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
This week was a busy one with the player rankings being released on Monday. Quite chores as numerous new players were added in every class and also the first installment of the Class of 2016.
The Class of 2013 is shaping up to be, as we expected, a banner year for the state. We have 23 D1 commitments thus far and I foresee several more on the horizon. We also had some defections for various reasons who certainly would have added to the burgeoning list of pledges. Those players include D.J. Bowles, Cole Harrison, Terrence O'Donahue and Sam Craft.
CHRISTMAS AND HOLIDAY TOURNAMENTS
The holiday season always brings some of the best hoops to our area with several Christmas Tournaments in all parts of the State. We will provide coverage as best we can for those events and I will do my best to make an appearance to as many as I can get to. Here is a tentative list of those events as we have them. If you know of more please let me know at andre@tnprephoops.com.
Smoky Mountain Classic (Gatlinburg)
East Nashville Magnet Classic (East Nashville) D20-21
Winterfest Shoot-Out (Sevier County) D20-22
State Farm Classic (Riverdale) D21-22
Hickman County Holiday Classic (Hickman County) D26-28
Maryville Christmas Tournament (Maryville) D26-29
Bearden Super 16 (Bearden) D27-29
Sonic Shoot-Out (White County) D27-29
Best of Preps (Chattanooga State) D27-29
Nashville Overton Holiday Tourney (Nashville Overton) D27-29
Arby's Classic (Tennessee High) D26-31
PLAYERS TO WATCH
East Tennessee
Jaylin Henderson (Oak Ridge)
Slick junior guard has the Wildcats unblemished in the early part of the season and remains a big reason why.
Middle Tennessee
Derrick Spears (MTCS)
Sharp-shooting junior is lighting up the mid-state area including a big 36 point performance this past week.
West Tennessee
Rayford Albright (Manassas)
A true hidden gem in the Memphis hoop scene, the junior guard is scoring at a major clip and he remains a must see if you are in the West Tennessee area.
TEAMS TO WATCH
East Tennessee
Oak Ridge
The Wildcats have depth, scoring and play tough hard nosed in your face defense. They have solid guard play with Jaylin Henderson (Oak Ridge) and Rian Hall (Oak Ridge). Inside scoring comes from junior riser Isaac Merian (Oak Ridge). The boys from the Atomic City are for real.
Middle Tennessee
Blackman
Coach Wortman has the Blaze on fire and looking to make another trip across town come March. Darius Thompson (Blackman) leads the way for the Murfreesboro crew but he is far from a one man show. K.J. Dowdy (Blackman), Quindell Cousins (Blackman), Justin Coleman (Blackman) and rising sophomore sensation Jauan Jackson (Blackman) give the Blaze the depth to make a serious run this season.
West Tennessee
Jackson Southside
The Hawks are a serious contender in Class AA and they have the horses to make the march straight to Murfreesboro come playoff time. Led by ETSU signee A.J. Merriweather (Southside), talented junior prospect Jaylen Barford (Southside) and rising sophomore sensations Chris McNeal (Southside) and Malik Hicks (Southside) this group will be worth following this season.
