Hooping In July

Brandon Tinnon July 24, 2024 @ 08:39 AM

The grind szn has come to an end. No more live period tournaments for the rest of 2024. That's ok. It was a heck of a ride and onto the next. Look, the whistles might have stopped blowing, but I know there are girls still getting after it. A few might take a few days to recharge their batteries before school starts back up. However, there have been some who have jumped right in ready to get better, fix what they need to work on, and add to their tool belts as they look to get better for the future.   This season was crazy good and in the month of July, made the season even more better. Tons of girls got looks and offers, which bodes well for their stocks, confidence, and prospective high school programs. I feel like the grind szn (travel ball season) really helps kids get better. Like iron sharpens iron, when you are on a platform of like minded players and similar competition, it forces you to get better.    Over the next couple of days and weeks, articles will be written about tons of young ladies who put that work in and have excelled at this craft we love known as basketball. They got offers, they've  turned heads, they've really helped lay the foundation on what should/may become a successful upcoming season.   As kids settle down back into school, get back in the gym, jump into fall leagues or open gym runs, you better believe this upcoming year will be a fantastic one. I don't want to look too far ahead, but I wanted to circle back now and talk about some players who had a big time in July.   Check out just a few girls who had a successful grind szn this month.   [player_tooltip player_id='409076' first='Taya' last='Totten'](5'11/Sr./PG/ Portland)- Heady basketball player who knows how to pick her spots. She is a go-getter who is a downhill threat. Facilitates the ball well, can score on all 3 levels, she is a underrated prospect who is going to have a breakout upcoming high school season. Dual sport athlete who is a great two way player.   [player_tooltip player_id='409035' first='Channah' last='Gannon'] (6'3/ Sr./ C/ Coffee Co.)- Throwback big who can do it all. I am going to say it, but she is the Jokic of Tennessee girls basketball. Can shoot the 3 ball, owns the painted area on both ends. Excels in the screen game. Has the ability to knock down elbow and short corner shots at a consistent clip. Owns the boards and runs the floor well in transition. An overlooked skill by many is that she is a great passer. This young lady is a big time big who is definitely an enforcer. Look for her to commit to a power 5 school sooner rather than later.   [player_tooltip player_id='593347' first='Chelby' last='Jordan'] (5'9/ Jr./ CG/ Dyersburg)- Swiss army knife who can do all things. A multi-sport athlete who excels on the hardwood amongst other sports. She plays with speed, has the ability to stop on a dime for a pull up. Plays lockdown defense which leads to easy buckets going the other way. A 3 level scoring threat who is gathering offers daily. Look for her to help lead Dyersburg back to Murfreesboro this upcoming season.   [player_tooltip player_id='372802' first='Kami' last='Wilson'] (5'11/ Sr./CG/ Lakeway Christian Academy)- Growth. Her game just keeps getting better and better. I feel like this young lady can do all things and when she is on, she is hard to stop. Kami is a smart basketball player and knows how to exploit an opponent's weakness. She can score it from all 3 levels, but most importantly she eliminates any glimmer of hope for an opponent by shutting down their best player. She's an exceptional passer, rebounds well, and an outstanding teammate. Great kid who keeps turning heads every time she laces up her shoes.   [player_tooltip player_id='509171' first='Tiara' last='Spencer'] (5'7/ Jr./PG/ Lebanon)- Heady floor general who can push the ball in transition. She can get her club into sets, feed the post with ease, score around the rim and from beyond, but in reality she just runs the show. Has tight handles that enable her to push the rock with pace. Her court vision is nice and she doesn't get rattled with pressure. Solid kid who will continue to excel and get better.

The grind szn has come to an end. No more live period tournaments for the rest of 2024. That's ok. It was a heck of a ride and onto the next. Look, the whistles might have stopped blowing, but I know there are girls still getting after it. A few might take a few days to recharge their batteries before school starts back up. However, there have been some who have jumped right in ready to get better, fix what they need to work on, and add to their tool belts as they look to get better for the future.