Previewing a Few of the Top ’26 Guards in Tennessee
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The guard play in the 2026 class in Tennessee is off the charts. Let’s look at a few of the best guards in the class as they head into their sophomore seasons. Allie Gillies TN #29 SG #8 HEIGHT 5'8"…
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Continue ReadingThe guard play in the 2026 class in Tennessee is off the charts. Let’s look at a few of the best guards in the class as they head into their sophomore seasons.
Allie Gillies Allie Gillies 5’8″ | SG Cookeville | 2026 State TN started as a freshman, and will be the primary guard for Cookeville heading into her sophomore year. The backcourt will be young, and Gillies will be expected to carry much of the scoring load.
Expect her to rise to the occasion as Gillies is one of the most skilled 26’s in the state. A terrific ball handler, underrated passer, and can straight score it bunches. One of the few true three level scorers out there. She also possess high level athleticism, and meshes her athleticism with a nonstop motor that has made her into a game changing defender. She’s a high IQ player, and with a full season of starting experience, she’s knows how to both play on and off the ball, and knows when to turn it on and off. Expect big things from Gillies. She has the tools to become special!
Raylee Werner Raylee Werner 5'8" | SG York Institute | 2026 State TN
Raylee Werner Raylee Werner 5'8" | SG York Institute | 2026 State TN
Werner was able to earn a starting spot on an absolutely loaded York team last year that won their district, region, and made it to the Glass House. If that sentence doesn’t tell you much of what you need to know about her skill level and ability to impact winning…then there isn’t much I can do for you. Heading into her sophomore year, she’ll be asked to score the basketball more, and have the ball in her hands more, playing along side Miss Basketball candidate Reese Beaty Reese Beaty 5’8″ | PG York Institute | 2025 State TN .
Werner is as hard nosed as they come, and that’s how she earned her minutes last season–she can be relied upon to do the dirty work. She’s one of the most versatile players in the ’26 class, and her size allows her to impact the game from the inside or outside. She another high IQ player that has played on the biggest stage already. She at her best when attacking the rime and has a variety of creative finishes in her bag. She’s worked hard on her jumper this offseason, and once she begins knocking down shots from the perimeter consistently, she has a chance to be as good as anyone in the ’26 class.
Bella Winningham
Bella Winningham
Winningham came off the bench of a 22 win White County team that had six seniors. This season, expect her to start and you’ll see Coach Dodgen rely on her to be a main scorer for the Warriorrettes, as well as their primary floor spacer.
Winningham is a top 3 shooter in ’26 class. She has deeeeep range that will help White Co’s offense with spacing as defenses will have to respect her at all times. As a coach’s kid, she possess a high IQ, she’s a smart passer, and simply makes winning plays. She’s been working hard on her athleticism, quickness, and ability to attack closeouts and finish at the rim. Look for Winningham to have a breakout year as she’s one of the hardest workers I know of.
Taylor Dolente Taylor Dolente 5'10" | SG Upperman | 2026 State TN
Taylor Dolente Taylor Dolente 5'10" | SG Upperman | 2026 State TN
Dolente started for Upperman most of last season, and won Freshman of the Year Honors for the district. Dolente made an immediate impact as a freshman, and we can only expect her game to grow from here. Upperman graduated two high scoring seniors, and Delonte will be forced to picked up the slack.
She’s another one of the top scoring guards in the class, and is known for her abilities as a knock down shooter. Possesses big-time range, a quick trigger, and no fear when it comes to letting it fly from deep. Recently had a growth spurt which not only helps her get her shot off, helps her finish around the rim, but more important for her–it has helped her on the defensive side of the ball. Dolente’s defense has greatly improved over the last season, and now impacts the game on both sides of the ball. Coming off a terrific freshman year, expect a huge year from Dolente.
Zoey Nichols
Zoey Nichols
Nichols started last season on a very good Pickett County team. She will start once again, and be asked to do more in all areas as the coaching staff continues to have a growing faith in her. As a team that often plays through the posts, look for Nichols to provide an outside scoring option which will give more diversity to the already loaded Pickett squad.
Nichols is a deceptive PG as she doesn’t possess lightning quick speed, but she’s terrific at changing and controlling her speed. As I tell my players–it’s not about about who has the best speed, it’s about who can control and change their speeds the best–and Nichols is a prime example of this. She’s a high-level ball handler and passer, sees the floor well, always one second ahead of the play, and has the IQ to control the game like an old school PG. Also bring an effective outside shot that becomes even more important on a team that wants to play inside out. A fierce competitor that shows no fear in big games.
Gilbert came of the bench on an excellent Cookeville team, and will slide back into a more familiar role this season as a starter on a very young team. She will be expected to run the show, and will stay on the floor most of the game. It will be interesting to watch how her and Gillies respond to the duties of carrying the weight of backcourt on their shoulders.
Gilbert is a small PG, but incredibly hard-nosed and competitive. Great at the intangibles. She is known for her ability to score the basketball, and her ability to score in bunches is truly legit. She will benefit some, though, by buying into her role as PG, and thinking about how to get her teammates involved more. For a player with Gilbert’s unique skill set, if she can get her teammates rolling offensively as the PG, it will loosen the D up from her, and allow her more opportunities to score fluidly inside the team’s offense. This isn’t a knock on her game–it’s just part of the learning curve that comes with being. a PG at a high level. Gilbert is already a game changing defender, and when you put the entire package together, she has a chance to be truly special.