Knoxville Area Preseason Power Rankings: Top 5

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Bradley Central</strong> - The Bearettes are considered the favorites to repeat as 4A champs as they bring [player_tooltip player_id='290719' first='Harmonie' last='Ware'], [player_tooltip player_id='513228' first='Kimora' last='Fields'], [player_tooltip player_id='408996' first='Tatianna' last='Stovall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='409074' first='Avary' last='Brewer'] back from last year's championship team. I simply don't know how anyone can guard Bradley. They will always have a mismatch somewhere, as each of Fields, Ware, and Stovall are all big enough to play bully ball in the post. Brewer is key because she softens the D as a shooter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2. <strong>Bearden</strong> - When you return Natayla Hodge, and collection of talent that Bearden always has in the pipeline, you're trying to compete for a state championship. Kendall Murphy, [player_tooltip player_id='245384' first='Lindsay' last='Wilson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1230945' first='Katie' last='Foster'], [player_tooltip player_id='516540' first='Aisha' last='Patel'], [player_tooltip player_id='816550' first='Emma' last='Rainey'], etc. The roster is loaded with talent, just list Bearden always is. I simply don't think they are better than Bradley.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Knox Catholic</strong> - Catholic brings back the backbone of the state championship team in [player_tooltip player_id='245355' first='Sydney' last='Mains'], and other key starters. They added [player_tooltip player_id='636390' first='Andrea' last='Flores'] which gives them another lethal scorer. I have no question that Coach Mains will have his players defending--my question was always "how do you score enough to beat the best teams?" And Flores helps solve that question.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. McMinn Central</strong> - McMinn Central brings back their entire roster--most importantly potential Miss Basketball Finalists [player_tooltip player_id='245358' first='Molly' last='Masingale'] and [player_tooltip player_id='409633' first='Karina' last='Bystry']. This team came together at the end of the season, got hot at the right time, and made it all the way to the 2A state championship game. When you have two girls that average 18 pts a game, and a defense that brings it every night, you should have a chance to win every game you're in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Gatlinburg Pittman</strong> - GP brings back most of their team that lost to McMinn Central in the 1st round of the state tournament. [player_tooltip player_id='245364' first='Maddy' last='Newman'] is perhaps the best low post scorer in her class. [player_tooltip player_id='513232' first='Nya' last='Burns'] came out of nowhere last year to prove she can play on the biggest state. GP has several other starters/contributors that are very good players. This team is deep and well coached.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->