The Final 12 In DII-AA Classification

Well, I will say this, this particular league is just different. You just never know who will come out on top. The storylines that have played out in this division have been incredible. You truly have to battle each and every possession. You just never know what will happen. When it is all said and done, the team who gets hot now, more than ever, will come out on top.   The field has been set for the Division II-AA classification. Yeah, its been a phenomenal year. What's crazy is that if you look at the field of teams, some you envisioned being there but not necessarily at that particular seed. I mentioned in my last article the Kevin Garnett quote “Anything is Possible.” Well, in this league, that quote rings true.   Things tip-off around the state and buddy, it's going to truly be a toss up on who advances to the final four in Cookeville. I have no clue. Shoot, the teams playing have no clue. What I do know is this, the clubs who move on will have to be firing on all cylinders. I'm talking about winning each possession by doing the little things: scoring (obviously), eliminating second chance shots by rebounding, getting steals/ deflections, just being sound in their craft and game plan. Every little thing is important here on out. In this league, you just never know.   First Round Matchups (Higher seed/home team listed first)   Chattanooga Christian vs. Father Ryan   *winner plays Webb BB   Knox Webb vs. Lipscomb   *winner plays Hutchison   St. Benedict vs. Harpeth Hall   *winner plays Knox Catholic   Briarcrest vs. Ensworth   *winner plays CPA   I have to be honest with you, if you were judging off the regular season standings, some of these seeds would definitely be different. However, that's why you have to play the games and can't base things off of judgment. You just never know.   Here are some young ladies who will be solid X factors in the tournament.   Daria Biriuk (6'0/Jr./G/ Webb BB)- She's tough to start. Has an amazing jumper that she unleashes from the mid-range and beyond. Plays tough D, grabs boards, gets steals, and so much more. The kid is a tremendous talent and when she gets going, it's lights out for the other team.    [player_tooltip player_id='245355' first='Sydney' last='Mains'] (5'11/Sr./G/ Knox Webb)- Scoring threat from anywhere on the floor, when she is on, she's on. Experience matters down the stretch and her and her club have that. The kid is a gamer and once the ball tips off, it's 32 minutes of a dog fight when this girl is on the floor. I still say FAU got a steal in this exceptional talent.   [player_tooltip player_id='513275' first='Lily' last='Morrow'] (5'11/So./G/ CPA)- She's back to where she belongs. Coming off a major injury, she is determined as ever. Great inside out player, she can carve you up in the paint, the mid-range, or the arc. She grabs boards, gets steals, and just creates havoc. Look for her to establish her presence early and often in any contest.   [player_tooltip player_id='409105' first='Tyler' last='Jones'] (5'11/Jr./G/ Hutchison)- Let it fly Ty. She does just that. She too is coming off a major injury with something to prove. Exceptional talent who gets after it on both ends of the floor. Talk about a gamer, this girl is super active at every facet of the game.    Other notable players who will be big time X factors in the field of 12 of the Division II-AA classification:   [player_tooltip player_id='821681' first='Aubriyana' last='Camp'] (Fr./G/Chattanooga Christian)   Kamora Moore (8th Grade/ G/ Chattanooga Christian)   [player_tooltip player_id='513227' first='Meeyah' last='Green'] (So./G/ Knox. Webb)   [player_tooltip player_id='513243' first='Bella' last='Shepherd'] (So./G/ Lipscomb Academy)   [player_tooltip player_id='631091' first='Amaya' last='Redd'] ( Jr./ G/ Knox Catholic)   [player_tooltip player_id='514119' first='Merli' last='Routh'] (So./PG/ CPA)   [player_tooltip player_id='290713' first='Hallie' last='Turner'] (Sr./ G/ Briarcrest)   [player_tooltip player_id='425322' first='Paige' last='Whitted'] (Jr./ SG/ Briarcrest)   [player_tooltip player_id='816583' first='Kendall' last='Jones'] (So./G/ Briarcrest)   [player_tooltip player_id='792288' first='Makynli' last='Bacon'] (8th Grader/F/ Webb BB)   Ava Krumweide (Jr./F/ Harpeth Hall)   Izzy Gavigan (Sr./F/ Father Ryan)   [player_tooltip player_id='405838' first='Jayden' last='Surratt'] (Sr./G/ Ensworth)   [player_tooltip player_id='514123' first='Nori' last='Jamison'] (So./G/ Ensworth)   [player_tooltip player_id='405836' first='Charlotte' last='Myers'] (Sr./ G/ Harpeth Hall)   [player_tooltip player_id='804753' first='Grace' last='Lamey'] (Sr./F/ St. Benedict)   Prediction: I will say that this field is super tough to have a gauge on. Knox. Catholic is a heavy favorite as they look to repeat. Father Ryan is always in the mix. CPA and CCS are hot teams that are young and can catch fire. Hutchison, Knox. Webb,  geez, you just never know. I will say come March 1st, the 4 clubs who are the hottest will be the ones who are the most deserving of being there. It's a toss up until then because you just never know.