Class A State Tournament Previews… Part 1

reginald buckner.jpg

Three days and counting!!!!!

The state tournament always the best time of year for fans and junkies of the hoop alike. Here is a look and a preview of the upper portion of the bracket for the teams headed to state from the Class A division.

Manassas vs. Humboldt 

10:00 Wednesday

Grace Baptist vs. Grace Christian

11:45 Wednesday

 

 

Manassas

Hometown: Memphis

Nickname: Tigers

Record: 24-2

DIstrict: 16A

Region: 8A

Coach: Gerald Harris

Top Players:  Reginald Buckner, Kindle Woodard, Shaq Walker

Region Final: 71-59 winner over Scotts Hill

Sub-State: 67-56 winner over Lake County

Preview:

I'm sorry but this should be the championship game. Manassas returns to state after losing in the championship game last season and is poised to remain in the field after day one. The two favorites for the crown will face off in the opening game of the day with the Tigers taking on the state only unbeaten squad in Humboldt. Manassas will look to Mr. Basketball candidate Reginald Buckner to be in top form as they tangle with the Vikings. Manassas lost a great deal of experience off of last years team but has the players to bring the gold ball to Memphis. 

 

 

 

Humboldt

Hometown: Humboldt

Nickname: Vikings

Record: 33-0

District: 14A

Region: 7A

Coach: Thomas Boykin

Top Players: Tevin Crayton, Charles Taylor, Darren Dunbar

Region Final: 72-54 winner over Lake County

Sub-State: 75-49 winner over Scotts Hill

Preview:

Well you gotta play em sometimes so why not get it out of the way quick. Humboldt comes in as the state lone unblemsihed squad and they get a test right from the jump. Is it good or bad....we'll see. Tevin Crayton has played phenomenal since the playoffs have started and will draw the attention of all the college coaches who make their way to the Murphy Center on Wednesday. Humboldt is deep, talented and determined to bring the shiny gold basketball back to their friendly confines.

 

 

Grace Baptist

Hometwon: Chattanooga

Nickname: Golden Eagles

Record: 26-5

District: 5A

Region: 3A

Coach; Jon Mattheis

Top Players: Brandon Herman, Patrick Shaughnessy, Terrell Church

Region Final: 78-71 winner over Temple

Sub-State: 74-42 winner over Clarkrange

Preview:

Brandon Herman leads a talented Golden Eagles squad against their sister squad from Knoxville. Herman and Church will be called upon to control the tempo and provide the scoring out front while inside they can turn to Charleston Southern signee Patrick Shaughnessy who will have a decided height advantage over the Rams. 

 

 

Grace Christian

Hometown: Knoxville

Nickname: Rams

Record: 27-6

District: 3A

Region: 2A

Coach: Anthony Lamb

Top Players: Cameron pridemore, Ryan Slusher, David Amos

Region Final: 53-48 winner over Rockwood

Sub-State: 48-44 winner over University

Preview:

Last year the Rams made the trip to the 'boro and were simply happy to be involved, this year they would like to stay a bit longer if they could. Their sister school from Chatt town might have some objections to this premise but the game should be fun to watch. The Rams get majority of their scoring from point man Cameron Pridemore and talented wing Ryan Slusher. If someone else steps up and prives some buckets this could help the coahcing staff arrange for a couple more nights in the motel.