Headlines:The Grind Season Is Officially Open!

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Grind Season is here ladies and gentlemen. The first official day of high school basketball starts today! The time is now. Oh, the refreshing sound of sneakers screeching against the floor. The loudness of communication, the sound of the ball going through the net, the perspiration of the players sweating through their practice gear. Oh yeah, hoop season is open for business.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today marks the day where basketball kicks off. Here are some headlines that will be on the front page news.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>In Single A, will it be McKenzie again?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Who knows.&nbsp; Scoring sensation <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290967' first='Savannah' last='Davis']</strong> returns for her senior year with her backcourt mate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='804697' first='Mikaela' last='Reynolds']</strong>. Miss Basketball winner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409014' first='Blair' last='Baugus'] </strong>of Wayne Co. along with her squad are salivating at the chance to knock off this McKenzie squad. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409090' first='Emmy' last='Lowe']</strong> of Pickett Co. will try to make a run for the reigning champs as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Will Jackson Southside return to state and be crowned champs again?</em>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's a tall task for sure. They have the athletes and the coaching staff to do so. Waiting in the wings will be Livingston Academy and Upperman. This will be a fun division to keep up with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Will Bradley Central repeat?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Add <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='408996' first='Tatianna' last='Stovall']</strong> and pair her up with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513228' first='Kimora' last='Fields'] and [player_tooltip player_id='290719' first='Harmonie' last='Ware'],</strong> you have a nice big 3 combo with solid role players around them. They probably will run through the district, but outside of the district, there will be potential foes waiting to try their hand at knocking them off. I can say this, this is one of the toughness classifications around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Will Blackman raise the trophy?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like I said, they will have to go through Bradley. With guard<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='245361' first='Kaelyn' last='Flowers']</strong> and big anchor <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290716' first='Aaiyanna' last='Dunbar']</strong> in the middle, they have what it takes to set up a potential high stakes game against the bears.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Who is the best in the west?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp;In all classifications, Bartlett with their stars such as <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290717' first='Carrington' last='Jones']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513229' first='Faye' last='Williams'],</strong> look to be favorites in 4A. McKenzie in single A. USJ with<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='821641' first='Haylan' last='Ayers']</strong> will rep the private school sector. Who will come out? Briarcrest? Hutchison? Who else will represent the west side?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Will this be the year Gatlinburg-Pittman goes the distance?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mmm. I like their chances. McMinn Central is an opponent they will have to get around. With their talented roster that includes shifty and talented guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513230' first='Maliyah' last='Glaspar']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513232' first='Nya' last='Burns'],</strong> add in the anchor in the middle of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245364' first='Maddy' last='Newman']</strong>, do these ladies have what it takes to bring home the gold ball? Will be interesting because <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245358' first='Molly' last='Masingale']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409633' first='Karina' last='Bystry'] </strong>of McMinn Central may have something to say about that. They are heavy favorites to take the title. I also won't count out the York Dragonettes because they have<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='408995' first='Reese' last='Beaty'] </strong>and company.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Will Metro Nashville have a team go the distance?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hillsboro is young but East Nashville looks legit. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245365' first='Jazz' last='Walters'], [player_tooltip player_id='636536' first='Da'Nya' last='McMillan'], and [player_tooltip player_id='290705' first='Kenya' last='Fairs'] </strong>are the 1-2-3 punch for the Lady Eagles. You are talking about a stout defensive team that will be looking to play fast. Will they be the one to rep the area?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Will Knoxville Catholic continue the dynasty?</em>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I don't see why not. I mean <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245355' first='Sydney' last='Mains'].</strong> One of the best in her class returns and then the addition of&nbsp; a sensational talent in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='636390' first='Andrea' last='Flores']</strong> in the mix. Smh. Tough. Who will challenge them? Could Harpeth Hall make a run with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='405836' first='Charlotte' last='Meyers']</strong> and super talented forward <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409015' first='Ava' last='Krumwiede']?</strong> What about Briarcrest with returning guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290713' first='Hallie' last='Turner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='816583' first='Kendall' last='Jones']</strong>? Does Webb BellBuckle fit in this equation this year after losing their impressive roster of D-1 athletes?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>How will Ensworth finish now that [player_tooltip player_id='245351' first='Jaloni' last='Cambridge'] is gone?</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The squad won't be bad, but keep an eye on <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='514123' first='Nori' last='Jamison']</strong>. I like her game and she is one of the young ladies who will be tasked to fill some pretty big shoes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These are just a few headline questions that came to mind. I assure you, there are plenty more out there for sure. The great thing about it is that everyone has to play the game. This year is going to be an exciting season all across the state. The state of Tennessee is littered with parity from top to bottom. No matter the class, we have young ladies who can and will be something special throughout the course of their high school tenure and beyond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Season tips off in a couple of weeks and I can't wait. Until then, good luck to all the young ladies who will be competing across the state. Have fun, rep your school, give it all you got, and go out there and show the area and the country what Tennessee women's basketball is all about.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->