Dycus & Meade’s PGH TN Roundtable Discussions (4A-Region 2)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, Professor Meade and I took on 4A-Region 2. We went back and forth debating topics, and here are the notes from our conversation....</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><a><strong><em>Region 2</em></strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a><em><strong>District 3</strong></em></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=40" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Campbell Co. High School</a>&nbsp;(Jacksboro, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=269" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karns High School</a>&nbsp;(Knoxville, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=50" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Knoxville Central High School</a>&nbsp;(Knoxville, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=195" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Knoxville Halls High School</a>&nbsp;(Knoxville, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=373" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oak Ridge High School</a>&nbsp;(Oak Ridge, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=410" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Powell High School</a>&nbsp;(Powell, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a><strong><em>District 4</em></strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=17" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bearden High School</a>&nbsp;(Knoxville, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=137" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Farragut High School</a>&nbsp;(Knoxville, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=210" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hardin Valley Academy</a>&nbsp;(Knoxville, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=314" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maryville High School</a>&nbsp;(Maryville, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=546" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">West High School</a>&nbsp;(Knoxville, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://portal.tssaa.org/common/directory/detail.cfm?id=564" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">William Blount High School</a>&nbsp;(Maryville, TN)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who is the Region MVP?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Dycus: </span></em></strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Natayla Hodge, Bearden</strong> – This one just isn't fair because Hodge is “superstar” good.  In a region that's loaded with talent, she stands out as a potential Power 5 kid.  When you watch her play…it's often as if she's playing chess while everyone else is stuck playing checkers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She's a bonafide shot maker and playmaker with a tight handle, and a crazy good at simply changing her speeds and levels to get into the paint at will.&nbsp; She can drop 30 when she needs to….or is happy winning with 15, 5 and 5.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensively she's a monster.&nbsp; She can lock up your best guard, she can pull a board and become a one man fast break as she's deadly down hill in transition.&nbsp; She jumps passing lanes, she sits in a stance with pride, and she's simply a two-way star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Runner-Up – Ayanna Porter, Oak Ridge</strong> – In a season marred by injuries, and getting [player_tooltip player_id='410065' first='Jenna' last='Johnson'] healthy again, Ayanna Porter was a steadying force for Oak Ridge as she won the District Player of the Year..&nbsp; She turned herself into a consistently efficient scorer that carried the teams at times.&nbsp; Now that everyone is healthy, Oak Ridge looks really dangerous with another district MVP on the roster.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Meade: </span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no denying <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513233' first='Natalya' last='Hodge']</strong> with this award. What she does on the court speaks for itself. Hodge is the MVP!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Runner-Up- [player_tooltip player_id='410065' first='Jenna' last='Johnson']</strong> - Oak Ridge. Call her an MVP. Call her the Comeback Player of the Year! I love the style that Jenna plays with and she truly is a walking double-double!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who is the Regions Most Improved Player</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline"><em>Dycus</em></span></strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kendall Ann Murphy, Bearden</strong> – When I watched Murphy this year, I saw a college ready 3 and D wing.&nbsp; I think she is already a next level shot maker….and if you can hit shots at an efficient percentage (especially 3s…..because you know……3 &gt; 2…..and math exists).&nbsp; Last year she wasn't relied upon to score, and this year, she thrived as a 15 point/game kid.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Murphy really stepped up on the defensive end too, while also becoming one of the best rebound guards in East TN this season.&nbsp; Murphy would be the best player on most teams in the state.&nbsp; Way to keep chopping at the tree kid!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Meade:</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll add two players to this one!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='851812' first='Mya' last='Johnston']- </strong>The uncommitted senior at Farragut. Mya is one of the best defenders that you are going to find! Johnston guarded the best player on the opposing team all season. The way that Mya was able to attack the rim on the offensive side also helped Farragut win some tough games!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'll also add in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='516540' first='Aisha' last='Patel'] </strong>from Bearden! Patel is a long 6 footer that can knock down outside shots consistently. The impact from both of these players all season long was crucial for their respected programs!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who is the Region Freshman of the Year?</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Dycus</em></strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817897' first='Izy' last='Wiles'], Powell&nbsp;</strong> –&nbsp; Here is a hot take:&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='817897' first='Izy' last='Wiles'] ‘27 is about to blow up this summer.&nbsp; She got pulled up to [program_tooltip program_id='713260' first='ETA' last='Thunder'] Campos…..and I think she will THRIVE as a deadly shooter spotting up around elite talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wiles was incredibly solid for Powell all season.&nbsp; Watch her highlights, and tell me she's not different!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://x.com/Izy_Wiles_32/status/1759907813940228403/video/1"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://x.com/Izy_Wiles_32/status/1759907813940228403/video/1 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her season stats: - 13.0 ppg, 5.2 reb, 2.6 ast, 1.7 steals, and almost 2 made threes a game.&nbsp; She had a few nights that she got hot, stayed hot, and put up a near 30 spot several times.&nbsp; She should also be on the Region's Players to Watch List for next season as she's gonna blow up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention: <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821738' first='Trinity' last='Curry'], Farragut</strong> – Curry earned her way onto the floor in some HUGE spots by the end of the season.&nbsp; Farragut got better and better as the season progressed, and in their big win over Bearden, Curry was on the floor in pivotal moments.&nbsp; Really like her upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Meade:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='779486' first='Payton' last='Richmond'], Powell </strong>- Richmond is a great post player! Payton is a strong rebounder and a good shot blocker! According to MaxPreps, her averages were 7.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks! We will see Payton averaging a double-double next year as a sophomore!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who are the Regions Player's To Watch for Next Season?</span></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Dycus:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='816585' first='KJ' last='McNealy'], Farragut </em></strong>– KJ KcNealy's game is tailored made for modern basketball.&nbsp; She's a long arm, strong framed, 5'10 defender.&nbsp; She can already defend, rebound, and act as a wing rim protector at a collegiate level.&nbsp; This season, she started scoring the ball with consistency and efficiency.&nbsp; I expect a huge year from her next season.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='810602' first='Rylee' last='Roberts'], Karns </em></strong>– Roberts is a ‘25 that has put together a really nice three year career.&nbsp; On Feb 10, she surpassed the 1,000 point mark, as she sets her eyes on 1,500.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She's a player who's always been steady, but upped her shot making abilities this year, and is beginning to turn into a big time scorer.&nbsp; I expect the 1st team all district and all tourney kid to have a huge senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Meade:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honestly, this region has so many players to watch next season! Let's start with the upcoming senior <em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409022' first='Kyndra' last='West']</strong></em> at HVA. West is a natural leader! She finished her junior season averaging 13.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='810646' first='Reese' last='Roberts'], Karns </em></strong>- Reese also hit her 1,000 point mark right before sister Rylee. The duo with Reese and Rylee will be fun to watch next year for their final season at Karns! Last, I have to add [player_tooltip player_id='515458' first='Zoee' last='Harrison']. What Zoee accomplished this year on the court as a sophomore for Maryville was fun to watch! Harrison is one of the best point guards in the region!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><strong><em>Who was the Most Fun Team in the Region to Cover this Season?</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dycus – </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Farragut HS.&nbsp; This team has guts!&nbsp; This season has been full of up and downs, injuries, an incredibly difficult schedule…….and Farragut seemingly came through it all as the best version of themselves.&nbsp; They are peaking at just the right time, and the law-firm of Neubert and Priest ('25s [player_tooltip player_id='810591' first='Jaci' last='Neubert'] and [player_tooltip player_id='810510' first='Annie' last='Priest']) are playing great basketball in the backcourt.&nbsp; Kuddos to Coach Mayfield and the Lady Admirals for allowing adversity to make them better.&nbsp; It's something that's easy to say….but really hard to actually do.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Meade&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bearden, Farragut, Powell, Oak Ridge, and the entire region. Honestly, this region was one of my favorites to watch because of the number of talent. However, if I HAVE to pick one. I'll pick Bearden. [player_tooltip player_id='513233' first='Natalya' last='Hodge'] is a young leader that has everyone grabbing their popcorn. You have Kendall Murphy, Patel, Wilhoit, Parker, Cox, and the list goes on.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sorry, I have to add that I truly enjoyed Powell too! Powell is so incredibly young and the young talent speaks volumes for this team!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations":"","_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65dcb792307b3"} /-->