Things are getting kicked off in a major way as we start the first month of the hoops season. I found my way to a few scrimmages the past couple of weeks and two pretty solid play days at Siegel and Cleveland. Here are some highlights from what has transpired over the past couple of weeks.
CPA IS PRETTY GOOD
The Lions picked up right where they left off. Despite losing Mr. Basketball winner Jalen Lindsey to a prep school, Coach Maddox has the horses to make this a three-peat in Class AA. Playing without some football guys the Lions were led by sensational sophomore Braxton Blackwell (CPA), Liberty commitment Braxton Bonds (CPA) and Georgia Southern commitment Jake Allsmiller (CPA).
SERIOUS STAR GUARDS FOR SIEGEL
Another trip to the 'boro could be in the cards for the Stars of Siegel after they ran roughshod over the competition at their Play Day. The guard triumvirate of Charles Clark (Siegel), Ryan Jones (Siegel) and rising sophomore Braxton Eddings (Siegel) are tough on defensive, especially on the press and they go hard to bucket on offense.
JEFFERSON COUNTY MARKED FOR SUCCESS IN 2014
The Patriots have size with four guys over 6'5 and they are well coached and disciplined on offense. They look to the post for 6'6 rising senior Brice Cusick (Jefferson County) and 6'5 junior worker John Bryant (Jefferson County). If the middle gets clogged look for some solid outside marksmanship from 6'5 junior Harper Feltner (Jefferson County) and 5'10 sophomore guard Noah Carter (Jefferson County).
MEIGS COUNTY LAYS DOWN THE GAUNTLET AS A TEAM TO BEAT IN CLASS A
The Tigers look to be one of the better teams in the ranks of Class A this season led by LeeUniversity signee Levi Woods (Meigs County). At the Cleveland Play Day the Tigers held their won with several much larger schools and unleashed their secret weapon in rising freshman guard Zy Moore (Meigs County).
STONE MEMORIAL IN MID-SEASON FORM
The Panthers made short work of all who dared challenge them at the Cleveland Play Day. Tennessee Wesleyan signee Justin Simmons (Stone Memorial), Tyler Yoder (Stone Memorial), Luke Matthews (Stone Memorial) and rising junior point man Gage Spence (Stone Memorial) are a solid crew who despite moving up to Class AAA this season will be a team to reckon with come playoff time.
FULTON POISED TO HEAD BACK TO THE 'BORO
Playing without several contributors on the future state championship gridiron squad, the Falcons appeared to be in high gear at the KnoxCounty jamboree. Senior guard Darius Filer (Fulton) and junior Kelvin Jackson (Fulton) will hold down the fort till the others come.
HILLSBORO COULD BE STRONG IF EVERYONE COMES BACK HEALTHY
Athletic and deep could be the recipe if the Burros get their stable of bigs back to go with a couple of solid guards. Brandon Cody (Hillsboro) and Kin Webster (Hillsboro) hold down the backcourt area while they await the return of 6'7 power forward Antorian Moore (Hillsboro) and 6'6 junior post Kevonta Davis (Hillsboro).
MARYVILLE LEANS HEAVILY ON EDMISTON TILL THE FOOTBALLERS GET HERE
As is usually the case for the Rebels of Maryville the football power moves late into the playoffs and Coach Eldridge and the hoopers have to get by with a skeleton crew. The Rebels leaned heavily on Isaac Edmiston (Maryville) during their scrimmage with JeffersonCounty. The rising senior parlayed a fantastic Fall League into being the go to guy for the Rebels.
UNION COUNTY WILL LOOK TO THE GUARDS FOR SCORING
The Patriots will look to a pair of junior guards in Brady Nease (Union County) and Drew Fugute (Union County) to keep them in games in one of the toughest districts in all the state. Nease is a stone cold stroker who when hot can hit from anywhere and Fugute will knock them down if left alone as well. The duo was big in their scrimmage game victory over Seymour.
SONGSTER SCORES LARGE AT CLEVELAND PLAY DAY
Science Hill senior guard Calvin Songster (Science Hill) had a monster day last Saturday at the Play Day at ClevelandHigh School. In his three games the senior guard scored 27, 17 and 24 points for the Hilltoppers.
CLEVELAND PLAY DAY BOX SCORES
Cleveland 80 (Kendrick Thompson 16, Tyquon Ware 14, James McRee 13)
Meigs County 64 (Levi Woods 16, Zy Moore 13, Matthew Meadows 11)
Stone Memorial 70 (Tyler Yoder 21, Justin Simmons 12, Gage Spence 10)
Science Hill (Calvin Songster 27)
Stone Memorial 47 (Justin Simmons 12, Tyler Yoder 10)
Bradley Central 44 (Taylor Bentley 10)
Science Hill 65 (Michael Kucera 20, Calvin Songster 17)
Meigs County 58 (Levi Woods 14, Matthew Meadows 12)
Science Hill 62 (Calvin Songster 24)
Bradley Central 53 (Logan Cox 20)
