Dycus and Meade’s PGH TN Roundtable Discussions: 4A-Region 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Professor Meade and I sat down to talk all things R3-4A. Golly bum, this region is LOADED with individual high-end talent. Here are a few of our thoughts and reflections.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a><strong>District 5</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=77" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cleveland High School</a>&nbsp;(Cleveland, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=320" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McMinn Co. High School</a>&nbsp;(Athens, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=419" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rhea Co. High School</a>&nbsp;(Evensville, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=536" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Walker Valley High School</a> (Cleveland, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a><strong>District 6</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=31" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bradley Central High School</a>&nbsp;(Cleveland, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=130" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">East Hamilton High School</a>&nbsp;(Ooltewah, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=389" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ooltewah High School</a>&nbsp;(Ooltewah, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=244" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Howard School</a> (Chattanooga, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Who was the Region MVP?</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dycus:</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kimora Field, Bradley Central – This one just isn't fair.  [player_tooltip player_id='513228' first='Kimora' last='Fields'] is too strong, too fast, too springy, too skilled, too tough, and too simply too much for high school defenders to contain.  I watched her put an easy 41 points up this year.  Multiple 20 point halves.  I really believe she could average 30 if that was her goal.  Instead…..they just win state championships.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention:&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='409019' first='Lauren' last='Hurst'], Cleveland – A 6'3 wing that can play inside out, has a beautiful stroke, tight handles, and is a tough competitor.&nbsp; She's a ESPN Top 60 player for a reason.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honestly, you can't go wrong with picking Fields or Hurst, in my opinion. I'm giving the nod to [player_tooltip player_id='409019' first='Lauren' last='Hurst'] for my MVP. Every school across the country wants Hurst and if I am a college coach, I want [player_tooltip player_id='409019' first='Lauren' last='Hurst'] on my team too! I didn't cover Hurst or most of the region a lot this season. Let's be honest, Lauren doesn't need much exposure. She will move up inside the top 50 for ESPN. Wait for it..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who was the Region's Most Improved Player?</span></em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dycus: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='889803' first='Malia' last='Wilcox'], PG, Bradley Central – I'll admit it…..Wilcox shut me up!  I openly wrote about Bradley's 5th starter dilemma….and Wilcox politely said–”watch this.”  She's been Bradley's starting PG since day 1, and she's been terrific.  Her confidence is growing, and she's attacking gaps with great veracity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention:&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='816743' first='Noah' last='Woodruff'], East Hamilton – Woodruff flew under the radar this season, but her work should be mentioned.&nbsp; She's a 5'10 slashing athlete with a high motor, and developing skill set.&nbsp; Her greatest asset is her high level of relentless energy, and she uses that to be a menace on the glass.&nbsp; She averaged 16 points and 14 boards this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maliyah Woods, Walker Valley - Woods was able to add more to her all around game this season. She's a strong defensive player that is always active on defense! She's an athlete that you may not always see in the offensive scoring column, but you know she is going to provide the team with deflections, steals, and good defense!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3<strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">. Who was the Region's Freshman of the Year</span></em></strong>?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dycus: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='811495' first='Laney' last='Copeland'], Cleveland HS – Copeland played her role well this season.  She gave Cleveland valuable minutes as another guard that can handle the rock and knock down open shots.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meade:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1241381' first='Kailey' last='Hilvers'], East Hamilton- Kailey has great length and size! She also contributed valuable minutes as a freshman! If Hilvers isn't altering or blocking shots, she is knocking down 3's. A young freshman for everyone to keep their eyes on. She could definitely average a double-double in seasons to come.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who are the Region's Players to Watch Next Season?</span></em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dycus:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='810500' first='Emma' last='Smith'], Cleveland – Smith has played with more and more confidence throughout the year.&nbsp; She's a tremendous outside shooter with long arms, sneaky athleticism, and doesn't mind to battle in the trenches.&nbsp; She took a real leap this season in terms of skill (especially as a shooter), and I expect her to take another jump before her senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenna Buchard, Rhea – The sophomore post is tremendously skilled and still learning how to put it together.&nbsp; She scored 19 versus Walker Valley in the district tourney.&nbsp; Another 19 vs Rhea in a region tournament win.&nbsp; The youngster is finding her rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='409074' first='Avary' last='Brewer'], Bradley Central- Brewer is lethal from 3. She has battled through a few injuries. I expect Avary to have one of the best senior seasons! She is one of the best shooters in this region. Actually, she is one of the best shooters in the state!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who Was the Region's Most Fun Team to Watch/Cover –</span></em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dycus:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bradley Central HS – Not really fair….they are basically a college team.  I mean for real–how many NAIA teams could Bradley Central beat?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention:&nbsp; Cleveland HS – I watched them a dozen times this year.&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='409019' first='Lauren' last='Hurst'] is a 6'3 ball handling wing that shoots threes and attacks the rim.&nbsp; She's also the TN Gatorade Player of the Year in Volleyball when she's not busy being a Power 5 &amp; ESPN Top 60 basketball player.&nbsp; Watching [player_tooltip player_id='409019' first='Lauren' last='Hurst']….a two-sport phenom is a rarity.&nbsp; Watch her if you can!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>How can we dispute this? It's almost like Fields and Hurst for MVP. Bradley Central is one of the top high schools in the country! Cleveland has one of the best players in the country! I have to agree with Bradley Central and Cleveland! These two teams are going to be fun to cover next season too!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->