We can’t keep calm, Basketball is on

Hardin Valley Academy came up short against a tough Alcoa team! Alcoa won 61-43. The game plan, the execution, and the defense by Alcoa was spectacular. HVA definitely has nothing to hang their heads about, they truly fought to the final buzzer! Below are a few notable players of the game:

Amelia Pfeiffer Amelia Pfeiffer 6'2" | C Alcoa | 2024 State TN  | 6’2 | C | 2024 | Alcoa HS

Tennessee Tech is getting a great one! It was my first time watching Pfeiffer live and I know exactly why she is talked about all across our state! Amelia was dominate in the post! Her height, length, and physicality is a tough matchup! Plays with passion and an old school physical style that I love to see. Some athletes are walking double-doubles and you can definitely put Pfeiffer in that category.

Maddy Stewart Maddy Stewart 5'10" | SF Alcoa | 2025 State TN  | PF | 2026 | Alcoa HS

How many teams have two players that finish with double-doubles? Alcoa had just that! Maddy Stewart Maddy Stewart 5'10" | SF Alcoa | 2025 State TN finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Maddy was all over the court! If any player out there has an “every rebound is mine mentality,” it’s Maddy. Crashes the boards exceptionally well. Fundamentally sound & she will put a body on you! Finishes great at the rim and has a great feel for the game.

Gwen Carroll Gwen Carroll 5'10" | SF Alcoa | 2025 State TN | SG | 2026 | Alcoa HS

If you don’t know Gwen Carroll Gwen Carroll 5'10" | SF Alcoa | 2025 State TN ‘s name, you will! Alcoa is deep with their talent so minutes are widely spread throughout for numerous players. I can only imagine what a stat line would look like for Gwen if she played close to an entire game. Crafty at the rim, highly skilled, smooth with the ball, can score from multiple angles, and truly contributes to so many parts of the game!

Jacy Cox Jacy Cox 5'8" | PG Alcoa | 2027 TN | G | 2027 | Alcoa HS

FRESHMAN ALERT! Jacy is one of the best defenders in the state. We are talking about a FRESHMAN! She has earned every single minute of her playing time and I expect her name to be known all over our state very soon! The lock down defense from Cox is extremely impressive. Great understanding of the game! From the defensive stance, to moving her feet, and understanding all of the positioning on defense is incredible to see with this young star! Scottie Pippen said it best, “I don’t care about offense. I can score anytime. I want to stop the other team and make them feel my defense.” Jacy Cox Jacy Cox 5'8" | PG Alcoa | 2027 TN can score, but she is going to make you feel her defense!!

Halle Bailey | PG | 2026 | Alcoa HS

Halle Bailey took on a tough task of guarding Hardin Valley’s best player! Bailey did a good job of limiting what West was doing. Halle knows her strengths and plays to those advantages. Rick Pitino said, “Defense is about being relentless, from the first minute to the last.” Relentless is a great word to describe Halle Bailey! Bailey is also a good facilitator that reads the floor well. I know that Halle is a softball phenom, but don’t forget her name on the basketball court!

Kyndra West Kyndra West 5'6" | PG Hardin Valley Academy | 2025 State TN | PG | 2025 | HVA

I expect Kyndra and her team to put the Alcoa loss behind them fast and be ready for their next tough task against Sevier County. Despite the loss, West did every thing that she could possibly do to try to will her team to a victory. I love Kyndra’s style of play. I’m partial to the point guard position and Kyndra is one awesome point guard! Every time she steps on the court, you know she is going to be better. The time she puts in is undeniable! I’ve watched her numerous times now and she is always adding to her game.

Kamryn Butcher | SG | 2025 | HVA

Butcher was the do-it-all athlete against Alcoa! I’m not sure of the numbers that Kamryn finished with but I do know that she played an extremely important role in keeping the game close! Kamryn stayed scrappy and aggressive on defense! When she isn’t knocking down 3 bombs, she has a nice mid range pull up too!

MY GAME MVP

The entire Alcoa team! I look at Alcoa’s team and they have every piece to a puzzle. They also have some extra pieces! They are clicking on all cylinders and the season is just beginning! Every single player seems to know their role & plays it extremely well!