Dycus and Meade’s PGH Round Table Discussion: 4A-Region4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><img src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/7v8IQwMkAmZgaOMgtCQL42ddkvbLb8pf4jNPhC7GBmjBU3aPkVKIF6qFVXP0adOUbo-74468FNKMYBHYg940PSUXri2tsWqPwrhqOEFgdhd-qzgPnTOlk1r3kJjGD1LoYoTuCPkLaK9BwnQhdoEWkJk" width="283" height="310"></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region MVP</span></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dycus: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='876378' first='Isabel' last='Garcia'] – Garcia is not the most talented player in the Region. Nor is she the most athletic. She won't be the best college player on her team.  BUT–she was the most valuable and impactful for a Cookeville team that has dominated all year.  Garcia has been a constant steadying force, and in big moments, she's who they look to.  If they need a big basket, Garcia is getting a touch.  She's been incredible all year long.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention:&nbsp; Kaelyn Flower, Blackman, PG</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='245356' first='Alonna' last='Poole'], Oakland HS is one of the most intriguing athletes to watch! She is extremely versatile. As soon as Poole returned to the court, Oakland got better! She can play numerous positions and she can create offense! She is truly a multi-dimensional athlete with a high IQ! JMU is getting a great one!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id='810482' first='Camden' last='Ward'], Stewarts Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region Most Improved</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='496297' first='Allie' last='Gillies'], Cookeville, She turned into a legit shooter/scorer this year.  I also loved that she seemed bound and determined to embrace battling down low!  Gillies has the chance to explode onto the scene next season and take another leap as she seeks to become one of the sharpest shooting juniors in the class ‘26 class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='899436' first='Charlie' last='Roby'], Cookeville.Roby is one athlete that is going to continue to have break out seasons. She works extremely hard and she is going to continue to get better in every aspect of her game. Roby is an elite defender! I love an athlete that never takes a play off and she doesn't take one off on either side of the court. Charlie has good court vision and is extremely unselfish! This is a young guard for everyone to keep their eyes on!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region Freshman of the Year</span></em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dycus: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='821670' first='Jade' last='Watson'], Rockvale – Is one of the best guards in the region period...and she's only a freshman.  [player_tooltip player_id='821670' first='Jade' last='Watson'] is sitting on D1 offers already.  She is a star in the making. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention:  All the Lebanon younguns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can't go wrong with picking [player_tooltip player_id='821670' first='Jade' last='Watson']. She's a young star! I'll put down Naleiya Withrow-Walker. I know Dycus stated ALL of the Lebanon kids, and they have quite a few great young athletes. Naleiya has all of the tools! She can fill up an entire stat sheet fast! Walker is great at attacking and scoring off the dribble. She can defend, she can rebound, she can assist, and she can get the job done.Keep all eyes on this freshman! It's going to be a fun few years getting to watch her!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region 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> Lebanon.  They are already good–proven by winning 24 games.  But they are also young!  And they will be bringing everyone back!  Maggie Kelley.  [player_tooltip player_id='821718' first='EB' last='McDonald'].  Naleiya Walker.  These are all star freshmen for Lebanon that will be much better after another offseason of player development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id='366664' first='Lyriq' last='Mastin'], ‘25, Blackman&nbsp; (PS – the day after writing this Mastin scored 24 in Oakland's upset win over Cookeville in the Region semis.&nbsp; Mastin didn't feel like waiting until next year.&nbsp; Well played….)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a tough one because it's a region full of young stars! However, I did cover more Cookeville games so I will state that [player_tooltip player_id='425063' first='Cara' last='Lee Gilbert'] is definitely a player to watch next season.Cookeville is definitely a team full of players to keep your eyes on. However, I can't dispute that Lebanon has the players to watch too. The entire team is extremely young and they are all going to continue to grow and get better! So, players to watch- Watch this entire region from Blackman to Cookeville to Rockvale, etc</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline">Region Most Fun Team to Watch –</span></em></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dycus: </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewarts Creek – How often do you get to watch two D1 kids share the floor on the same team.  In Camdyn Ward ‘25 and [player_tooltip player_id='409016' first='Jayda' last='Bernard'] ‘25.  Stewarts Creek is a handful for anyone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention:&nbsp; Blackman Lady Blaze – All they do is win.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cookeville HS. Yes, I did cover more of their games. I hope to watch more of these teams in this region next season. Cookeville was so much fun to watch. Their coach has the players that are all willing to go through a brick wall. When I watched them the first time, I was left so impressed with Garcia and the entire team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->