With the 16 and under Nationals beginning their round of 16,
the action in the 17 and under division is truly heating up.
The Memphis Stallions and the Tennessee Tigers have posted
3-0 marks in their respective pools and tangle with the opposition tomorrow as
bracket play gets underway.
"Mighty" Chris Jones (Melrose)
has been outstanding thus far in the Nationals. The diminutive scoring assassin
has found the shot he left behind in the Super Showcase and is making up for
lost time.
Brandon Wright (Hillcrest) has been outstanding as well
scoring on big offensive boards and keeping the Stallions alive with his energy
and hustle. Inside the addition of Anderson Cunningham (Cordova) and Marcus
Terrance (Kingsbury) have lightened up the work load for the talented Wright.
Walter Davis (Southwind) has played well in the Nationals
and rising junior Darious Paige (Southwind) has found the atmosphere in the
Sunshine state to his liking.
The Stallions will face the winner of the Shining Stars
Sports-Black vs. Albany City Rocks match-up tomorrow at 3:35
Balance has been the key for the success of the Tennessee
Tigers thus far in July. In their second pool game a nice 71-66 win, Blake Bell
(Lipscomb) notched a team high 17 markers and Cory Stanton (Springfield) added 16. David "X-Man" Sanders
(MLK) added 14.
In the pool finale, Michael Bradley (Tyner
Academy) led the way with 12 points,
while Stanton
added 11. Reggie Gilmore (Tyner
Academy) continues his
workmanlike efforts with 8 boards and 8 caroms in the win.
The Tigers easily won their pool finale 71-41 and now face
action tomorrow as bracket play begins.
The Mid-State Ballerz fought the fatigue battle and finished
3rd in their pool. The lack of depth and a tough July schedule
seemed to catch up with the Ballerz as they finished 1-2. Tarius Johnson
(Liberty Tech) was the top scorer in the win with 24. Kaneal Windom (JCM) added
15 and Demarius Smith (Kenwood) finished with 13.
TGAND Express at press time was 1-1 in their pool with tonight's
game not on the docket. Harry Green (White Staion), Jarekious Bradley (Memphis
East) and Corian Pearson (Ridgeway) led in scoring for the contest I was able
to attend.
The Chattanooga Blaze battled a tough pool and finished 0-3.
Fred Sturdivant (JC) was solid scoring off the dribble or short jumper. Jason
Jenkins (Ooltewah), Jordan Harris (Chattanooga Christian) and Tyler Burse (Georgia) were
the scoring leaders for the Blaze.
In the 16 and under division the Memphis YOMCA fell 66-65 to
the Wave Basketball Club in the round of 32 despite 16 from Andre Hollins
(White Station) and 13 from Wayne Martin (Florida).
Martin was top scorer in the final pool game with 21 and
Tarik Flowers (Kirby) added 11. Steve Kasper (ECS) poured in 13 and Marvin
Williams (White Station) finished with 11 and 9 in the opening game of bracket
action for the YOMCA.
The Y will now tangle with another pool winner the Memphis
Hawgs in the consolation bracket.
Also winning their pool in the 16's, the Middle Tennessee
Magic stand now at 4-1 after falling in the bracket opener but managing a nice
win in the consolation format. Martin Smith (Clarksville
Academy) has been a welcome sight with
his scoring and rebounding prowess, his twin brother Malcolm Smith (Clarksville Academy) has performed solid as well.
Zavion Williams (Clarksville Northeast) has been sensational proving he belongs
among the top tier in the rising junior class in the state.
