The most wonderful time of the year as far as I am concerned. The clock has struck tournament time in Tennessee and things are off to a rousing start. The D2 (Private School) state tournament has concluded and the classification state tournament tips next week. I will provide a breakdown of the D2 state tourney followed by a preview of the upcoming state tournament. Stay tuned and hang on.

 

Tyler Tanner Leads Brentwood Academy to a State record 9th Golden Ball

Tyler Tanner would not be denied. The junior point guard and Mr. Basketball finalist dropped 22 markers as Brentwood Academy garnered their state record 9th state title with a 63-52 victory over Briarcrest Christian at the D2/Class AA finals. Tanner was named MVP of the tourney. 

Jayson Nixon (Brentwood Academy) was amazing from the perimeter finishing with 19 points while sophomore gridiron and hardwood sensation George McIntyre (Brentwood Academy) closed with 10 markers. Tanner led all scorers in the semi-final 62-57 win over Knoxville Webb with 24 points. Tanner, who holds offers from Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Tennessee Tech, headlined the glitter squad with his MVP trophy, joining him on the squad were:

Jackson Nixon (Brentwood Academy)

Jaye Nash (Briarcrest Christian)

George McIntyre (Brentwood Academy)

Fred Smith (Briarcrest Christian)

Lincoln Aholt (Brentwood Academy)

Cooper Haynes (Briarcrest Christian)

 

Mr. Basketball Finalists (Winners announced on March 13th)

Tyler Tanner (Brentwood Academy)

Deondrea Lindsey (Knoxville Catholic)

Lukas Walls (Knoxville Webb)

 

Isaiah West Bring the Gold back to Goodpasture 

Isaiah West was smiling the smile of a lifetime. The senior guard who overcame a devasting injury last season showed he was back to full strength garnering MVP honors as Goodpasture captured the D2/Class A state tile with a 59-48 win over Notre Dame. 

Jayden Jones (Goodpasture) led the scoring in the title game with 19 followed closely by West with 16 and Jack Carter (Goodpasture) with 14.

West, a Vanderbilt signee, was awarded the MVP. The remainder of the all-tourney team are as follows:

Eddie Ricks (Clarksville Academy)

Jayden Jones (Goodpasture)

D.J. Brown (Notre Dame)

Cole McCormick (Notre Dame)

Jack Carter (Goodpasture)

Jace Herman (Notre Dame)

 

Mr. Basketball Finalists (Winners announced on March 13th)

Seth Grandberry (Lausanne)

Eddie Ricks (Clarksville Academy)

Isaiah West (Goodpasture)

 

Class A State Tournament Preview

Participants:

McKenzie

Chattanooga Prep

University High

Humboldt

Hampton

East Robertson

Fayetteville

Middleton

 

Four Players to Watch:

Derrick Roberson (Chattanooga Prep)

The hotshot freshman is one of the best shooters in the area, we should all learn this name.

 

Samuel Willoughby (Fayetteville)

The athletic sophomore has a major upside when his consistency catches up to his skill level.

 

R.J. Robinson (Middleton)

Mr. Basketball finalist is a scoring guard who needs this stage to make a name for himself.

 

Cadon Buckles (Hampton)

Mr. Basketball finalist is a team player who seemingly always ends his season at state.

 

Mr. Basketball Finalists (Winners announced on March 13th)

Jason Britton (North Greene)

Cadon Buckles (Hampton)

R.J. Robinson (Middleton)

 

Class AA State Tournament Preview

Participants:

Alcoa

Brainerd

York Institute

Pearl Cohn

Giles County

Fairview

Douglass

Power Center Academy

 

Six Players to Watch:

Jahvin Carter (Alcoa)

He became the schools all-time leading scorer and will be a treat for those who come watch the action at state.

 

Dennis Lewis (Brainerd)

The big-time shooter had 13 3’s in a game this season, one to watch this year. 

 

Doyel Cockrill (Pearl Cohn)

Senior guard playing with a giant chip on his shoulder, as he wants everyone to understand he is the real deal.

 

Jacion Coffey (Giles County)

The junior post has come on strong down the stretch and makes this version of the Bobcats very dangerous.

 

Tyler Johnson (Douglass)

Big, strong athlete will be tough to deal with when he is focused and determined, what better place to shine.

 

Cordarious Sledge (Power Center Academy)

Senior wing/post can use this opportunity to harness his recruitment and make himself more coveted.

 

Mr. Basketball Finalists (Winners announced on March 13th)

Jordan Allen (Hillcrest)

Jahvin Carter (Alcoa)

Jaylen Jones (East Nashville)

 

Class AAA State Tournament Preview

Participants:

Unicoi County

Volunteer

Fulton

White County

MLK

Chester County

Haywood

Ridgeway

 

Five Players to Watch:

Grant Hensley (Unicoi County)

Solid athlete, good shooter and smart player could be a gem at the proper level.

 

Denaj Kimber (Fulton)

Thin combo guard has shown more aggression and this is the time of year where this kid will shine.

 

Tyler Lee (Fulton)

College body and when he puts everything together on a consistent nightly basis, you will see what I mean.

 

Kendall Solomon (MLK)

Exciting long athletic player who is consistency and constant effort away from being a highly sought-after commodity.

 

Tylon Chatman (Haywood)

Small lefty guard with a gigantic chip on his shoulder, he can score from anywhere and everywhere, he likes to win

 

Mr. Basketball Finalists (Winners announced on March 13th)

Tylon Chatman (Haywood)

Shane Cherry (Austin East)

Damarion Yates (Fayette-Ware)

 

Class AAAA State Tournament Preview

Participants:

Dobyns-Bennett

Sevier County

McMinn County

Blackman

Hillsboro

Independence

Memphis East

Memphis Overton

 

Ten Players to Watch:

Isaiah Divens (Blackman)

Tough lead guard who is a coaches dream, he competes, he wins and his teammates love him, what more you need.

 

Jett Montgomery (Independence)

If you see him you will love him, constant motion, shoots it with confidence, winners mentality, take my word for it.

 

Alijah Curry (Memphis East)

He has high major length and skill, his body needs some work and once his consistency catches up, sky’s the limit.

 

Reed Ownby (Sevier County)

Lanky junior can do so many things on the floor, team player and a burgeoning skill set, take a big look.

 

Cortez Graham (Hillsboro)

High major body for this sophomore, he can handle, shoot and compete, love his tempo and demeanor, take notice.

 

Jordan Frison (Memphis Overton)

Criminally under recruited, lead guard with winning in his veins, can score, shoot and win, did I say win again.

 

Brody Stump (Dobyns-Bennett)

Want to win a title, get a kid like this, small but heady and oh so tough, can stroke it and makes winning plays.

 

Tylan Lewis (Independence)

Sophomore guard is a sticky defender, his offense is coming around and his skill set is improving, bright future.

 

Woodie Harvey (Memphis East)

Down the stretch he has been one of the best players in the city, he can score when called upon or help others.

 

Xavier Alexander (Memphis Overton)

Has come into his own during his senior season, big time scorer is playing with ultimate confidence, watch him shine.

 

Mr. Basketball Finalists (Winners announced on March 13th)

Jordan Frison (Memphis Overton)

Jarred Hall (Lebanon)

Brock Vice (Houston)