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Nashville's top girls high school basketball players in the 1980s from Karen Booker to Sheila Frost

Mike Organ, Nashville Tennessean
·14 min read

The foundation was laid in the 1970s for the Nashville area to become a hotbed in Tennessee high school girls basketball. That momentum continued into the 1980s and the area became known, not only in the state, but throughout the South and eventually nationally, for producing some of the best high school girls basketball players.

Teams such as Shelbyville, Gallatin, Mt. Juliet, Pearl and Whites Creek featured outstanding players throughout the decade of the 1980s.

The Tennessean identified the best from the era for its 1980s all-decade girls basketball team.

The year the player graduated is in parenthesis.

Karen Booker

Franklin | Center (1983)

All-State ... All-Nashville Interscholastic League first team ... a 6-foot standout who played in the post and also was a pure outside shooter ... averaged 20.5 points per game ... three-year starter ... one of the state's top college prospects who signed with Vanderbilt after also considering Tennessee ... one of 12 children in the Booker family ... was one of the state's best high jumpers and 880 runners ... advanced to the finals of the state pentathlon ... brother Barry was a BGA standout who played at Vanderbilt and brother Cyrus played at Franklin and Harvard ... became one of the nationally-ranked Commodores' top players by her sophomore season ... 1,522 career points and 1,096 rebounds, which is second in Vanderbilt history ... All-American third team ... All-SEC ... played and coached in the WNBA ... served as an NCAA Division I basketball official ... began coaching career at University of Illinois Chicago and became Trevecca's coach in 2022 ... Franklin High Sports Hall of Fame.

Lisa Caruthers

Pearl | Center (1980)

NIL player of the year ... a 5-11 post player who was part of a trio, which included Gail Russell and Ruth Bowman, that led the Tigers to the Class AAA state championship and a 29-2 record in 1980, the first year of the five-on-five format for girls basketball in Tennessee ... it was Pearl's only girls basketball state title ... had a game-high 19 points (8-of-11 field goals) in the 55-44 state championship game win over Karns ... all-state tournament team ... helped lead Pearl to a 22-1 regular season record and No. 3 ranking in the state as a junior.

Lisa Caruthers, Pearl High (1977-80): Here, Caruthers (25), now a member of Tennessee State University, is set for a shot against Bethel in TSU's season opener at Gentry Center on Nov. 18, 1982.
Lisa Caruthers, Pearl High (1977-80): Here, Caruthers (25), now a member of Tennessee State University, is set for a shot against Bethel in TSU's season opener at Gentry Center on Nov. 18, 1982.

Jackie Cowan

Whites Creek | Forward (1982)

NIL co-player of the year as a senior ... three-time All-NIL ... led Whites Creek to a top-10 ranking in the state throughout her senior season ... first player in the state under the five-on-five format, which began in 1980, to score 2,000 career points ... "I really wanted to reach my 2,000th point," Cowan said at the time. "I felt that there was plenty of pressure on me after my junior year, and I wanted to live up to it. I think I did." ... 39 points in her first high school game as a sophomore against Hume-Fogg ... The Tennessean Track Woman of the Year (set the state high jump record) ... All-NIL volleyball second team ... The Tennessean NIL Female Athlete of the Year ... signed with Vanderbilt and became the Commodores' leading scorer as a freshman and went on to score 1,875 career points ... named Vanderbilt's first female athlete of the year in 1986 after leading the Commodores to a 22-9 record and first berth in the NCAA Tournament ... All-SEC first team ... inducted into Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.

Jackie Cowan, Whites Creek High (1979-82): Here, Cowan, left, also a standout track star, poses with Whites Creek’s Dwight Johnson at McGavock High School on May 15, 1982. They were named The Tennessean’s Trackwoman and Trackman of the Year for the school year.
Jackie Cowan, Whites Creek High (1979-82): Here, Cowan, left, also a standout track star, poses with Whites Creek’s Dwight Johnson at McGavock High School on May 15, 1982. They were named The Tennessean’s Trackwoman and Trackman of the Year for the school year.

Kristi Cushenberry

Beech | Guard (1988)

AP All-State as a senior and honorable mention as a junior ... Tennessean player of the year ... All-Midstate as a senior and honorable mention as a junior ... a sharpshooting 5-9 guard who helped Beech join Gallatin, Shelbyville and Mt. Juliet as a Midstate power ... averaged 22.3 points as a senior while also leading the Buccaneers in assists and steals ... 1,559 career points ... led Beech to a 15-1 start and a 27-6 record ... helped the Bucs earn a berth in the Class AAA state tournament ... had 29 points and 13 rebounds in state tournament quarterfinal vs. Hardin County ... played in Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Classic ... three-time all-district and all-region ... also played tennis ... signed with Kentucky after also considering Vanderbilt and Auburn ... Tennessean SEC All-Freshman Team ... 1,358 career points ... became Beech's softball and girls basketball coach and is currently the athletic director ... part of the Beech Sports Hall of Fame inaugural class.

Kristi Cushenberry, Beech High (1985-88): Here, Cushenberry (12) gets her pass off past Lebanon High defender Christy Chambers (44) during the final of the Middle Tennessee Invitation Tournament in Lebanon, Tenn., on Dec. 30, 1987.
Kristi Cushenberry, Beech High (1985-88): Here, Cushenberry (12) gets her pass off past Lebanon High defender Christy Chambers (44) during the final of the Middle Tennessee Invitation Tournament in Lebanon, Tenn., on Dec. 30, 1987.

Sheila Frost

Giles County | Center (1985)

Parade All-American ... All-State ... a 6-3, three-time All-Midstate performer who is among the best high school players to ever come from Tennessee ... led Giles County to the Class AA state championship and a 28-1 record as a sophomore ... had 30 points and 14 rebounds in the 71-63 state championship game win over Chattanooga City ... more than 2,100 career points ... brother Mike, a 6-11 center, played at MTSU ... heard from college recruiters during her freshman season and by the time she was a senior was the nation's No. 15 college prospect, according to USA Today ... heard from more than 200 schools in the recruiting process ... narrowed choices to Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Kentucky before selecting the Lady Vols ... started 104 games and helped lead UT to its first two national championships in 1988 and 1989 ... three-time All-SEC ... more than 1,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds ... named SEC Legend in 2022 ... Tennessee Vols Athletics Hall of Fame.

Susie Gardner

Mt. Juliet | Forward (1982)

NIL player of the year as a junior and co-player of the year as a senior ... a 5-9, three-year starter who helped lead Mt. Juliet to the Class AAA state championship game as a junior and semifinals as a senior ... all-state tournament ... averaged 20.0 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game over her junior and senior seasons and led Mt. Juliet to a 59-10 record during that time ... signed with Georgia and helped lead the Bulldogs to the NCAA Final Four in 1983 and 1985 and three SEC championships ... served as a graduate assistant at Georgia then had head coaching stints at Austin Peay, Arkansas and Mercer. Also spent three years as an assistant at Florida ... inducted into the Austin Peay Sports Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Macon (Georgia) Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.

Susie Gardner, Mt. Juliet High (1979-82): Here, Gardner, center, poses with teammates Kristi Vulcano, left, and Lori Gross at their gym on Jan. 28, 1981.
Susie Gardner, Mt. Juliet High (1979-82): Here, Gardner, center, poses with teammates Kristi Vulcano, left, and Lori Gross at their gym on Jan. 28, 1981.

Lori Gross

Mt. Juliet | Guard (1983)

USA Today All-American honorable mention ... All-State ... NIL player of the year ... two-time All-Midstate ... a dynamic 5-6 guard who led Mt. Juliet to the Class AAA state championship, a No. 13 ranking in the USA Today Super 25 Girls Basketball final national poll and a 36-1 record as a senior ... all-state tournament ... averaged 20.4 points per game ... also played softball and was The Tennessean NIL player of the year as a shortstop in 1983 ... first player to earn NIL player of the year honors in basketball and softball ... The Tennessean NIL Female Athlete of the Year ... father Donnie Gross was an all-state basketball player for DuPont ... signed with Vanderbilt after also considering North Carolina State ... transferred to MTSU after her freshman season.

Lori Gross, Mt. Juliet High (1984-87): Here, Gross, left, poses with Kenny Weatherspoon of Stratford High on June 2, 1983, as the 1983 Tennessean Nashville Interscholastic League Female and Male Athletes of the Year.
Lori Gross, Mt. Juliet High (1984-87): Here, Gross, left, poses with Kenny Weatherspoon of Stratford High on June 2, 1983, as the 1983 Tennessean Nashville Interscholastic League Female and Male Athletes of the Year.

Donna Harris

Father Ryan | Forward (1989)

Metro player of the year ... a 5-7 forward who was a versatile athlete ... "She does so many things really well," Father Ryan coach Jinx Cockerham said. "She has a 27-inch vertical leap. And after we moved her out to where she was facing the basket, her game really opened up." ... became the Irish's all-time leading scorer with 1,820 points ... averaged 21.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.3 steals per game as a senior ... led Father Ryan to the sub-state as a senior ... played in the Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Classic ... also played soccer and was all-state as a senior ... signed with Vanderbilt and was part of the nation's No. 1 recruiting class, according to USA Today ... The Tennessean SEC All-Freshman Team ... scored more than 1,400 career points after starting a total of 86 games ... also played soccer at Vanderbilt were she became the program's first Black player and was the team's MVP as a freshman ... inducted into the Father Ryan Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

Donna Harris, Father Ryan High (1986-89): Here, Harris, now a member of Vanderbilt University, gets a shot off despite the tight coverage by Tennessee Tech’s Cecilia Ramsey (44) at Memorial Gym on Dec. 4, 1989.
Donna Harris, Father Ryan High (1986-89): Here, Harris, now a member of Vanderbilt University, gets a shot off despite the tight coverage by Tennessee Tech’s Cecilia Ramsey (44) at Memorial Gym on Dec. 4, 1989.

Misty Lamb

Shelbyville | Center (1989)

USA Today All-American second team ... USA Today player of the year for Tennessee ... two-time Class AAA Miss Basketball ... AP All-State as a senior and honorable mention as a junior ... Midstate player of the year ... a 6-3 pivot player who led Shelbyville to the Class AAA state championship and a No. 1 national ranking by USA Today the entire season as a senior and a state runner-up finish as a junior ... two-time state tournament MVP ... Golden Eaglettes posted a 69-4 record over those two seasons ... "Lamb has been more important to this program than I can tell you," coach Rick Insell said. "She has always been a great player, but early this season she started playing with more intensity and energy than most players I've been around." ... averaged 16.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game as a senior ... No. 1 college prospect in Tennessee and top 10 in the nation ... chose to sign with Vanderbilt after also considering Tennessee ... part of the nation's top recruiting class, according to USA Today ... The Tennessean SEC All-Freshman Team ... helped lead the Commodores to a No. 1 national ranking during the 1992-93 season, a program record 30 wins and the Final Four ... scored 1,247 career points.

Amy Lannom

Gallatin | Guard (1988)

Two-time All-Midstate ... a 5-4 playmaker who helped lead the Green Wave to the 1987 state championship and a 34-0 record as a junior ... set the Gallatin single-season record for assists with 227 while also averaging 10.0 points per game ... had 112 steals as a junior ... played in the Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Classic ... signed with Alabama after narrowing her choices to the Crimson Tide and Tennessee Tech ... set the program record for single-game points with 38 vs. Florida in 1992 (made eight 3-pointers in that game) ... ranks sixth on Alabama's all-time free throw percentage list at 75.5 (213-of-282) ... averaged 7.6 points and 3.9 assists during her career ... reunited with former Gallatin coach Gary Van Atta as his assistant coach of the Trevecca women's basketball team in 2005.

Amy Lannom, Gallatin High (1985-88): Here, Lannom, back, put the pressure on Pearl-Cohn High’s Tonya Marlow (14) during the TSSAA Sub-State game on March 5, 1988.
Amy Lannom, Gallatin High (1985-88): Here, Lannom, back, put the pressure on Pearl-Cohn High’s Tonya Marlow (14) during the TSSAA Sub-State game on March 5, 1988.

Jill Mitchell

Shelbyville | Forward (1987)

Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook All-American ... Converse All-American ... Gatorade Tennessee Player of the Year ... AP All-State ... three-time All-Midstate ... a 6-foot forward who helped lead Shelbyville to the Class AAA state championship, a No. 1 national ranking by USA Today and a 39-0 record in her junior season and a runner-up finish in her sophomore and freshman seasons ... had 16 points and five rebounds in the 1986 championship game ... "Jill is the most intense practice player I have ever had," coach Rick Insell said. "She's a tremendous kid. Her attitude never changes. She is constantly working to improve herself, to get better." ... four-year starter ... played in Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Classic ... No. 1 prospect in Tennessee by USA Today signed with Georgia ... named All-SEC honorable mention as a freshman.

Jill Mitchell, Shelbyville High (1984-87): Here, Mitchell (15) looks for a teammate to pass the ball as Dyersburg High’s Sara Anderson (30) defends during the TSSAA Class AAA semifinals at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on March 14, 1986.
Jill Mitchell, Shelbyville High (1984-87): Here, Mitchell (15) looks for a teammate to pass the ball as Dyersburg High’s Sara Anderson (30) defends during the TSSAA Class AAA semifinals at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on March 14, 1986.

Shawn Monday

Clarkrange | Guard (1986)

USA Today All-American honorable mention ... All-Midstate first team as a senior and second team as a junior ... 5-6 guard who led Clarkrange to three consecutive Class A state championships in her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons and a 102-10 record over that stretch ... led the Lady Buffaloes to the state semifinals as a senior ... back-to-back state tournament MVP ... "Shawn is a compete offensive and defensive player," coach Lamar Rogers said. "She's equally good on both ends of the floor." ... averaged 15.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 4.9 steals per game as a senior ... four-year starter ... signed with Tennessee Tech ... All-American ... two-time All-OVC ... Freshman All-OVC ... led the Golden Eagles to three OVC Tournament championships and three first-round NCAA Tournament victories ... four-year starter and three-time captain ... led Tech to a 91-30 record during her career ... set the program record for career assists (822), average assists per game (6.8), single-game assists (22) and ranks third in career steals (249).

Clarkrange High sophomore guard Shawn Monday (14) gets her shot off against Rickman High sophomore Tonia Woolbright (24) during the TSSAA Class A state championship game at MTSU’s Murphy Center on March 17, 1984. Clarkrange won their second straight title with a 40-38 victory.
Clarkrange High sophomore guard Shawn Monday (14) gets her shot off against Rickman High sophomore Tonia Woolbright (24) during the TSSAA Class A state championship game at MTSU’s Murphy Center on March 17, 1984. Clarkrange won their second straight title with a 40-38 victory.

Angela Moorehead

Shelbyville | Center (1987)

Converse All-American ... three-time AP All-State ... Class AAA Miss Basketball ... two-time Midstate player of the year ... scored more than 2,700 career points ... A 5-10 center who led Shelbyville to the state championship, a No. 1 national ranking by USA Today and a 39-0 record in her junior season and a runner-up finish in her sophomore and freshman seasons ... had 32 points and 15 rebounds in 69-51 win over Oak Ridge in the 1986 state championship game ... two-time state tournament MVP ... averaged 23.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 4.1 steals as a senior ... scored 47 points in a win over No. 1 nationally-ranked Altoona (Pennsylvania) ... "Mainly, I hated to lose," Moorehead said in 1987. "I always thought that when the game was tough, that if someone could get the ball to me, I could put it through the hole." ... four-year starter ... played in the Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Classic ... one of the nation's top college prospects ... signed with Tennessee Tech ... three-time All-American ... led Tech to three OVC Tournament championships and three NCAA Tournament berths ... first player to be named OVC Tournament MVP three straight years ... helped Tech earn a Top 25 national ranking three straight seasons ... 1,925 career points ... set the Eblen Center single-game scoring record with 44 points vs. New Hampshire ... Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame ... played professionally in Sweden then returned to Tech and joined the coaching staff.

Angela Moorehead, Shelbyville High (1985-87): Here, Moorehead (41) looks for a teammate to pass the ball after grabbing a rebound as Pearl-Cohn High’s Kim Walkert (52) defends on Feb. 7, 1987.
Angela Moorehead, Shelbyville High (1985-87): Here, Moorehead (41) looks for a teammate to pass the ball after grabbing a rebound as Pearl-Cohn High’s Kim Walkert (52) defends on Feb. 7, 1987.

Debbie Scott

Gallatin | Forward (1988)

Class AAA Miss Basketball as a junior ... AP All-State ... two-time All-Midstate ... a 6-1 forward who led the Green Wave to the 1987 state championship and a 34-0 record ... had 28 points and 13 rebounds in the 62-61 state championship game win over over Oak Ridge ... state tournament MVP ... averaged 19.5 points per game while shooting 62.3% from the field and 10.1 rebounds ... "Debbie was the best athlete, male or female, I have ever coached," said Gallatin coach Gary Van Atta, who also coached the boys basketball teams at Castle Heights and Father Ryan. ...three-year starter ... The Tennessean Middle Tennessee Softball player of the year as a pitcher, who posted a 19-2 record as a senior, and Region 5 volleyball MVP ... one of the state's top college prospects who received more than 300 letters from recruiters before signing with Tennessee after also considering Alabama and Florida State ... transferred after her sophomore season to Western Kentucky and led the Hilltoppers to the NCAA Tournament as a junior.

Debbie Scott, Gallatin High (1985-88): Here, Scott (50) guards a Smyrna High player during their 62-44 victory over their host on Jan. 7, 1986.
Debbie Scott, Gallatin High (1985-88): Here, Scott (50) guards a Smyrna High player during their 62-44 victory over their host on Jan. 7, 1986.

Kim Webb

Smyrna | Forward (1983)

USA Today All-American honorable mention ... two-time All-State ... two-time Midstate player of the year ... a 5-9 star who led Smyrna to the 1983 Class AAA state championship and a 31-4 record ... scored a state tournament single-game record 36 points and total of 85 points over three games ... tied the state tournament record by making 10 consecutive baskets in quarterfinal win over Oak Ridge ... state tournament MVP ... "It's difficult to overstate how great a player Kim was during her career," Smyrna coach Harry Gill said. "She was intelligent. She was one of the best offensive players I've ever seen. She was at her best when the chips were on the line." ... averaged 23.5 points while making 62% of her field goals and 10 rebounds per game as a senior ... signed with MTSU ... All-American ... OVC co-Player of the Year and three-time All-OVC ... scored a school-record 2,148 career points and single-game record 43 points vs. Eastern Kentucky ... inducted into the MTSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997 and Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.

Middle Tennessee State freshman Kim Webb (25) finishes off a drive with a shot at the goal over Tennessee Tech’s Tammy Burton during OVC action on Jan. 7, 1984, at Hooper Eblen Center in Cookeville. MTSU won the game 70-66.
Middle Tennessee State freshman Kim Webb (25) finishes off a drive with a shot at the goal over Tennessee Tech’s Tammy Burton during OVC action on Jan. 7, 1984, at Hooper Eblen Center in Cookeville. MTSU won the game 70-66.

Coach

Rick Insell | Shelbyville

Rick Insell led Shelbyville to the TSSAA Class AAA state championship game five times in the 1980s, winning in 1986 and 1989 while being runner-up in 1984, 1985 and 1988. It's the reason Insell was the obvious choice to be named the Greater Nashville All-Decades 1980s Girls Basketball Coach. Insell, a native of Woodbury, arrived at Shelbyville in 1977. He led the Golden Eaglettes to the state tournament seven times in the 1980s. They also earned several national rankings in the decade. Shelbyville had only been in the state tournament four times before that. Insell had a 775–148 career record at Shelbyville, a TSSAA-record 10 state championships and also five runner-up finishes before being named the Middle Tennessee State women's coach in 2005. Insell is in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, National High School Basketball Hall of Fame, TSSAA Hall of Fame, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, MTSU Athletics Hall of Fame and Cannon County Sports Hall of Fame.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: TSSAA basketball: Top Nashville girls players of the decade from 1980s