Division II-A East District 1 Predictions

<!-- 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>Picture this. You are sitting in a packed out high school gymnasium. The crowd is rowdy, your adrenaline is pumping. It's the start of a big time game. Team's just got done warming up. The announcer announces the starting line up. The girls come out of the huddle. Smack each other's hands as they position themselves before the tip. In the background, you hear the cheerleaders chanting “Jump ball, get it get it.” The ref throws the ball up and …..</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time to play ball. Look, you all know that there are many different styles when it comes to the game of basketball. Out in the east part of the state, they may hoop a little differently than the girls in the west part of the state. There isn't a wrong way, but you get my drift. I would say out east, the girls are tough. Gym rats who hoop and work at their craft. You can spot an East Tennessee girl out from anywhere. It may be the way they carry themselves. It may be the way they shoot. It may be the way they grind throughout the game. Call it swagger. She's from East Tennessee. As we dive into the previews for Division II-A District 1, I will say this district is wide open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You might ask what I mean. One of the largest districts in the private school divisions, this district has some hitters at the top. At these schools, anything goes. It's like any given night, one can knock off the other. Here is an example: TKA lost to CAK three times last year. However, TKA went to the Final Four due to their favorable draw. It wasn't like CAK blew them out, each game was tough. My point is this, there is a power struggle within this district and some pretty good talent has been added into the fold. These schools are serious about their ball and with the additions, look for there to be some jockeying for the top spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Using the description of the packed out gymnasium, as the ref throws the ball up for the jump ball and the ball is tipped, just like the scenario of winning the possession, this district is up for grabs. The athletes have gotten better. Teams are more polished. What I love more than anything is the mindset has also swung. This league matters. Coaches and players alike want something more than a district title. Schools are willing to support student athletes as they go on this quest towards greatness. As I mentioned earlier, this district is up for grabs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, CAK finished number one going 13-1 in the district. Behind them TKA dropped three, GCA and Concord Christian each dropped four in district play. Fast forward, new blood has come into the district as freshmen and transfer players come into the realm of things. You think that just randomly happened. No sir/ma'am. These schools want to win and they love competition.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This upcoming season is definitely a toss up. The district will be great but a lot of factors come into play. Will teams gel quickly? How do the new players adapt to the league? Does the school have a favorable schedule? Health? Ect. So many unknowns that aren't controllables factors in. Just like all things, you have to play the game. We here at PGH Tennessee are going to take a jab step at a prediction. Doesn't mean we are right, but we can knock down a shot or two.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is the East Region, District 1 prediction in Division II-A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The King's Academy</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Grace Christian Academy Knoxville</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>CAK</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lakeway Christian Academy</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Concord Christian Academy</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Providence Academy</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>First Baptist Academy</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Clayton-Bradley</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Berean Christian</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Apostolic Christian Academy</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>White Academy</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The top four spots are really hard to predict, but the nod goes to TKA based off there size and strength. Each of the top four schools has dynamic guard play. However, it's the work done in the paint that will make the difference and as of right now TKA has that nod. With a Final four appearance last season and the will to get back to the Eagle's nest, they are favorites to win the district this upcoming season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just because TKA is favorite to win the district, don't think the other team's won't make noise. We predict two schools out of this district will go on to represent this area in the state. Only time will tell which ones, but don't be surprised.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the projected All-District teams by PGH Tennessee.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Projected First Team</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513232' first='Nya' last='Burns']&nbsp; (5'7/Jr./PG/ Grace Christian Academy- Knoxville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='732116' first='Abby' last='Roberts'] (5'9/So./G/ Grace Christian Academy-Knoxville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='372802' first='Kami' last='Wilson'] (5'11/Sr./G/ Lakeway Christian Academy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adit Kuol (6'4/Jr./ C/ TKA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='408998' first='Brady' last='Branam'] (6'2/Sr./PF/TKA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='583370' first='Skylar' last='Walden'] (5'8/So./PG/ TKA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Projected Second Team</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821765' first='Maddie' last='Braden'] (5'9/SO./G/ CAK)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='631097' first='Kinley' last='Painter'] (5'7/Sr./G/ Providence Academy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='620459' first='Olivia' last='Loveday'] (5'8/So./F/ TKA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='519799' first='Colie' last='Thompson'] (5'10/Sr./F/ CAK)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1244607' first='Jenny' last='Bitounou'] (6'5/So./F/ TKA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emily Atchley (5'10/Jr./F/ TKA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->