Nashville was the site for one of the many Memorial Day tournaments that dot the hoops landscape these days.
The Music City Classic featured teams not only from Tennessee but several neighboring states as well yet in the end Team Thad from Memphis overcame some early adversity to bring home the title.
A tough pool game to start off the Music City Memorial Day Classic generally is second nature for the boys from Team Thad.
The Louisville Magic used the momentum from an earlier win to slip past the boys from Memphis making the onlookers wonder what could be up with one of the finer teams on the summer circuit.
The answer was nothing at all....
Team Thad regrouped from their opening game defeat and cruised through the remainder of the tournament defeating the Nashville Flood in the title game.
Nick Marshall (Lexington), Jordon Varnado (Haywood) and Jermiah Martin (Mitchell) remained consistent throughout the event for Team Thad.
For the Nashville Flood they represented themselves very well advancing to the title game behind the active and tough play from Braxton Nappier (Lighthouse Christian) and Chase Nappier (Lighthouse Christian). Twin powers activate.
Zamarius Kinnon (LaVergne) was also lauded for his outstanding play throughout the event. The newly acquired big man gave the Flood a much needed post presence.
In other 17 and under results the host squad Nashville Celtics had a tough go of things playing some of the top teams in the event to some very close finishes.
Jalen Duke (MLK) had a nice event scoring in the paint and playing tough defensively and on the glass. Ricky Dunnaway (Oakland) was hitting threes from all over the court and Nigel Peoples (USJ) provided leadership and slowed the tempo down when the Celtics needed that change of pace.
Team Nashville had a nice showing behind the inspired play from the guard tandem of William Alexander (Maplewood) and Anthony Ramsey (Pearl Cohn). On the interior, Yalen Reed (Station Camp) and Jaylon Washington (Stewart's Creek) provided inside scoring and board work.
16 And Under Division
In the 16 and under division, the Nashville Celtics came out of the box strong winning their first two games behind the inspired play of Cedriontis Wilson (Blackman), Brandon Levier (Columbia Central) and D.J. Wilkes (Liberty Tech).
The Tennessee Panthers finished 4-2 advancing to the semi-finals after an opening game loss to the Arkansas Hawks. Brandon Dansoh (Cane Ridge) led the Panthers with 14 while Austin Douglas (Cheatham County) and Ross Plunkett (Creek Wood) added 13 each.
The Panthers bounced back with a nice win over Team SAC (70-51) behind 17 from Plunkett. Austin Brown (Mt. Juliet) and Jake West (Hendersonville) each added 14 in the win.
The Alabama Flash felt the wrath of the Panthers to the tune of a 77-59 win with Douglas lading the charge with 18 points.
The Panthers kept on winning with a 66-55 triumph over Team Nashville again Douglas led the scoring with 14 with Plunkett close behind at 13.
The Panthers fought hard but fell in their final contest in overtime to the UA Grind from Indiana 87-85. Douglas was huge scoring 37 points while Plunkett chipped in with a cool 23.
Team Nashville 16s had a good showing at the event behind the solid inside/outside combination of Issachar Kirk (Lighthouse Christian) and Case Bouldin (Ravenwood).
Yalen Reed (Station Camp) and Anthony Ramsey (Pearl Cohn) pulled double duty with both the 17s and 16s and were lauded for their efforts as was James Boone (Kentucky).
15 and Under Division
The East Tennessee Pyro made the most of the their trip down I40 advancing to the title game before falling to the MATTS Mustangs from Kentucky 79-75. Tee Higgins (Oak Ridge) led the scoring charge with 27 followed closely by Zy Moore (Meigs County) with 20. DeAndre Gibson (Oak Ridge) and Trey Mitchell (Knoxville Central) added 13 and 111 respectively.
Pool play was glorious for the Pyro as they flamed through with flying colors. A tough opening win over a determined MC Warriors squad 77-76 behind 17 from Higgins and 14 from Mitchell led to some easy wins.
Moore dropped 22 and Higgins added 18 as the Pyro engulfed the Queen City Thunder 78-60. Gibson was strong adding 15 while Mitchell contributed 14 in the win.
The Arkansas Hawks got the Pyro flames in the final pool game 71-68 with Clay Campbell (Lenoir City) nailing the game winner. Moore was huge finishing with 26 while Mitchell added 15. Higgins chipped in with 11 as did Joe Pace (Lenoir City).
Team Nashville 15s turned a few heads with their efforts at the MDC. Tavin Lovan (Kentucky) proved to be the leading scorer but several players contributed solid efforts throughout the event including Omar Lyons (Siegel), Austin Fisher (Clarksville Academy) and Ruot Monyyong (Hunter's Lane).
