Dycus & Meade: PGH TN’s Roundtable Discussions (4A-Region 1)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this series, TN Prep Hoops expert Amanda Meade and I will give our opinions and post-season analysis of the regions all across the state as we start recapping what has been a great season of high school basketball in Tennessee. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":859705,"width":"417px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-02-23-at-9.15.21-AM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-859705" style="width:417px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who is the 4A-Region 1 MVP?&nbsp;</span></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dycus</strong> – [player_tooltip player_id='631117' first='Harmony' last='Sullivan'], Morristown East  –  I simply think Sullivan's across the board contributions were the most important in the district to her team.  The '25 PG averaged 14 points, almost 5 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 2 steals.  She's also averaging almost 2 made threes a game as she extended her range this season.  It was hard not to pick a player from Sevier here…..but Sullivan's individual importance to her team trumps Sevier's “by committee” approach.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention:&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='877807' first='Kinley' last='Loveday'], Sevier County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='624610' first='Kyleigh' last='Bacon'], Daniel Boone - Wingate is getting a special player! Bacon brings an old school physicality that I love! She is strong on the boards, and a tough defender! Kyleigh has great size and strength! Bacon takes her game to another level when she drills outside shots consistently. We all know that she is finishing strong around the rim.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention: [player_tooltip player_id='631090' first='Cybil' last='Penland'], Sevier County</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":2} --> <ol start="2"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who is the Region Most Improved Player?&nbsp;</span></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dycus:&nbsp;</strong>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='631090' first='Cybil' last='Penland'], Sevier County&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I knew Penland was good, but on this loaded Sevier team she's kinda hid in the weeds to people like me that weren't super aware of her game.&nbsp; This year though, it felt like she hit another gear as a multidimensional threat and playmaker.&nbsp; She's always been a bucket getter (she passed 1,000 points this season), but this season she really transformed her game to be a valuable two way player that gives excellent effort on D, and contributes on the glass.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Honorable Mention:&nbsp; [player_tooltip player_id='889924' first='Ella' last='Wampler'], Morristown East</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade:&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='899919' first='Hannah' last='Hall'] - Morristown East - I've heard that Hall is quite the athlete in volleyball and softball. Hannah can also get it done on the basketball court!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":3} --> <ol start="3"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who is the Region's player to watch for next season?&nbsp;</span></strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dycus:&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='821733' first='Kaliyah' last='Burden'], Sevier Co - Burden is a ‘27 that was named 2nd team all district for a loaded Sevier team.&nbsp; Burden earned her way onto the floor, and has flourished in her role.&nbsp; Sevier doesn't need her to be a big time scorer, but instead–a lockdown defender that helps control the boards and can guard multiple positions.&nbsp; Her athleticism and instincts are through the roof….and she's the type of kid that I could see taking a big jump as multiple high-caliber seniors are graduating from Sevier.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='821689' first='Sally' last='McReynolds'] - Dobyns-Bennett - Sally had a great freshman season. You will see more of Sally next season. McReynolds was one of the most impactful players on the team. When she came off the bench, she was the spark that DB needed. McReynolds has great court vision. One of the best freshman facilitators that you will find!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":4} --> <ol start="4"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Who was the Region's Freshman of the Year?&nbsp;</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='755832' first='Peyton' last='Wood'] is just a joy to watch.&nbsp; If you enjoy old-school PGs, she's it. She thrives on getting her teammates involved, and when you play unselfish basketball, I truly believe it becomes contagious.&nbsp; Her freshman year stats were eye popping, but that's not her game yet.&nbsp; Skill wise…she has it all.&nbsp; Elite vision and ball handling, high level shooter, rebounds really well for a guard, and can lock down her assignment defensively.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You can never go wrong with picking [player_tooltip player_id='755832' first='Peyton' last='Wood']. However, I can add [player_tooltip player_id='821733' first='Kaliyah' last='Burden']'s name here for Freshman of the Year! Wood and Burden are both deserving.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burden is one of the best defenders in the state! I agree with Dycus that we could see this young freshman in the scoring column more next year too. Kaliyah was an MVP in her role this year and I think that she will be an MVP in any role that you want from her!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"start":5} --> <ol start="5"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Most Fun Team to Watch?</span></strong>&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dycus:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sevier County – As a fan of the 2004 Detroit Pistons….the 23-24 Sevier County girls team is the modern day equivalent.&nbsp; They are loaded with “stars”, but they are loaded with high-level kids that star in their roles.&nbsp; ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id='877807' first='Kinley' last='Loveday'], ‘24 [player_tooltip player_id='290720' first='Aubree' last='Laney'], ‘25 [player_tooltip player_id='631090' first='Cybil' last='Penland'], ‘27 [player_tooltip player_id='821733' first='Kaliyah' last='Burden'] were all named all district.&nbsp; This team seemingly had a different kid that could lead them in scoring on any given night, they play unselfish, team-first basketball, they defend with passion—and have won a BUNCH of games in the process.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meade:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of my favorite quotes from Magic Johnson, “Ask not what your teammates can do for you. Ask what you can do for your teammates.” Daniel Boone is a fun team to watch. Multiple athletes that will run through a brick wall for their teammate and their coaching staff. We all wanted to know what Daniel Boone would look like this year with [player_tooltip player_id='636390' first='Andrea' last='Flores']. Now, we have a true insight! Daniel Boone was a good, solid team. However, when Flores returned, it truly took this good team over a hump! This team has truly been fun to watch! [player_tooltip player_id='290991' first='Jayden' last='Riddle'], [player_tooltip player_id='624610' first='Kyleigh' last='Bacon'], Flores, Lillie Walters, &amp; the list goes on!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->