The Final 12 In DII-A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The field is set for the state tournament in division II. Talk about an exciting year of basketball. This year was filled with surprises, exciting upsets, and full of kids who took strides towards building a foundation of greater things to come. What's even crazier, a lot of players around the state increased their stocks this year. That's why you play the game. Once you get that itch and your confidence rises, as Kevin Garnett said “ Anything is Possible!”.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things tip-off this Tuesday around the state with March 1st and 2nd in sight. This is going to be an exciting field of teams. Throw the predictions out the window, there will be some Cinderella stories happening here. What I love about the tournament is that some teams have yet to see each other this year. So preparation, scouting, paying attention to the details, being razor sharp, all come into play when the game happens. Each possession matters as it is win or go home from here on out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a look at the Division II Single A field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Matchups (Home Team on the left)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TKA vs. Ezell-Harding</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>*Winner plays Jackson Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FACS vs. Boyd Buchanon (Neutral site in Middle TN)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>*Winner plays Goodpasture</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>PCA vs. Lausanne</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>*Winner plays CAK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Silverdale Baptist vs. FRA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>*Winner plays USJ</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You never know which way the ball will bounce in a team's favor. I will say that all these teams are ready to hit the hardwood and compete. As they duke it out, the team who plays together, stays healthy, and finishes will be amongst the final 4 going to the semifinal round in Cookeville.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scout's Insight</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will say that the squads with experience will prevail. That isn't always true. However, we have some young pups leading the way and will soon take over.Take a look at a few vets and newcomers who will be pounding the hardwood in the final 12.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821983' first='Brooklyn' last='Jones'] (5'0/Fr./G/ Goodpasture)</strong>- Shifty guard who has some Allen Iverson like tendencies. Isn't afraid to get paint touches and finish against bigger opponents or stroke it from the arc. The kid was phenomenal and the MVP of the championship region game. She's a fierce competitor and when she is hot, she is hard to stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Haylen Ayers (6'0/Fr./G/USJ)-</strong> One of the best in the class, state, and country. Has some experience during this time of year. The multi-level scoring threat is determined to help propel her Lady Bruins to the promised land. Playing tenacious defense, hitting her spots on the offensive end, and playing big on the boards, USJ and Ayers will be tough to compete with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='290962' first='Izzy' last='Proffitt'] (5'7/Sr./G/ CAK)</strong>- Tough kid who has left her mark on the program. Squad went 12-1 in the district and is riding high coming off a big win over TKA. A 3 level scoring threat, she gets after it on every possession. A heady ball player who has great court awareness and a tremendous feel for the game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='818215' first='Danae' last='Kennedy'] (6'1/Fr./G/FACS)</strong>- Time for the state to take notice. Blessed with size and speed, she's a beast when it comes to this game. Her confidence is through the roof and she does multiple things to help her club win: score, rebound, timely assists, defends. Exciting prospect who is ready for the big stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Other standouts who will be suiting up in the final 12.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409044' first='Reghan' last='Williams'] (Jr./G/ Ezell-Harding)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='377303' first='Lazaviona' last='Hawkins'] (Jr./PG/ Goodpasture)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='408998' first='Brady' last='Branam'] (Jr./PF/ TKA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Skyler Walden (Fr./PG/ TKA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='822483' first='Ava' last='Zenner'] (Fr./PG/FRA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='405709' first='Daisy' last='Gale'] (Sr./PG/ PCA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='513278' first='Kayte' last='Madison Bjornstad'] ( So./C/ PCA)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>My prediction: As much as you all would like to know, I won't say. Haha. What I will say is this, this field of teams is very talented and a lot will depend on who shows up. Shots have to fall, possessions have to be won, there are going to be some very tight matchups especially as it gets closer to the final four. The clubs with the most team unity, heart, and plays the game with a passion will prevail.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->