Shifty Guards In Tennessee

There is something special about watching basketball when shifty guards are on the floor. They make the game exciting because they have the ability to attack and get downhill. They can beat you with their quickness, by parting the waters, to get to the rim or get a timely assist. Maybe it’s their ability to handle the basketball while breaking ankles along the way. Maybe it’s how they can create their own shot. Whatever it may be, The art of “GO” is a mindset and something that resides in them. Being shifty is a gift, a trait that can’t be taught. How to be instinctual and creative with your feet while dribbling, is an art in itself. From stopping on a dime to juking one way and ending up another, shiftiness is a skill set that if done effectively, could take someone a long way in this game. Can it be taught? That’s questionable. Kids work on certain moves in training sessions all the time, but being reactionary is hard to teach.  When I think of shifty guards, they are like Michelangelo. They can leave their mark on the game in so many ways. They can do it loudly by being that showmanship person. Or they can do it quietly, peppering in shots and assist here and there. Either way, their ability to take over a game by being creative is something special. These kids are lethal, game managers, major components that factor into winning a ball game. Their ability to assess the floor, set up their defender to make a pass, or create a shot goes unnoticed. Whatever the case, being crafty with the ball at your fingertips is an art. In this state, we are blessed to have some dynamic shifty guards to take the hardwood. From border to border, Tennessee has those guards who bring that certain element to the game. They are the X factor. The girl who coaches gameplans for. The one who people try to corral, yet can still cause chaos in different ways. Here is a list (in no certain order) of dynamic shifty guards in the state of Tennessee. They are a must-see for anyone who loves the game of basketball.   Kennedy Claybrooks Kennedy Claybrooks 5'5" | CG Bartlett | 2022 State TN (5’6/Sr./ Bartlett) Zyion Shannon Zyion Shannon 5'7" | CG Stewart's Creek | 2022 State TN (5’8/Sr./ Stewarts Creek) Jaloni Cambridge Jaloni Cambridge 5'8" | PG Ensworth | 2024 State TN (5’8/ So./ Ensworth) Kennedy Cambridge Kennedy Cambridge 5'8" | CG Ensworth | 2022 State TN (5’8/Sr./ Ensworth) (5’7/Sr./ Bearden) Brittani Wells Brittani Wells 5'7" | PG Arlington | 2023 State TN (5’8/Jr./ Germantown) Lazavionna Hawkins (5’4/ Fr./ Goodpasture) Brianna Burgess Brianna Burgess 5'10" | SG Creek Wood | 2023 State TN (5’5/ Sr./ Bearden) Tierny Echols(5’6/So./ Arlington) Kaelyn Flowers (5’6/ So./ Blackman) Brooklyn Crouch Brooklyn Crouch 5'8" | CG Upperman | 2022 State TN (5’8/Sr./ Upperman) Syriah Boxer Conley (5’5/ Jr./ Collierville) Jailyn Banks Jailyn Banks 5'7" | CG MTCS | 2023 State TN (5’9/ Jr./ Middle Tennessee Christian) Jazmin Williams (5’7/ Jr./ Knox. Catholic) Jeurnei Wright Jeurnei Wright 5'9" | SF Whitehaven | 2023 State TN (5’6/ Jr./ Whitehaven) Madison McNeal Madison McNeal 5'4" | PG Stewart's Creek | 2024 State TN (5’4/ So./ Stewarts Creek) Edie Darby Edie Darby 5'6" | PG Greenfield | 2022 State TN (5’6/Sr./ Greenfield) Mallory Taylor Mallory Taylor 5'7" | CG Collierville | 2022 State TN (5’6/ Sr./ White Station) Angelica Velez Angelica Velez 5'6" | PG Webb Bell-Buckle | 2023 State TN (5’7/ Jr./ The Webb School) Mauryah Jones Mauryah Jones 5'6" | PG Fayette-Ware | 2024 State TN (5’1/ So. / Fayette Ware) Trinity Fields Trinity Fields 5'3" | PG Brentwood Academy | 2023 State TN (5’5/ Jr./ Brentwood Academy) Tristan Spearman (5’4/So./ Memphis East) Mariah Hart (5’5 / Sr./ MBA) Emily Gonzalez (5’7/ Sr./ Bearden) Izzy Proffitt Izzy Proffitt 5'6" | PG CAK | 2024 State TN (5’6/ So. / CAK) Aaniyah Johnson Aaniyah Johnson 5'8" | SG Central | 2022 State TN (5’8/ Sr. / First Baptist Academy) Kydra West (5’5/Fr./ Hardin Valley) Imari Berry Imari Berry 5'10" | SG Clarksville | 2024 State TN (5’10/ So./ Clarksville) Emmy Lowe (5’6/ Fr./ Pickett Co.)