Natalya Hodge Natalya Hodge 5'7" | CG/PG Bearden | 2026 State #74 Nation TN has been one of the better scorers throughout her high school career in the state of TN. In her final game for Bearden High School in the state tournament, that remained the case.

Hodge against Bartlett High School in the first round of the state tourney, dropped a game-high 31 points. 15 of these points were from threes, as she went 5-11 from behind the arc.

Hodge has elite speed and elite dribbling moves. She can also shoot off the dribble with these skills, which will help her be successful at the college level.

Nat3000. This young lady just eclipsed the 3,000-point mark this week. For her to get to the number, you know she had to be in her bag consistently. This kid is a tough player who can create off the dribble like no other. Her ability to change speeds and get to favorable spots is second to none. I appreciate her ability to finish around the rim and use her quick first step to elevate for her jump shot. She’s a bucket, and Missouri is getting a dynamic ballplayer in this young lady.

One of the most electric guards in the state. The Missouri signee is nothing but fantastic every time she steps onto the floor. She is going to put on a show in every contest. From attacking downhill and finishing at the rim to draining 3s, the ball is going to find the bottom of the net. She is a solid defender, a kid who can steer the ship. Her presence on the floor gives Bearden an edge no matter who the opponent is. Keep an eye out for this sensational talent as she looks to capture a state title.

Hodge put on a show offensively for Bearden that some onlookers jaws on the ground. Hodge finished with 39 points as she knocked made threes from almost every spot on the court and generated her own offense with steals and easy layups in transition. The Missouri signee does an incredible job using her handle to create just enough space to rise up over the defender and get her shot off. She was outstanding with the ball in pick and roll situations as well punishing the defender every time they chose to go under the screen by calmly squaring herself up to the basket and knocking down open threes. Hodge could be a dark horse contender for Freshman of the Year in the SEC next year.

Natlaya Hodge was on a heater in Beraden’s first game of two at the Hoop Fest.

Hodge in day one of the event, when her team was taking on CPA, was finding the bottom of the bucket regularly. In the midst of her team trying to convert a fourth-quarter comeback, she had a few made threes in the second half. Some of these were difficult shots, coming both on the move and contested. Hodge somehow managed to make these attempts look effortless. Hodge also in the game had shots made around the basket, with a couple of these makes being transition buckets. The combination of her versatile scoring game resulted in her being the game’s high scorer with 35 points.

Hodge also stood out as one of the best defenders in this game against CPA, getting a total of five steals.

The Missouri signee was cookin’. I’m talking about giving teams a fire roasting specialty. She is hard to contain as she has an excellent pull-up jumper, and she displays from the field to go along with her ability to finish at the rim. She is so shifty, and it was hard for opponents to slow her down as she got to the rim with ease. She finished with 30+ points in multiple contests. She’s a hard-working individual who’s going to elevate the Missouri program once she arrives. Until then, look for her to push her team towards state contention.

Guard Natalya Hodge Natalya Hodge 5'7" | CG/PG Bearden | 2026 State #74 Nation TN has not only proven that her rank of the #3 best player in her class is deserved, but she is making an argument that she could go even higher in the ranks this season.

Hodge, who was a lethal scorer last year, has shown that in spades in 2025 thus far. She already has multiple games with 20 or more points. Her three-point shot is a big part of her scoreboard-shattering scoring ability. In a contest against Morristown-Hamblen West High School, she made seven threes.

Hodge also this year has continued to be one of the best defenders every time she steps on the court. This was seen in a game against Oak Ridge High School, where she had nine steals.

Natalya Hodge Natalya Hodge 5'7" | CG/PG Bearden | 2026 State #74 Nation TN is one of the best players in TN in general.

Good players control the tempo of the game, and Hodge does that every time she steps on the floor. Her stop-and-go speed and maneuverability at the guard position are as top-tier as it gets in high school basketball. With these skills, she is a great finisher around the basket and has no issue finishing shots through contact. Also Hodge’s dribbling skills that are on a string, allows her to get to the basket often, and to also make space for her above average three point jumper.

On defense, her speed makes her a great guard defender, with her attention to detail also shining on that end.

This monster is down to her top seven: Arizona, Arizona State, Missouri, Florida State, Baylor, Georgia Tech, Georgia. Wherever she goes, the team will be impacted by her talent right away. A dynamic scoring guard who can fill it up from all three levels. Shifty, this young lady takes it to opponents, leaving defenders in the dust. She has been a kid who has shone in the light, helping her team reach new heights yearly. This go around, look for her to finish strong and give a verbal commitment to one of the seven schools mentioned. 

A dynamic athlete who is a scoring threat wherever she is on the court. With the ball in her hands, magic just happens as she can will her way to advantageous opportunities. Whenever her club seemed overmatched, it was she who helped instill the hope of those around. She is a fearless ballplayer who is solid on both ends of the floor. A difference maker, she will look to impact the collegiate game just as she has done on the high school level.