It's been said over and over again this summer, Tennessee is for real and we have the stuff to prove it.
You want pool winner....ok how about Team Nashville, Team Thad, the Chattanooga Raging Storm, the Memphis Phenoms and the Memphis Magic Elite.
The adidas Invitational has been a Tennessee showcase thus far and hopefully the best is yet to come as the bracket heats up on Saturday.
Team Nashville
Cornelius Elder (Ensworth) is again wowing the folks with his play and his leadership skill have Team Nashville at 4-0 after winning their pool and then disposing of the South Carolina Raptors in the first round of the Platinum playoffs.
Depth and unselfish play have staples for Team Nashville all summer long and this weekend has been more of the same. Darius Thompson (Blackman) is turning mid-major heads all over the Southeast as is Josh Phillips (PJPII), Jamonte Davis (Hillsboro), Asa Duvall (Brentwood), Jamonte Graham (Father Ryan) and Matt Pond (Centennial).
Team Nashville will battle the upstart Chattanooga Raging Storm tomorrow in bracket action. I guess the tournament folks figure the only way we can eliminate the Tennessee folks is let them beat on each other.
Memphis Magic Elite
3-0 with a couple of big pool play wins including one over the Atlanta Celtics. The Magic have welcomed the addition of scoring point guard K.C. Godwin (Melrose) to the fold. Godwin is scoring at a high clip and giving the team some much need point guard play. Scoring from the wing Jonathan Burroughs-Cook (Ridgeway) and Matthew Butler (Memphis East), while inside the duo of Jovantae Waldon (Oakhaven) and Lavonte Waldon (Oakhaven) are keeping it real on the boards.
The Magic will take on the Minnesota Pump and Run tomorrow in bracket action.
Team Thad
3-0 in pool play and a date with the Louisiana Dynasty in the first round of bracket play is exciting for this first year marvel. Jonathan Starks (Munford) has played well scoring and keep the peace while scoring threats such as Ryhan Townes (Arlington) and Demetrius Dyson (Melrose) give the opponents a myriad of things to worry about. Mike Matlock (Melrose) has been exceptional inside while solid play from Peyton Husley (Southwind), Greg Pryor (Ridgeway) and Marvin Smith (Ridgeway) has these Memphis kids looking to the stars.
Chattanooga Raging Storm
Reggie Upshaw (Baylor) is turning heads my friends and if you have not seen him go get a look quickly. How does a huge helping of 24 points, 20 boards, 5 assists and 5 blocks grab you? The Chattanooga Raging Storm is for real. 3-0 in pool then a big win over the Houston Hoop Stars in platinum bracket action has the boys from Chatt ready for their huge showdown with Team Nashville tomorrow. D.J. Bowles (Cleveland) and Steadman Ford (Notre Dame) have been solid as the Storm glide along and advance in bracket action.
Memphis Phenoms
3-0 in pool action and a slick bracket win over the Shining Stars has the Memphis Phenoms ready to kick it in the second round of platinum bracket action against The ‘Ville tomorrow.
Tadarious Neely (Trezevant) and Terry Winn (Louisiana) have been twin terrors on the hardwood while solid guard play and scoring from Donovan Spralls (Braircrest Christian) has the Phenoms right where they wish to be.
Tennessee Tigers
JaQuan Lewis (Dickson County) was his outstanding self as the Tennessee Tigers fought for a 3rd place bracket finish then lost a heartbreaker to TNBA in the silver bracket playoffs. Lewis, who busted for 30 points and 10 dimes in one pool game effort, was assisted along by solid efforts from the likes of C.J. McEwen (Mt. Juliet), Kessler Bell (FRA), Mason Ramsey (Livingston Academy), Tyler Spicer (Dickson County), Gunnar Miller (Davidson Academy), Bryce Copeland (Bradley Central) and Austin Howard (Giles County).
Tennessee Chosen Few-Black
The TCF finished second in their pool but fell in gold bracket action this evening. Brandon Walters (Howard), Devin Schmidt (Sevier County), Dejon McGill (Austin East), Stetson Moore (Knoxville Halls), Will Adams (Science Hill) and Jaylen Allen (North Carolina) all played well enough to turn the heads of some of the coaches in attendance.
Tennessee Chosen Few-Red
The Red finished at 0-3 in pool action then fell to the Minnesota Heat in bronze playoff action.
Nashville Celtics
Playing undermanned the Celtics played hard but the Super Pool lineup was tough as they fell to 0-3 in pool play action. A.J. Merriweather (Jackson Southside) played very well during the weekend and made his presence felt. Josh Williams (Mississippi) also gave effort and provided buckets for the Celtics.
