TN Prep Hoops: Catching up on commits, next wave
I LIKE TYLER AND ROD
Just outside of Memphis sits the town of Cordova. Always steep in hoops tradition, the Wolves advanced to the championship game of the Class AAA state tournament last season only to be taken by a powerful Memphis East squad. Leading the charge for Cordova are a pair of 2018 risers that everyone should know, if you don't already. Tyler Harris (Cordova) and Rodgerick Brown (Cordova) make Tuesdays and Fridays a must see in Cordova.
Harris, a diminutive guard with unlimited range, burst on the national scene with his play the past few summers with the powerful Team Thad group out of Memphis. Harris can ignite when his shot is on, he is fearless and has that Memphis swagger that all the smaller guard from this city have possessed.
Memphis, TN
Brown is a beast on the glass, has a relentless motor and loves to play. You can count on him for a double/double every time out and he likes guarding the opposition's best player and holding him down. This is the type of kid who regardless of position, you stick on the floor and he makes things happen. He was also seen making coaches smile with the same Team Thad group on the Under Armour circuit.
The real fireworks will begin soon as district and region action are just around the corner and the state will get another dose of Cordova.
The Wolves currently stand at 17-4 and are ranked 4th in the latest Class AAA state poll.
CHATTANOOGA MCCALLIE HOSTS THE DR. PEPPER CLASSIC
National hoops invade the Choo-Choo city as McCallie, currently ranked 2nd in the state in the DII Class AA classification welcomes a cavalcade of big time hoops powers to the 2nd annual Dr. Pepper Classic.
The Christ School from North Carolina opens up the action on Friday night taking on national power LaLumiere, featuring three Class of 2017 ESPN Top 100 players including #12 Brian Bowen, Michigan State signee #16 Jaren Jackson and Michigan signee #37 Jordan Poole.
In the nightcap, the host squad McCallie, led by rising junior lead guard Junior Clay (McCallie), takes on another national power Hamilton Heights and a pair of ESPN Top 100 players, Nickeal Alexander-Walker, currently ranked at #25 and headed to Virginia Tech and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who stands at #32 and has signed with Kentucky.
Big time hoops in Eastern Tennessee.
IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW....D1 COMMITS/SIGNEES FROM TENNESSEE
Nickeal Alexander Walker (Hamilton Heights) Virginia Tech
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Hamilton Heights) Kentucky
Dedric Boyd (Haywood) Eastern Kentucky
Parker Stewart (Union City) Mississippi
Caleb Hollander (Home School) Belmont
Grayson Murphy (Independence) Belmont
Tyreke Key (Clay County) Indiana State
Therron Shelton-Szmidt (Hamilton Heights) MTSU
Carlos Marshall (Southwind) Tennessee-Martin
William Douglas (CBHS) SMU
Bo Hodges (Maplewood) ETSU
John Carter (Summit) Navy
Jalen Crutcher (Ridgeway) Chattanooga
Tariq Silver (Northwest) Eastern Michigan
Hunter Vick (Camden Central) Tennessee Tech
FRESHMAN MAKING BIG SPLASHES ALL AROUND THE STATE
Class of 2020 youngsters are making a splash all over the Volunteer state this hoops campaign. Here are 10 to keep an eye on as we speak.
Akeem Odusipe (Knoxville Christian) 6-9 Power Forward/Center
Ray Tyler (Oakland) 5-9 Point Guard
Keon Johnson (Webb School) 5-11 Point Guard
Marvin Hughes (McGavock) 6-1 Combo Guard
Marcus Fitzgerald (Stratford) 6-2 Shooting Guard
Omari Thomas (Braircrest) 6-4 Wing Forward
Joe Anderson (Maryville) 5-10 Point Guard
Dante Harris (Alcoa) 5-9 Combo Guard
Emery Lanier (Knoxville Webb) 6-2 Wing Forward
Daniel Loos (Clarksville Academy) 6-5 Power Forward
THE HIDDEN GEM
Memphis East is a powerhouse. We all know this. A decorated group of players with national recognition and some lofty status within the Bluff City community. Names like Lomax, Moss and Lawson are always the lead story but let me enlighten you on a young man named Malcolm Dandridge (Memphis East).
Broad shoulders, a sturdy 6-7 frame, he has vice grips for hands and is learning footwork and patience on a daily basis. He blocks shots, he is a young Olajuwon on the glass and his best days are right in front of him. This is a kid who needs to be on every high major coaches radar. Put him on the board, make him a priority because when its all said and done, Dandridge might just be the best prospect on this whole team. Chew on that for a minute.
NEXT WEEK AT TENNESSEE PREP HOOPS
My Mr. Basketball nominations and more information on some exciting new things happening at Tennessee Prep Hoops. Follow us on Twitter @tnprephoops
