Random Christmas Tournament Observations from Around the State
In this article:
This season’s Christmas Tournaments have been awesome around the state (and in FL, SC, GA, etc). Let’s take a look around the state at kids that have stood out. Lindsey Wilson OR #20 PF #1 HEIGHT 6'0" POS PF CLASS…
Access all of Prep Girls Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThis season’s Christmas Tournaments have been awesome around the state (and in FL, SC, GA, etc). Let’s take a look around the state at kids that have stood out.
The 5’10 Bearden wing is just another example of the player development that goes on at Bearden. She’s turned herself into a high quality role that, when she’s knocking shots down, it adds another layer of immediate depth to this loaded Bearden roster. Wilson is another kid that stars in her role.
Katie Foster
Katie Foster
Foster hasn’t played a ton, but got some really nice run in a blow out with over North Greene. She continues to display a quickly growing game: both in skill and understanding. She battles on both ends, has nice hands, and beginning to develop into a nice inside/out post. I really like this kid’s game, and she will be a major player down the road.
Riley Hunt Riley Hunt 5'8" | SG Bearden | 2027 State TN
Riley Hunt Riley Hunt 5'8" | SG Bearden | 2027 State TN
Hunt is another kid, like Foster, that might get minutes on 95% of the teams in the state, but cracking Bearden’s rotation is just so hard for the underclassmen. She’s another that got good run in a lopsided win, and showed all the flashes that have built her reputation as one of the best ’27s in the area. She’s dynamic with the ball in her hands, plays fearlessly and smart at the same time…which is a really fine line to walk.
Wilhite keeps on keeping on. In Florida she went for a smooth 20 points, followed by an enormous 38 point outing with eight made threes. One day later….she dropped 37 points on 5 threes and 15-17 from the free throw line (which means she’s going aggressively to the rim). Back to back 35+ games play high end competition.
The freshman is doing things that seniors can’t do on the offensive end. We been pumping up her upside since we saw her role this summer on the Cumberland County team. And, where as many freshman might potentially come out and hit the proverbial freshman wall….Wilhite just seems to be getting better and better.
Oh….and she defends like crazy too. She’s elite.
Bystry continues to have a high level junior year, helping propel McMinn Central to a 40 point victory vs Coffee County, to avenge one of their two losses on the year. Bystry averaged right at 18 and 10 for the tournament. She continues to be one of the most unique guards in the state as she rebounds at an astounding rate.
McKinlee West
McKinlee West
The junior post has put together a really nice season, and it has only stretched into the Christmas season. Heading into the Christmas break, West had a streak of eight straight games with a double double, and has continued that trend. She’s put up games of 25, 25, and in her Christmas tournament a new career high 27 points.
Halle Bailey
Halle Bailey
Bailey turned in another HUGE performance for North Greene vs Daniel Boone as she finished with 19 points and 16 rebounds. The Bailey-Miller tandem has been a revelation for fans like me that hadn’t seen these two play together. As been noted, if you get the chance, watch the this North Greene team play a unique 4 out 1 in offense with Bailey and Miller free to roam and free lance a bit.
Hannah Miller Hannah Miller 6'1" | PF North Greene | 2025 TN
Hannah Miller Hannah Miller 6'1" | PF North Greene | 2025 TN
Miller finished their win vs Daniel Boone with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Miller and Bailey combined for 32 of North Greene’s 45 points. They are are wrecking crew.
Bacon personifies high school basketball, and simply plays the right way. In a loss to nail biting loss to North Greene, Bacon scored eight and managed to pull down a team high 14 rebounds versus the NG twin towers. She battled the bigs, and played larger than her size. Gritty competitive kid.
Riddle put up 11 points in the DC loss to North Greene. Riddle has been Davey Crockett’s best player all season long, and she continued to impress in the Andrew Johnson Bank Ladies Classic. (Can’t help but wonder this team would look like with Flores….)
Highlights
Olivia Castagna Olivia Castagna 5'9" | SG Brentwood | 2025 State TN
Olivia Castagna Olivia Castagna 5'9" | SG Brentwood | 2025 State TN
Brentwood has come out rolling this season, and picked up a tournament championship. Castagna has continued to be one of the revelations of the year, as she poured in 22 points and had six rebounds in the championship game. At the private school level, if you have two legit scorers, you have a chance to be really good. With Castagna, Ryan, and Morris…Brentwood has three.
Continues to prove she’s absolutely one of the best guards in the state. Ryan scored 18 points, had 8 rebounds and 8 assists. And what I really loved is how she allow Castagna to have her night. “When no one cares who gets the credit, it’s amazing what you can accomplish, and this team plays like that.