A great summer, a better July.

 

Put those equations into the mix and you get major interest
from colleges all over the country.

 

Casey Prather
(Jackson Northside) made the most of his opportunities and has ended his
substantial recruitment pledging to become a Florida Gator.

 

A long list of schools was narrowed recently to Florida and Memphis
with the final decision pending.

 

Prather will continue a big tradition of Tennessee
hoopsters who have graced the Blue and Orange
including Lee Humphrey (Maryville)
and Corey Brewer (Portland).

 

Prather was all over the map in July running with the
Nashville Celtics and providing highlight material from Las
Vegas to Cincinnati
and other destinations in between.

 

Prather is a special player who will flourish in the Gators
up tempo style. His ability to score from the outside or use his exceptional
athleticism to finish in transition or off the dribble will serve him well in
the ultra-athletic SEC.

 

With his upcoming senior campaign on the horizon Prather can
now concentrate on improving his 24 points and 11 boards per game which helped
him finish as a finalist for the coveted Mr. Basketball award last season in
Class AA.

 

Congrats Casey and good luck in your senior season.

Austin you better bring a jacket.

Austin Hollins (Germantown) has decided to end his substantial recruitment and will head to the Great White North and represent Tennessee for the Gophers of Minnesota. 

The talented wing parlayed a fantastic summer into heated interest from around the country but settled for the intense passion of Tubby Smith and the Big Ten power. 

Hollins can play either the two or three with a good outside stroke and some deft handles as well. His body will need some bulk not only for the physical Big Ten sytle but for those Minnesota winters. 

The folks at the Williams Arena will fall quickly for the charismatic and talented youngster with the ultra athletic game. 

Minnesota was a member of the 2009 NCAA Tournament field falling to Texas in the opening round. 

The summer between your junior and senior year of high school
is crucial for any potential D1 recruit.

 

Finding the right summer squad to run with could be vital
for your success or lack there of.

So when Robert Boyd (Fulton) was looking
for a team he turned to an out of state squad looking for a tough guard who
wouldn't be afraid to defend.

Who better than one of the defensive stalwarts for the two
time defending Class AA state champions.

The Worldwide Renegades toured the country in July and Boyd
made his presence felt on both ends of the floor.

For his efforts the 6'2 combo guard pledged to play his
college basketball today for Scott Sanderson and the Bison of Lipscomb
University.

Lipscomb finished 17-14 last season and play their hoops in
the up and coming Atlantic Sun Conference.

Boyd is a self-starter who needs little motivation to perform
on the court. Exceptionally well coached by Jody Wright, the slender scorer has
improved his overall offensive game to include sweet drops off the dribble and
an array of short jumpers all over the floor.

 Boyd joins his high school teammate, Jalen Steele, who committed
to Auburn last week and becomes the fifth
commitment in the class of 2010 for Tennessee.

Now Boyd can concentrate on helping his Falcons in their
quest for a three-peat in the ‘Boro this March.

The speculation was always up in the air.

 

Where will he go, they would say and then the scenarios
would start to flow.

 

All along "The Real Thing" in his heart knew where his final
destination would be.

 

The hometown kid staying around to help usher in a new era
for a new coach and a new outlook for a program with a great deal of history
and success.

 

Joe Jackson (White
Station) as you may have figured out is staying home and will attend the
University of Memphis and new coach Josh Pastner could not be more elated.

 

Jackson, who helped the Spartans win the Class AAA state
championship last season, is a national treasure with aspirations of the
McDonald's game and a future so bright he undoubtedly must wear shades.

 

He has been a star on the AAU circuit for three years
playing for various teams and I recall my first encounter with him as an
incoming freshman he attended our first ever Tennessee Prep Hoops Rankings and
Exposure Showcase held that year at CPA in Nashville.

 

The scrawny little kid was beasting everyone in the camp and
everyone in attendance were clamoring for a look at this young phenom.

 

I have enjoyed getting to know Joe and can't wait to see
what he has in store for his upcoming senior campaign.

 

Memphis of course plays in
Conference USA
and has been a national power for years on end. Coach Pastner could not be more
excited about the future addition of the kid who will be the cornerstone for
his squad for many years to come.

 

Congrats Joe and good luck to you in all you do my friend.

 

Well friends I have good news, no make that great news and
bad news all in the same story.

I should say bad news for us in Tennessee but great news for The Drake.

 Mardracus Wade
(Mitchell) has given his commitment to John Pelphrey and the Razorbacks of
Arkansas.

 We knew all along that Drake could play on this level. Drake
chose Arkansas over serious interest from Missouri, Mississippi
State and Alabama.

 He said Arkansas
has recruited him the longest and they need a guy like him who provides
leadership and toughness to step in and take over this program.

 Now the bad news, Mardracus will leave our fair state and
finish his senior campaign at Hargrave
Military Academy.

 A great move for Drake, as Kevin Keatts is one of the best
at getting young men prepared for the rigors of the SEC, but sad as we lose one
of our favorites for his senior season.

I will truly miss Drake and wish him nothing but success as
he embarks on his journey, he will always have a special place here at
Tennessee Prep Hoops.

 Love the Drake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brandon Hunter (Gallatin) waited till the end of the recruiting cycle but the talented senior guard will take his game down to Martin Methodist in Pulaski.

Hunter, who was one of the best guards in the MidState area this past season, will be a solid contributor immediately for Coach Andy Sharpe and the Red Hawks.

His ability to score off the dribble combined with a solid outside shot makes him a valuable commodity in the tough TranSouth Conference, which is a member of the NAIA. 

 

After weeks of deliberation some things just seem to fall into place.

Stephen Cook (Chattanooga Christian) knew in one way shape or form his future was going to include basketball.

He fielded several offers and opportunities and in the end decided that junior college would be his best option.

The 5'11 point guard will take his talents to the TJCCAA and play for Coach Lee Cigliano and the Cougars of Cleveland State Community College.

Cleveland State is getting a smart and heady leader who should grab the reigns from his first day on campus. Cook, who balled this summer with the Tennessee Travelers, has the ability to score when the situation calls for it, but his strength is running a team and getting his scorers the ball in position to do their thing.

Congrats to Stephen and I look forward to watching him compete on the next level.

Not alot of people can say they have had to overcome so many things at such a young age.

Lets take my man William Moore (Chattanooga Christian) for example. 

The 6'4 wing had things going his way during a solid junior season a few years back before a devastating knee injury sidelined him for the summer.

With support from friends and family Big Will made it back and was having a superb senior campaign. Averaging in upwards of 30 points per game when the unthinkable happened. 

He injured his opposite leg and was forced to miss his senior year.

We had Will as our diary participant and he was able to make one entry before the injury befalled him. We decided to discontinue the diary this past season in his honor.

As Will went through rehab he had tough decisions ahead about his future in hoops. Rehabilitation was going well and the strength was coming back so Will decided to get his game back before embarking on the road to a four year school by attending Chattanooga State.

A member of the TJCCAA and coached by former Tennessee player Jay Price, Chatt State will give Will the competition and help him get back to the player that he once was.

My friend I wish you nothing but the best and I truly value the friendship we have forged over the past four years.

 

Staying in the TJCCAA and moving all the way across the state. D'Alvin Brown (Covington) and Derrick Walker (Covington) will remain teammates as they will play for legendary Memphis coach Verties Sailes and the Saluiqis of Southwest Tennessee Community College. 

Over at Dyersburg State, Freddie Currie (Spring Hill) will continue his college career at the West Tennessee campus. 

Jumping the border, Tony Payne (Bolton) takes his game over to Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Mississippi. The Tigers are coached by Ira Peterson.

Finishing in the final four always dictates to getting some good new recruits and Connors State is no exception. The Cowboys and venerable coach Bill Muse completed the 2008-2009 campaign as a final four finisher of the NJCAA and for their reward Cadario Macklin (Ridgeway) will make the long journey to the Warner, Oklahoma campus. 

 

Finishing as a finalist for the coveted Mr. Basketball award is a wonderful accomplishment.

Now lets top that with a ride to North Alabama.

Wes Long (Summertown) takes his hot shooting stroke to the DII school.

A member of the Gulf South Conference and coached by legendary mentor Bobby Champagne, the Lions finished the 2008-2009 campaign at 18-10 falling just short of an NCAA bid.