Welcome to our newest weekly feature. This segment will be called This Week at Tennessee Prep Hoops and will feature what's happening in the hoops world in our state information on upcoming tournaments, commitments, future showcases, unsigned senior events and more.
THIS WEEK AT TENNESSEE PREP HOOPS
On Tuesday I ventured over to CAK as the Warriors tangled with district foe Stone Memorial. Justin Simmons (Stone Memorial) led the scoring with 20 points for the Panthers. The win offset a gritty performance by sophomore guard Lucas Campbell (CAK). The 6'3 youngster hit some big shots and has a motor like no other.
On Thursday, Day One of the Penny Hardaway Hoop Fest was highlighted by the effort of Tennessee signee Robert Hubbs (Dyer County). Hubbs was massive down the stretch notching a few put backs, a pair of crowd pleasing slams and some nice passing to boot.
On Saturday six games highlighted the schedule with Memphis high school basketball on full display for the country to see. Briarcrest, behind the scoring and rebounding exploits of Memphis signee Austin Nichols (Briarcrest), managed the only victory but the action was high level and excited none the less. Johnathan Williams (Southwind) was big in the Jaguars close loss to powerful Chicago Simeon. The Missouri signee dropped 23 points and played with some purpose and toughness.
A.P. STATE BASKETBALL POLL
Here is my ballot for the A.P. State Boy's Basketball Polls which were released on Tuesday.
Class AAA
- Southwind
- Blackman
- White Station
- Science Hill
- Siegel
- Dyer County
- Brentwood
- Melrose
- Maryville
- Bearden
Class AA
- CPA
- Jackson Southside
- Waverly Central
- Covington
- East Nashville
- Giles County
- McMinn Central
- Fayette-Ware
- Sheffield
- DeKalb County
Class A
- Wartburg Central
- TCA
- BTW
- Columbia Academy
- Mt. Pleasant
- Watertown
- MTCS
- Cloudland
- Richland
- Clay County
DII/ Class A/AA
- Briarcrest
- Ensworth
- CBHS
- Father Ryan
- St. George's
- FRA
- Knoxville Webb
- PJPII
- DCA
- Lausanne
D1 PLAYERS FROM TENNESSEE
As we do each and every season I will look through the rosters of all the D1 teams from around the country and list the players from the state of Tennessee who appear on those respective rosters. Some players may be walk-ons or scholarship athletes. Look for that in the coming days.
KEEP AN EYE ON THESE GUYS
East Tennessee
Andre Wilson (Austin East)
Lanky lefty is a scoring machine averaging around 20+ per game this season. Wilson will be big down the stretch as the Roadrunners make a push to be relevant in the Class AA happenings come tourney time.
Middle Tennessee
Terry Holt (East Nashville)
Junior guard is one of the best kept secrets in the mid-state area. Holt can score which was clear during this two week stretch where he dropped 24 on Lipscomb Academy, 28 on Nashville Overton and a cool 32 against Hume Fogg.
West Tennessee
Daniel Hill (Liberty Tech)
The Crusaders may not be one of the upper echelon teams in the state as in the past but Hill is certainly a player for everyone to keep an eye on. At 5'10 he is small in stature but has a big motor and an above average basketball IQ.
TEAMS TO WATCH
East Tennessee
Maryville
Over on the East side of the state, Class AAA seems to be up for grabs when it comes to who will represent at the ‘boro this coming season. The Rebels of Maryville have long been a football factory but this version has some hoops excitement as well. Coach Mark Eldridge turns to exciting senior point guard T.J. Kimble (Maryville) to run the show and he is surrounding by shooters and players who can make buckets. Clark McCall (Maryville), Isaac Edmiston (Maryville) and a host of others make this Rebel squad a serious challenger come March.
Middle Tennessee
Siegel
Always a dangerous squad, The Stars of Siegel are playing second fiddle to a very good Blackman team right now with a big showdown tonight (weather permitting) and another clash on February 5th. Siegel looks to a rising senior wing and some talented underclassmen for their points. Robert Brandon (Siegel) has been outstanding since the holidays have come around. Junior guards Ryan Jones (Siegel) and Charles Clark (Siegel) are a talented duo that will put points up in a big hurry.
West Tennessee
Booker T. Washington (BTW)
Over in Class A, BTW is once again making some noise with their early 10-3 record. The Warriors lost rising sophomore phenom Khalil Spencer to Mitchell but scoring has not been an issue with the emergence of senior guard Zamarlus Griffin (BTW). The senior guard is leading the Memphis area in scoring at around 23 per game and he continues to pile up the points for BTW.
