TN Week 5: Observations from Around the State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we hit the midway mark in the season heading into the Christmas holidays, let's check in with what's happening around the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["636393"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Keep on keepin on [player_tooltip player_id='636393' first='Ava' last='Jones']!  At PHG we love to hear the stories of kids who work their tails off, and then reap the fruits of their labors.  Jones is a kid who poured in hours this offseason in both individual skill training and high-level travel ball.  She's always been a kid LOADED with all the intangibles:  high athleticism and length (6'3!), coachable, communicates, high motor, defends with passion.  For Jones, it was going to be a question of u0022how hard is she willing to work on her skill development?u0022u003cbru003eu003cbru003eShe's answered the bell and continuing her breakout season as she went off this weekend with a career high 25 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 steals (5 STOCKS!).  Jones is averging career highs across the board for an undefeated White County team looking to make big time noise in the spring.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["514124"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Nicholas simply keeps getting better and better, one game at a time.  As a super sophomore, she's taken a big time jump in her overall playmaking, decision making, high level IQ, passing, and shot-making.  It awesome to watch a kid who worked really hard in the summer.  On Monday against Wayne County (KY), Nicholas had a big time game:  27 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds.  Just 3 points and two rebounds shy of a 30 point triple double is a monster night for a 2026.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["409038"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Holt had another 27 point game in a win over Cosby on Monday night.  That gives her multiple high-scoring outings in the upper 20's.  She's had multiple games this season where she's gone off from three.  Holt is another kid who worked very hard this sorry, and now her, and her HS team are benefiting from the fruits of the labor!  Holt is turning into a consistent high-level scoring right before out eyes!","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["810476"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The week Swaney has had both on and off the court is worth mentioning:  she just picked up a big time offer from MTSU after 3 consective scoring nights of 17, 18, then pouring 28 on district foe Louden, before ending the week with one more 30 point effort.  Swaney is beginning to play her best basketball at the right time, and she's spearheading a Heritage team that is looking versatile and scary!","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["496297"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"I've watched a lot of Cookeville games this season, including Monday nights game where Gillies poured in a quick 15 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and a block.  Everyone in the Cumberlands knew that Gillies had a lot of pressure on her as a '26 to step into a big-time role for Cookeville, and become a legitimate and consistent scoring threat.  One of the toughest thing to do is basketball is find a way to score vs good defenses that scout you well....but Gilies has answer the bell and looks incredible smooth and confident as Cookville has gotten off to a tremendous start this season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["624992"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"I didn't know enough about Garcia coming into the year....but she impresses every time I get a chance to watch her play.  I know she's had some big scoring outings this year, and has the reputation as as competitive defender, rebounder, etc.  What I didn't expect was her defensive intensity!  On Monday night in a win, Garcia had 9 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 blocks!   Those five blocks stood about because I've been watching her amongst the shot block leaders around the state (currently averaging 1.8 blocks per game!)","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["636390"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Flores provided EXACTLY was Knox Catholic was hoping for when Flores transfered as far as picking up a 2nd big time scoring to aid Mains on nights she's off, in foul trouble, seeing hard doubles, etc.  On Monday, the KC offense was struggling vs TKA.  Flores led KC to a win in a defensive slugfest, 39-29.  On a night that Mains was held to only 13 points, Flores stepped up and led the way with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='899378' first='Ebany' last='Hill']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Portland","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"The upstart Portland HS team has an exciting, high-scoring, lights out shooting backcourt.  Hill is only a 2026, and really coming into her own as a high-level shooter.  Currently averaging 16 points per game, she's doing so on three made 3's per game (on 40% shooting)!  Portland could be a potential nightmare of a matchup come the post season.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["409020"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Clay is the 2nd member of the Portland backcourt putting up big time numbers.  Clay is averaging 14.5 points on 2.5 made threes per game (on 37 percent shooting from behind the arc).  Portland has a '26 and '25 guards both averaging around 15 on around three made 3's a game.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":9,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6581a2a64ba8b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["405707"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Thomas is putting together a phenomanal senior season for Pearl Cohn.  She's currently averaging 17.6 points, 6 assists (a great number!), and 5 rebounds (a another great number for a guard!).  Only standing 5'4, the senior guard is putting together a statistical season that goes beyond height.  Watch her play, and it's obvious that her game has a well-roundedness that you simply don't often see.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Lainey Cox","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Bearden","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Lainey Cox's development into the perfect 'glue kidu0022 for Bearden has been fun to watch.  But this is what Coach Underwood doesu002du002dhe has created a pipeline for high-level role kids to excel.  On this Bearden team with legit stars, Cox's role is to be a 3 and D wing that can guard her position, handle the basketball, battles on the glass, shares the ball and is a high level passer.  Her stats won't jump out at you, but if you know the game, you know she's starring in her role.  And that's all the player really controls.  Well done kid!","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6581c89ace816"} /-->