Red Bank's Lyness takes Wesleyan offer

Red Bank High School senior Bailey Lyness recently accepted a scholarship offer to play basketball at Tennessee Wesleyan College.

Lyness, who also has played volleyball and softball for Red Bank, visited the Athens college early this school year.

"It's a beautiful campus," Lyness said. "It's close to home, and I'm a big family person. I love how the team plays -- fast-paced and shoot a lot of 3s. I really liked it."

Lyness is averaging 17 points, 4.2 assists and 3.2 steals per game. Red Bank (12-7) leads District 6-AA at 7-1.

"They're getting a great shooter and a great competitor," Lady Lions coach Steve Redman said. "She's a team player who will do whatever a coach asks her to do. Anything she can control, she gives it to you."

One thing Lyness can't control is her height, but at 5-foot-2 she's averaging 3.3 rebounds per game and she's blocked a shot. She specifically wanted a scholarship in basketball, her favorite sport since middle school.

"I knew it was going to be hard at my height," Lyness said. "I've just tried to work hard every summer to get better."

Lyness has a near 4.0 grade point average and is student body president. She wants to major in secondary education.

Wesleyan coach Jeff Rice confirmed that Lyness planned to sign when her season is over and said he was "excited to have her commitment."

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