Tennessee

Who will win TSSAA Miss Basketball? See the frontrunners in each class

Published

4 weeks ago

February 5, 2026

Who will win TSSAA Miss Basketball? See the frontrunners in each class

Frontrunners for Tennessee high school girls basketball’s highest individual honor are beginning to come into view.

In just over a month, the TSSAA Miss Basketball awards will be handed out to Tennessee’s top high school girls player in each classification. Miss Basketball nominations are sent in by media members across the state before a selection committee meets to determine three finalists and a winner for all six classifications.

The awards will be given out in a ceremony at MTSU’s Tucker Theater on March 10 at 5:30 p.m. (CT).

Here’s a look at potential Tennessee Miss Basketball candidates in each classification.

Class 1A

Ava Ashley, Wayne County, Jr.: Ashley leads Wayne County with 20.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.4 blocks, 1.5 steals and 1.3 assists per game.

Bailey Blair, Richland, Sr.: Blair is averaging 19.8 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 steals for the No. 1-ranked Lady Raiders.

Laila Downs-Darden, McEwen, Jr.: The 2025 Miss Basketball finalist is averaging 33.3 points, 14.7 rebounds, 5.4 steals and 4.8 assists.

Rayanna Fisher, Greenfield, Jr.: Fisher, the 2025 Class A state tournament MVP, is averaging 19.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.9 steals and 3.2 assists.

Abigail Netherton, Van Buren County, Jr.: Netherton has recorded 19 points, four assists and three rebounds per game to lead Van Buren County this season.

Zoey Nicholas, Pickett County, Sr.: Nicholas, a Tennessee Tech signee, is averaging 30.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, five assists and 2.3 steals per game with a season high of 44 points scored.

Ella Porter, Greenfield, Fr.: Porter is averaging 23 points, 3.7 steals and 2.8 rebounds while shooting 55.6% from field and 45% from three for the defending state champs.

Class 2A

Ava Floyd, Hickman County, Jr.: Floyd is averaging 21 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists while shooting 45% from field and 41% from three.

Maliyah Glasper, Gatlinburg-Pittman, Sr.: Glasper, a Tennessee Tech signee, is averaging 20 points, eight rebounds, five steals and four assists while shooting 55% from field 35% from three.

Curnesha Taylor, Memphis Business Academy, Sr.: The Tennessee Martin signee is averaging 19.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 3.3 steals and 1.3 blocks.

Raylee Werner, York Institute, Sr.: The Carson-Newman signee is averaging 14.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.3 steals for the No. 1-ranked Dragonettes.

Kaegan Young, Cascade, Sr.: Young, a Tennessee Southern signee, leads Cascade with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals per game.

Class 3A

McLayne Bobo, Tullahoma, Sr.: The MTSU signee is averaging 16.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and one steal.

Gracie Clark, White County, Sr.: Clark leads No. 1-ranked White County averaging 16 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.2 steals.

Andrea Flores, Daniel Boone, Sr.: The Mississippi State signee is averaging 22.4 points, eight rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.4 steals.

Journey Holloway, Red Bank, Sr.: Holloway, Red Bank’s all-time leading scorer, is averaging 24.7 points, 13 rebounds, 6.4 steals and 4.4 assists.

Payton Rollins, South Doyle, Jr.: Rollins is averaging 20.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.1 steals, three assists and one block.

Brylee Tullock, Greeneville, Sr.: Tullock is averaging 19.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 3.3 steals to lead the Lady Devils.

Sydney Wilhite, Cumberland County, Jr.: Wilhite is averaging 26.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 2.4 assists.

Class 4A

Natalie Barnes, Coffee County, Sr.: The Samford signee is averaging 23.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

Cecilie Brandimore, Franklin, Sr.: The Missouri signee leads the Lady Admirals averaging 21.3 points, 11.1 rebounds and 3.5 blocks.

Kimora Fields, Bradley Central, Sr.: Fields is averaging 32.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 2.4 assists for unbeaten Bradley Central. The Clemson signee was the 2025 Miss Basketball winner and has a season high of 52 points scored.

Natalya Hodge, Bearden, Sr.: Hodge is averaging 27.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 3.1 assists. She was a McDonald’s All-American Game nominee and 2025 Miss Basketball finalist.

Kataira Tolbert, Green Hill, So.: Tolbert is averaging 19.5 points, nine rebounds and 2.5 steals while shooting 63.3% from the field and 45.5% from three.

Division II-A

Haylen Ayers, University School of Jackson, Jr.: The two-time Miss Basketball winner is averaging 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals while shooting 52% from the field and 37% from three.

Jules Ferrell, MTCS, Jr.: Ferrell, a transfer from Coffee County, is averaging 20.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.7 assists.

MiMi Lee, Notre Dame, So.: Lee is averaging 22 points, 5.5 assists, 4.9 steals and 4.4 rebounds.

Kayte Madison Bjornstad, PCA, Sr.: The Samford signee leads PCA averaging 20.4 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.

Brilee Price, Ezell-Harding, Sr.: Price, an Austin Peay signee, averages 19.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 steals and 5.2 assists.

Ava Zenner, FRA, So.: Zenner leads FRA averaging 19.8 points, 6.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 45% from the field and 40.8% from three.

Division II-AA

Meeyah Green, Knoxville Webb, Sr.: Green, a Clemson signee and 2025 Miss Basketball winner, is averaging 13.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 2.3 steals.

Ava Jarrett, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.: Jarrett, a Western Carolina signee, leads the Lady Mustangs with 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.4 assists per game.

Ava Jones, Hutchinson, Sr.: Jones, who will play college basketball at Penn, is averaging 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.

Kyndall Mays, Knoxville Webb, So.: Mays is averaging 13.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists for the No. 1-ranked Lady Spartans.

Lily Morrow, CPA, Sr.: Morrow averages 12 points, four rebounds, 2.5 assists and two steals for No. 4-ranked CPA.

Harrison Campbell covers high school sports for The Daily Herald and The Tennessean. Email him at hcampbell@usatodayco.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @hccamp.

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Tennessee

Tennessee releases availability update on star Nate Ament following injury

Published

3 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Tennessee releases availability update on star Nate Ament following injury

Tennessee star Nate Ament will miss a game against South Carolina on Tuesday, the program announced on Monday night. Ament was injured during a weekend contest against Alabama.

Ament was injured when he was rolled up on while going for a loose ball. His leg twisted awkwardly underneath him, and Ament immediately went to the locker room.

He would return briefly in the second half. Nate Ament even made a basket, but then he appeared to tweak his injury shortly after and returned to the bench. He did not re-enter the contest.

Tennessee issued a short statement on his availability against South Carolina. The program released the statement on Twitter.

“Nate Ament will not play tomorrow night at South Carolina,” Tennessee wrote. “Ament is out due to a right leg injury sustained Saturday against Alabama. The timetable for his return is to be determined and he will continue to be evaluated.”

A 6-foot-10, 207-pound freshman, Ament has been one of Tennessee’s best players all season. He is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 17.4 points per game. He’s also the team’s leading rebounder, securing 6.4 rebounds per game.

Nate Ament signs NIL deal with Reebok

On3’s Nick Schultz recently published a list of some of the top brands to sign college basketball freshmen to NIL deals. Ament was one of the top signees.

In addition to Arkansas star Darius Acuff, Ament signed with Reebok this year. Ament was the crown jewel of Tennessee’s recruiting class. He signed with the brand in October 2024 while he was the No. 4 overall player from the 2025 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Nate Ament sits second on the Tennessee roster with 17.4 points per game, and his 6.4 rebounds on average leads the Vols. Additionally, his $1.3 million On3 NIL Valuation ranks No. 14 in college basketball and No. 56 in the On3 NIL 100.

On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.

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Tennessee

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

Published

15 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Thursday, Hands On and NewsChannel 5 staff will come together for a community-wide cleanup day.

The event, sponsored by NewsChannel 5 will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 as we assist in winter storm cleanup.

If you’d like to help volunteer, you can sign up here.

Rhori, Carrie, Lelan and Brittany will all be helping assist residents removing and sorting debris.

Important details for those wishing to volunteer:

This may require lifting and carrying objects that weigh 20+ pounds.
Closed-toe shoes and long pants required. Heavy soles and steel toes preferred. Gloves and safety goggles will be provided, or you may bring your own.
Current tetanus vaccination recommended. Chainsaws, utility crews, and heavy equipment will be active in the area.
Volunteers under the age of 18 are prohibited from participating.
Eat before you arrive and bring a water bottle, if needed.

Nashville’s Jefferson Street Sound Museum named stop on U.S. Civil Rights Trail

The Jefferson Street Sound Museum is a great little gem in North Nashville. The founder and curator turned his home into a museum to keep the legacy of historic Jefferson street alive. Now, it’s been named a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Aaron Cantrell takes us inside.

– Lelan Statom

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Tennessee

Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE ― Vanderbilt women’s basketball won at Tennessee for only the second time in program history, beating the Lady Vols 87-77 at Food City Center on March 1.

The Commodores (27-3, 13-3) are the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, which begins March 4 in Greenville, South Carolina.

The regular-season finale featured multiple runs by both teams. Tennessee went on an 8-0 run in the second quarter and took a six-point lead into halftime. Vanderbilt went on an 8-0 run to end the third quarter, then went a 10-0 run in the fourth to put the game away.

The Commodores, who shot 53% from the field, were led by Mikayla Blakes, who finished with 34 points. Aubrey Galvan had 24 points, four rebounds and five assists, and Sacha Washington had 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists.

“The season has been really special, to be able to end it here at Tennessee with a win and secure I think the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament,” coach Shea Ralph said. “So the double bye, it feels really cool. I’m happy for the team, but we are literally just getting started.”

Tennessee (16-12, 8-8) outrebounded Vanderbilt 32-29. The Commodores shot 17-for-20 on layups and had 27 fast-break points. Tennessee was 10-for-24 on layups.

Vanderbilt’s SEC Tournament seed

The SEC Tournament will be held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Vanderbilt will start play on March 6 and holds a bye into the quarterfinals, where it will play the No. 7 or No. 10 seed at approximately 5 p.m. CT.

Mikayla Blakes stats

Blakes put up another 30-point performance, her third straight and eighth in her past nine games. She added six rebounds and four assists, but also had six turnovers.

She made six 3-pointers, which ties her season high.

“She had 34 but her biggest buckets were when we had to happen,” Ralph said. “Her biggest moments in this game were when we had to happen. That kid shows up every time.”

Third straight rivalry win

Vanderbilt now has three straight wins over the Lady Vols, beating them last season in Nashville and once in the SEC Tournament.

“I think Tennessee is a great team,” Ralph said. “They will be for as long as women’s basketball exists. Playing here in front of this crowd is tough. It’s tough. So I was really proud of our team for being able to figure it out the second half and win, especially here at Tennessee.”

The Commodores have their most SEC wins in program history.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

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