By Michael Lindsay
York Institute sophomore point guard Reese Beaty was honored as a Class 2A Miss Basketball Runner-Up Monday evening at the TSSAA’s ceremony in Murfreesboro.
“Playing-wise, it ended a little disappointing,” said Reese Beaty on her sophomore season. “But then you come to this and it’s great to be here. It’s a humbling experience because only three from each class get to go.”
Beaty averaged 16.3 points per game on 59% shooting from the floor in the regular season. York Institute went 33-3 overall and fell in the Class 2A state tournament quarterfinals to eventual state-champion Westview.
“To be here as a sophomore is huge in itself,” said York head coach Michael Green. “Her stats weren’t as great as some of the other players, but some of the stuff that doesn’t get seen in the stat line is huge. Hopefully, in the next two years, she can win one or two.”
Westview’s Jada Harrison took home the Class 2A Miss Basketball award. Gatlinburg-Pittman’s Maddy Newman was also a finalist.
“Jada is a great player, and I played with Maddy and she’s great,” Beaty said. “You’ve got people here going power-5, and it’s cool to see that.”
As a sophomore, Beaty has two more seasons with the Dragonettes.
“I don’t like losing,” Beaty said. “My focus isn’t to win Miss Basketball but to win a gold ball. These past two years we’ve come so close.”
“She’s got two more years, and I know she’s going to put the work in,” Green added.
