Recap From More Than Basketball Tournament

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This week, Lipscomb Academy hosted the More Than A Basketball Tournament. Teams from both middle and west went toe to toe during this mid-week pre-Christmas tournament. I must say, the teams that competed in this tournament, did an extraordinary job showcasing their talent for all the attendees. The teams who competed in this tournament were:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lipscomb Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brentwood Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ezell-Harding</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Goodpasture</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Columbia Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Overton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Metcalfe Co. (KY)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was a tournament where iron sharpens iron. A public vs. private bout every now and then, but teams that normally wouldn't play each other got some great work in before for the holidays. PGH Tennessee was on hand to catch some of the action. Here are some takeaways from a few kids who stood out at the tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bella Sheperd (5'6/So./G/Lipscomb Academy)</strong>- Heady ball player who is poised with the ball in her hands. Can run the point or play off guard, but effectively knows how to create for herself and others. Is used in the pick n'roll action, where she can attack down hill with ease. She can come off screen, finishing from the arc. The kid can be crafty, using counter moves if an opponent cuts her off. I will say this, she takes what her opponents give her and doesn't force her game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513242' first='Brilee' last='Price'] (5'7/So./ F/ Ezell-Harding)-</strong> I loved her energy and she was effective on both ends of the court. She uses her size and speed to her advantage by getting hands on the ball. Steals and deflections lead to easy transition buckets. She exploits the mid-range game on the offensive end and will comfortably shoot from the arc as well. She is big on the boards and isn't afraid to mix it up with the bigs. Great player who will be the leading catalyst as the Lady Eagles look towards state contention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='405843' first='Saviya' last='Morgan'] (5'7/G/Columbia Central)</strong>- Great two-way ball player who was effective on both ends of the court. She got paint touches with ease, made timely passes, and scored when her number was called. On the defensive end, she was a part of a tenacious Lady Lions attack, using her speed to create chaos that led to turnovers. The Lady Vols softball signee displayed leadership as she got the team into their offense and communicated effectively what the coaches wanted them to do. There were many times where the opponent would switch defenses in the middle of a possession and Saviya would recognize it and adjust on the fly. The team got off a great shot that was to their advantage vs. taking what an opponent wanted them to do. The Lady Lions are tough and this senior is one of the leading young hoopers that are helping this team flourish.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821983' first='Brooklyn' last='Jones'] (5'5/Fr./G/ Goodpasture)</strong>- I will say, she doesn't let her size deter her altitude. This girl knows how to pick her poison and she was letting it fly from deep with ease. Has a beautiful lefty stroke, when her team needed a bucket, she went and did that.Coming off screens, handling the ball, hitting open teammates, knocking down clutch shots to start a run, Brooklyn had her hand in the mix. This Goodpasture team is young but they play sound fundamental basketball. They play together and share the ball, hitting the open teammate who is ready to shoot. B. Jones was a big factor and it wasn't just on the offensive end, but the defensive end as well. Solid prospect who will continue to grow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821728' first='Alayna' last='Duhart'] (5'11/Fr./C/ Brentwood Academy)</strong>- She showed up to show out. AD was big on the boards on both ends of the floor. She was outstanding on offense, working the painted area, moving block to block. She had nice back to the basket moves and was there for put backs if her team missed it. She battled down in the paint on the defensive end, creating stops for her club along the way. She played solid and though the BA team had a few games get away from them, they will be alright down the stretch. With AD getting better by the game, let's just say the low post game will be force to be reckoned with on Granny White Pk. for some time now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->