Wilson Central's Jenkins Miss Basketball finalist

Wilson Central senior forward Tierney Jenkins is one of three finalists for the Class AAA Miss Basketball award, the TSSAA announced Monday.
The 6-2 Alabama signee is averaging around 20 points and 20 rebounds per game for the defending state-champion Lady Wildcats, who faced arch-rival Mt. Juliet for the District 9-AAA championship Monday night at Beech.
"To be recognized like this is very deserving," Central coach Bud Brandon said after Jenkins was named the District 9-AAA tournament Most Valuable Player for leading the Lady Wildcats to a 70-55 championship victory over Mt. Juliet. "She's definitely one of the best players in the state of Tennessee. She's a team player, a leader."
Jenkins' competition for the award are Riverdale guard Anne Marie Lanning and William Blount's Angela Puleo.
The winner will be announced during the postgame ceremony following the Class AAA championship game March 10 at Middle Tennessee State's Murphy Center in Murfreesboro.
A statewide committee of sports writers selected winners based on performance during the 2006-07 regular season. Academics and character were also taken into consideration, according to the TSSAA press release. Coaches and members of the media nominated the finalists.
Jenkins burst upon the state scene last year as she was named Most Valuable Player for the State Tournament. She signed with Alabama during the fall signing period in November.
"Since she's been in our program, she continues to elevate her game," Brandon said. "It seems like the bigger the game, the more she rises to the occasion. That's because she's such a fierce competitor.
"She's a winner. She gets things done."
Jenkins is the first player from her 5-year-old school nominated for one of the TSSAA's premier honors [Mr. or Miss Basketball or Mr. Football]. She is trying to become only the second Wilson County player to win the title and the first since Mt. Juliet's Alysha Clark two years ago.