Top DII-A Basketball Contenders for the Next Season

<!-- 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>I promise everyone I will get back to by February Frenzy bracket, but I had to continue on with this state contention outlook for next season. It is never too early to look ahead, that is always what I had been told.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, I told you that this could be considered my “Run It Back,” series because there were a lot of teams who made the state tournament that were young. Even some of the teams that didn't make it, they were right on the cusp of breaking through. What I am trying to highlight is that though let's just say a particular team made it to state, it doesn't guarantee them that they will be state champs or even get that far again. There is too much parity around the state. What that also means is that there is going to be some great basketball on the horizon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at some teams who could make a run at state contention this upcoming season from the DII-A classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Contenders</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Webb Bell- Buckle</strong>- Though they are losing Ohio State signee <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='631089' first='Daria' last='Biriuk'] and Bryan signee [player_tooltip player_id='409021' first='Sophie' last='McInturff']</strong>, this team is still powered by solid guard play and dominating bigs.<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='792288' first='Makynli' last='Bacon'] </strong>returns, posing an inside/out presence. Add the big <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050300' first='Jamani' last='Gordon'] l</strong>ocking down the middle and the speed of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1050683' first='Laine' last='Lyles'] </strong>causing havoc on both ends of the floor, and this team is solid and could make another run at state contention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TKA</strong>- Another year together will do this team some good. Led by sensational guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='583370' first='Skylar' last='Walden']</strong>, she, along with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='900249' first='Emily' last='Atchley'] and [player_tooltip player_id='900251' first='Kyle' last='Young']</strong>, will control the perimeter. Skylar will do her thing and get downhill to drive and kick or knock it down from multiple spots like she usually does. <strong>Adit Koul </strong>will fill the shoes left by senior [player_tooltip player_id='408998' first='Brady' last='Branam']. Her role will increase and the Lady Lions have a host of contributors who get after it as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>USJ</strong>- Never count this team out. When you have the best player in the state and one of the best in the country in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821641' first='Haylan' last='Ayers']</strong>, you will always pose as a threat. <strong>Lily Teague</strong> will also be in the mix on the perimeter, someone who you have to definitely watch moving forward, as she can knock it down from the arc as well. This team will be the heavy favorites coming out of the West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PCA</strong>- They pretty much return everyone and then some. They have their two bigs back in <strong>Gabby Debord and [player_tooltip player_id='513278' first='Kayte' last='Madison Bjornstad'],</strong> in which they excel in the high/low areas. You have <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1155053' first='Eva' last='Birkofer']</strong>, whose stock has skyrocketed based on her sensational play this past season. <strong>Allie Melton, [player_tooltip player_id='821998' first='Charis' last='Cook'], [player_tooltip player_id='884386' first='Abby' last='Olsen'], and Alex Anderson </strong>will all be big-time contributors who will see the floor early and often. This team is deep and they will utilize their talents as they try and mow through the competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>On The Horizon</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some teams who are on he cusp and will be making some noise for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ezell-Harding</strong> You can never sleep on this squad. They play hard, sound defense, and put tremendous pressure on their opponents. Led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513242' first='Brilee' last='Price']</strong> and with contributions from <strong>Kydal Armstrong</strong>, this team will be in the upper echelon of clubs looking to break through.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Franklin Road Academy-</strong> They are solid up and down their starting 5. They have dynamic guards in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='822483' first='Ava' last='Zenner'] and [player_tooltip player_id='776113' first='Ella' last='Johnson']</strong>, who can both create off the dribble and score from deep. Add in solid wing play from <strong>Alyssa Davis</strong>, who is their Swiss army knife that can score from all three levels and defend. You also got to add in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1210960' first='Ella' last='Gadsey']</strong>, she's a sharpshooter on the perimeter that can't be left open. Solid core of girls who will be looking to push in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Silverdale Baptist</strong>- Dynamic guard <strong>Kensley Owen</strong> leads the charge. She can create off the bounce, shoot the deep ball, and is always in the mix on the defensive end. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='816709' first='Braylee' last='Raby']</strong> is an up-and-coming beast down low. She has a nice mix of moves around the painted area and controls the boards and the lane on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CAK</strong>- You can never, ever count this team out of anything. They are going to give it their all as soon as the ball goes up until the final horn. Playing against this squad, you are in for a dog fight. Led by three-level scoring threat <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821765' first='Maddie' last='Braden']</strong>, along with the presence of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='519799' first='Colie' last='Thompson']</strong>, who can take advantage of multiple spots on the floor, this squad is poised to get back into the Final Four talks. Solid squad who will be out to claim one of the top spots for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grace Christian Academy-Knoxville</strong>- Well, when you have guards who can score at a high clip from all three levels in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513232' first='Nya' last='Burns'] and [player_tooltip player_id='732116' first='Abby' last='Roberts'],</strong> you're always going to be in the game. Add in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817921' first='Mattie' last='Beard']</strong>, who can stretch the floor and also work inside, a tough three-headed monster to contend with that has a host of contributors around them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Nashville Christian</strong>- More of a slepper, but this team is on the up and up. Led by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1133751' first='Anniston' last='Allgood']</strong>, who is a scoring machine, she is always good for double-double nights. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513281' first='Hillary' last='Harris']</strong> commands the offense, and she can go as well. Add <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897143' first='Anadia' last='Hinton']</strong>, who can be physical inside, this team is solid as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->