PTR: The Next Wave
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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…
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Continue ReadingPTR 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. Imari Berry Imari Berry 5'10" | SG Clarksville | 2024 State TN , 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. Sydney Mains Sydney Mains 5'11" | SF Knoxville Catholic | 2024 State TN , 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. Kaelyn Flowers Kaelyn Flowers 5'6" | PG Blackman | 2024 State TN 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. Lauren Hurst Lauren Hurst 6'3" | PF Cleveland | 2025 State TN (Cleveland) and Tatianna Stovall (Bradley Central) will continue to be girls with size who can beat you on the inside or out. Reese Beaty Reese Beaty 5'8" | PG York Institute | 2025 State TN (York Inst.), Harmonie Ware Harmonie Ware 5'9" | SG Bradley Central | 2025 State TN (Bradley Central) will continue to light the bottom of the nets up. You have length in Daria Biryk Daria Biryk 5'10" | SG Webb- Bell Buckle | 2025 State TN (Webb-Bell Buckle), Blair Baugus Blair Baugus 6'0" | PF Wayne Co. | 2025 State TN (Wayne Co.), Ava Krumwiede Ava Krumwiede 6'1" | PF Harpeth Hall | 2025 State TN (Harpeth Hall), and Zoey Rixter Zoey Rixter 6'1" | SG Bartlett | 2025 State TN (Bartlett) using their length to beat you both ways. Can’t forget about Lyriq Mastin Lyriq Mastin 5'7" | CG Blackman | 2025 State TN (Blackman), Ellie Butler Ellie Butler 5'9" | SG Livingston Academy | 2025 State TN (Livingston Academy), Ella Ryan Ella Ryan 5'10" | PG Brentwood | 2025 State TN (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 Kimora Fields Kimora Fields 6'2" | PF Bradley Central | 2026 State TN (Bradley Central), Meeyah Green Meeyah Green 5'9" | CG Webb-Knoxville | 2026 State TN (Knoxville-Webb), Natalya Hodge Natalya Hodge 5'7" | CG Bearden | 2026 State TN (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 Robynn Thompson Robynn Thompson 5'9" | CG Melrose | 2026 State TN (Melrose), Faye Williams Faye Williams 6'3" | PF Bartlett | 2026 State TN (Bartlett), and Chelby Jordan Chelby Jordan 5'8" | PG Dyersburg | 2026 State TN (Dyersburg) holding down Bluff City and Jackson areas. Andrea Flores Andrea Flores 5'10" | SG Daniel Boone | 2026 State TN (Knoxville Catholic), the Gatlinburg-Pittman 1-2 punch of Nya Burns Nya Burns 5'7" | CG Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2026 State TN and Maliyah Glaspar Maliyah Glaspar 5'5" | PG Gatlinburg-Pittman | 2026 State TN holding down the East. The Music City and counties in the Middle are rockin with girls such as AC Shirley (MTCS), Kayte Madison Bjornstad Kayte Madison Bjornstad 6'1" | C Franklin Road Christian School | 2026 State TN (PCA), Lily Morrow Lily Morrow 5'11" | SG CPA | 2026 State TN (CPA), and Bella Shepherd Bella Shepherd 5'6" | SG Lipscomb-Academy | 2026 State TN (Lipscomb Academy). Those are just 2026s!
The 2027s bring an impressive list to the table as well. Lauren Hassell Lauren Hassell 6'2" | PF Clarksville Christian | 2027 TN (Clarksville Christian) is a unicorn. She can do all things offensively, but it’s her defense that sets the tone. Haylan Ayers Haylan Ayers 5'9" | CG University School of Jackson | 2027 TN 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.), Addie Wilhoit Addie Wilhoit 5'8" | SG Tennessee | 2027 TN (Tennessee), Alexis Hammock Alexis Hammock 5'7" | PG Grace Christian (Knox) | 2027 TN (Grace Christian-Knoxville), Payton Rollins Payton Rollins 5'8" | PG South Doyle | 2027 TN (South Doyle), Aubriyanna Camp (Chattanooga Christian) and Jade Watson Jade Watson 5'7" | PG Rockvale | 2027 TN (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. Caidyn Sanders (Colonial), Valencia Hailey Valencia Hailey 6'0" | SG Madison Middle | 2028 TN (Madison Middle), Makynli Bacon Makynli Bacon 6'0" | PF The Webb School | 2028 TN (Webb- Bell Buckle), Ava Zenner Ava Zenner 5'7" | PG Franklin Road Academy | 2028 TN (Franklin Road Academy), Mo-Mo (Chattanooga Christian), Ronnique Garner (Alcoa Middle), Ariyah Huffman Ariyah Huffman 5'9" | SF Cleveland Middle | 2028 TN (Cleveland Middle), Ayzlyn Stroud Ayzlyn Stroud 5'4" | PG Cleveland Middle | 2028 TN (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.