Wednesday night begins the AA battles with two games followed by two more on Thursday morning. A preview follows:
CPA vs. Dyer County
Livingston Academy vs. Fulton
Mitchell vs. Austin East
Bolivar Central vs. Howard
CPA
Coach: Drew Maddux
Nickname: Lions
Record: 31-3
Top Players:
Zaccheus Mason
Hunter Miller
David Anderson
Matt Zelenik
The Lions have yet to taste defeat at the hands of a Tennessee school this season. Mason is the go to guy with his powerful game inside and ability to control a game from the glass. Miller and Anderson can light things up from the perimeter. This team is very well coached and disciplined, not easily rattled.
Dyer County
Coach: Derek McCord
Nickname: Choctaws
Record: 31-1
Top Players:
Justin Blake
Jeremy Kimble
C.J. Crittendon
D'Angelo Parr
A return trip to the 'boro won't be complete without a gold ball brought back to Newburn. Justin Blake leads the charge with his wicked outside shooting and ability to finish off the break. Kimble is a demon on the glass and Crittendon is a demon on the defensive end of the floor. This team will come at you with everything they got..are you ready?
Livingston Academy
Coach: Richard Melton
Nickname: Wildcats
Record: 30-4
Top Players:
Chase Dunn
T.J. Smith
Todd Smith
Deven Ramsey
"Hog-eye" works it's way to the 'boro led by the incomperable Chase Dunn. The electrifying point guard controls tempo for his Wildcats and gets open shots for the brothers Smith. Inside the Cats have a little size and will run if you think they can't.
Fulton
Coach: Jody Wright
Nickname: Falcons
Record: 25-4
Top Players:
James Gallman
Jalen Steele
Dominique Minor
Will Bryant
The recipe for success Fulton style consists of Gallman setting the table, Minor and Steele taking orders and Bryant ready to clean it all up. This team is tough and athletic with no quit in their respective vocab.
Mitchell
Coach: Jerry Johnson
Nickname: Tigers
Record: 23-8
Top Players:
Erik Buggs
Mardracus Wade
Lewis McCaster
Kenyan Torry
The loss of ETSU signee Jarvis Jones will be a blow but not something Mitchell can't overcome with their tremendous depth. Buggs, headed for Valpo, is quick and Wade is fastly becoming one of the best in his class. McCaster is huge and knows his role while Torry can score on anyone at any time.
Austin East
Coach: Charles Mitchell
Nickname: Roadrunners
Record: 28-7
Top Players:
Chance Jones
Chase Jones
Darrell Flourence
Travai Pryor
The Roadrunners made a statement in their sub-state trouncing, contending they are back and ready for a battle at state. The Jones twins account for scoring and defense with Flourence able to heat up at moments notice. Pryor could be a dominant force.
Howard
Coach: Walter McGary
Nickname: Hustlin Tigers
Record: 30-2
Top Players:
Dominique Taylor
Darius Ricks
Brandon Allen
Dominique Harper
The Hustlin Tigers live up their name able to run you out of the gym if your not careful. Taylor is the make it happen man with skills on the perimeter, off the dribble and anywhere in between. Ricks and Allen are intelligent players who cans core and defend. The difference maker could be Harper if he controls the glass and plays with emotion.
Bolivar Central
Coach: Rick Rudesill
Nickname: Tigers
Record: 28-4
Top Players:
Chris Reeves
Jeremy Rhodes
Jay Murphy
Monterrio Crisp
A familiar face returns to the Murphy Center after a small hiatus. Bolivar brings a new cast and crew led by junior guard Chris Reeves. He is complemented by senior post Jeremy Rhodes who has seen his game rise as the season has come to a close. The Tigers are deep and talented and will be a joy to watch in this uptempo clash with Howard.
