All-City Series: Knoxville Area Prospects (Part 1)

USE CODE "tinnon30" FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION   Traveling up Interstate 75, we land in “Scuffy City”, “Marble City”, or simply put, K-Town. This area of Tennessee helped put women's basketball on the map. From the dynamic Lady Vols teams during the late, great Pat Summit era to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, it's home to both. Just like all good things that come to an area, the game's exposure has trickled down to the amateur level as well. The game has grown at the grassroots level over the years, and even now, this area has benefited from some serious talent.   Private School. Public school. No matter the division, there are some serious prospects around the K-town area. Kids who get introduced to this game at a young age just grind away. Now I will say this, in this area, you do have different styles of the game. Much like in Middle Tennessee, you have a wide array of ways people play the game. At the end of the day, though, the goal is still the same. This area has had its success in the high school game over the years. There will always be a squad from this area deep in the tournament. No matter the classification, a Knoxville area club is going to be somewhere near the top.   Over the next couple of articles, we are going to not only uncover but also bring to the forefront some talented girls. Maybe it's their style of play, their ability to do certain things, whatever the case may be, no matter whether young like a freshman or old like a senior, kids around this 865 area can play ball.   Here is the 1st part of a series of articles highlighting the talent in the Knoxville area.    If you don't know this young lady by now, you must have been living under a rock. Jumping onto the high school scene at an early age, this young lady has been giving opponents fits. Strong as an ox, she has been killing it down low for her squad for some years now. Owning the painted area on both ends of the floor, she has been a force to be reckoned with. Known for her ability to control the paint, she has added to her game and stretched the floor. She's impactful, one who is going to get the job done by any means necessary. Though she has had an impressive resume thus far and schools have already jumped on her recruitment, she isn't done yet and is still growing. This prospect means business, and she is going to be a nice addition to a program at the next level.     This kid just keeps going and going. You can try to find a parable to go with her, but let me tell you, she surpasses anything. Each year, this kid keeps getting better and better. A heady floor general who has worked on her craft and turned it into something special. She is a three-level scoring threat who gets after it. Offensive end, defensive end, she's impactful anytime she is on the floor. A competitive teammate who will do anything to help her club win. She's picking up offers left and right, but one thing is for sure: a program will be getting a selfless ballplayer who is going to work her tail off for the betterment of her team.     She's the truth. Point blank. Ever since I saw her play earlier in her career, I knew this kid would be special. I loved her ability to make the hustle plays and her willingness to give up her body for her team. This kid could be known as a 3-and-D player, but brings so much more. She brings leadership, heart, hustle, and can score in multiple ways from all levels on the floor. I just love her defense. She plays fearlessly. Doesn't matter who the opponent is; she is going to go at them. She helped deliver a state title last season, going up against some pretty tough clubs. She isn't done yet, and her recruitment game is picking up. A selfless ballplayer, she is the X factor anytime she steps onto the floor.     Despite the obvious thing, which is her size, this young lady has grown as a ballplayer over the years. Yes, she is 6'7, but it's her ability to do a multitude of things that really stand out. Of course, she dominates the painted area on both ends of the floor. Defensively, she deters shots in the paint. Makes it tough for people to operate. Offensively, she is great at scoring. Yes, she can stretch the floor and knock down the mid-range, but establishing herself down low and being a force is what she is great at. She's a problem. A dominant rebounder that gives her team extra opportunities. This kid is getting tons of looks. Look for her to continue to grow and be a nice addition at the next level.     A fierce competitor who is the ultimate teammate. This kid is a tough competitor who will go up against anyone. A multi-level scoring threat, she is going to find a way to put the ball in the goal. From launching 3s to taking it off the bounce, this kid is a bucket. She picks her spots to exploit. Flows within the game and doesn't force. Gets others involved early and executes the game plan. She's going to give you double figures without a doubt, but it's the other contributions and how she complements others that really stand out. She's solid on both ends of the floor. Schools are jumping in on her recruitment. She's a top-notch player who brings her work ethic into the fold. Great ballplayer who will be a nice addition for a program at the next level.     Tough. Super competitive. This kid is hard to slow down as she finds multiple ways to slay the competition. She is a three-level scoring threat who gets buckets. Delivering a nice arsenal of moves, she is going to find a way to put the ball in the basket. No matter what's at stake or what platform, she gets after it. Even when it seems like her team may be down, she gives her club an edge. She's a kid who shows up on both ends of the floor and just works. Over the years, she has grown in so many ways. Not only in her abilities, but also in her confidence as well. She's the one you want to take the last shot if the game is on the line. She has ice in her veins, and with her on the floor, anything is possible. A solid player who is going to be a nice addition for a program at the next level.     A dynamic winger who can work both inside and out. A solid player who impacts the game on both ends. Defensively, her size poses a threat, as she forces opponents to take tough shots. She defends well on the perimeter and can bang down low with bigs. I love her ability in the transition game, where she runs the floor well as she attacks the rim. She can start fast breaks, distributing the rock to open teammates or taking it coast to coast herself. She can knock down the 3-ball consistently, take her opponent off the dribble, and get to the rim or stop and pop in the mid-range. Lastly, she can use her size and play with her back to the basket. This kid is a solid all-around ballplayer who shows up throughout the game on both ends of the floor. Look for her to turn even more coaches' heads over the course of the year.

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