PTR: The Next Wave

PTR stands for Pass The Rock. You know the old saying “ leave it better than you found it.” Yesterday, I was on the NBA app and listening to Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies talking. He mentioned how guys like Lebron and D.Wade paved the way for the next wave of guys. Similar to how Jordan did it for Kobe and so on. It made me think that the same has been done here in our own backyard. We have had some dynamic ball players come through our state and hoop. These young ladies are leaving a lasting impression and an impressive body of work. Some will go on to play at D1 schools, but that shouldn't be the pinnacle of achievement. Playing any college ball at any level is the goal.   So here I am thinking of kids who tip the scales when it comes to such feats in the state. I will throw out their Jaloni Cambride. Though she is down at Montverde Academy this year, she did the bulk of her work within the state. [player_tooltip player_id='245352' first='Imari' last='Berry'], the Clemson signee who hails from Clarksville, is another kid who has paved the way. She has almost eclipsed 2,000 points! Some may hit the mark and others may fall short. [player_tooltip player_id='245355' first='Sydney' last='Mains'], I have to say early on she was doing it up inside and then she added the perimeter game to her arsenal and boom, talk about a dynamic ball player. Plus, I am unsure of a kid that has been to that many state finals and has won it. [player_tooltip player_id='245361' first='Kaelyn' last='Flowers'] of Blackman is one of the best technicians as a floor general I've seen. I have always compared her to Chris Paul in how she runs an offense, can get a bucket, but the assist making is deadly. Last year was the year of the bigs with Mallory Collier (NC State), Aaliyah Del Rosario (LSU), Avery Treadwell (Florida State). Now, I feel like the game is more balanced.   The 2024 class will go out with a lot of accomplishments. However, the next wave of kids are primed and ready. The 2025s will steady the ship and continue to help dominate. [player_tooltip player_id='409019' first='Lauren' last='Hurst'] (Cleveland) and Tatianna Stovall (Bradley Central) will continue to be girls with size who can beat you on the inside or out. [player_tooltip player_id='408995' first='Reese' last='Beaty'] (York Inst.), [player_tooltip player_id='290719' first='Harmonie' last='Ware'] (Bradley Central) will continue to light the bottom of the nets up. You have length in [player_tooltip player_id='631089' first='Daria' last='Biryk'] (Webb-Bell Buckle), [player_tooltip player_id='409014' first='Blair' last='Baugus'] (Wayne Co.), [player_tooltip player_id='409015' first='Ava' last='Krumwiede'] (Harpeth Hall), and [player_tooltip player_id='409005' first='Zoey' last='Rixter'] (Bartlett) using their length to beat you both ways. Can't forget about [player_tooltip player_id='366664' first='Lyriq' last='Mastin'] (Blackman), [player_tooltip player_id='631094' first='Ellie' last='Butler'] (Livingston Academy), [player_tooltip player_id='409017' first='Ella' last='Ryan'] (Brentwood), or Joya Crawford (Dyersburg). Talk about engines that make their team go. These girls can who and they help set the tone for their ball clubs.   Nowadays, kids don't wait their turn, they come in ready to make an impact. It started with girls like [player_tooltip player_id='513228' first='Kimora' last='Fields'] (Bradley Central), [player_tooltip player_id='513227' first='Meeyah' last='Green'] (Knoxville-Webb), [player_tooltip player_id='513233' first='Natalya' last='Hodge'] (Bearden) just to name a few. Girls who had been battled tested on the AAU circuit and brought that same juice to the high school ranks. Talk about difference makers, every time any of these girls step on the floor, you know it's going to be a long night. Their ability to beat you in so many ways is crazy good. Then you have [player_tooltip player_id='513236' first='Robynn' last='Thompson'] (Melrose),[player_tooltip player_id='513229' first='Faye' last='Williams'] (Bartlett), and [player_tooltip player_id='593347' first='Chelby' last='Jordan'] (Dyersburg) holding down [program_tooltip program_id='712426' first='Bluff' last='City'] and Jackson areas. [player_tooltip player_id='636390' first='Andrea' last='Flores'] (Knoxville Catholic), the Gatlinburg-Pittman 1-2 punch of [player_tooltip player_id='513232' first='Nya' last='Burns'] and [player_tooltip player_id='513230' first='Maliyah' last='Glaspar'] holding down the East. The Music City and counties in the Middle are rockin with girls such as AC Shirley (MTCS), [player_tooltip player_id='513278' first='Kayte' last='Madison Bjornstad'] (PCA), [player_tooltip player_id='513275' first='Lily' last='Morrow'] (CPA), and [player_tooltip player_id='513243' first='Bella' last='Shepherd'] (Lipscomb Academy). Those are just 2026s!   The 2027s bring an impressive list to the table as well. [player_tooltip player_id='821620' first='Lauren' last='Hassell'] (Clarksville Christian) is a unicorn. She can do all things offensively, but it's her defense that sets the tone. [player_tooltip player_id='821641' first='Haylan' last='Ayers'] of (USJ), her athletic ability sets her apart in how she is one of the best two way players around. Guard play from Skyler Walden (TKA.), [player_tooltip player_id='793953' first='Addie' last='Wilhoit'] (Tennessee), [player_tooltip player_id='821650' first='Alexis' last='Hammock'] (Grace Christian-Knoxville), [player_tooltip player_id='619788' first='Payton' last='Rollins'] (South Doyle), Aubriyanna Camp (Chattanooga Christian) and [player_tooltip player_id='821670' first='Jade' last='Watson'] (Rockvale), all will be hot commodities come their senior years. Dynamic guards who can score it from the arc or get to the paint.   And then there are the 2028s. [player_tooltip player_id='1154969' first='Caidyn' last='Sanders'] (Colonial), [player_tooltip player_id='822474' first='Valencia' last='Hailey'] (Madison Middle), [player_tooltip player_id='792288' first='Makynli' last='Bacon'] (Webb- Bell Buckle), [player_tooltip player_id='822483' first='Ava' last='Zenner'] (Franklin Road Academy), Mo-Mo (Chattanooga Christian), Ronnique Garner (Alcoa Middle), [player_tooltip player_id='822475' first='Ariyah' last='Huffman'] (Cleveland Middle), [player_tooltip player_id='822478' first='Ayzlyn' last='Stroud'] (Cleveland Middle) ,Blakelee Ledford (Gladden Middle). Those are just a few names but there are more hoopers in this class coming as well.   So 2024 class, PTR! You've paved the way and shown how the game in the Volunteer state is supposed to be played. The next wave is coming and the game is in good hands, better than you found it. The bar has been raised and the game in the state keeps getting better.

PTR stands for Pass The Rock. You know the old saying “ leave it better than you found it.” Yesterday, I was on the NBA app and listening to Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies talking. He mentioned how guys like Lebron and D.Wade paved the way for the next wave of guys. Similar to how Jordan did it for Kobe and so on. It made me think that the same has been done here in our own backyard. We have had some dynamic ball players come through our state and hoop. These young ladies are leaving a lasting impression and an impressive body of work. Some will go on to play at D1 schools, but that shouldn't be the pinnacle of achievement. Playing any college ball at any level is the goal.