THIRD TIME IS A CHARM

Yes, there is basketball played on the East side of the state. The Rams of Grace Christian Academy gear up for a third consecutive visit to the hallowed halls of the Murphy Center for the Class A state playoffs.

District Champions this season with a 14-0 mark and currently ranked 5th in the state in their classification with a 22--7 overall mark with district play beginning tomorrow evening.

The Rams are led by District Player of the Year, senior Connor Arnold (Grace Christian). The slender leader is upwards of 1,800 points for his career and is poised to bring some hardware to the Knoxville campus.

Flanking him are a pair of sophomores in scoring wing Grant Ledford (Grace Christian) and dynamic point guard C.J. Gettlefinger (Grace Christian).

One monster key for the Rams will be the continued development of 6'9 junior big man Baylor Younker (Grace Christian). His presence can affect games and as he matures on both ends of the floor this could take Grace right where they wish to be.

Coach Mike Doig knows Memphis Mitchell and Humboldt present big problems when the Rams get to state but this group is special and its a one game setting so....anything goes.

DISTRICT TOURNAMENTS ARE UNDERWAY

Basketball is and has always been a tournament sport. We wouldn't have it any other way. Next week as we head into the regional portion of the road to the state, I will preview the combatants who will represent in all classes and who their toughest opponents appear to be.

ANOTHER HIDDEN GEM IN MEMPHIS

Every year there appears a new face in the crowd from the basketball rich city of Memphis. This kid takes the circuit by storm and becomes a household name to recruiters and coaches alike.

LaGerald Vick, who currently toils at Kansas, comes to mind. They don't play for the marquee Memphis High Schools but they get on that national stage and poof, a player is born.

Say hello to Malik Riddle (Rossville Christian). A 6-4 guard/forward who has been setting the scoring charts ablaze in the Bluff City. Last week he charted games of 32 points against Fayette Academy, 31 against Sacred Heart and 27 against St. George's. For his efforts he has been selected as a finalist for the DII/Class A Mr. Basketball award.

Could we see him on the circuit as he is Class of 2018, I think so, just stay tuned.

SCORING NUMBERS TO BE SEEN TO BE BELIEVED

Impressive. Unbelievable. Unheard of. So many adjectives, so many superlatives to describe some of the scoring feats for a pair of Middle Tennessee players you have to see the numbers to believe them.

Tyreke Key (Clay County) is having a monster senior season. The Indiana State signee has scored 1,066 points THIS SEASON and his season is not over as of press time. He is 100 points short of reaching the coveted 3,000 point barrier.

Caden Mills (Van Buren County) has his squad poised for a third consecutive trip to the state tournament. The junior has surpassed the 2,000 point plateau and had a monster couple weeks scoring 34 points against Bledsoe County, 34 against Clay County (Key had 45), 31 against East Hamilton, 27 against South Pittsburg and another 27 in the rematch against Bledsoe County.

THINGS ARE ABLAZE IN THE 'BORO

The annual ritual of making the short trip to the Murphy Center has been a staple for the Blaze of Blackman High School. Coach Barry Wortman's squad currently stands at 22-3 good for the #3 spot in the Class AAA state rankings with only one loss to a team that calls Tennessee home.

The Blaze are unblemished in district action with a 12-0 mark and are chomping at the bit to make a return trip just down the road and insert themselves in the fray to challenge the juggernaut known as Memphis East.  

Balance has always been the calling card for the Blaze and this year is no different. The Blaze are led in scoring by Brandon Thomas (Blackman) at 15 per game followed closely by Trent Gibson (Blackman) at 13 per and MTSU signee Donovan Sims (Blackman) at 10 per contest.

The rotation includes nine players who all see significant playing time depending on match-ups and simple game situations. That list includes David Ivy (Blackman), Bryce Williams (Blackman), Nathan Nelson (Blackman), Jaellan White (Blackman), James Polite (Blackman) and Donovan Page (Blackman).

The Blaze are coming for you....you have been warned.