PeachStateBasketball.com – Team Tennessee Program Review – August 20, 2014

Brianna Smith is an example of hard work law essays uk com review paying off for Team Tennessee. Read how their team worked together for shared success this year.

One of the common denominators of successful teams and programs at any level is teaching a purpose bigger than basketball. Perhaps no other team provides a better example of this than Team Tennessee. They beat teams with more individual talent with their team first attitudes and their mantra of “No Drama.” Coach Mark Springer’s provides a blueprint that many other teams should study.

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

Trust is a bond that is built over time. In a whirlwind of games that are played in a 14 day window in the month of July, that feeling has to be cemented long before the names are written in the scorebook. According to coach Springer, “A lot of these girls have played together since they were nine years old. We have worked hard to create a wholesome environment that helps improve skills in addition to gaining exposure.”

This summer that buy-in paid dividends as the team experienced more success than they had in the past. They went deep into bracket play at every tournament that they competed in. Springer added, “We had buy-in from players and families into this team concept. That is different from most teams I observe. We try to simulate what will happen at the college essay writing service reviews uk level where you have to get everyone to fill their role.”

Program Director:

Mark Springer

Program Headquarters:

Franklin, Tennessee

PeachStateBasketball.com Tournaments Attended:

Tip-Off Classic (TN)
May Day Challenge
Real Deal in the ‘Ville Session I

Notable Players:

Chassity Carter – 2016
Raeyana DeGray – 2015
Ronjanae DeGray – 2015
Jordan Majors – 2015
Lauren Ransom – 2015
Briana Smith – 2015

Season Highlights from Mark Springer

Team Tennessee’s success started even before July began. In the April evaluation weekend, Springer’s group faced off in a rematch versus the West Virginia Thunder at the PSB Tip-Off Classic in Franklin, Tenn. The year before, Team Tennessee had edged them in a close contest in a championship game at the same event at Suwanee Sports Academy. A year later, Springer’s group hit on all cylinders and won the game running away.

At the Battle of the ‘Boro, Team Tennessee won their pool and squared off against one of the most respected independent travel teams on the circuit in Mac Irvin Fire. In one of the best games of the summer Team Tennessee matched Mac Irvin blow for blow to the final seconds of the game. As Springer said, “We matured as a group. We realized that we can play physical with anyone and match opponent’s aggressiveness. A big part of that for us was gaining a mental edge.”

Team Tennessee finished the month of July i cannot do assignments by winning their division at the Music City Madness. In Springer’s word, “We turned the tables on the West Coast teams this year. There are a lot of talented teams that have gotten the best of us in the past.”

The Program: 

Team Tennessee boasts of one of the most talented prospects in the class of 2016 with No. 13 Chassity Carter of Dickson, Tenn. The 5-foot-11 guard can get her own shot when she needs to, but she also does a terrific job of seeing the floor and passing to open teammates. Carter balances elite athleticism with incredible skill on the floor. As much attention as Carter received this year, Springer credits her as much as anybody for keeping the team together. “There was never any envy with our group and Chassity was a big part of that. She diffused a lot of that herself and never set herself above her teammates. In the end, everyone wanted to see each other succeed.”

Another highly recruited prospect for Team Tennessee is Jordan Majors of Nashville, Tenn. Her versatility to rebound and score in the lane has lead to coach Springer’s phone being quite busy this month with calls from college coaches. She paired up with another athletic forward in class of 2015 Lauren Ransom of Antioch, Tenn. Both of these players made things tough for opponents. Springer help on college essay says, “We had so much depth at the power forward position that it allowed us to play physical and aggressive in the lane.”

Even still, Springer mentions more players when talking about the success of Team Tennessee. Specifically he talked about the DeGray sisters as being important to the teams accomplishments. “Raeyana was a late bloomer to the game. She is a terrific athlete and her development has attracted the attention of several coaches from across the country.”

Raeyana Degray the 6’ forward from Mt. Juliet, Tenn., came onto to the national radar with a breakout performance at the Tip-Off Classic in April. She was joined by her twin sister, 6’ forward, Ronjanae DeGray as an enforcer in the lane. According to Springer, “Ronjanae bounced back impressively after suffering an ACL tear last year.”

One of the most impressive parts of this team was its depth. Coach Springer mentioned that he had numerous combinations of lineups that he could go with, which helped keep kids on their toes. As a result, every kid on the roster has received a look or a call from a college coach. He also talked about class of 2015 guard Briana Smith of Nashville, Tenn., as a player who developed as a key contributor. Springer also added this about his roster, “We just had a number of potential college essay writer org discount code ball players on the roster. We feel like many of these kids have tremendous upside. They will only get better once they are a part of a program at the next level.”

The Future: 

Team Tennessee will finish out this year by playing at the PSB End of the Road Championships. Coach Springer says, “That will be a good opportunity for our girls to get some final looks before heading into their high school seasons.”

After the travel year ends, Springer says that he looks forward to relaxing and sitting in the stands. He talks about visiting all of the girls at some of their high school games. When asked about next year, he responds, “We will cross that bridge when it gets here. Now is the time to focus on enjoying what is left of this year.”

ProspectsNationTV: Team Tennessee versus West Virginia Thunder

Jonathan Hemingway is the Assistant Director of Scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com. The service is used by more than 150 colleges and universities nationwide. He also serves on the selection committee for the EBA All-American, Fab Five and Super 64 Camps. He has been involved in the community since 2002 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at [email protected] and follow him on twitter @JLHemingwayPSB