The best teams are rising to the top, the action is getting heated while the weather is getting colder. Lets take a look at all the happenings in the state for January.

WELCOME TO THE NEW YEAR (JANUARY)

WEST TENNESSEE

Five To Write About:

Christian Gilliland (Northpoint / pictured)

Underrated guard among the top at his spot in the vaunted Class of 2024. His lift, quickness and scoring prowess make him one to keep a large eye on for the next couple of seasons and summers. Gilliland had a marvelous month scoring 34 against Harding Academy and adding a 30 spot on Lausanne.

Tyler Byrd (Tipton-Rosemark)

Senior guard is having a monster final campaign including some of the top scoring sessions in the entire state on a weekly basis. Lets start with a 48 point outburst against USJ, follow that with a cool 36 against Fayette Academy and close out the month with an efficient 26 against Sacred Heart.

E. J. Smith (Memphis East)

Dynamic lead guard is only scratching the surface of his skill level. Only a sophomore his game is blossoming right before our eyes. Smith showed some of his scoring prowess with a 26 point effort against highly ranked Whitehaven.

Bakari Johnson (Freedom Prep)

One of the top producers not only in the city but the entire state. Johnson is among the top scorers and rebounders and is watching his stock rise. He notched a 40 point effort this month against MSE.

Damien Cox (St. Benedict)

This youngster is proving to be a must see in the Bluff City arena and he is only a freshman. Yes only a frosh. He plays with extreme confidence, he has range and once his body catches up the sky is the proverbial limit. Cox showed off some of his scoring exploits with a 31 point effort against Union City.

Scoring Efforts:

Jordan Allen (Hillcrest): Sophomore guard is turning heads with scoring ability. Lets talk about a 38 piece against West Carroll and a 36 point effort against City University.

JaSteven Walker (Fayette-Ware): South Carolina State signee had a huge month showing off some long awaiting scoring ability with a 32 point effort against Raleigh-Egypt and a 31 point bomb against Millington Central.

J'rius Bush (Westwood): Could this be out diamond in the rough in the Memphis. He is putting up massive scoring numbers on a weekly basis including 35 against MSE, 31 on City University and 25 against Bluff City.

Chris Martin (Southwind): Solid senior guard is having a very nice final prep year. Martin dropped 34 against Germantown and found time for a 33 spot against Houston.

Caleb Jackson (Power Center Academy): This squad is destined to make some noise this year come tournament time led by Jackson. His month has been filled with gaudy scoring numbers including a 30 point effort against Fairley and a 28 point heaving on Hillcrest.

Several huge scoring efforts highlighted the landscape in West Tennessee including

Chaunterion Ward (MASE) 42pts vs. Compass Prep
K.J. Tenner (Cordova) 41pts vs. Collierville
Andre Watson (Mitchell) 41pts vs. Freedom Prep
Cameron Brown (Mitchell) 37 vs. KIPP
Jaylin Anglin (West Carroll) 35pts vs. Peabody
Jason Hunt (Peabody) 34pts vs. Lake County
Daniel Egbuwine (FACS) 33pts vs. ECS
Kyler Dandridge (White Station) 32pts vs. Memphis Overton
Jahari Davis (Bluff City) 32pts vs. MSE
Jamarion Anderson (Bolivar Central) 30pts vs. Scott's Hill
Cooper Haynes (Briarcrest) 29pts vs. St. Benedict
Anthony Medlock (Germantown) 28pts vs. Southwind
Miles Dawkins (Sacred Heart) 27pts vs. Fayette Academy
Kylan Johnson (Humboldt) 27pts vs. JCM
Jaydin Poe (JCM) 27pts vs. Humboldt
Garner Anderson (Westview) 26pts vs. Milan
Seth Grandberry (Millington Central) 26pts vs. Craigmont
Chauncey Holmes (Kingsbury) 26pts vs. White Station'
Jason Hunt (Peabody) 26pts vs. Humboldt
Amarr Knox (Bartlett) 26pts vs. Houston
Kristian Spencer (Whitehaven) 26pts vs. Memphis East
Xavier Herron (Hillcrest) 25pts vs. Sheffield
Chandler Jackson (CBHS) 25pts vs. FACS
Anthony Medlock (Germantown) 25pts vs. Arlington
Etha Turner (Gibson County) 25pts vs. Milan
Damarian Yates (Fayette-Ware) 25pts vs. Hamilton

Don't Sleep On:
Jackson Southside (12-2)

Seemingly always at the top of the state rankings regardless of which class they are a part. Coach Fuller always has these boys ready for battle. The Hawks feature some major contributors in Rico Sain, Kobe Ward, Carron Mitchell and Jaylen Cole. You can rest assured they will have their spot at state come March.