By Mike Hutchens, UC Schoos Communications Director
Sh’Nyla Moss took a minute to bask in the glow of being named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 1A All-State team early Thursday morning.
She then immediately turned her attention to what she claims are “bigger and better things.”
“It (All-State) is a big accomplishment, and I’m grateful for being chosen, but my biggest goal is to get to the state tournament and win a state championship,” claimed Moss, one of five sophomores picked for the 15-player All-TSWA Team squad.
“It’s the biggest goal for everyone on our team.”
Moss helped the Lady Tornadoes to 23 victories and the program’s first district tournament championship in 11 years during the 2024-25 campaign. Along the way, she was named both regular season and postseason Most Valuable Player in 14A after averaging 18.5 points and scoring in double figures in 30 of UC’s 33 games.
The dynamic 5-6 guard, who was equally effective from the perimeter as well as on slashes to the basket, poured in a career-high 43 points in a regular season triumph over Dyer County. She shot 84.5 percent from the foul line, 42 percent from the field, and averaged 4.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.2 steals per game while also being named Defensive Player of the Year in 14A.
Additionally, Moss surpassed the 1,000-point mark for her career after scoring 610 during her sophomore season.
She insisted her All-State honor was, in reality, a team award, saying: “It’s a team game, and when one of us wins, we all win. That’s just the way I look at it.”
Moss says despite her multiple accolades, she’ll be haunted by a second season-ending loss in as many years to eventual state champion Greenfield until the 2025-26 year begins.
“It’ll be motivation, that’s for sure,” Moss insisted while briefly recalling UC’s bitter regional semifinal setback vs. the ‘Jackets. “To lose to the same team two years in a row made it extra disappointing.
“I know it’ll make me work harder in the offseason, and I’ll stay in the gym working and playing AAU until the new season starts. I need to be a more vocal leader, too, and I’m working on that and always keeping us all on the same page.”
Moss and Greenfield’s Rayanna Fisher were the only players from rural West Tennessee picked for the team.
TSWA ALL-STATE GIRLS’ TEAM
Class 1A
Blair Baugus, Wayne County, Sr.
Kyleigh Cawood, Midway, Jr.
Laila Downs-Darden, McEwen, So.
Rayanna Fisher, Greenfield, So.
Ellie Graham, Moore County, Sr.
Lexi Hammock, Coalfield, So.
Shelby Higgins, Richland, Sr.
Alexis Hyatt, Copper Basin, Jr.
Hannah Miller, North Greene, Sr.
Cara Mills, Van Buren County, Jr.
Sh’Nyla Moss, Union City, So.
Abigail Netherton, Van Buren County, Sr.
Zoey Nicholas, Pickett County, Jr.
Allye Pennington, East Robertson, So.
Michelle Shields, Unaka, Jr.