More Than A Wing
In this article:
Pick a number, 2 or 3 (Shh. Maybe even 4). Pick a side, left or right. Whatever you choose, the state of TN has dynamic wing play. Doesn’t matter the division, the girls around here can put the ball through the net. From behind the arc to finishing at the rim, their dynamic skill sets can help propel their teams to victory any night . So whatever game your eyes may be looking at, either team is going to have a wing who is going to light it up.
I know you are probably thinking,” Carter, it’s a given. Technically there is a shooting guard and a small forward on each team.” True, but these girls can do so much more. Handle the ball. Post up. Knock down mid range Js. Start transition breaks. They just flat out do more and not just because they are asked to. It’s become second nature. It’s apart of that inner dog they’ve developed . These girls are gonna put numbers up and they are going to make you feel it.
As a coach, you’re probably scheming on how to stop this threat. Too late. These girls are intelligent. Lethal. Basketball savvy. Reactionary assassins. Their gonna get theirs one way or another. Their going to leave their thumbprint on the game some how in some way. It’s in their DNA. The best thing you can do is contain them and hope none of their teammates go off. So if you are spectator or whether you are in the coaches box on the sideline, sit back and relax. Get your popcorn ready. Enjoy watching the show as our dynamic wings throughout the state contribute to your entertainment.
Here are just a few, I repeat a few, of some phenomenal wings that we have in the state of Tennessee.
Jennifer Sullivan (5’7/ Sr./ Bearden)– All around player who has a sweet touch. She can score the rock from multiple locations on the floor. She’s a hustler, who does the little things to maximize her potential. Can create her own shot or come off screens on the offensive end. Either way, she’s a bucket and a big-time contributor for her club.
Mya Pratcher Mya Pratcher 6'1" | SF Bartlett | 2022 State TN (6’1/ Sr. / Bartlett)– High motor player who can play inside and out. Has a nice mid-range game to go along with her ability to create and finish through contact. She contributes to her teams success in multiple ways both offensively and defensively. From collecting boards to creating turnovers, Mya is a dynamic player that brings a lot to the table.
Emily Monson Emily Monson 6'0" | SF Blackman | 2023 State TN (6’0/ Jr./ Blackman)– Underrated, yet hard working gym rat. Emily is going to find ways to contribute to her teams success. Whether its getting rebounds, steals, guarding the toughness player, she’s gonna accept the challenge and compete. She brings a scoring threat to the table knocking down shots from all 3 levels. Reads the floor well and knows when to attack. Has a great court presence and can get her teammates involved early in the game.
Briah Hampton Briah Hampton 6'1" | SF Memphis East | 2022 State TN (6’1/ Sr./ Arlington)– High motor kid who can leave her thumbprint on the game in multiple ways. Can start transitional breaks and finish at the rim, to knocking down J’s inside the arc. Great finishers who can help lead her team to victory. Over the years has added tools to her tool belt that has enabled her to become a lethal weapon on the floor.
Kennedy Cambridge Kennedy Cambridge 5'8" | CG Ensworth | 2022 State TN (5’8/ Sr./Ensworth)– Dynamic guard who can handle the ball and dish with the best of them. Can score it on multiple levels. Slash through the lanes to create opportunities for both herself and her teammates. Plays lockdown defense and bring the energy stick every single time she steps on the floor. A dog looking for a fight, she’s going to do anything she can do help bring her team to victory.
Tamia Scott Tamia Scott 6'0" | CG Clarksville | 2022 State TN (6’1/ Sr. / Clarksville Northwest) – Big wing that can run the floor and handle the ball. Can beat you inside and out. Can pull it from deep, or beat you inside by either posting up or using her quick first step to strike downhill. Can affect the game in many ways using her length to her advantage.
Sydney Mains Sydney Mains 5'11" | SF Knoxville Catholic | 2024 State TN (5’11/ So./ Knoxville Catholic)– Elite combo guard who competes night in and night out. Can score the rock on multiple levels, knifing through defenses, finishing against contact at the rim, or launching balls from beyond the 3. Is solid on the defensive end where she uses her height and quick feet to create havoc.
Avery Strickland Avery Strickland 5'9" | SF Farragut | 2022 State TN (6’0/ Sr./ Farragut)– Nicknamed Ace, she is at the top of her game. Using her body as a strength, she is able to unleash a plethora of moves to score the bucket. She can attack from the wing and go downhill. She can catch at the elbow and knock down the 15 footer. She can go to the block and use the glass effectively. Mind you she plays great defense to go along with her offensive prowess.
Karli Hayworth (5’7/ Jr. / Alcoa)– She can play as the primary ball handler or the off guard, either way, this kid is gonna score the bucket or make the right play. Has a great basketball IQ that can lead to momentum shifters and her team taking the W. Can score it from multiple levels, feed multiple angles, and get after it on the defensive end.
McKenna Hayes McKenna Hayes 5'8" | CG East Hamilton | 2022 State TN (5’8/ Sr./ East Hamilton)– Sharpshooter who can score it from multiple levels. Sees the floor well and doesn’t force many things. Plays with poise, yet with a chip on her shoulder to where she seems to always be at the right spot at the right time. Has a knack for being around the ball.
Summer Bostock (6’0/ Jr./ Webb- Bell Buckle)– Tough kid who plays the game hard. Can score it on multiple levels. From knifing through zones to shooting from the arc, this kid can score the basketball. Possesses patience and poise, she’s always in position to score the ball. When the ball isn’t in her hands, she reads the floor well and can anticipate getting offside rebounds. Defensively, she pressures the ball well which equates to multiple turnover leading to fast break points for her club.
Jada Harrison Jada Harrison 5'8" | PG Martin Westview | 2023 State TN (5’8/ Jr./ Westview)– Back from injury, she has picked up where she left off. She’s added a little something extra to her game, but she is determined to straight dominate every time she steps on the floor. Scoring it from multiple spots, she gonna get to the cup one way or another. From beyond the arc or just beyond the paint, she is straight butter. She’s a special player who sees the floor well. She has a great feel for the game and knows when to strike. Gets it done on both ends of the floor.
Amelia Goehring Amelia Goehring 5'10" | SF Jackson Trinity Christian Academy | 2023 State TN ( 5’11/ Jr. / Trinity Christian Academy)– Multi-sport athlete who contributes to the game of basketball in multiple ways. Knocking down clutch shots, driving to the rim, hitting open teammates, she is a selfless player when it comes to this sport. She is a go-getter, a hustler, who sacrifices for the greater good. She let’s the game come to her and she does so quietly. At the end of the night, she has left her mark on the game in more ways than one.
Jordan Gillies Jordan Gillies 5'11" | SG Cookeville | 2023 State TN (5’11/ Jr./ Cookeville)– Big wing who can score it. From downtown to finishing in the paint, she possess a great inside/out game. Has a nice stroke that she unleashes in transition or coming off screens. Tough kid on the defensive end. Grabbing boards and taking charges. Isn’t afraid to go toe to toe with the best of them.
Karly Weathers Karly Weathers 5'11" | CG Loretto | 2022 State TN (5’10/ Sr. / Loretto)– Big wing who can score it inside and out. Karly knows the bottom of the net like it’s her best friend. From knocking down shots from multiple levels to finishing in the paint, she is an offensive threat any night of the week. Don’t let her offensive statistics fool you as she is a threat on the defensive end as well.
Deja Richmond (5’8/ Jr./ First Assembly Christian School)– Gritty yet very skilled, uses her long wingspan and athleticism to create havoc on the court. She is crafty and can score at will, handling the ball under pressure. She sees the floor well, attacking gaps to score the ball and dishing the rock to her teammates. Can get to the paint to finish or get past defenders knocking down the mid-range.
Rachel Griffin Rachel Griffin 6'3" | C Rossville Christian Academy | 2024 State TN (6’3/ So./ Fayette Ware)– Big body who can handle the rock. Has a quick first step that allows her to attack down hill. Can work the block and the mid-range, knocking down shots consistently. Contributes at a high clip on the boards on both ends of the floor. Blocks shots and eliminates the painted area on defense.
Alonna Poole Alonna Poole 5'11" | SF Oakland | 2024 State TN (6’0/ So./ Stewart’s Creek)– Silky smooth, Na Na is dynamic with the ball in her hands. Has a quick first step that she utilizes when creating space or in attack mode. Can shoot the ball from beyond the arc or create mismatches down low. Can distribute the rock and grab rebounds on both ends. Can handle the ball under pressure. Defensively, anticipates well, creating turnovers and transitional fast breaks.
Olivia Lee Olivia Lee 5'11" | SG Jackson Trinity Christian Academy | 2023 State TN (6’0 / Jr./ Trinity Christian Academy)– Gritty multi-sport athlete who just gets it done. From driving to the rim to knocking down shots, Olivia is going to do whatever it takes to help her team win. She’s relentless, she’s a hustler, she knows when to attack and when to let the game come to her. She can play inside or out, knocking down shots consistently. Great teammates who communicates well and does the little things to affect the outcome of the game.