Live From The Lou!

Testing 1,2,3. Testing 1,2,3. Ladies and gentlemen, we have some major ballers on the move. Louisville, Kentucky, was the place to be this past week.Look, if you weren't able to be a part of one of the greatest tournaments on this planet, you are missing out. Big shout out to TFN, NEB Basketball, EYBL, The Ohio basketball group for putting on such a special event. The whole Run for the Roses experience is truly amazing. Look, I know I am a couple of days behind, but I am going to catch up. With so much ball in one place, you just had to take in the action. There were over 1600 teams, 7 different countries represented, and 104 courts that saw teams compete on them over a 3 day period.  Talk about a jumping event. Everywhere you looked, baller over here doing her thing, this girl over there cashing in. Money shot, boom. Ankle breaker there. I was in hoops heaven.   Over the next couple of days we will be talking about some girls who gained the eyes of both scouts and college coaches. Hey, there were plenty of college coaches in attendance. From Juco's to D1s, this was the place to be. College coaches should have had a field day looking at so much talent. Anyways, I will say, it was a great event and everyone and anyone who takes basketball seriously, should try their best to be a part of the event.   Well, let's get right to it. Tennessee. My home state. Your home state. I know the Osborne brothers sing the lyrics “ Rocky Top you'll always be home sweet home me.” Well, Tennessee, you are that to me. Look, the college books that coaches get had over 1500 pages in it, and buddy, our girls from the state were well represented. I had the ability to catch some games from some of our beloved hardwood hoopers and they did not disappoint. Like I mentioned earlier, over the next couple of days, I am going to shine some light on some young ladies who had some outstanding play. So here are some hoopers who got down and dirty to help kick start the Run 4 the Roses events.   [player_tooltip player_id='821641' first='Haylan' last='Ayers'] (So./G/USJ)- Smooth. Her ability to play with pace and in space amazes me. She knows how to pick her spots and I love how she can get down hill and attack the opposition. She legit, which is why she competes for the USA squad in her age division. However, she was given opponents the business in the EYBL session. This kid is special and the skies are the limit for her.   [player_tooltip player_id='583370' first='Skylar' last='Walden'] (So./PG/TKA)- You know the term “the heart of a lion.” Yes, that is her school's mascot, but she embodies it. She really does give it her all, leaving everyone an ounce of energy she has on the court. She was hooping for ETA and was getting buckets left and right. She was facilitating on the offensive end, knocking down 3 balls and jumpers as well. Then on D, she was active, giving teams fits. Young ballplayer who is building an impressive resume.   [player_tooltip player_id='409095' first='Kayla' last='Crawford'] (Sr./W./Columbia Central)- Selfless. It's hard to describe her game because she does so much. Rebounds, makes timely assists, defends, scores. She has an all around game that is just consistent over the course of the game. If you were to look at the results, its like “ dang, she did all that..” The kid is a go-getter and is hungry for competition every time she steps on the floor. Solid ball player who has a nice game to go along with her infectious personality.   [player_tooltip player_id='810482' first='Camden' last='Ward'] (Sr./F/ Stewart's Creek)- Ahh!!!!! Beast mode. Gritty. Energy giver. She's a banger for sure. This kid does the dirty things. Block shots, dives on the floor for loose balls. Can play back to the basket or face up around the mid-range area. Defensively she is going to deny every action and make it hard for the opposition to operate. When I tell you she is a difference maker, she is that and then some. This kid is a throwback playground hooper. She's going to do everything in her power to give her team an advantage. Super talented and an overall game changer. Think Draymond Green of Tennessee.   [player_tooltip player_id='506247' first='Lilly' last='Dunn'] (Sr./G/ Beech)- This rising senior is just a ballplayer. She has a high basketball IQ and knows how to put the ball in the bottom of the net. She is a team player who excels at letting others get their shine before hers. Makes the right play, hits her teammates with timely passes. Gets after it on the defensive end. And of course hits the open bucket. She's stepped up when her number has been called and has done so while impressing collegiate coaches along the way. Competitive kid who has some big time talents.   [player_tooltip player_id='496323' first='Sicily' last='Robinson'] (Sr./PG/ Clarksville Academy)- Two words come to mind when I see this girl play. Determined. Shifty. Nice floor general who loves to push the tempo. She can score it on all 3 levels, has nice handles, but really gets after it. She competes. That's one thing I will say she does the entire time her sneakers are within the inbounds line. Love her hustle, her passion, and desire. She is a nice ball player who keeps getting better every time she steps onto the floor.   Stay tuned for some more player write ups. TN girls did their thing in Louisville and there are more shout outs to come!

Testing 1,2,3. Testing 1,2,3. Ladies and gentlemen, we have some major ballers on the move. Louisville, Kentucky, was the place to be this past week.Look, if you weren't able to be a part of one of the greatest tournaments on this planet, you are missing out. Big shout out to TFN, NEB Basketball, EYBL, The Ohio basketball group for putting on such a special event. The whole Run for the Roses experience is truly amazing. Look, I know I am a couple of days behind, but I am going to catch up. With so much ball in one place, you just had to take in the action. There were over 1600 teams, 7 different countries represented, and 104 courts that saw teams compete on them over a 3 day period. Talk about a jumping event. Everywhere you looked, baller over here doing her thing, this girl over there cashing in. Money shot, boom. Ankle breaker there. I was in hoops heaven.