A kid who has handled adversity and then some. She played her role to a T and executed when her number was called. She always had this switch in her game, and when it was turned on, there was nothing the other team could do about it. She could go from scoring in single digits in the first half to putting up 20 points before it’s all said and done. This kid can score the basketball from all over and is one you could count on to hit the big shot down the stretch. She’s a talented kid who is going to do great things at the next level.

Middle Tennessee Christian senior Anna Clay Shirley Anna Clay Shirley 6'0" | SG MTCS | 2026 State TN is having a great offensive year overall, including the likes of her high-level perimeter shooting.

Shirley, this season in 18 logged games, has 44 made threes and is shooting 38% from beyond the long line. It is clear that this far into her high school hoops career, Shirley does not get phased by big moments. This was seen when she played against one of the best teams in the state, Bradley Central, no less than two weeks ago.

Despite her team getting a loss, Shirley played well. In the contest, she made four threes. A couple of these threes were off of the dribble, and one of her makes was from the top of the key, well off the line. Shirley’s three-point game is by no means one-dimensional.

Back from injury, she is ready to let it loose and get back on the hardwood floor. This kid is ready to unleash her scoring acumen on opponents, picking up right where she left off. A 3-level scoring threat, this young lady is prepared to bring it and reclaim her position among the best in the district. Her recruitment is an ongoing process, but wherever she lands, that school will be getting a talented young lady who will be a determined individual, who will be a foundational piece for many years.

A kid ready to stake her claim as one of the class’s best prospects. Coming off an injury that derailed her season last year, she is primed and ready to get back into action and show everyone that she never left. This kid plays with such heart and determination. Once she gets going, she is hard to stop. A 3-level scoring threat, she is going to carve up a defense in multiple ways. From the 3, around the rim, knocking down the mid range, the ball is going to find the bottom of the net as she unleashes a beautiful stroke from the field. Look for her to come out of the gates strong and help lead this Lady Cougars club. She’s back to help capture the crown and show everyone her team is legit. College coaches, be on the lookout for this super tough kid.

 Well, teams in the Division II-A will have a problem on their hands that’s for sure. This young lady has been putting in the work, getting bigger and stronger. Once she hits the floor, well words can’t describe how much she means to that MTCS ball club. She is a sharpshooter, and once she is on, it’s hard to slow her down. She can will a team to victory, especially when the chips are down. A lethal multi-level scoring threat who doesn’t care who she is going up against, she is going to compete. Look for her to be one of the top players in the district and a force to be reckoned with.

A determined warrior who is battling back from injury. This kid is about to take the league by storm and pick up where she left off. A heady ballplayer who can fill it up from multiple spots on the floor. Sure, she is a sharpshooter from the arc, but she won’t hesitate to put it on the floor and go get a bucket. She’s primed and ready to return back to the hardwood. She has been working her tail off, and she is ready to come back this last ride and make some noise. Look for her to come right out of the gates and leave her mark.

 Don’t let the smile fool you, this girl is a stone cold killer when it comes to the game of basketball. When she is on, she’s on. A very determined individual, she’s a multi level scoring threat who is hard to handle as she can put the ball in the bottom of the net in multiple ways. Her game has evolved over the years and she has gained valuable knowledge and experience from being battle tested on many different platforms. This kid is a player and her game speaks volumes. Look for her to be the leading catalyst for the Lady Cougars attack. She’s tasted the big stage before and you better believe she will be trying to do whatever she can to get back there.

Shirley has turned herself into a state-wide stud, known for her big time scoring ability.

Her stat line is pretty interesting: in her freshman year she was mainly a three point bomber. 260 of her 380 shots attempted were threes, hitting 36%, on the way to a 12.6 average.

In her sophomore season, she really began diversifying her game, and only shot 180 threes, but raised her scoring average to 18, and all of her efficiency numbers. She had a 9% jump in FG%, and an 11% jump in free throw percentage. Those are HUGE jumps. Look out for her to continue trending up.

She doesn’t quite fit our criteria here, as she’s already sitting at 1207 points (she’s been averaging nearly 9 a game since 8th grade), but I think she’ll be pushing 1800-2,000 points by the end of her junior season.