How ironic is this little fact.

In the two biggest most prestigious Memorial Day tourneys the 15 and under squads from the Bluff City came home sporting silver.

As previously reported the M33M Ballerz grabbed the silver at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions losing in the final to the very tough Ohio Basketball Club.

Down in Nashville the Memphis YOMCA 15's did themselves proud finishing 5-1 on the tourney before falling to a tough Houston Hoops squad in the title game.

The wins give the Y a 17-2 mark on the season and project them as one of the top teams in nation. Shining throughout this past weekend were Chris Jones (Melrose), Wayne Martin (Mississippi), Andre Hollins (White Station) and Nino Johnson (Melrose).

Jones is stone cold demon on the floor hitting shots from everywhere and has not one ounce of fear in his game. Hollins continues to make a push for the top player in this class with his hustle and hihg basketball IQ. Martin is a pure powerhouse and already a coveted prospect.

The talk from onlookers was the emergence of the 6'6 Johnson. Getting better with every game this youngster has put himself on the recruiting lists of most schools in the Southeast.

 

Down in the 16 and under division the YOMCA finished 2-2 after playing in an extremely tough pool. Coaches praised the play of a relative unknown Montez Pfeiffer (Southwind). Look for major action and traffic jams on the road leading to Southwind in the next couple of seasons. Steady is what Julian Burton (White Station) is known for. Running the show and getting everyone involved is job #1 for the precocious point man.

Special mention to the efforts of Rashad Harris (Raleigh-Egypt), who is ready to explode on the scene and the steady contribution of my man Nicholas Mason (Fairley).

In the 17's the YOMCA finished 2-2 after being shacked up with Athletes First in pool play. Ian Clark (Germantown) continues to turn heads with his efforts from the outside. His stock is on the rise so mid-majors it looks like a good time to buy.

Also drawing praise for their efforts include Leslie McDonald (Braircrest Christian), Farrahkon Hall (White Station) and Cordario Macklin (Ridgeway).

The conclusion of the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions is always a hectic event for me. The trophy presentation, the naming of the All-Tournament squads and the utter chaos that ensues.

This year four players from Tennessee squads were named to the prestigious glitter squad and they are

 

Skylar McBee (Grainger) Mid-State Ballerz

First off I am listing McBee at Grainger because as of next year the old Rutledge school will no long be. A new state of the art facility called Grainger High will be erected in its place. Now back to serious matters, McBee was solid. The shooting guard did'nt have his best shooting week but made some nice plays off the dribble and shot well enough to catch the eye of my mentor Bob Gibbons.

 

Jon Hood (Kentucky) Nashville Celtics

The Kentucky commit was a crucial link in the Celtics winning chain. He gave tough effort, scored off the dribble, knocked down some tough shots and gave effort as he always does. He's a much better athlete than people give him credit for being.

 

Joe Jackson (White Station) Compton Magic

On loan to Compton this weekend Jackson just did his thing. "The Real Thing" was real finishing as one of the top scorers in the 17 and under division. He played to a standstill with one of the nations best Kenny Boynton and turned many more heads than his slight frame already has.

 

John Jenkins (Station Camp) Tennessee YOMCA Tigers

"Silk" finished as one of the top scorers in the 17 and under division despite the squads poor showing. Deadly from any spot on the floor with his quick trigger, his off the dribble game has improved.

 

 

Huge weekend for hoops in the South with the two major Memorial Day events ready to get underway.

In Nashville the 2008 Bobby Hussey Nike Memorial Day Tournament features two of Tennessee's elite summer programs the Tennessee Travelers and Memphis YOMCA.

In the 17 and under division the Memphis YOMCA drew the unfortunate task of Pool A which will feature among others Athlete's First, Alabama Lasers and Charlotte Royals. The Y has been out of action for a couple of weeks and should be well rested. Led by nationally ranked ballers Leslie McDonald (Braircrest Christian), Ferrakohn Hall (White Station) and Reginald Buckner (Manassas) this group will make a serious run at the crown.

Buckner may or may not be in actio due to his ankle turn at the Challenge of Champions this past weekend.

Moving down to Pool E the Travelers are joined by the St. Luois Eagles, New York Gauchos and Arizona Stars. The Tarvs are getting solid inside work from improving Joe Meady (Knoxville Carter), Kyle Teichman (Brentwood) and Jay Reynolds (Maryville).

Guard play win games and tourney and this event will be no different. Who's playing better than "J-Smooth" Jalen Steele (Fulton) right now. His stock has reached high major interest and with his continued development should become a staple of every high major coaches travel itinerary.

Depth at the backcourt spots is a Traveler tradition with Emmanuel Andrews (Shelbyville), Stephen Cook (Chattanooga Christian) and James Gallman (Fulton).

In the 16 and under division the Travelers will compete in Pool C with the metro Hawks, Team Chandler and Team Texas. Brandon Herman (Grace Baptist) has been a steady force all summer long and will be challenged in this tourney to keep up the high level of play.

Nicholas Mason (Fairley) leads the Y into Pool D action against the likes of Howard Pulley, Georgia Stars and New York Gauchos.

 

Moving on to the 15 and under division the Memphis YOMCA will compete in Pool C alongside the Illinois Warriors, Team Texas and Georgia Blazers. The Y will be led by emerging stars Andre Hollins (White Station), Chris Jones (Melrose) and Wayne Martin (Arkansas).

Over in Pool D the Travlers will compete aginst Houston Hoops, Howard Pulley and Georgia Elite for advancement to the bracket round. Galen Campbell (Bearden) has been the most consistent of the youngsters but big weekends will be expected from Lester Wilson (Knoxville Carter), Brandon Lopez (Austin East) and Jordan Cross (Sullivan East).

Good luck to everyone and we will give updates as we get them.

The 2008 TOC brings high school hoops to Tobacco Road with venues at Duke, North Carolina, and North Carolina State among others.

The Volunteer state will be highly represented with four teams in the 17 and under division and two each in the 16's and 15's competing for the coveted gold trophy.

Pool E starts our magical mystery tour with the Tennessee YOMCA Tigers battling the likes of Grassroots Canada, Blessed IJN and the Michigan Hurricanes. The Tigers will welcome back Taverees Jefferson (Ensworth) who will be vital in this tourney. Look for big weekends from Blake Jenkins (Bearden), John "Silk" Jenkins (Station Camp) and Demonte Simpson (Bearden).

Welcome to Pool H, Nashville Celtics. Another weekend with the Worldwide Renegades; as well as, Triple Threat and Cuttino Mobley Philly Pride. The Celtics bring the noise with Drew Kelly (Centennial), Casey Prather (Jackson Northside) and Kentucky commitment Jon Hood (Kentucky). This will lso be my first opportunity to see the heralded newcomer DeAndre Daniels, a Class of 2010 player who plans on moving to Nashville for his junior season.

Mike Miller's M33M battle in Pool J with Ohio Basketball Club, Grand Rapids Storm and the United Celtics. Christian Watford (Alabama) is the marquee attraction but Class of 2010 hoopers like Tim Peete (Memphis Central), Alan Farmer (Cordova) and Masceo Harmon (Memphis Central) give them depth and solid guard play.

Cruising down to Pool P, the Mid-State Ballerz South rumble with Team Final, Illinois Bobcats and New Orleans Jazz. Sam Watson (Farragut) and Travai Pryor (Austin East) provide the only height the Ballerz have but their guard and wing play will be ultra superb led by Deonte Alexander (Glencliff), C.J. Crittendon (Dyer County), Skylar McBee (Grainger) and Nathan Parker (Bearden).

In the 16 and under division Pool B starts with Boo Williams, D-One Sports and the Illinois Wolves. The Mid-State Ballerz will need to be on their game to move on to bracket play with that tough crew. Thomas Greer (West Carroll), Tarius Johnson (Liberty Tech) and Demarius Smith (Kenwood) get the opportunity to make themselves known on a national level in this tourney.

Down in Pool D the Nashville Celtics 16's led by Ish Sanders (Cleveland), Jay Murphy (Bolivar Central) and Cody Henegar (Marion County) take on the tough Grassroots Canada, Richmond Squires and New Jersey Roadrunners.

 

Down in 15 and under country the Nashville Celtics battle the Playaz, Carolina Raptors and Michigan Mustangs in a very tough pool. The M33M-Memphis squad takes on the New York Gauchos, Birmingham Storm and D-One Sports.

 

Good luck to everyone and see you in North Carolina.

Nathan Parker (Bearden) is the Stat-man. During the course of the Challenge of Champions I happened to look over at the scorer's table and noticed Nate doing the clock and score book. I turned to my coaching colleague and stated look Parker is literally the stat-man.

All humor aside Parker had another great weekend scoring, rebounding, blocking some shots and proving to be a match-up nightmare for any defender. His efforts gave him the platinum division MVP award. Other members of the All-Tournament squad include:

Sam Watson (Farragut) Mid-State Ballerz South

Deonte Alexander (Glencliff) Mid-State Ballerz South

Skylar McBee (Grainger) Mid-State Ballerz South

Josh Langford (Alabama) Alabama Lasers

Kerry Hammonds (Siegel) Alabama Lasers

Marc Gooch (Siegel) Alabama Lasers

Thomas Greer (West Carroll) Mid-State Ballerz West

Tarius Johnson (Liberty Tech) Mid-State Ballerz West

Demarious Smith (Kenwood) Mid-State Ballerz West

Eric Mosley (Indiana) Mid-State Ballerz North

Derrick Walker (Covington) Mid-State Ballerz North

Jamarious Alderson (Clarksville Northeast) Mid-State Ballerz North

Josh odom (Science Hill) Team Hoopsters

Ashlon Adams (Science Hill) Team Hoopsters

Eric Watson (Mississippi) Team Memphis

Tevin Moore (Mississippi) Team Memphis

K.J. Stripling (Smyrna) Tennessee Heat

John David Little (Mississippi) Memphis Hoopers

Reginald Buckner (Manassas) Memphis Hoopers

C.J. Alred (Clinton) East Tennessee Magic

Anthony Hickey (Clarksville Northeast) Gateway Express

Robert Boyd (Fulton) Tennessee Stormriders

Chris Poteet (Campbell County) Tennessee Blue Devils

Gold Division

Malcolm Smith (Clarksville Academy) Middle Tennessee Magic (MVP)

Daijon Williams  (?) Middle Tennessee Magic

Zavion Williams (Clarksville Northeast) Middle Tennessee magic

E.J. Perry (Westmoreland) Mid-State Ballerz Central

Shawn Kelly (Rossview) Clarksville Stars

Jacob Lloyd (Westview) Mid-State Ballerz 15's

Devin Patterson (Oakland) The Club 15's

Jarvis Sullivan (Westwood) Memphis Hoopers

Tyler King (Independence) Tennessee Edge

5 WHO CAUGHT MY EYE

1. Thomas Greer (West Carroll)

This dude gets better everytime I see him. He is long and much better athletically than people think. He has a deadeye outside shot and plays very hard. Improvement on his lateral and quickness makes him a no-brainer.

 

2. Kerry Hammonds (Siegel)

As I stated in yesterdays article this kid is really showing improvement. He's got great size and can explode when the opportunity is there. His outside is deft and his energy is high. As he works on his ballhandling and defensive effort the sky is the limit for Mr. Hammonds.

 

3. Walter Davis (Southwind)

What an athlete. His hops were remarkable and his energy fun to watch. He needs to work on his overall game of course but his ability to explode at a moments notice makes him a very interesting prospect in the Class of 2010.

 

4. Demarious Smith (Kenwood)

His atletic prowess aside, D.D. is becoming a better basketball player. His explosion is there like a cobra ready to embarrass you but he has learned some of the nuances of the game like boxing out, on the ball defense and scoring from other places beside the paint. Loves his progress.

 

5. Clarksville's Young Guns

I was highly impressed with the amount of good young talent the city of Clarksville is producing. Players such as Malcolm Smith, Martin Smith, Shawn Kelly, Anthony Hickey, Telvin James, Zavion Williams, Daijon Williams, Demarious Smith, Roger Huntley, Darius Rudolph, and Demetrious Robinson give the city a great foundation for the future.