Sissom Receives All-State Honor

TONY STINNETT, Courier Co-Editor


Sissom Receives All-State Honor

Abbey Sissom shoots over an opponent during action last season.
Cannon County girls basketball standout Abbey Sissom was named to the 2012 Tennessee Sports Writers All-State Team (TSWA) last week, adding to her list of accolades following a dynamic 2011-12 season.

Sissom, who debuted with a breakout freshman campaign that saw her earn All-State Tournament and All-District and All-Region Tournament, as well as Freshman of the Year, did not suffer from a sophomore slump in 2011-12.

“Abbey had an outstanding season and she helped us enjoy a great year as a basketball team,” Cannon County girls basketball coach Michael Dodgen said. “The thing about Abbey is she would much rather have team success than individual success. She is very humble and she works hard in the offseason to be at our best in season. She deserves to be considered one of the best players in the state because she is.”

Sissom helped lead the Lionettes to a 26-8 record and into the Region 4-AA semifinals in 2011-12. She averaged 20 points per game and scored 20 or more points 20 times.

Sissom became a member of the Lionettes’ 1,000-point club as a sophomore. She ended the season with 1,005 points. Sissom was also named a Class AA Miss Basketball finalist in 2012, joining Julie Powell as the only other finalist in school history.

“It is such an honor to be named along with those players across the state that you have played against or followed through the years,” Sissom said. “I am appreciative to the sports writers who voted me to the All-State team, but I wouldn’t have made it if not for my teammates. Basketball is a team sport. My teammates work hard to get me shots. They do a lot of work and they share in this with me.”

Sissom scored 28 or more points four times during her sophomore season. She scored a whopping 640 points during 2011-12.

The well-rounded Sissom also averaged 2.6 assists, 2.5 steals and 4.4 rebounds. Entering the 2011-12 season Sissom was ranked No. 7 in the Class of 2014 by HoopsPlus, Tennessee Girls Basketball Report, which is the highest ranking of any Class AA player in Tennessee. She also sports a 4.0 GPA.

“Abbey means a great deal to our program and it is great when you see deserving kids get this type of recognition,” Dodgen said. “The good thing about Abbey is she is never satisfied. She is always working and striving to become better. She is already working hard this offseason to help make the team better next season. That’s why she is an All-State player and that means something in Tennessee, where girls basketball is big and there are several quality players.”

Sissom already has received offers from MTSU, Belmont, UT-Martin and Samford, among others.