Saturday Sparks and Friday Flames From West Tennessee
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Week 8 around the state is in the books. Teams got it in before the snow storms hit. Hopefully, the weather didn’t cool anyone off ( I think not.). If anything, it allowed our hoopers to get some rest, catch…
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Continue ReadingWeek 8 around the state is in the books. Teams got it in before the snow storms hit. Hopefully, the weather didn’t cool anyone off ( I think not.). If anything, it allowed our hoopers to get some rest, catch up on some assignments, and kind of get back on a good pattern coming off the break. I can’t say the snow was much needed, but hey, you can’t mess with Mother Nature.
Week 8 allowed some teams to get back and tussle it out on the court. As you all know, teams are jockeying for position in the district standings, trying to land a high seed. Either way, basketball was back in the state and bragging rights were at stake.
Friday and Saturday both had some ball players scorching the bottom of the net. Ladies were putting on an impressive performance against conference foes. In West TN, the gyms were lit and teams went toe to toe as they tried to one up their opponent. Here are some Week 8 takeaways from some dynamic girls who showed out on Friday and Saturday.
Carlyn Burdette Carlyn Burdette 6'1" | PF Collierville | 2024 State TN (6’1/Sr./F/ Collierville)– This girl was on fire. She had 23 points in her team’s win over Houston. She was getting it done from 3 as well as in the paint. When her team needed a bucket, Carlyn answered the phone. The senior was on point and she led the Lady Dragons in scoring. If any collegiate program is looking for a solid stretch 4 (she can also play the guard spot) that can shoot and play inside, they need to take a look at this young lady for sure.
Hilary Shikuku Hilary Shikuku 5'10" | SG Collierville | 2025 State TN (5’9/ Jr./ G/ Collierville)– Was phenomenal for the Lady Dragons as well. She had 14 points, but it was the other stuff that was giving the Lady Mustangs of Houston fits. Hil is a dual-sport athlete (soccer) and has amazing footwork. She was disrupting Houston’s offensive pace, making them turn their offense over and over. If she wasn’t creating on ball pressure, she was in the gaps, waiting to get a steal in the passing lane. She made timely assists and when she got to the painted area, it was an easy lay or a kick out to an open teammate. Solid kid who plays the game always at full steam.
Tyler Jones Tyler Jones 5'9" | SG Hutchison | 2025 State TN (5’9/ Jr./ PG/ Hutchison) – I am so glad she is back. She was on fire against St. Benedict and led the Sting with 28 points. She was finishing at the rim, established her pull-up in the mid-range, and was letting it fly from deep. She was active on D, poking balls loose, causing the opponent’s ball handlers to work. TJ is picking up where she left off. A high-caliber kid who can go!
A’Khiah Martin (5’4/Sr./PG/Hernando)– It was all out energy for her as she put in 21 points from the field. She was down hill, attacking the rim all night long. She was a problem for Southhaven and her team fed off her effort and energy. This kid is solid and looks to build onto an impressive outing. Keep this kid in your mind as Hernando looks to make a run down the stretch.
Paige Whitted Paige Whitted 5'9" | CG Briarcrest | 2025 State TN (5’9/.Jr./ CG/Briarcrest)– Super tough kid who brought it. She led the Saints with 20 points, getting it in multiple ways. 3 here, lay here, pull-there, she was all over the place as she exploited the St. Agnes defense.Paige is a hard working kid who gets after it on both ends of the floor. Using her athletic ability, she is able to create problems for other teams. A heady ball player whose stock is consistently rising. She is a Cincy Lady Bearcats commit and this program got a steal in this super talent.
Jariya Rankins (5’7/ Sr./ PG/Center Hill)– Led the Mustangs with 22 points. She brought the energy and was too much to handle for Lake Cormorant. Jariya was doing it on both ends, being the spark her club needed. This kid plays the game with a passion and when she steps onto the floor, she lets her play do the talking. Solid kid who is looking to continue on an upwards trajectory.
Sanayah Sparks (5’4/Sr./PG./Dyer Co.)– She did her best in her team’s loss, but dropping 31 points isn’t an easy thing to do. She couldn’t be stopped as she was feeling it from multiple spots on the floor. Pass after pass, her team was looking for her to ring the bell and she did just that. The kid is super tough and though her squad lost, look for her to come out and match this effort in her next contest. Solid kid with a bright future.
Micah Hart Micah Hart 5'7" | PG Gibson Co. | 2024 State TN (5’9/Sr./PG/Gibson Co.)– I really don’t need to write much about her cause she just gets it done. Hard working kid who competes every time she steps onto the floor. Scored 28 points and hit four 3s from the arc. You talking about someone who was in her bag, this girl was doing it. She is a super tough athlete who can carry a squad. Night in and night out she shows up and shows out. No matter who the opponent is, she is going to outwork her opponent and do it in multiple ways. This kid is solid and look for her to continue on an upwards trajectory.
Haylen Ayers (6’0/Fr./G/USJ)– One of the best in the state right now, she is putting on a spectacle for all to see. She brought in 17 points on Friday night, but it wasn’t just her scoring buckets that stood out. She was active on D, feeding open teammates, and contributing on the boards. You could tell the team tried to game plan for her, but she was just too much. She is a selfless kid who goes all out. The scoring came easy, but understand that once this kid gets going, other teams better look out. Great prospect who will be a nuisance for years to come.
Ava Barham (5’10/Sr./F/USJ)– Oh you thought Haylen was the only one filling it for the Lady Bruins, well Ava was too. Talk about double trouble, she dropped 17 points as well. She was filling it as well. The sharpshooting senior was lighting it up from the field. 3 ball here, lay up here, she was on it. The kid was getting it done. Using her solid frame, she was able to exploit the other team’s weakness. Great kid who is making sure her senior year is going to be a special one.