One More Time- The Last Ride

USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION   Many of you know, music is a part of my life. No I can't sing, dance, carry tune, or anything to that nature, but I can bop my head to the beat. This morning I woke up and Ariana Grande's song “One More Time” came to mind as I was writing this article.   When I think about the 2025 class, there are so many memories. There have been great moments that will forever be frozen in time. Girls from this class have made clutch shots, made big-time plays, have taken their teams to new heights, accomplished things that most never would have thought of. Also in this class, as the days and months pass by, we are starting to see more and more girls commit to the opportunity of furthering their education using basketball as a platform. Like I have mentioned before, who cares what level it is. You are going to play collegiate basketball and that itself is a miraculous thing.   Getting back to Ariana's song, all these 25s are doing this high school basketball thing one more time. From playing at certain rival schools to running out of the tunnel from the lockerroom on senior night, there will be a moment where it will be the last. I am not trying to make a swan song just yet or give them their flowers right now because what I love about this class is each and every one of these 25s are going to make sure that this last ride they are going to leave their mark on this game for their school. They are going to compete. They are going to try and lead their ball clubs as far as they can. No one is packing it in and just enjoying senior year. They have some unfinished business to attend to and they are going to do it “ one more time” for this last ride.   Throughout the state, the 25 class has some young ladies who just get it done. No one is the same, but their contributions speak volumes. Throughout the course of the year we will follow and highlight these girls and their accomplishments. For right now, check out some young ladies who are gearing up for their last ride. You better believe they will make sure it will be a good one.   [player_tooltip player_id='361741' first='Olivia' last='Vinson'] (5'11/Sr./SG/ Coffee Co.)- Sharpshooting guard who is deadly from the arc. She will be bringing her talents up interstate 24 to Nashville to play at Lipscomb Academy. This kid has grown tremendously over the years and the proof is in the pudding. She has been clutch down the stretch, hitting shots near and far to help propel her ball club. Over the years this Coffee Co. team has experienced so much success. Etch her name as someone who has put in the work and contributed to the cause. This kid has some unfinished business to attend to but you better believe she is going to make this last ride a good one.   Zoey Roxter (6'1/Sr./G/ Bartlett)- She will be on someone's roster next year at the D1 level for sure. This kid is a beast and she uses her size to her advantage. Can play inside or out, shoot it from the arc, post up down low, attack and exploit the mid-range, she's sensational on the offensive end. Defensively, she is on the boards, blocks shots, locks up opponents. I love her length as she gets steals and deflections by the bunches. Bartlett has been on a run over the years and I don't see it stopping anytime soon especially with this young lady on the floor. Look for her to eclipse so much this last go right. Sign ( with a school), win accolades along the way, and lead Bartlett back to state. Sign, seal, delivered. She's gonna do that!   Layla Wilder (5'7/Sr./G/ Stewart's Creek)- This kid plays with a motor and she is a tough out every game. I know that is a baseball term, but what I mean is this kid is hard to deal with and she is going to bring it every time she steps onto the floor. A solid two way player who can score it from multiple spots on the floor, handle the rock with poise, feed open teammates, and defend. She has grown over the years into a solid contributor who can be trusted in tight moments. She doesn't shy away from the opportunity, stepping up and excelling in these times. Doesn't matter if she is on D or on the offensive end, she's the spark plug that ignites good things for her team. Still a free agent (unsigned) as of this writing, but she will be playing next year somewhere on someone's roster. Solid kid who is going to finish her senior year strong.   Nihla “Molly” Brown (5'8/Sr./G/ Lincoln Co.)- Sensational guard who is shifty as all get out. She can score it on all 3 levels, but penetrating attacking down hill is what she does best. This kid is fearless and once she gets going, she is hard to stop. Don't let her start playing at her pace, then you are done for sure. Cause a sequence in a game might go like this “ downhill lay up on the offensive end, steal on the Defensive end for an easy lay, deflection/ transition bucket finishing with a floater. Next thing you know she's hit 6 points and your team is left feeling dejected. This kid plays with a lot of heart, speed, and passion. A heady ball player who is a go-getter. She has some interest and it will be good to see where she lands. Until then, look for her to lead the LCHS ball club back to state this upcoming season.   [player_tooltip player_id='631090' first='Cybil' last='Penland'] (5'10/Sr./G/ Sevier Co.)- The Carson Newman signee is gearing up for one last ride. She is a dynamic scoring threat who can do it along the arc, from 15ft, and around the blocks. I love her jumpshot and how she can just rise above her opponents. This kid is a solid two-way player, competing on both ends of the floor. She gets boards, makes timely assists, fights and goes hard on every single possession. This upcoming season, she will look to leave her mark as her squad fights back towards state contention. CP will be ready that's for sure. This kid has what it takes to help propel her team to the next level. Carson Newman got a steal in my opinion.

USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION