TN’s ’25s Top Playmakers: Previewing the Wings
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When it comes down to it, the best players don’t run plays–they make plays. Playmakers are kids, that when all else fails, can make something happen, and put the defense at a defensive advantage that leads to a high percentage…
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Continue ReadingWhen it comes down to it, the best players don’t run plays–they make plays. Playmakers are kids, that when all else fails, can make something happen, and put the defense at a defensive advantage that leads to a high percentage shot. All great teams need playmakers. Let’s look at the best playmaking ’25s in the state.
Sometimes you hear coaches talk about “girls that play like boys.” Exhibit A: Tyriq Mastin. She’s a straight bucket. She gets where she wants, when she wants. Her pull up can’t be touched. She knocks down 3s. She changes gears, changes angles, slithers through space, and see’s opportunities that other’s can’t. She was putting up 18-20 pts/game regularly as a sophomore, and I see no reason that number won’t jump to 22 this season. She’s a D1 caliber scorer and playmaker without questions. She’s already received an offer from MTSU and Lipscomb. Mastin is as legit and reliable a playmaking scorer as they come. You know exactly what you are getting every play, every day. She’s going to bring high level competitive spirit and high level scorer ability. She’s the real deal.
Highlights
A 5’10 PG at Brentwood, Ryan is sitting on offers from Navy, Wofford, Lasalle, Furman, etc. She’s on everyone’s radar after having an incredible summer with Team BWright–she made the E40 All-Tournament Team at Run for the Roses. She took her game to another level this summer, and simply looks like a high level D1 out there because of her size and skill.
Just watch her attack the rim. Her instincts are fantastic. She knows how to use her skill set and length to finish at the rim or in the mid-range area. She’s a tough matchup for most teams because she’s going to go straight at your PG (who’s typically closer to 5’6), and she will exploit the size mismatch every time. She’s developed a deadly shot from 3 either off the dribble or on the catch-and-shoot. She’s one of the few 3-level scorers out there, and thats why she’s flying up recruiting lists.
She also really competes on the defensive end and knows how to use her length to disrupt the flow of the opponent’s offense. She’s the total package.
BCAT Hoops vs Cleveland HS this summerrnhttps://twitter.com/TbWbasketball1/status/1679826039730495493
Highlights
This 5’11 lefty from Lakeway is a tremendous all-around playmaker. She attacks the rim with real aggression and confidence, and if you let her get to her left hand, it’s over. She knows how to get to her left hand anytime she’s close to the rim–either with the floater or finish. Just a fantastic scorer.
She’s another this is flying up recruiting lists after a terrific summer (she’s made the E40 All-Tournament Team at Run for the Roses). She’s a threat to score from anywhere on the floor. She’s developed deep range, and doesn’t need other’s to create her shot for her. She’ll shoot off the dribble, without much space, and knock it down. If you press-up into her air space, she’s going to attack the rim and make the right play. There is simply no good way to guard a 5’11 shooter that can also score at the rim.
She’s sitting on a few offers, but is another that’s blowing up on the ranking because of her size and skill as a legit 3-level scorer.
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Carsyn Swaney Carsyn Swaney 5'11" | PG Heritage | 2025 State TN
Carsyn Swaney Carsyn Swaney 5'11" | PG Heritage | 2025 State TN
Swaney is another kid that really took a jump up in recruiting rankings this summer as she played lights-out basketball for TNFS. As a 5’11 wing, she can get her 3 ball off at any time. It’s just hard (at the HS level) to to guard her at that size. If you put someone bigger on her to contest her outside shot, she’s generally going to have a quickness mismatch, and attack the defender in space. She’s sitting on offers from Carson Newman an Johnson, but I’m hearing that college coaches (MTSU, Wofford, etc) are now starting to reach out. Finding 5’11 wings that are natural scorers and competitive defenders are just really hard to find! This summer, against high level competition, she was consistently averaging 16-18pts per game. She’s a consistent kid that you know what you’re going to get night to night.
Butler could be a Miss Basketball nominee at LA this year. She’s a do-it-all guard that is incredibly comfortable attacking the rim and playing in traffic. Knows when to find her own shot, and when to create for others. She’s 5’9, but plays closer to 6’0 once she gets into the paint. She knows how to get into a quick finish, or play on two feet, and pivot into a finishing angle that is just really hard to guard. She’s worked hard on adding the 3 ball to her game, and it’s made her nearly incredibly hard to stop. There is no way giving her space to take away the drive because that’s turned into a high percentage 3. And if you press up, she’s blowing by and creating for her team. Look for her to put up monster numbers this year for LA. One of my favorite scorers in the ’25 class.
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Patterson is a super diverse guard that does a bit of everything. She leaves her mark all over the stat sheet, as she’s not necessarily prolific in any one statistical area, but does a bit of everything in all areas. She’s an adequate scorer, but doesn’t force the issue–she let’s her points come to her. She’s a nice “connector” as the ball doesn’t stick in her hands, and she’s a high IQ player that is content simply moving the ball at times (a lot of HS kids believe they must prove their value every time they touch the ball instead of simply trusting in ball movement). Patterson’s real value lies in her ability to rebound at a high level as a guard. She’s a high level defender that plays with active hands and a great motor. I really like this kid’s game. She’s a kid that can average 18 points/6 rebounds/5 assists/2 steals. That sort of versatility is incredibly valuable.