TN Prep Hoops: Crowning champs, Mr. Tennessee Basketball
One in the books and another on the way.
Tournament time in Tennessee is always a blast.
Let's read all about it.
BRENTWOOD ACADEMY RUNS AWAY WITH THE 'SHIP IN DII
Defending your championship is hard, going back to back is even harder, so a 3-peat is a thing of beauty. Brentwood Academy put the word out that this trophy belongs to them with a 74-42 triumph over McCallie capturing the DII/Class AA State Championship for the third consecutive season.
Darius Garland (Brentwood Academy) was at his best in the finals dropping 30 points and sauntering away with the MVP hardware. The Eagles were outstanding defensively holding McCallie guard Jr. Clay to 11 points after watching him explode for 34 in the semi-final victory over MBA.
Garland continues to reap in the accolades as he accepts his Mr. Basketball award for the second consecutive season.
In the DII/Class A state title game, Lausanne used 22 points from up and coming sophomore wing Schuyler Forrest lifting the Lynx to the 65-54 win over FRA. Forrest was named tournament MVP while Chase Hayden (St. George's) was selected as Mr. Basketball.
WHO'S GOING TO STATE MAN.......I'M BOUT TO TELL YOU
Last week we projected who might make the trip to the Glass House at the Murphy Center in the 'boro. Now we know.
In Class AAA the field is set:
Knoxville Bearden led by the sophomore duo of Ques Glover and Trent Stephney
Independence with Belmont signee Grayson Murphy
Memphis Southwind led by UT-Martin signee Carlos Marshall
Murfreesboro Oakland and super sophomore point guard Keishawn Davidson
East Hamilton (Chattanooga) first time ever making the trek to the state tournament
Memphis East led by 2017 Class AAA Mr. Basketball Alex Lomax
Oak Ridge wants to send a message led by Tee Higgins and Tajoin Jones
Brentwood returns to the 'boro led by a senior duo in Kellen King and Reed Smith
Class AA features some old favorites and some new candidates
Knoxville Catholic led by 2017 Mr. Basketball finalist Luke Smith
Macon County returns to state after a 46-year absence, Seth Carlisle is one to watch
White's Creek from Nashville returns led by big Ruot Monyyong
Memphis Sheffield is here to spoil the party, best unknown player in the field is Kavion Hancock
Haywood led by the best unsigned 2017 player in the state, Tristan Jarrett returns this year
Chattanooga Brainerd is making this an annual pit stop, led by junior titan Jesse Walker
Nashville Maplewood led by 2017 Class AA Mr. Basketball and ETSU signee Bo Hodges return
Sullivan East makes a long awaited trip to the promised land for venerable coach John Dyer
Class A seems like a two-horse race....or is it?
Knoxville Grace makes another pilgrimage back to the homeland led by senior Connor Arnold
Humboldt has held the top spot in the Class A state rankings all season, no reason for that to change
Clay County returns behind 2017 Class A Mr. Basketball Tyreke Key
Loretto shocks the world and grabs a spot in the state, they deserve to be here
Van Buren County has become a regular led by junior scoring sensation Caden Mills
Columbia Academy is on the proverbial role led by senior Nygil Arms and sophomore Carson Cary
Harriman draws a tough assignment but this team is athletic and can score behind Joe Pace and Isaiah McClain
Memphis Mitchell has won state the last 25 years (exaggeration) but you get my point
HERES 10 YOU PROBABLY DONT KNOW ABOUT....BUT YOU WILL
With the state tournament tipping off next week, Wednesday at the Murphy Center on the campus of MTSU, I thought it appropriate to ingratiate you to some of the guys you may not know about coming to the tournament this year.
Keishawn Davidson (Oakland) 2019
Slick young point guard with vision and an old school soul. He has several D1 offers and is a must see if you make your way to state this year.
Malcolm Dandridge (Memphis East) 2019
This big young fellow has a major upside, his size (6'7) and motor alone make him a must see and his Class of 2019 status make him a must follow if you're employed as a coach on the high major D1 level.
Anthony Gibson (Oak Ridge) 2017
He may not get the praise of some of his larger profiled teammates but this kid is a gamer, a scorer, a winner. He will lead you in scoring, if you're on the DII, NAIA, Prep School level you must check him out.
Tristan Jarrett (Haywood) 2017
The top remaining unsigned Class of 2017 player in the state. Jarrett is a scoring factory, he uses his big body and girth to get in the lane and score regardless of defender size or skill, seek him out it will be worth it
Seth Carlisle (Macon County) 2018
We love players at every level and this tough guy can play college basketball. Slick shooter, tough kid, makes plays and could be a DIII All-American without a doubt.
Ques Glover (Bearden) 2019
Diminutive but only in stature, this kid is pure heart and guts. He only stands about 5'8 but he shoots the ball very well, slick pull-up from a dead stop, he handles and gets after you on defense.
Brock Jancek (Knoxville Catholic) 2018
Rising junior big man has really come into his own this season. He is rebounding at a respectable clip and has learned to finish around the basket, he blocks shots and when his hands improve he could be exceptional
Dennis Stallings (White's Creek) 2018
Smooth lefty operator, he seems to glide while production is piling up all around him. He can shoot the outside shot, his size (6'5) allows him the space to penetrate and when he finally gets it....look out
Connor Arnold (Grace Christian) 2017
Sleek wing can shoot the outside shot and is steadily improving on the defensive side of the ball. Has played outstanding in his previous state tournament appearances, big test in the opening rounds
Mark Freeman (Southwind) 2018
Junior go getter, kind of plays in the shadow of more hyped classmates, Alex Lomas and Tyler Harris, but this cat can go. Unselfish, he scores when the time is right, he defends and he distributes and his team is here.
HOW BOUT 10 MORE TO ADD TO YOUR NOTEBOOK
Trent Stephney (Bearden) 2019
Justin Dozier (East Hamilton) 2018
Reed Smith (Brentwood) 2017
Jack Sompayrac (Knoxville Catholic) 2018
Jalen Brooks (White's Creek) 2017
Kavion Hancock (Sheffield) 2017
Jesse Walker (Brainerd) 2018
Gavin Grubb (Sullivan East) 2017
Grant Ledford (Grace Christian) 2019
Carson Cary (Columbia Academy) 2019
QUICK TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW
Class AAA
Memphis East is the obvious favorite and a second round clash against Oak Ridge looms on the horizon. Could they meet Southwind in the championship game?
Class AA
How about a second round battle between Knoxville Catholic and White's Creek? Haywood and Brainerd will be epic.
Class A
All roads lead to Humboldt vs. Mitchell in the finals, but sports fans that's why they play the games.
Good luck to everyone and I will see you in the 'boro.