And just like that, another team locked in for the Insider Exposure League! The East TN Air Thunder are coming back for unfinished business. Each year brings new opportunities. Coach Campos and his pack of humble athletes will be looking to showcase their talent and stamp their new name on the league!
A little backstory….
This was an independent homegrown program run by Coach Campos and his staff. East TN Air was founded on the thought of creating an opportunity for his daughter’s team to be recognized. They didn’t start with much but a passion and a dream. They weren’t nationally known but played the best of the best and gave those teams a run for their money. The coach’s daughter was the first kid with a D1 offer four years ago, since then things took off. It speaks volumes that they didn’t look for an easy way out. They battled through the trenches and started making a name for themselves.
On October 8, 2020, ETA combined forces with the WV Thunder creating East TN Air Thunder. The vision for the merge was to spread the brand even further giving each player in the program more opportunities. The merge allowed the coaches to reach out to other areas in TN to maximize exposure. This program has grown to be elite in a span of a few years. These are the programs people love to root for. They have all the right intentions, make the right moves, and get their girls into college regardless of level. The goal is to make a difference in a player’s life one at a time.
Talent wise, these teams will be legit this year. Every player adds a unique piece to the puzzle. In the summer is where we see it all come together. Let’s meet the team!
Avery Treadwell (6’3, Post, 2023) is a prime example of what we call an interior force. She attends Bearden HS and holds 9 D1 offers. She will be a focal point for the group this summer. She provides them with high energy and a physical presence in the paint. She knows how to fight for position on both sides of the ball. Offensively, she has no limit to the different ways she can score. She has a lethal drop step, smooth post hook, and can finish through traffic with the best of them. She plays much bigger than she looks. Treadwell is known for getting a block and then being the one of the first players down court in transition. High IQ and high energy player!
Hadleigh Dill (6’0, G/F, 2023) is one of those players who make things look easy. She is a 1000+ point scorer at Enka High School in NC. What’s not to say? Coachable, respectable athlete that can do it all. At 6’0 with her skillset, that creates matchup problems all over the court. She is electric in the open court and has great decision making skills. Dill has college rebounding ability already. More than anything, Dill is a smooth player. Everything looks natural and she plays as if she’s one step ahead of everyone. She holds 8 D1 offers currently. This summer will open a lot of eyes if they aren’t already.
Clara Collins (SG, 6’2, 2024) has to be labeled as one of the best shooters in the area. She hit 12 threes in a game earlier this year. Collins will be a must watch player on the summer circuit. Height plays a huge role in her success. Her frame gives her the upper hand over people. She’s a long shooter that doesn’t need much space. There’s a mutual understanding with every shot she puts up. Coach knows she makes the right decisions and understands the confidence behind each shot. Collins has proven time and time again that she has a knack for this. She attends South Laurel HS in KY and currently is under the radar. This is a diamond shining in the rough and there is no doubt her interest will jump after the summer.
Kyera Thornsbury (PG, 5’7, 2024) is what I call a savvy point guard. If you’re familiar with this travel team, then the name Jennifer Sullivan should ring a bell. Coach praised this athlete calling her Jenn Sullivan 2.0. Thornsbury is creating her own story and elevating each chapter. She’s a tough nosed guard who will be running the show this year. Offensively, she’s relentless with the ball in her hands. Knows how to get to the hoop and dish it off. Playing fearless causes people to back off, which allows her to shoot as well. Full package! She’s a natural leader at 15 years old. She attends Pikeville HS and holds 2 D1 offers.
Tambryn Ellenburg (5’6, SG, 2023) is a name that will be jumping off the page at the IE League. She can shoot from 40ft with just a flick of the wrist. Her ability to shoot in general is next level. This is an athlete who hasn’t gotten many opportunities but that will all change this summer. The hand down man down rule doesn’t apply to her as she will shoot the ball regardless of what the defender is doing. Her release is lightning fast, closing out isn’t always effective. Work ethic is the one thing that never gets overlooked. Her coach stated she puts up 100 shots a day on her own and after practices. Remember the name.
Ayden Smiddy (5’6, CG, 2023) is a new pickup who will provide a big impact. She attends Southwestern HS in KY where she earned 1st Team All-Region Honors. She has elite speed! Fearless guard that will dribble right up to defenders and dare them to stop her. She’s not the tallest kid but she jumps nearly over people when she shoots. The elevation and stroke on her jump shot is tried and true. The competitive attitude she has allows her teammates to jump on her back when they’re struggling. She’s not afraid to step up to the plate when things get tough.
Lauren Hurst (6’2, G/F, 2025) has such a high ceiling. She’s going to provide a massive boost to the 2023 team. They didn’t practice all year due to covid, but she did play in two tournaments as an 8th grader where she scored 8 pts and had 7 rbs. She also plays volleyball where she holds Power 5 offers. This is a player who’s made drastic progress over the years. She’s a high skilled IQ player that’s still growing. Hurst attends Cleveland HS in TN.
Reagan Jones (5’11, G, 2023) is another versatile G for this group. Jones is a long athlete that has all the intangibles that coaches look for in a guard. Offensively, she’s well rounded. Defensively, at 5’11 she can crash the boards effectively, run and finish in transition as well. She’s also under the radar currently but things are looking up this summer. She attends Knoxville Central HS.
Shae Harris (5’11, F, 2024) came off an ACL and is getting back to regular scheduled programming. She played 9 minutes in a game and had 6 points and 9 rebounds. You can tell she makes the most of her opportunities. That’s all you can ask for in a player. Around July, she should be 100% and will be an exciting player to watch. She attends Montgomery County HS in KY.
Kinsley Molden (5’6, SG, 2025) is one of the top scorers on her highschool team as a freshman. She plays alongside Smiddy creating the 1-2 power punch. Molden is shooting over 40% from beyond the arch. She shoots at a high clip confidently. A true stat sheet stuffer. Not too many things get her out of her element. She will also be a player to keep an eye on this summer.
Niah Rhodes (5’7, PG, 2025) is a walking bucket! One of the best 2025’s around. She leads her high team in scoring as a freshman. The best thing about her is how crafty she is with the ball in her hands. Her skill ranges from stepback scoring, floaters, contact layups, deep range, the list goes on and on. She lit opposing teams this high school season making 80+ three’s. Overall, Rhodes is a matchup nightmare with a unique kit. She attends Fredrick Douglas HS.
Reagan Brown (5’8, PG, 2024) is another two sport athlete for the group. She’s the #2 ranked lacrosse player in the state. Everything is starting to come full circle. She started in 7th grade and has matured each year. Brown listened to her coach and improved on all areas of interest. She currently leads Northview Hs in scoring this season. As she continues to build, that ceiling will be within reach.
East TN Air Thunder is back and better than ever! The only way is up for this program as they’ve only gotten better since year one. They understand nothing will be given to them, but will be ready to take everything they worked so hard for. Good luck and welcome to the Insider Exposure League!