Week 4: Player Observations from Around the State (Part 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the season heats up, and we enter the meat of the season, observations from around the state are becoming apparent. Here are some note worth observations for TN hoop heads:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ellie Beth u0022EBu0022 McDonald","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lebanon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Coach Barrett praised McDonald's contributions this summer as an upcoming freshman, and he assured me she would come in and be an immediate difference maker.  And of courseu002du002dhe was right.  McDonald exploded vs Gallatin for 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal.  Most importantly for the spacing of the Lebanon offense, she buried five 3 pointers.  She's been averaging in the double figures all season, and if McDonald can continue to develop as a scorer and playmaker, and ceiling continues to rise for this young but talentented (and experienced) Lebanon team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["425063"],"_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":"Gilbert has continued her excellent season, and in particular, has shown up big time for big time games.  Going on the road to York, for example, Gilbert scored 17 points in a 52-48 loss.  ([player_tooltip player_id='408995' first='Reese' last='Beaty'] had 21....whatcha gonna do?).  Gilbert is consistently scoring around 14 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds.  She is helping lead this Lady Cavs team, along Garcia, Roby, Gillies, etc back to the state tournament.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657c7bf1788fc"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["631094"],"_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":"Butler is a kid that I simply don't think is getting enough credit around the state for what she's pulling off at Livingston.  She surpassed 1000 points last year as a sophomore, and has picked up right where she left off.  She's averaging 23 points per game, and high level contributions in assists and rebounds.  Butler is one of the best scorers in the state, and even on a Livingston team that doesn't play particularly fast....and even though every defense preps to stop Butler....she still is going to give you 20+ points a night.  One of the hardest skills to have is the ability to get to your spots, and get buckets, when the defense knows exactly where your spots are.  But Butler manages to get hers on a nightly basis.rnrnAs of this writing, she's sitting at 1,336 career points.  That means 2,500 is definitely in reach, and 3,000 career points is possible!  More people need to recognize what she's pulling off.","_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1234186' first='Allie' last='Tipton']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Ooltewah HS","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"North GA Thunder","_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":"When Head Coach Tony Williams, fresh off leading a Cleveland Lady Raiders program to substate, took over the Ooltewah Lady Owls program, it wasn't a question of if he'd make them competitive....but rather a question of when?  The tides are already starting to turn a bit, and Tipton is leading the culture change.  The sophomore guard is averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.  She is a grinder and an extremely hard worker, and Tipton is loaded with potential.  Her ability to impact winning on multiple levels, and on both ends of the floor, are helping spear-head the Ooltewah revitalization.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657c7bf178a96"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409003"],"_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":"The '25 Loretto guard has had a sensational season thus faru002du002daveraging over 21 points per game.  The Loretto offense has played through her all season, and it's evident that Weathers has made a large leap from a scoring and playmaking standpoint.  She just passed 1,000 career points, which means 2,000 career points will certainly be within reach for her.","_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":"The super sophomore from Pickens County has put together a tremendous season as a scoring and playing making guard for this load Picket team.  She's put up nice scoring numbers on a team that spreads the ball around and has four or five girls that can score 15 points on any give night!  She's put up multiple 20 point games this year, including a career high 28.  Most impressively to me has been her ability to lead the team as the PG and playmaker.  She's put up nice assists numbers (multiple games of 6-8 assists and averaging nearly 5 per game).  She's also a really competitive rebounder from a guard spot.  If you haven't watched this Pickett team, do yourself a favor and watch them play!","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["290962"],"_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":"Proffitt has continued to be a steadying force for this young CAK team that's a wonderful mix of youth and experience and skill up and down the roster.  Proffitt is a senior averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.  She's slid right in by '27 [player_tooltip player_id='583370' first='Skylar' last='Walden'] to form a really nice backcourt.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["290964"],"_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":"South Gibson's Allen has been their emotional leader all year long.  When you watch them play it's obvious her team feeds off her energy.  The 5'8 senior has averaged 17 points and 7 rebounds.  She's incredibly strong and knows how to use her body and shoulders to create high efficiency angles to score.  Really heady player, high IQ, impacts winning.  Even gives almost 3 assists per game.  Really nice, well-rounded game.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["816729"],"_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":"Ramzy has been one of the best shooters in the state all season.  The sophomore is averaging 16 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals.   A 16/4/4/4 is really impressive stat line for sophomore, and she's averaging 2 made threes per game.  All-around baller.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["409078"],"_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":"Green (the 5'10 junior) has quietly put together a very nice season as a traditional post.  She has averaged 14 points, 5 rebounds, and a block for an upstart Macon County team.  Her 5 rebounds are a bit low for a post, but she does such a great job boxing out, she's still an effective rebounder.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["409016"],"_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":"Bernard ('25) has averaged nearly a double double all season.  Full of potential, Bernard has the size, athleticism, and length to be a very high level defender.  This week vs Blackman (in a really close loss), Bernard had 7 points, 10 rebounds, and 5! blocks.  Lots of potential for this old-school post.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["405841"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"The Clay County product has added to her game from last season, and is not just a shooter anymore.  She's averaging 19.6 points per game, and has added that 3rd level of scoring at the rim.  She's done a phenomenal job be intentional about attacking the paint and drawing help for teammates.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657c7bf178d03"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":"","_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":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657c7bf178d5e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["813169"],"_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":"Winningham continues to impress the Upper Cumberlands helping lead White County to an undefeated record.  She's averaging 12 points, but most importantly for the White County spacing, she's still shooting three's at a efficient clip.  Check out her Twitter page!  As soon as she walks into the gym....[player_tooltip player_id='813169' first='Bella' last='Winningham'] has entered her range.  Against Warren County, for example, she hit three 3's from beyond 25 feet!","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-657c7bf178db1"} /-->