Music City Hoopfest 2025
Staley High School, winners of the Red Bracket of the 2025 Music City Hoopfest.
Staley High School Dominates in Tennessee!
January 8, 2026
The Third Annual Music City Hoopfest was held from December 29-31, 2025, in Franklin, Tennessee, on the campus of Page High School (two courts at the high school and one at the nearby Page Middle School) with five divisions (three for girls and two for boys [not covered here] of eight teams. The event was presented by The TN Report with sponsorship by Hardee’s.
College coaches missed out
This writer attended the final day of the event and thus will not comment on the many of the 24 teams which were not viewed. What I can say is although Power 4 talent beyond Staley (discussed below) was limited, the event had plenty for mid-major colleges and below to digest. Schools of those levels that recruit in Tennessee should consider giving this event a day’s viewing next year.
Tennessee, a state of many chronic over-achievers
Tennessee is a state of often over-achieving high school teams. So many make up for pure talent by playing together and cutting down on unforced errors. In this state, coaching often stresses fundamentals with less emphasis on “out-athleting” opposition, allowing them to beat themselves with poor shot selection and unforced errors. Never under-estimate the often less talented but well-coached Tennessee high school team!
Staley dominates Red Bracket
Staley came in as nationally unranked (unheralded outside Missouri where they are considered top five overall) with one loss to Lincoln Christian of Tulsa, Oklahoma). Staley is a public school located in Kansas City, Missouri. In winning the bracket by dominating Lebanon (TN) High School 61-38 in the final, several local observers left believing Staley would be the favorite versus any team from Tennessee. About two weeks back, Lebanon played Alabama power Hoover (nationally ranked by some) losing 52-45. Having seen both Hoover and Staley in person, this writer would give Staley a slight edge in a head-to-head match-up.
Staley starts three future Power 4 players in Red Bracket MVP Ava Miles (Nebraska signee; 6-0, guard, 2026), all-tournament selectee Londyn Parker (Arizona State signee; 5-9, guard, 2026) and all-tournament selectee Destiny Manyawu (6-3, center, 2027; ranked at #32 in the 2027 SportsCenter NEXT - Super 60). The two remaining starters have a chance to play college ball as well.
Special thanks to Music City Hoopfest staff for supplying all-tournament data. Please note all photos below are credited to Caylie Wade Photography.
Blackman wins Rudderville Bracket
In a closely contested bracket final, Blackman (Murfreesboro, Tennessee) defeated an above average Lipscomb Academy (Nashville, Tennessee) by a score of 45-43 in a game which showed little separation for most of the contest. Most impressive prospect was Blackman’s Bracket MVP Layla Hall (6-0, small forward, 2028) whose progress should be monitored from the Power 4 level down due to her combination of above average athleticism/height and ability to drive to the rim. With all but one impact player back, Blackman (well above average this year) has a chance to be one of the best teams in the state next year with a lineup of multiple Division 1 prospects (point guard, wing and low post).
Host Page High School takes the Blue Bracket
In a battle of two above average Tennessee teams, host Page high school pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat Mt. Juliet (Tennessee) High School 67-55 after leading 37-30 at the half but trailing 49-45 after a sluggish third quarter. Page point guard Jordyn Porter (5-9, 2028) was named bracket MVP. This sophomore is starting to move on to D1 radar with a combination of above average court vision and ability to shoot the three.