Bradley's Howard, McCallie's Clay Finalists For Top Prep Hoops Awards

McMinn Central's Lynn Also On List For Potential Winners

Friday, February 10, 2017
special to The Chattanoogan.com

Bradley Central's Rhyne Howard and McCallie's Jr. Clay have been announced as finalists for TSSAA Miss Basketball and Mr. Basketball awards, which will be presented on the floor of Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State on March 7 at 7 p.m. CT.

Howard, a junior, has been named to the All-District 5-3A team for four years, including as an eighth-grader when playing at East Hamilton prior to transferring to Bradley Central. She is averaging 19 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.8 steals and 4.2 steals per game. Howard has scored 1,580 career points and ranks 15th on the storied program's all-time scoring list.

The Bearettes are 25-0, matching the school's longest winning streak since 1978-79 and just clinched their sixth straight district regular-season championship. They are the No. 1 seed and overwhelming favorite to win the district tournament that starts Feb. 15 at Soddy-Daisy High School.

Howard, who has won back-to-back MVP honors in the district's regular season, is one of the nation's top prospects for 2018 and is considering South Carolina, Purdue, North Carolina State, Florida and Georgia Tech.

Clay has been instrumental in McCallie's 25-5 season, which has the Blue Tornado ranked No. 2 in Division II-2A by coacht.com. The junior is averaging 14.1 points and has 40 steals on the season. He's shooting 50.8 percent from the field, 36.5 percent from 3-point distance and 77.6 percent at the free-throw line.

Clay was named a Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State player in his freshman and sophomore seasons.

A statewide committee of sports writers selected winners based on performance during the 2016-2017 regular season. Academics and character were also taken into consideration. High school head basketball coaches and members of the media nominated the finalists.

This is the 33rd year that the Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards have been presented to Tennessee’s best high school basketball players. From 2005-2015 the Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards were presented at the conclusion of each respective championship game as part of the post-game trophy ceremony.

The draw for the Division I boys’ state basketball tournament will be held prior to the Mr. and Miss Basketball Awards on the floor of Murphy Center at 5 p.m. The draw for the Division I girls’ state tournament brackets will be scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 5 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Murfreesboro.

2017 MR. AND MISS BASKETBALL AWARD FINALISTS

Division II-A Miss Basketball Finalists

Ashtyn Baker, Northpoint Christian

Anna Jones, USJ

Antoinette Lewis, Harding Academy

Division II-AA Miss Basketball Finalists

Jordyn Cambridge, Ensworth

Sydni Harvey, Brentwood Academy

Myah LeFlore, St. Benedict

Class A Miss Basketball Finalists

Ali Golden, Huntland

Taylor Lamb, South Greene