How Ally Weathers continued family tradition as Loretto's latest basketball star

LORETTO — Ally Weathers has lived up to her family name this season. And that's no easy task.

Weathers notched her fifth straight 20-point game Wednesday as she led Loretto to a 44-40 win over rival Summertown in the TSSAA Region 5-2A girls basketball championship.

Loretto (26-3) hosts Cheatham County at 7 p.m. Saturday in a Class 2A sectional. Because of the loss, Summertown (26-7) travels to Huntingdon. All sectional winners advance to the TSSAA girls basketball state championships, held March 6-9.

Weathers scored a team-high 22 points, which came in the rivals' fourth meeting. Loretto has won three of those meetings, including in the District 10-2A championship.

Her father, David Weathers, was a former MLB pitcher for more than a decade and was part of the New York Yankees' 1996 World Series championship. Ally's mother, Kelli Weathers, is a member of the Belmont University Hall of Fame for her basketball achievements.

Her brother, Ryan Weathers was a MLB first-round draft pick in 2018 with the San Diego Padres and currently pitches for the Miami Marlins. Finally, sister Karly Weathers is in her sophomore season playing at Alabama.

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With all the athletic prowess in her family, it’s no surprise Ally Weathers sometimes feels the pressure of her family name.

“It’s a lot to live up to but throughout my life they’ve shaped me into the athlete I am, just pushing me to be the better version of myself,” Ally said after the win. “I mean, growing up I competed against my brother and sister and it’s made me the player I am today, so it’s been fun growing up in an athletic household.”

Not only did her siblings help to bring the best out of her, her mom did as well. Kelli has been there every step in Ally's development.

“It's not easy coaching her and it's not easy for her to take the coaching that I give because I ask a lot of her,” Kelli said. “I'm just really proud of her because through this tournament run, I just told her, I said, ‘You know you have the ability to lead us where we want to go.’

" . . . I just feel like she really has (risen) to that occasion and just kind of elevated her game a little bit during this tournament stretch and I just hope she continues that.”

Kelli may have coached Ally throughout her life, but Loretto coach Ashley Rutledge coached Karly during her career at Loretto, including in 2022, when Karly won Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year and Class 2A Miss Tennessee Basketball.

“They’re different players but at the end of the day they’re tough-nosed, hard workers and they have that will to win,” Rutledge said. “Their mom coached them for so many years and I think that’s been instilled at home, so makes my job easier when (Weathers is) on the floor.”