This kid is a double-digit scorer every single time she takes the floor. What amazes me is her ability to utilize her body to exploit favorable spots. She’s a dynamic guard who can score by taking someone off the dribble, from the catch and shoot position, or by posting up down low and taking advantage of smaller defenders. She fights through the opposition, obtaining and one chances especially down low. She can dial it from deep as well, being a kid who can stretch the floor and exploit a defense’s weakness. College coaches are taking notice of her game, and she will be a nice addition to a program at the next level.

I believe her game is going to go up a notch. She is a solid kid who can score from multiple spots on the floor. Catch and shoot. Off the dribble. On the defensive end. Possibilities are endless when this kid is on the floor. I love her ability to read and see the floor. She can drop dimes with the best of them. She is a selfless ballplayer who makes an impact on the floor. Look for her to take the next step in the recruitment game.

Miss Basketball finalist, LDD averaged 33.3 points per game. This young lady is the complete package as she can get the job done both inside and outside the arc. She has a savvy court presence where she can exploit multiple areas on the floor. From knocking down shots to hitting her open teammates giving them good looks, her offensive game is flawless as she steers the ship. She’s talented on the defensive end too. Steals, rebounds, her contributions help her club big time especially in the victory column. She’s on the come up to do big things and even more coaches will be jumping on her radar these upcoming months.

With junior Laila Downs Darden Laila Downs Darden 5'11" | SG/CG McEwen | 2027 State TN on McEwen’s team their is no limit on what they can accomplish in the postseason.

Darden’s three-level scoring ability, also paired with some of the best rebounding skills in TN at her height, was showcased in her district tournament.

In the semi-final of the tourney, she had 37 points and 19 rebounds. She then scored 27 points and grabbed 19 boards in the district title game. Darden’ verstaility is on the defensive end as well. In the two games, she combined for five blocks.

McEwen will play this Friday in the first round of the regional tourney against Frank Hughes High School.

Someone who just gets the job done. She’s a kid who has learned to be adaptable and play multiple positions on the floor. Versatile, she leverages her strengths and acumen to create opportunities for herself and others. She’s always had a scoring game, but lately, the way she facilitates the rock has been pretty impressive. She’s a solid two-way player who competes and wants to be the best. She’s fearless and is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Keep tabs on this young lady, as she will gain significant attention this upcoming travel ball season.

40 points, 18 rebounds. A very impressive stat line for a Miss Tennessee nominee. This young lady has grown her game in so many ways over the course of the season. She was already a multi-level scoring threat, dominating areas both inside and out. Now, its her passing ability that has been on the uptick, as she can whisk the ball through windows, allowing her teammates to finish. She has always been a defensive stopper, slowing down the opposition. Now that tourney time is around the corner, look for her to shift her game to an even higher gear.

Also a part of the midseason watchlist for the best shooters of the class of 1A, it was impossible to keep Laila Downs Darden Laila Downs Darden 5'11" | SG/CG McEwen | 2027 State TN off the list for best defenders in the class.

Darden, this season in 20 recorded games, has 108 steals. The same craftiness she displays on the offensive end to get open for a jumper, she uses on defense. She constantly finds ways to generate turnovers, whether that is jumping passing lanes or getting a steal off her opponent’s dribble.

One of Darden’s best defensive games this season was against Jo Byrns High School, where she had 10 Steals. With Darden’s ability to impact the game in a multitude of ways, she had a triple-double in this contest. To go with her 10 steals, Darden had 35 points and 12 rebounds.

In her third year of high school basketbal Laila Downs Darden Laila Downs Darden 5'11" | SG/CG McEwen | 2027 State TN is making a statement.

Darden this year from behind the arc has made 57 threes on 34% shooting. Her perimeter jumper is also just one of the many ways she can produce buckets. Darden is averaging a personal career high and current team high, 33.3 points per game.

Her ability to pick apart defenses methodically night in and night out led to several games where she has scored over 40 points. In her last two games, she has combined for 77 points, scoring 43 and 44 points.

Don’t let the level of competition fool you; this young lady is a true hooper. The way she flows on the floor is phenomenal. She has amazing court vision, is versatile, gets to favorable spots to knock down shots, and contributes on defense, making her another finalist once again. She’s a scoring machine, but in my opinion, her defense is an attribute that is often overlooked. No matter the setting, this kid is an impact player who gets the job done nightly.

Leila Downs Darden is ranked as one of the best players in her class for a reason. She has already broken out as a high-level player in her years of hoops as an underclassman, but as she enters her junior season, the skills she displayed on the court last year will have only sharpened.

Darden, last year for McEwen High School, filled up the stat sheet. She averaged 29.2 PPG and 12.2 RPG. Darden’s versatility on the court gives opposing teams constant issues. She can score from all three levels on offense, she can dribble like a guard, and on defense, she can defend positions 1-5. At the high school level, she is a true Swiss Army Knife player. This play has led her to get several Division I College offers.

Her versatility in defending positions 1-5, as mentioned, also showed up on the stat sheet last year. She averaged a combined 6.5 steals and blocks per game, 4.9 SPG, and 1.5 BPG.