Top rising sophomores for the 2016-17 season
So we have looked at the top rising seniors followed by the top rising juniors heading into the 2016-17 school year.
Are there enough freshman stars from last year to look at the top rising sophomores?
Many would be surprised at the number of last year’s freshmen that played a significant role on their team’s success last year.
Top 15 rising juniors for the 2016-17 season
Some of those stars were honored as members of the All-West Tennessee Teams, while others proved the potential they had to be stars in the future.
Top 15 rising seniors heading into 2016-17 season
There were even eighth-graders like Clarksburg girls basketball’s Mikayla Peterson that played a significant role.
These younger athletes prove there is a bright future ahead for sports around West Tennessee.
1. Jenna Arnold (Jackson Christian softball) – Arnold has already pitched two seasons for the Lady Eagles, and she has helped lead the team to a berth in the Class A sectionals as an eighth-grader.
Her dominance in the circle earned her 11 wins on the season with a 1.65 ERA and 185 strikeouts.
Added to her pitching, Arnold batted .414 with 24 RBI and five home runs to be named to the All-West Tennessee Softball First Team.
2. Jordan Vick (Camden volleyball) – Vick has the potential to be one of the top volleyball players to ever come out of West Tennessee.
Her court knowledge gives her an extra edge over many of the players she faces.
Vick recorded 306 assists, 281 digs, 254 kills and 120 aces to be named to the All-West Tennessee Volleyball First Team as she helped Camden reach the Class AA sectionals in the inaugural season of the program.
3. Brynn Hensley (Peabody girls soccer) – Hensley looks to start a new age with Peabody soccer as she brings a strong skill set to go along with the program’s desire to get better.
As a freshman, Hensley became the go-to forward on top of the formation to get the offense going.
She scored 30 goals to be named to the All-West Tennessee Girls Soccer First Team.
4. Dontae Williamson (Sacred Heart boys basketball) – Williamson came into a team that had lost its top four players and was under a new head coach.
But Williamson worked to keep the Knights playing at a high level. He scored 12 points to go along with 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists to be named the All-West Tennessee Boys Basketball Newcomer of the Year,
5. Josie Willingham (South Side softball, volleyball and basketball) – Willingham might be a three-sport athlete for the Lady Hawks, but the softball field is where she is really a star.
Playing shortstop and catcher for South Side this season, she helped the Lady Hawks earn a berth in the Region 7-AA semifinals.
She batted .468 with five home runs, 41 RBI and 12 stolen bases to be named to the All-West Tennessee Softball First Team.
6. Ozzy Rico (Gibson County football) – Rico helped the Pioneers pick up four wins last year, and they were competitive in others.
Rico was named the All-West Tennessee Football Freshman of the Year after rushing for nearly 1,200 yards at running back.
Gibson County is under a new head coach, and Rico can help Cody Finley have a successful first season.
7. Leah Hayes (Huntingdon softball) – Hayes entered the scene for the Fillies and proved to be a tough bat to shut down.
She batted .457 with 12 doubles, 41 RBI and 39 runs scored to be named to the All-West Tennessee Softball Second Team.
Her glove at second base was also tough to get past.
8. Jacquez Norman (Milan football) – One of Milan’s best assets through the years has been depth. So rarely does a freshman get to start for the varsity team.
Norman was a key player at defensive back, and he also has the opportunity to get some time at running back.
His role on the team should expand this coming season.
9. Angelina Culley (Huntingdon softball) – Culley played catcher this year for the Fillies, and it was her home run that helped Huntingdon to a 1-0 victory over Forrest in the Class A state tournament.
This past season she batted .446 with 10 doubles, 10 home runs and 44 RBI to be named to the All-West Tennessee Softball Second Team.
10. Hailey Hardaway (Bolivar girls basketball) – Hardaway scored 373 points as a freshman for the Lady Tigers. She has the ability to help lead Bolivar back to being a state tournament contender.
She averaged 13.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.2 steals last season.
11. Quanardra Miller (South Side girls basketball) – Miller has the potential to be the best shooter to come through South Side in the past decade.
When she gets hot, Miller is not easily defended. Last season, she averaged 10.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.3 steals, while shooting 43 percent from the field.
12. Loral Winn (Dresden track) – Winn set the bar for West Tennessee female track athletes at the Class A-AA state meet with two silver medals.
She finished the 1600-meter run with a time of 5:08.20, 10 seconds behind first place. She finished the 800-meter run with a time of 2:18.11, 0.61 seconds behind first place.
Winn was the All-West Tennessee Female Track Athlete of the Year.
13. Hunter McCullar (McNairy Central football, basketball, soccer) – McCullar didn’t just get playing time for the Bobcats in three sports last year, but he was a starter in three sports.
He was a starter at cornerback for the football team, starting point guard for the basketball team and a starter in the midfield for the soccer team.
Expectations are high for McCullar going into his sophomore year.
14. Anna Johnson (Dresden Girls cross country) – Johnson was the best in the area during the cross country season.
She finished ninth in the Class A-AA state meet to be named the All-West Tennessee Female Cross Country Runner of the Year.
15.Kayla Beaver (South Side softball) – There were three pitchers for the Lady Hawks this season, but Beaver was the one that stood out the most.
Beaver picked up 11 wins with 103 strikeouts and a 2.56 ERA to be named to the All-West Tennessee Softball Second Team.
Michael Odom, 425-9754