Cory Billingsley (Sweetwater) wanted to make a decision on his college future, opportunities arose for the all-time leading scorer at Sweetwater High School but in the end the lure of winning and playing close to home; as well as, playing for an outstanding coach and a very successful program got the nod.

Billingsley will take his game to Lee University in Cleveland Tennessee next season and will be a welcome addiition for Coach Tommy Brown and the highly successful Flames.

Lee plays in the Southern States Athletic Confeence of the NAIA and currently stands at 17-4 on the season.

Billingsley, who moved past the 2,000 point barrier earlier this week, is a lefty guard who has good size and can score in bunches from outside or off the dribble.

He is an outstanding young man and I wish him nothing but success on his new venture.

The old adage if you work hard and do the right things, good things are coming your way was never more true in the case of Jon McCroskey (Gatlinburg-Pittman).

The 6'2 senior guard is playing the best basketball of his young life and academically he's a bonafide star.

McCroskey will take his talent down I75 to Cleveland and attend Lee University next season.

The Flames play in the DI level of the NAIA and are coached by Tommy Brown and are a powerhouse in their respective division.

McCroskey brings high level basketball IQ, a much improved outside stroke and a winners mentality into the fold for the fiery Coach Brown.

Congrats to you Jon.

What defines a sleeper?

A player who plays a bit under the radar, maybe or someone who not alot of people know about in one way shape or form. 

Kerrell Davis (Hillcrest) could be classified as a sleeper but his talent and next level ability takes care of the label without any concern. 

The Hillcrest point man will take his considerable talent and play for Coach Tony Harvey at Texas Southern next season. 

Davis, who many think is the best pure point in the city of Memphis is not just a pass friendly leader. He has scoring ability, plays very good on the ball defense and is a leader on the floor. 

The Tigers who play in the Southwest Athletic Conference have a bright future with the talented lead guard.

Davis becomes the 18th member of the Class of 2011 in Tennessee to pledge D1. 

 

After a summer of traveling the country with the vaulted Tennessee Travelers and a fall highlighted by capturing the Pilot Rocky Top High School Fall League championship on his Tri-Cities squad, Jordan Cross (Sullivan East) was set for an outstanding senior campaign.

 

He scored 35 points in his first game before an unfortunate injury has sidelined him for the remainder of his senior season.

 

All is not lost as the 6'3 senior has signed to play his college basketball next season for the Buffaloes of Milligan College.

 

Milligan is getting a fine shooter and an exceptionally smart basketball player who will be a stalwart in their program for the next four years.

 

Milligan College, coached by Bill Robinson, plays in the Appalachian Athletic Conference of the NAIA.

 

We wish Cross a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him at Milligan for the next few seasons.

 

Logan Lyle (Unicoi County) is set for an outstanding senior campaign. He will be the main threat for his squad but first he needed to get a major decision out of the way so he could put all his energy into leading Unicoi to the state this year.

 

Lyle will attend King College in Bristol and play for the legendary George Pitts.

 

The Tornado finished last season at 27-6 playing in NCCAA D1 but will toil this season as a member of the Conference of the Carolinas in D2.

 

Lyle brings a big time game to the Bristol school, he can knock down the jumper from anywhere on the floor, has the size to score inside and is unselfish with a high basketball IQ, yes my friends Pitts and staff have got themselves a very good one.  

 

The rich keep getting richer, as they say, but as I've always said you create your own success with hard work and diligence.

 

Isiah Harrison (Hillsboro) applied the same principles to his burgeoning game this summer and the 6'7 Nashville big man played himself into a college scholarship.

 

Harrison will sign with NAIA stalwart Freed-Hardeman a member of the TransSouth Conference.

 

Harrison is a bright, athletic player with improving skills; his best basketball is certainly in his future and who better than to cultivate this talent than Freed-Hardeman head man Jason Shelton.

 

The Lions who narrowly missed participating in the national tournament last season are ranked #23 in the pre-season national NAIA poll.

 

 

With all the commitments coming off the board it is only natural for the D2 and NAIA schools to start snatching some of their prospects and thus it has begun.

 

Keenan Froedden (Sycamore) will begin his senior season worry free as the 5'8 point guard has decided to play his college ball all the way across the state at King College.

 

King College is located in Bristol right on the Tennessee/Virginia border and the Tornado are coached by legendary George Pitts, who won several state championships with stints at Science Hill and a four pack at Brentwood Academy earlier in the decade.

 

Froedden brings tough defensive skills and the ability to run a program and control tempo making everyone happy. He can shoot the outside shot and despite his size will attack the rim and finish despite contact, he plays at a frantic tempo and is always under control.

 

King College played last season as a member of the NCCAA DI and faired very well accumulating a 27-6 record while advancing to the title game before falling.

 

This season the Tornado will compete in NCAA D2 as a member of the Conference of the Carolinas.

 

And the hits just keep on coming, Telvin Wilkerson (Melrose) joined the commitment party later today and will join fellow Memphian Nino Johnson at Southeast Missouri State.

 

Wilkerson, the forgotten man with the Melrose team, is a big get for the Redhawks. He brings a solid mid-range game and is athletic and strong enough to command playing time as soon as steps on the Ohio Valley Conference campus.

 

Dickey Nutt, the 2^nd year SEMO mentor, will love the competitive nature of the talented Wilkerson.

 

Wilkerson and the rest of his Golden Tornadoes teammates will now concentrate on bringing another gold ball back to Melrose in his upcoming senior campaign.

 

Wilkerson was also nominated for selection to the McDonald's All-American list.

 

Right off the heels of his White Station teammate, Nino Johnson (White Station) wasted no time in making his college choice.

 

Johnson will attend Southeast Missouri State University under 2^nd year head coach Dickey Nutt.

 

Johnson, who played this summer with the Memphis Magic, has a big time upside and is a huge get for the Redhawks.

 

SEMO plays in the always tough Ohio Valley Conference.

 

Johnson becomes the 17^th player in the Class of 2011 to pledge for D1.

 

Johnson was also selected as a McDonald's All-American nominee earlier this month.

 

The Spartans now have three D1 pledges and will be salivating at the chance to battle with their district, region, city and state rival Melrose, another great year of hoops in Memphis awaits us.

 

 

 

As one of the top players not only in Tennessee but in the entire nation, Adonis Thomas (Melrose) has been hounded as to when and where he was going to make his college decision.

 

That came to light, yesterday afternoon as the 6'7 wunderkind, decided to stay in his hometown and play for second year mentor Josh Pastner and the Tigers of Memphis.

 

This marks the second straight year the state's top player chose to become a Tiger, if you will recall Joe Jackson also chose Memphis last season.

 

Thomas, who was a Mr. Basketball finalist in Class AAA last season, leads another healthy group of players, as Melrose will defend their Class AAA state crown against all comers this season.

 

One of the most decorated players in the past few season, Thomas was a consensus Top 10 player nationally and a sure fire McDonald's All-American candidate after the conclusion of this year.

 

Thomas chose Memphis over Tennessee, Florida, Arkansas and UCLA.

 

Thomas, who played his summer ball with the vaunted Memphis Magic, also found time to help lead Team USA to the FIBA World Basketball Championships this past summer in Germany.

 

Thomas becomes the 15^th member of the Class of 2010 in Tennessee to give his commitment to a D1 school and will now be able to concentrate on leading the Golden Wildcats to another state title in March.