Midseason Watchlist Class of 1A: Best Shooters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although home to one of the smallest groups of players in TN, many players in the class of 1A are having outstanding seasons shooting from distance. Here are five of the best shooters in the 1A class that people should take note of a little over midway through the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["818131"],"_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-697828ec1bc5e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In her third year of high school basketbal [player_tooltip player_id='818131' first='Laila' last='Downs Darden'] is making a statement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Darden this year from behind the arc has made 57 threes on 34% shooting. Her perimeter jumper is also just one of the many ways she can produce buckets. Darden is averaging a personal career high and current team high, 33.3 points per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her ability to pick apart defenses methodically night in and night out led to several games where she has scored over 40 points. In her last two games, she has combined for 77 points, scoring 43 and 44 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["513239"],"_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-697828ec1bcf2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='513239' first='Michelle' last='Shields'], out of Unaka High School, is having an extremely efficient senior season shooting from distance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 13 recorded games, Shields has 51 threes and is shooting 41% from deep. Her precision from long range has led to many big statistical games. This includes a contest against Hampton High School, in which Shields made seven threes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shields' height at 5'11" at the PG position also has way above-average dribble moves for her height. Pairing this with her lethal jumper makes her one of the toughest players to guard in the class of 1A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["748461"],"_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-697828ec1bd5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior out of Richland High School, [player_tooltip player_id='748461' first='Bailey' last='Blair'], like Shields, is also having an insanely efficient season in shooting from beyond the three-point line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 15 recorded games, Balir is shooting 42% on 43 makes. Blair, throughout the year, has been consistent. Blair always has opposing defenders guessing when she has the ball. She has a lightning-fast jumper, paired with a great hesitation move. This keeps defenders guarding off balance when guarding her more times than not.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blair, also with her long-range jumper, can score in a multitude of ways. In a game against Wayne county where she had five threes, she displayed this. She scored a catch and shoot, side step, and step back three all within this 32-minute game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1240531"],"_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-697828ec1bdc0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1240531' first='Elli' last='West']'s sharpshooting has been an integral part of Onedia High School, having a record of 14-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 13 recorded games, West has 43 made threes on 45% shooting. One of her best games from long range this season came against Oakdale High School. West had five threes in this game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West mechanics on her jumper are fluid and also repeatable. From shot to shot, there is no noticeable change in her shooting form, leading to her being an extremely accurate distance shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West, along with being a great three-point shooter, is also a great passer. This was seen in a contest against Campbell County High School, where she had eight assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["899863"],"_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-697828ec1be1e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fourth-year player for Jackson County, [player_tooltip player_id='899863' first='Claire' last='Williams'], is having a great senior season in shooting from beyond the arc.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams, through 20 recorded games, has 57 makes and is shooting 37%. Her offense has different layers to it, but her perimeter jumper is where is excells. Williams has multiple games this season where she has five or more threes. This includes back-to-back games against Livingston Academy and Clarkrange High School, logging five made threes in each game. Williams, along with her makes from distance in these contest also scored 21 in each game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams has also been an above-average rebounder at the shooting guard position this season. In the same game, she scored 21 against Clarkrange, Williams had 10 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->