly skilled and can score from all over the floor.  The fact that she walked straight onto the team and became its leader speaks volumes.  It will be interesting to watch how she responds in her sophomore season with more eyes watching, and expectations much higher.  Last year she came out and was a surprise....she will surprise no one this year.rnrnSomething tells me that Tullock will continue to dominate, and with as she's alongside fellow '26 [player_tooltip player_id='636395' first='Aaliyah' last='Story'], Davey Crockett has a very bright future.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652b10f0be7ea"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["514122"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Playing for Coffee County HS, with offensive talents, will open up the floor for Holman this season.  Holman has terrific length, high level athleticism, and great shiftiness to her game.  She's terrific at getting into the paint and finding clever ways to get into a finish.  She floats it, uses either hand, hooks it...she has the entire bag when it comes to finishing in the paint.  She's already sitting on a D1 offer from Bowling Green, but as she adds consistency to her jumper, and adds some strength to her frame, she's another that I could see skyrocket up recruiting rankings.  Terrific physical tools, and great feel for the game offensively.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["514128"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Gresham is an incredibly athletic combo guard that helped lead Lenoir City to its best season in a over a decade. In an important February game vs East Hamilton, she led LC with 28 points, and hit the game winner with :08 seconds left going end to end for the finishu002du002dshowcasing her quickness and willingness to take big shots as a freshman.    In a 2 point win over Fulton, she hit the game clinching FTs with 7.1 seconds.rnrnWhat this tells me is that on a veteran laden Lenoir City team, Coach Brad Cochran (now at Concord) was confident that his freshman Gresham would make the right play in crucial moments.  Greshman is poised for a breakout statistical season as LC graduated a lot of contributors, and she is well suited to pick up the slack.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652b10f0be8b3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["513277"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='513277' first='Emerson' last='Smith'] has a bright future as a modern stretch 4.  At 5'11 she doesn't possess great athleticism, but plays very hard and does all the little things.  Possesses high skill level in her ability to step out and hit shots from the perimeter.  She's also the type of post that will battle on the glass, grab a rebound, and then is skilled enough to lead her own fast break.  Really nice passer for her position, and has the chance to be a well rounded offensive player that impacts winning in multiple ways.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652b10f0be927"} /-->