McMinn Central Chargerettes Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McMinn Central brings back their top 6 players (including all state guard [player_tooltip player_id='245358' first='Molly' last='Masingale']) from their '23 state runner up team. Is a return to the Glass House in their future?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022-23 season witnessed an improbably run by the McMinn Central Chargerettes to the TSSAA AA state championship game, in which they lost to the dominant Westview HS. The Chargerettes, however, return their top 7 players, as well as a game changing changing freshman. Coach Johnny Morgan's squad is loaded with both high end skilled scorers, athletic defenders, and role players the just know how to do their job. While this team is small (their tallest player is 5'10 on a good day), they are crazy athletic, and full high-level defenders. Coach Morgan has been running the same "run and jump" press for 40 years, and I'm not sure that he's ever had better personel for this system than he does now: 2 high level scorers surround by all-state track athletes that love defending.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Starters:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Led by All-State senior, and Wofford commit, G/F <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245358' first='Molly' last='Masingale']</strong>, this team has one D1 level scorer with a proven track record of playing at her best when the lights shine the brightest. The left sharp shooter incredibly versatile, and does a bit of everything for the her team. When they need a bucket Masingale, is their go to player, as Jonny Morgan will often simply giver her the ball in space and look for her to beat her defender off the dribble or get into the mid-range. When Masingale has a smaller defender on her, Masingale will slide into the post in their 4-1 offense, and go to work down low.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What separates the good teams from the great teams is typically the ability to get buckets from secondary scorers. The Chargerettes have a high-level secondary scorer in junior G <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409633' first='Karina' last='Bystry']</strong>. Averaging 18 points a game last year, Bystry is a tremendous three point shooter, and when teams loaded up on Masingale, Bystry found many wide open threes. Bystry has a lighting quick release and can score it in bunches. She's also a tremendous defender and rebounder. Bystry is the perfect complement to Masingale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='245379' first='Maddox' last='Mayfield']</strong> (Senior) is a state championship winning track star (400M) in the offseason, and she puts her athleticism to great use in Johnny Morgan's run and jump pressing defensive scheme. Maddox is the best athlete on every floor she walks on, and he speed enables her to become ball-hawking defender. She is tremendous both on the ball, sprinting to double in their press, or jumping into passing lanes. She scores most of her points at the rim in transition, attacking closeouts, or off the offensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Guard <strong>Reagan Baker </strong>is a "glue kid" that every team needs. A tremendous defender, high IQ, good handles and doesn't turn it over, takes high percentage shots, and simply makes winning basketball plays. She is a great complement to Masingale, Bystry and Mayfield and fits the role and scheme perfectly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>F [player_tooltip player_id='890335' first='McCary' last='Beaty']</strong> essentially plays the post position for Central, if he you wouldn't know it by looking at her. While her hight isn't daunting, she has the strength and athleticism to be a game changing defender and rebounder. Beaty is the AA state champ in the long-jump. She is one of the stronger athletes in East Tennessee, and she is uber competitive. Again, she's a perfect complement to the other pieces on the team because she doesn't have to score to be effective. She brings value in her ability to defend and rebound, and in the run and jump press, if you can put five athletes on the floor at all times (as Central can), you are perfect suited to win a lot of games. Beaty gives her team a player with the strength to guard opposing bigs, but the athleticism to play a vital role in the press and it's constant rotations. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bench</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>G <strong>Saddie Goodin </strong>- The senior has a ton big game experience, and brings value in unorthodox ways. A tremendous teammate that is always found waving her towel, she is a high character, high IQ role player that will play any role that's asked.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>F <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821721' first='Malea' last='Masingale']</strong> is the younger sister of Molly, and I believe is a "wild-card" for this team. Malea is a high level scorer, and if she can earn minutes, she potentially gives Central three legitimate half-court scoring threats. In the playoffs, games slow down, and half court execution becomes highlighted. The best defensive teams will take away your first and second scoring options, but if you have a third threat, you become a team that's extremely hard to defend. If the younger Masingale can carve out a scoring role off the bench, it gives this Central team a whole new dimension</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Overall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This McMinn Central team returns their top 7 players, with a key freshman joining the fold. The have two players that can score 18-20 on any given night, surrounded by top-tier AA athletes (with two of them winning championships in track and field) that love to defend. They keep five high level defenders on the floor at all times, and have enough skilled scoring that even if Masingale or Bystry get in foul trouble, they can score enough to win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year's run to the state championship game came as a major surprise to many, but this year will be different: they are considered by many to be the favorites to win the AA state championship. It will be fascinating to watch how these returning players respond to the pressure...and I expect them to respond well. They are too competitive not to. I expect this team to win 27+ games and return to the championship game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->