ECS vs. Braircrest Christian
At ECS this time of year is officially now called Tourney Time with Terry Tippett. The venerable former White Station head man now patrols the small square area in front of the ECS bench. His experience will be invaluable for the Eagles. Briarcrest mentor John Harrington has D1 talent at four spots on the floor yet is well aware that ECS can be formidible having beaten the Saints earlier this month.
Briarcrest is led by nationally ranked junior and the top player in the junior class as rated by Tennessee Prep Hoops, Leslie McDonald. The silky smooth operator is flanked by the heart and sooul of the Saints Gregg Wooten. On the wing Coach Harrington features senior Elgin Lee, who is garning numerous D1 looks and inside the Saints will look to big junior Johnny Williams.
The Eagles have depth and will use football star Barrett Jones on the interior to battle Williams; as well as, 6'7 junior Terrence Stringfellow. The strength of the Eagles is in their backcourt and on the wing with Jonathan Milewski, Micah Givens, freshman Steve Kaspers and junior talent Dupree Lytle.
CBHS vs. Ensworth
Ensworth made their way to the semis knocking off Baylor 58-53. Mr. Basketball candidate Gary Pope leads Ensworth with over 20.0 points per game and will be called upon to battle the CBHS size on the interior. Ensworth will look to a stable of interior players including Kevin McDermott, Daniel McFadden, who can also shoot the three, and Trent Wallace. The football injury to do-it-all point man Taverres Jefferson kept the dynamic point man from seeing any action this hoops season. His counterparts in the backcourt Miles Asafo-Adjei and sophomore Dayley Hill have filled in admirably and will be called upon to control tempo against the bigger CBHS squad.
Christian Brothers has a marvelous starting five with inside bruisers Brad Luckett and Caldwell Starnes. Botth guys can face up and score and are battler on the glass. Martin Mitchell runs the show and Darren Bates gives a spark offf the bench. On the wing Alex Pressley can score from deep or is even better in transition finishing around the rim. If zoned the CBHS faithful will look to junior bomber Drew Barham and his range which stretches to Northeast Mississippi.
State Final Prediction
Braircrest Christian vs. CBHS
