Music City Showdown: 16U All-Tournament First Team

<p style="font-weight: 400;">After this past weekend, three more Prep Girls Hoops Circuit events for 2022 are in the books. One of them emanated from Tennessee – the second Triumph Region event this Circuit to take place in the Volunteer State.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The Music City Showdown was held at TOA Sports Performance Center in Franklin, Tennessee – just south of Nashville. The event was a two-day get together of in-state and out-of-state travel teams. In addition to Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, both Carolinas, Alabama, Ohio and Florida were among the states that were in attendance.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">The 16U teams were some of the best to watch this past tournament. Here are our picks for 16U All-Tournament First Team from an entertaining weekend.</p> [caption id="attachment_422090" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-422090" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/a9caffb6128570e2f852c4abc773b697-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> Photo: Prep Girls Hoops[/caption] <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Emily Hunter – 2024 – Nolensville HS – Stars Basketball Club 2024 Kaye</strong> – At a towering and imposing 6-foot-6, she is one that is very difficult to contend with in the painted area. The high percentage shot opportunities that Hunter manages to receive are even moreso given her noteworthy height advantage. If she hauls in an offensive rebound, it is likely that board will translate into a putback. With Hunter's ability to block shots, it is not easy to score points on her. She scored 10 points on Saturday in a Star Basketball Club 2024 Kaye game with Bounce Nation FBC 2024 Jay.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='461960' first="Marina" last="Sippola"] </strong><strong>– 2024 – North Paulding HS – North Metro Elite 2024</strong> – To say Sippola had herself a productive weekend in the Nashville area was an understatement. After all, in one of the games she was involved in, she tallied 26 points and was a big reason why her team earned four victories this weekend. Sippola can be versatile with her ability to play not only as a guard but as a forward. When she has the ball in her hands, there is a high possibility it will lead to more points for her team. She has also ran in the track and field realm throughout her career in addition to tennis.</p> [caption id="attachment_422384" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-422384" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/407c25838f9d7d7706642e72b958ffa4-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> Photo: Prep Girls Hoops[/caption] <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='304632' first="Paige" last="Medley"] – 2024 – Meade County HS – Team Firstep 2024</strong> – Two Green Waves are part of the Team Firstep 2024 roster – Medley is one of them. She really stood out on Sunday morning when she and her team earned a 74-58 victory over Team Elite FIE 2024. In that contest, Medley proved to be very effective from behind the 3-point arc and also displayed when she can get done in the midrange game. As well as she can score, she is also a passer who will get her teammates more involved in the offense in addition to her being at the right place at the right time with her high basketball IQ. Medley scored 19 points in the win over Team Elite FIE 2024.</p> [caption id="attachment_423686" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-423686" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/cbfe21125cdc1db863224cd2c35c77a8-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> Photo: Prep Girls Hoops[/caption] <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Lauren Hassell – 2027 – Clarksville Christian – TN SoL (United) 2024</strong> – Hassell's profile is almost certain to rise the closer we get to the year 2027. After all, there are not too many 6-foot-3 2027s playing three classes up, but Hassell has proven why she is doing just that. With her scoring and rebounding abilities, she presents herself as a consistent threat to claim a double-double. Shot blocking capabilities are one of the hallmarks of her defense. Her ball handling abilities in the open floor also enable her to weave through defenders and attack the basket. One thing Hassell does not do is give up on a play.</p> [caption id="attachment_423688" align="alignnone" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-423688" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/3db2fc92fe5a675ea916bb71de04bfbb-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /> Photo: Prep Girls Hoops[/caption] <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='424605' first="Koiyah" last="Long"] – 2024 – Pine Forest HS – Team Passion 2024</strong> – Long is a name that rings a Circuit bell given she had an outstanding showing at the Triumph Region Kickoff event in Florida. She brings a great deal of energy to her team on either end of the floor. A fearless player, she goes aggressive to the rim and can particularly make things happen in the transition game. Shooting the 3-point shot and hitting her free throws are two other key elements to her overall offensive game. High school wise, she proved herself to be a major asset to the Eagles as they went to the 5A state semifinals after posting a 17-8 record in 2021-22.</p>