RuCo/Boro Ball: One of The Toughest Counties In The State
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Nestled in the heart of the state of Tennessee, Murfreesboro is home to some of the finest women’s basketball programs around. The county itself is super tough when it comes to women’s basketball. Each year for I don’t know how…
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Continue ReadingNestled in the heart of the state of Tennessee, Murfreesboro is home to some of the finest women’s basketball programs around. The county itself is super tough when it comes to women’s basketball. Each year for I don’t know how long, girls programs from this county will go deep into postseason play. Majority of the time, it’s one county program knocking out another in order to get to the finals. Also, it is only fitting that the state tournament (Public school) is held at the Murphy Center, nicknamed “The Glass House,” on Middle Tennessee State University’s campus.
There is a lot of talent in the area and it doesn’t matter in what division, this county has girls who simply can get after it and hoop. You could say some feel the area has been saturated due to the many schools it now has, however, the talent level is at an all time high in my opinion. No matter the classification, there is a girl at a Murfreesboro school that will be hooping at the next level. It’s in their DNA there. It’s about bragging rights. You talking about kids who go toe to toe against their peers (can’t necessarily call them friends) nightly trying to be the best around. It’s like a heavyweight bout every single game.
No matter how high the stakes, you better believe that in order to get to the state championship in either the public or private school sector, you will have to compete against a Murfreesboro squad. Here are some top prospects from the county who compete on the hardwoods in Rutherford County.
Providence Christian Academy (PCA)
Daisy Gale Daisy Gale 5'8" | PG PCA | 2024 State TN (5 ‘8/Sr./G) – Mars Hill commit who competes on both ends of the floor. She is a 3 level scoring threat who is always in attack mode. Active on D, sensational with the ball in her hands, she gets buckets and competes.
Ambria Ferkany Ambria Ferkany 5'7" | SG Providence Christian Academy | 2024 State TN (5 ‘7/Sr./G)– Tough ball player who competes her tail off. Does the little things that helps her team click on all cylinders. She is a sensational leader who can do all things. She can hit timely buckets, grab rebounds, and can give her body up to take charges. She may not light up the scoring column but will do the other necessary things that can help propel her ball club.
Kayte Madison Bjornstad Kayte Madison Bjornstad 6'1" | C Franklin Road Christian School | 2026 State TN (6 ‘2/ So./ C)– Call her the female Jokic, she is tough to deal with. She is a walking double double and can get it with ease. She can play with her back to the basket, work the high post, or light it up from the short corner. Just know she is going at you and even through you to get a bucket. She owns the boards so good luck with trying to deal with that.
Middle Tennessee Christian School (MTCS)
AC Shirley (6 ‘0/So./G)– The kid can light it up from the arc, but if you try to contest, she won’t hesitate to put it on the floor and finish. She is a hard working kid who competes on both ends of the floor. She can do all things, but her forte is to get buckets.
Madison Graham Madison Graham 5'10" | SG MTCS | 2026 TN (5’10/So./G) – Has been hot lately and is playing with confidence. She is able to get buckets from all 3 levels, but playing D and rebound has also been a staple of hers. She is a tough competitor who has formed a 1-2 punch with AC. With the guard spots locked down, look for the Lady Tigers to make some noise throughout the rest of the season.
Oakland
Alonna Poole (6’0/Sr./F)– Continues to just go out and hoop. She is tough to stop and that is on all 3 levels. She is a heady ball player, if you know who former NBA star Kyle Anderson is, think of Alonna like that. She can change speeds, get whatever shot she wants, and adds to other statistical categories. Great length and size and a solid get for the James Madison basketball program.
Rockvale
Jade Watson Jade Watson 5'7" | PG Rockvale | 2027 TN (5’8/Fr./PG)– The Lady Rockets have a gem in this rising star. A multi-level scoring athlete who gets after it. She is a downhill threat that attacks gaps crazy good. She can fill it up from 3 or slash through defenses on the way to the rim. She can make timely assists, feeding her teammates for open shots. Add her defensive ability to the mix, she is one tough prospect who has yet to reach her ceiling. Skies are the limit for this freshman.
Stewart’s Creek ( It’s not Murfreesboro, but Rutherford Co.)
Jayba Bernard (6’0/ Jr./ PF)– The big has an inside/out game that is lethal. She is a hardworking big who can bang inside or stretch the floor. She blocks shots and rebounds. A dominating force that when she is on, is tough to handle.
Blackman
Kaelyn Flowers Kaelyn Flowers 5'6" | PG Blackman | 2024 State TN (5’6/Sr./CG)– The Chris Paul (in his prime) of the county, Flowers is tough to handle. SHe can score it, pass it, and be a solid lockdown defender. She is the leader of the Lady Blaze and sets the tempo for her ball club. She brings the energy and effort nightly and is a big problem for opponents. A multi-level scoring threat who competes from tip-off to the final whistle.
Aaiyanna Dunbar Aaiyanna Dunbar 6'2" | C Blackman | 2024 State TN (6’2/Sr./C)– The big anchor in the middle, she makes it tough for opponents to operate. Blocks shots, owns the boards, great communicator, it’s the little things that sets this big a part from others. She can score it from the blocks and elbows, but finishing off second chance opportunities is what she does best. She is a hidden gem that will be going to Michigan this upcoming fall.
Lyriq Mastin Lyriq Mastin 5'7" | CG Blackman | 2025 State TN (5’6/Jr./PG)– Speedy guard who can get downhill and score it against contested opponents. She can score it from 3, but if she gets downhill with full steam, “opponent beware.” She is a lockdown defender that utilizes her speed to cause problems. Solid prospect whose stock continues to rise.
Central Magnet
Addison Melton Addison Melton 6'0" | SG Central Magnet | 2024 State TN (6’0/Sr./G)– One of the toughest kids around, she is a hooper. A multi-level scoring threat, the Lipscomb commit can fill it up from the arc, get to the paint, lock you up on D, and contribute in the other statistical categories. She is the engine for her ball club and when she is on, her squad is tough to deal with. A great pick up for the Lady Bisons who will help elevate their program to new heights.
These are just some of the prospects that are hooping in Rutherford County. There are other solid prospects at Siegel, Riverdale, Eagleville, and others just to name a few. No knock on anyone, just know if you got a Rutherford Co. school on your schedule, you better believe it will be a dog fight. This county is loaded with talent and it will continue to produce such. Starting at a young age, the girls in this county are equipped and trained to compete. The title runs through Murfreesboro. No matter the class, expect to see a Rutherford Co. school somewhere deep in the playoffs.