January made me shiver but the stars shined bright and the points came in bunches all over the state. As the playoffs approach let's break down the action during the month of January from all four corners of the Volunteer state. Today’s focus will be on the middle portion of the state. 

 

Middle Tennessee Headlines

Auden Slaughter (Sante Fe) has been lighting up the scorebook in his small community. The rising sophomore dropped

46 against McEwen in the month of January and then topped that effort with a 50 burger against Lewis County.

East Nashville is the odds-on favorite to repeat as state champions in Class AA. Jaylen Jones (East Nashville) is the favorite for Mr. Basketball but this is far from a one-man operation. The Eagles were en fuego during the month of January. Jones was his usual outstanding self with efforts including 25 against Stratford and 32 against Pearl Cohn.

Jordan Crawford (East Nashville) is making some headlines for himself including a 27-point effort against KIPP and 34 against Stratford.

 

Scoring Exploits

Devin Hill (MTCS) is putting up mind-boggling numbers in his senior season. How was January for this young man well how about, 36 against FRA, another 36 against Grace Christian and 35 against BGA.

Griffin Cooper (Columbia Academy) is making his presence felt with his improved effort including a 26-point game against Grace Christian and a 26-point effort against the Tennessee Heat.

Nazier Leonard (Northeast) is showing why he is one of the top players in the Clarksville area. Leonard dropped 28 against LaVergne and added 31 against Rossview.

Eddie Ricks (Clarksville Academy) is having an outstanding senior season as evidenced by his 41-point effort against Nashville Christian.

 Jett Montgomery (Independence) is in the headlines again. He has helped his squad to the top ranking in the state and had an outstanding January with games that include a 28-point effort against Shelbyville and a cool 25 against Fairview.

E.J. Jordan (FRA) is a name we have gotten to know from this list and January has kept this momentum steaming. Jordan dropped 31 against Columbia Academy and added 30 on Providence Christian.

Here are some additional big-time scoring efforts for Middle Tennessee in January

Ayden Glenn (Zion Christian) 35pts vs. Franklin Classical

Cade Capps (Stone Memorial) 30pts vs. White County

Keshaun Papillion (Kenwood) 30pts vs. Henry County

Marcel Reed (MBA) 30pts vs. CPA

Mason Brown (Central Magnet) 29pts vs. Sycamore

Connor Close (DeKalb County) 29pts vs. Livingston Academy

Jamar Cornell (Clarksville) 29pts vs. Northeast

Lorenzo McMillan (Davidson Academy) 29pts vs. Friendship Christian

Jack Medalie (Franklin) 29pts vs. Nolensville

C.J. Tinnon (Grace Christian) 29pts vs. Columbia Academy

Jacob Flannigan (Community) 27pts vs. Grundy County

Will Baker (Moore County) 26pts vs. Huntland

Colby Jones (Friendship Christian) 26pts vs. DCA

Jayden Jones (Goodpasture) 26pts vs. Clarksville Academy

Landon Hankemeier (Rossview) 26pts vs. Northeast

Chase Runyon (Portland) 26pts vs. White House

Kendrick Brown (Jackson County) 25pts vs. Bledsoe County

Gabe Davenport (Columbia Academy) 25pts vs. FRA

Kaimarian Flair (Springfield) 25pts vs. Clarksville

 

Milestones

Jarred Hall (Lebanon) has been on a roll in the month of January. Try this on for size, 30 against Wilson Central, 29 against Cookeville, 28 against Green Hill and a 26 spot against Ravenwood. His scoring exploits have earned him a secure place in school history as he became the all-time leading scorer this month with 1,578 points for his career. Congrats my friend.

Daniel Cochran (Brentwood) etched his name in Bruin lore surpassing the 1,000-point mark for his career.

Isaiah Divens (Blackman) will have his name forever secure in Blaze folklore moving past the 1,000-point barrier for his career.

Kamryn Eden (Westmoreland) moved past the 1,000-point scoring mark for his career.

Maverick Lee (Cheatham County) is putting the final touches to an outstanding high school career as the talented senior wing moved past the 1,000-point mark for his career.

Calvin Goliday (Hillwood) is moving up the school scoring charts as he had an outstanding month of January. He dropped 26 against Glencliff, added 36 against Columbia Central, brought 28 against MLK and closed with 27 against Hume Fogg. Goliday also slid past the 1,000-point plateau for his career.

 

Players to Watch

Carter Webb (Siegel) is a Class of 2025 combo guard who will be turning heads in the very near future. He has some length and some swagger and can put the ball in the hole as evidenced by his 25-point effort against Summit.

Jeremy Jackson (Columbia Academy) is a talented 2025 guard who is on the fast track to being on several recruiting boards. His game is molding quickly and he can score the ball including a 28-point effort against BGA.

Kavien Jones (BGA) has introduced himself to the mid-state with authority. The rising junior has been putting up numbers that require your undivided attention. How about 36 against Columbia Academy and 34 against Grace Christian?

 

Have You Seen?

Maddox Franklin (Lincoln County) is a rising Class of 2026 shooting ace and he has thrust upon the scene with a 28-point effort against Tullahoma.

Isaiah Thomison (Fayetteville) has etched his name into school folklore forever snatching 19 caroms and breaking the school record for a single game.