Notes on a Napkin: Thursday’s Thoughts (Part 2)
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Paige Morris TN #73 SG #20 HEIGHT 5'6" POS SG CLASS 2026 View Profile Paige Morris Twitter State: Tennessee School: Brentwood I’ve been continuously impressed with the job Paige Morris Paige Morris 5’6″ | SG Brentwood | 2026 State TN…
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Continue ReadingI’ve been continuously impressed with the job Paige Morris Paige Morris 5’6″ | SG Brentwood | 2026 State TN has done in her role for Brentwood this season. She’s been lights out on both ends, and in particular, she’s turning into a next-level shooter. She’s knows what she excels at, and she doesn’t press the issue. Another example of a kid who understand the value of being great at one or two things, carving out a niche, and starring in your role.
Johnson has been terrific this season…and was HOT on Thursday night vs Grace. She scored 14 first quarter points, and finished with a game high 19 in very limited minutes. She’s a high level talent that you should make an effort to see in the post season.
Highlights
Mallie Gene “Pearl” Coleman
Mallie Gene “Pearl” Coleman
The senior guard had 16 points and a made three against the #1 ranked White County squad. In a back and forth affair, Mallie played great basketball in a hostile environment. Considering Butler had to sit out much of the third quarter, this was nice proof for Livingston that their role players are legit good enough to win games.
On the same day that she was announced a Miss Basketball candidate, Reed gave a performance that solidified that her nomination was a correct one. She put White County on her back on her way to a double double (22 points/10 rebounds), and faced constant defensive harrasment as several White County players were in foul trouble. Ava Jones Ava Jones 6’1″ | PF Hutchison | 2026 State TN , for example, fouled out. And Celeste stayed solid….played smart…and came away with a big win.
Reed also flashed some high-level vision and passing late on few crucial possessions, as she felt the D coming, and hit back side cutters for easy layups. She flashed a bit of everything on Thursday night.
I’m just a fan of Winninham’s game, and I think she’s the type of player that really impacts winning. She’s, first and foremost, answered all preseason questions about her ability to step into the starting lineup and fill that role. She’s absolutely turned into one of the best ’26 shooters in the state, and is beginning to show some diversity to her game. In the win, she had 14, with some big-time shots. Kid is a player.
In a near upset of White County, Mullins was really good as Butler had to sit the third in foul trouble. Mullins and Mallie Gene both gave great minutes. Mullins only had 10, and struggled to shoot the ball, but still gave winning effort and winning level playmaking. I thought it was a great game for LA even in the loss.
Highlights
I’m just really interested in this TKA team, and the Skylar Walden Skylar Walden 5’8″ | PG The Kings Academy | 2027 TN / Brady Branam Brady Branam 6’2″ | PF TKA | 2025 State TN combo can do as private schools are in their postseason as we speak. For all the attention that Walden gets….I actually think she was probably overlooked a bit. Look at her numbers. Her 18 points per game with 45% from the field, and 3.5 made threes per game on 43% shooting are just off the charts for a ’28. Her rise, mixed with the already superb play of Branam, mixed with high-end depth, makes them a really interesting team.
**Just after typing this I was able to locate the stats from last nights 63-42 win over Lakeway. Skylar Walden Skylar Walden 5’8″ | PG The Kings Academy | 2027 TN had 23 points, 7 rebounds. Branam had yeomen like 20 points and 18 rebounds. Lillian Simms had 9 points. Emily Atchley Emily Atchley 5’10” | SF The Kings Academy | 2026 TN had 5 points 4 rebounds. Liv Loveday had 4 points, 4 rebounds.
Highlights
Halle Bailey
Halle Bailey
On a night that Alcoa lost to an excellent GP team on the road, Alcoa had a really nice performance from sophomore guard Halle Bailey who contributed 14 points and 6 assists. She looked like a confident floor general, and her play has continued to improve all season long.
Carroll is another Alcoa role player that showed up in a big way versus Gatlinburg Pittman. She’s always a tremendous two way player that can be counted on to do her job and do it well, but Thursday she showed flashes of the player that she can become. She finished with 12 points on the night, and looked like the type of impactful player that deserved to be on the floor in a game this big.
Highlights
McInturff has now started stacking solid performance on top of solid performance, and you have to like the hot streak it feels like Webb is leaning towards. With their overall talent, and the performances of some of their young talent (ex: Makynli Bacon Makynli Bacon 6’0″ | PF The Webb School | 2028 TN ’28), you still get the feeling that despite their overall record….nobody will want to see Webb in the postseason. McInturff’s line from Thursday: 17 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals.
Maddie Braden Maddie Braden 5’9″ | SG CAK | 2027 TN is a young star….case closed. The CAK freshman wing went for 26 points and 12 rebounds on Thursday night. Her numbers this year have been terrific….and scream diversity. She’s got everything it takes to be a big time modern, two-way wing. And her defensive instincts and competitiveness are off the charts.
Highlights
Jaylen Drazkowski
Jaylen Drazkowski
In a convincing Thursday night win, the freshman earned her first big minutes of the season and finished with five points as Knox Catholic improved to 21-5 (6-0). She looks to be another really talented kid coming up for KC to go along with some really nice ’26s.
Amaya Redd had another fantastic night with 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 steals in a near triple-double.
The freshman exploded for 29 points in Thursday nights win, as East Robertson has now won 12 in a row. Always interesting to watch a team’s journey through the season–ebbs, flows, ups, downs, etc. This team has sort of laid in the shadows all year long, just lurking an improving. And then….things clicked…..and 12 wins later they are controlling their own destiny regarding doing something special.