1A League Predictions: Top Teams and Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though the season is underway, kids are now getting into the groove as they have some games under their belt. The 1A class will be an interesting one, filled with kids who can help raise the level of play around the league. As I mentioned in a previous article, the pageantry amongst this league is great. Add the talent that has come into the league, this class is going to have a dynamic atmosphere this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Filled with new blood invigorating the league, you will see a class filled with parity. Teams that normally wouldn't be at the have now risen thanks to transfers. The heavyweights that normally dominate the league will now have some competition gunning for the crown, knocking them off their pedestal. Look for this to be a solid year amongst the 1A classification that will have the glass house rockin at the end of the year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some predictions for the following districts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 2/ District 3</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Coalfield</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Subright</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Wartburg</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Oliver Springs</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jellico</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Top Players to Watch in this district</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821650' first='Alexis' last='Hammock'] (Coalfield)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817921' first='Mattie' last='Beard'] (Coalfield)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1234148' first='Emerson' last='Nichols'] (Coalfield)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='928326' first='Lily' last='Wright'] (Coalfield)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122435' first='McKinley' last='West'] (Coalfield)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='632111' first='Addison' last='Armes'] (Coalfield)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1094304' first='McKenna' last='Smith'] (Sunbright)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1133903' first='Layla' last='Acorn'] (Oliver Springs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821978' first='Jaylen' last='Brown'] (Oliver Springs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bailey Berger (Oliver Springs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaylee Ledford (Wartburg)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> The nod will go to Coalfield as they have retooled and reloaded from the upcoming year. Getting three transfers in [player_tooltip player_id='821650' first='Alexis' last='Hammock'] (Grace Christian), [player_tooltip player_id='817921' first='Mattie' last='Beard'] (Grace Christian), and [player_tooltip player_id='1234148' first='Emerson' last='Nichols'] (Sunbright) to go along with district MVP [player_tooltip player_id='1122435' first='McKinley' last='West'], forms a tough squad to contend with. Add the addition of [player_tooltip player_id='928326' first='Lily' last='Wright'] to go along with this roster, this lineup is loaded and will be hard to defend top to bottom. Though you can't count out Sunbright or Wartburg, I just think Coalfield has too much firepower to not end up deep into the tournament. Very interesting league that will have some barnburner matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 2/ District 4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Midway</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Oakdale</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Rockwood</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Harriman</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Greenback</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis: </strong>Midway will be the heavy favorites to come out of this district. District 3, who they will face in region play, may have the upper hand due to the transfer who have moved in. Midway and Oakdale both had solid years last year. I do foresee the bottom half getting better and putting up a fight. In my opinion, this year's district is Midway's for the taking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 3/ District 5</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Copper Basin</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Sale Creek</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Lookout Valley</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Ivy Academy</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Sale Creek and Copper Basin will be jockeying for position at the top of the standings. Personally, it's a coin toss who will finish one or two. Last year Copper Basin finished first, however I am going to give the nod back to them because two girls from Sale Creek transferred out. Last season, Sale Creek did well in non conference play. However, Copper Basin won the district and I expect them to do the same this season as well. Though neither team likes each other, it will come down to who has less turnovers in their matchups. Copper Basin will take the crown in this district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Region 3/ District 6</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Van Buren</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>South Pittsburg</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Whitwell</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Analysis:</strong> Though this is a small district, Van Buren is the team that will come out on top. Their roster is solid with the additions of <strong>Emma and [player_tooltip player_id='822408' first='Laura' last='Gammon'] </strong>coming over from Sale Creek. With 6 '3 post<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1122446' first='Cara' last='Mills']</strong> back for more action and guards <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1133790' first='Abigail' last='Netherton']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1122631' first='Ellie' last='Grissom'] </strong>holding their spots down, Van Buren will be looking to make a run towards state contention. They have too many options to slow down for clubs within their district. Look for them to win it all and come out with a favorable matchup in region play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->