Cookeville Lady Cavaliers Preseason Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming up with a way to describe this basketball school took me a minute. They have so many different characteristics that describe their style of play. So I came up with a phrase “Energy Grinders,” that will hopefully capture all included. Up on the plateau, sits Cookeville High School. Yes I called it a basketball school. Why? People around there love their basketball. They travel well. Teams are solid and play hard nightly. They are an all around good program that plays until the final whistle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by Coach Jamie Gillies, these girls come to play ball every single time they step on the floor. They have made it to back to back semi-final games, posting a 31-5 overall record last year. They are one of the perennial 4A women's hoops programs that just bring it. With a sharpshooting outside game and young ladies who battle in the paint, Cookeville has a lot of tools in their tool belt that they unleash nightly. Like I mentioned before, these young ladies play hard. Display infectious energy and just grind you away. They will definitely be heavy favorites to win district and go deep in the state playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some Lady Cavaliers you will need to keep tabs on this upcoming season</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='876378' first='Isabel' last='Garcia'] (5'11/Sr./PF)</strong>- Solid prospect who is a grinder. Offensively, contributes to her team's attack in so many ways. O- boards, finishing in the paint through contact, can knock down the mid range shots from the elbows and short corners, pick n' roll game. She's versatile and can be used in different situations on each possession to free up teammates or find spots to score. Defensively, she can guard in the post, take charges, collect boards, and minimize second chance opportunities. Her leadership will be huge this upcoming season. Look for her to go out with a bang and have a phenomenal senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496297' first='Allie' last='Gillies'] (5'9/So./G)</strong>- Feisty guard who is a “grinder.” I mean basketball is in her DNA. I love the attitude she brings to the game because her team feeds off her energy. A multi-level scoring threat who is fearless. Not only is she lethal with the ball in her hands, but she gets at it on both ends of the court. Plays the game with confidence, she's comfortable taking on any role asked of her. Attack down hill, done. Kick and dish, done. Knock down clutch 3s from deep, done. Lock up an opponent on D, done. She's a young , heady, team player who thrives off competition. I must say, she doesn't back down from any situation. The big stage lights don't affect her. She has tunnel vision and is one of the most determined athletes on the floor. Like I said, basketball is in her DNA. Look for her stock to rise even more this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='878276' first='Paige' last='Hamilton'] (5'8/Sr./G)</strong>- Solid kid who has a good work ethic. Her role this year will be to attack on offense and compete on the defensive end like crazy. She's a competitor who grinds on every possession. Very coachable and heady ball player who is a hustler. 50/50 balls, makes the extra effort plays, steals, jumps passes, she causes disruption that will lead to easy buckets for her ball club. Fun and energetic, this senior season will be a great one for her.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='425063' first='Cara' last='Lee Gilbert'] (5'3/So./PG)</strong>- Heady basketball player who has a lot of speed and quickness. Makes the right decisions and is a go-getter on the basketball floor. Competes on both ends of the floor. Offensively, think of Chris Paul mold. Selfless hooper that can penetrate gaps, make timely passes, or score the ball from all 3 levels. Defensively, she competes, going at her opponent every possession. She's a passionate ball player who doesn't let her size deter her ability. This girl can play and she's going to bring it every time she steps on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->