Day 1 Recap: State Tournament Highlights and Key Players

<!-- 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>The Division ll-A class kicked off day 1 at the state tournament yesterday in Cookeville. We saw four talented teams go at each other, ready to compete for their opportunity to take home the gold ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a recap of yesterday's action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TKA 57 PCA 36</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was the battle of the lady lions. Right from the start, it was a feeling-out period as the first quarter was tight. Scoring was in the single digits as both teams looked to find their groove. Sometimes, when you play in environments that you normally aren't used to, it can be like that.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When the second quarter started, the feeling-out period was over. TKA went on a tear as they found success early. They became the aggressors, getting to the rim and hitting open shots. They dominated the paint and capitalized on turnovers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming out of the break, PCA tried to make a run, but TKA was able to answer back any type of momentum PCA tried to establish. By playing tenacious defense and controlling the boards, TKA moves onto the next round.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Key players of the game:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["583370"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cb258d50e84"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">She's the truth, and she is letting everyone know that she means business. Her stock is increasing as this sensational guard put on a show for all to see. She played all 32 minutes and finished with 32 points. She was aggressive on offense, working downhill and getting to the rim. She was 9-10 from the free-throw line. She took care of the ball and was efficient in running the offense. She's a tremendous player who is one of the top kids in her class.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["408998"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cb258d50eed"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"> Played big time as she was able to help neutralize the PCA interior game. Brady was big-time down low, making it hard for PCA to get any solid looks around the basket as well as eliminating second-chance shot opportunities. She brought in seven rebounds while also scoring eleven points herself. A game like this will be needed as her ball club looks to bring the gold ball home in the next game.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1155053"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cb258d50f3f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Eva played fearlessly as she was the leading catalyst for her ball club. The freshman didn't back down, nor was she phased by being on the big stage. She scored seventeen points in her team's effort. Eva had a tremendous year. Not only has she now tasted what it's like to be at state, but you better believe she will be on a mission to get back. Her stock will be rising as she has proved to everyone that she is a top talent in her class.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Game 2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Webb Bell Buckle- 64&nbsp; USJ- 57</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second matchup of the day, fans were treated to two talented teams going toe-to-toe with each other. The Lady Bruins came out the gates strong and controlled the tempo early in the 1st. Opening up the second quarter, Webb found their footing and started hitting shots, especially off of empty trips down the from USJ. The second quarter is where Webb made their run, getting back in the game and keeping it close.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second half it was back-and-forth action as the game slowed down and things got tight. Remember me saying that you had to value each possession? Each team did that as they ran their stuff efficiently, hunting great shots. This game went into double overtime as these clubs battled each other, fighting for every opportunity to take the lead. In the end, Webb was able to throw the last haymaker and finish strong, outscoring USJ 9-2 in the second overtime.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Webb advances, but this truly was a heavyweight bout between two tremendous teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Key players of the game:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["631089"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cb258d50f91"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Such a talented kid who can pick her spots on the floor to exploit. She dialed it up from three but was working inside the arc just as well. USJ had no answer for her as she scored 26 points for her ball club. She was a threat every time she touched the ball. If she wasn't putting it in the bottom of the net, she was getting that ball moving, swinging it to the open player or dishing it down low. Had a big-time day that helped her ball club advance.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["409021"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cb258d50fdc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Her leadership was on display as this senior wanted it so much more. She has been a part of opportunities such as these, however, yesterday was her turn, and she took full advantage of the moment. She finished with twelve points while playing solidly throughout the course of the game. Her performance helped her club advance, and we can look for her to do the same as her team looks to compete for their spot in TSSAA history.<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["821641"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67cb258d51028"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This phenomenal talent had a tremendous day, even though her team came up short. She couldn't be stopped as she dropped 40 points from multiple spots on the floor. She carved up anyone trying to slow her down as she hit shots with ease from multiple levels. She was aggressive getting to the rim, knocked down her free throws, and then turned around and played solid on D. She has had a great year that's going to see her game carry over and dominate the travel ball circuit as well. You better believe she will be back in this setting next season. She's a top-tier talent who is among the top kids in the state. <br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->