Next Generation : Southeast TN Up And Coming Prospects

It is never too early to look at what's on the horizon. Within our borders, I will say that coaches, trainers, parents, ect. are doing a good job of preparing and challenging our next up and coming stars. Girls are battle tested early on, competing on many different platforms that enable them to sharpen their skills to compete at a higher level. In turn, this makes for an exciting outlook on what's to come and  who will be competing on the hardwood within our state.   Potential prospects are young people you can dream upon. However, we have some youngsters who will be household names in a couple of years. I love their makeup and the things they do on the court. Add their skill set plus the right situation, they can and will be dangerous once they arrive in the high school ranks.   The southeast part of our state (Chattanooga area) is littered with talent. When I say that, I mean girls who play this game as if it were second nature to them. They have the “it” factor and hoopin just clicks for them. You have all different types of ball players. Sharpshooters, floor generals, shifty guards, stretch 4s, bigs, all of them are being nurtured down near the Tennessee River. It brings excitement knowing that these young ladies will be suiting up for their prospective high schools within a year. In the meantime, check out them at their middle schools and catch them on the travel ball circuit.   Here are some notable 8th grader names you will need to keep up with from Chattanooga and surrounding areas.   Kamora “Mo Mo” Moore (G/ Chattanooga Christian)- Already on the high school scene, this shifty guard is one of the toughest around. A high level kid who competes like no other. She is battle tested and has been playing girls above her grade for years. A downhill threat who gets after it on both ends of the floor. Can shoot it from three, can penetrate the land of the bigs, she is a fearless kid who strikes fear in opponents in her ability to score the rock. A phenomenal prospect with a bright future.   [player_tooltip player_id='822475' first='Ariyah' last='Huffman'] (G/ Cleveland Middle)- Long wing guard who has a great understanding for the game. She knows how to pick her spots, exploiting defenses along the way. Can get downhill, shoot it from the arc, finish against contact, and make timely assists. Her ability to defend and rebound sets her apart from other prospects in the area. Her ability to get it and go allows her team to stretch the floor and get into transition quickly. Once this girl is on, she and her team will be hard to stop. Great prospect with tremendous upside.   [player_tooltip player_id='822478' first='Ayzlyn' last='Stroud'] (G/ Cleveland Middle)- A heady floor general who can make timely assists. Poise under pressure, Ayzlyn sees the floor well, delivering passes for her teammates to finish or shoot in rhythm. A pass first PG, she does have the ability to attack gaps for an easy lay or pull it from the arc. However, she's a selfless leader who gets her teammates involved early and often. Defensively, she is sound in what she does, keeping opponents in front of her. Quick hands and active feet, she disrupts a ball handler's action by either making them pick up their dribble or stealing the rock. Solid prospect who will be the heart and soul of a ball club for years to come.   Addy Gravelle (P/ Cleveland Middle)- Solid kid who is coming into her own. She's developing an outside game, but her inside game is where it hurts opponents the most. She can display many back to the basket moves or face up to score the ball. She can be utilized in the pick n' roll or pick n' pop game. She anticipates well, being in the right spot at the right time for putbacks. She defends and rebounds, solid contributions from any big. Add all that up and you have one heck of a prospect on the court. Right now she is down around the blocks but expect her to be able to stretch the floor, becoming an even bigger threat for opponents in the near future. Great kid with a tremendous upside.   Sydney Lewallen (G/ Lake Forest)- She is a versatile player who can go inside/out. Talented guard who can shoot the ball with ease. She can attack downhill, pull it from the wing, or get a paint touch and shoot a nice mid-range shot. The kid is a tough competitor who attacks the competition. She's a hard nose defender who plays with a lot of energy. She's the spark plug of a talented Lake Forest. With her ability to score it and add her ability to sit down and defend, you have one tough prospect in this young lady. Super talented kid who will continue to grow and rise up on the high school scene.   Other notable names in Chattanooga and surrounding areas.   Blakelee Ledford (PG/Gladden Middle (GA))   Madie McDonald (SG/ Ocoee Middle)   Makenna Goode (PF/ Ocoee Middle)   [player_tooltip player_id='822481' first='Jada' last='Davis'] (G/Cleveland Middle)   [player_tooltip player_id='822480' first='Mae' last='Emendorfer'] (G/ Cleveland Middle)   Kylie Jones (G/ Meigs Co.)   Mikjah Jerae Lee (PG/ Red Bank)   Kristian Bradford (C/Cleveland Middle)   Elaina Steve (F/ Cleveland Middle)

It is never too early to look at what's on the horizon. Within our borders, I will say that coaches, trainers, parents, ect. are doing a good job of preparing and challenging our next up and coming stars. Girls are battle tested early on, competing on many different platforms that enable them to sharpen their skills to compete at a higher level. In turn, this makes for an exciting outlook on what's to come and who will be competing on the hardwood within our state.