Tennessee Bobcats 17s (Big Shots-Atlanta)
Big Shots Atlanta saw a little Tennessee representation with a final four appearance from the Tennessee Bobcats.
The Bobcats finished the event 2-1 advancing to the final four.
Things started strong with the Bobcats mashing the North Georgia Elite 77-70 behind 26 markers from Peyton Woods (Kentucky).
John Fulkerson (Dobyns-Bennett) had his best of the event scoring 15 markers and bringing down 10 boards. John Bryant (Jefferson County) added 13 and Jacob Cawood (Midway) came up just short of a double/double with 8 points and 8 boards.
The winning got contagious as the Bobcats got the best of the Henry County Ballerz 66-62 behind 15 from Brenden Coleman (David Crockett). Woods added 13, Bryant finished with 11 and Malik McGue (Science Hill) added 10. Harper Feltner (Jefferson County) had a big day on the glass snatching 10 errant shots.
The Bobcats fought hard but came up short against the East Elite in the final four falling 71-68. McGue led the charge with 17, Bryant added 15, Woods dropped 12 and Noah Carter (Jefferson County) finished with 10.
Tennessee Panthers 16s (St. Louis Eagles Spring Invitational)
The Panthers advanced to the title contest of the St. Louis Eagles Spring Invitational falling to TBC Elite from Kentucky 67-58. Foul shooting reared its ugly head in the title clash as the Panthers missed 13 from the charity stripe.
Austin Douglas (Cheatham County) took scoring honors in the title contest with 15 followed closely by Kyree Elder (Cane Ridge) and Jake West (Hendersonville) with 12 and 11 respectively. Ross Plunkett (Creek Wood) added 10.
The road to the title game was paved with victories beginning with an 86-74 trouncing of the Missouri Flight. Tavares Hailey (MLK) was the top scorer with a dozen. Inside play was key in this one as the 6'5 duo of Brandon Dansoh (Cane Ridge) and Preston Brown (Hendersonville) chipped in with 9 each.
The Illinois Blugolds felt the wrath of the Panthers to the tune of 69-63 with Douglas leading the way dropping 14. Plunkett added 11 while coaches sang the praises of Christian Bell (Mt. Juliet), who nailed big threes down the stretch including the first to give the Panthers their first lead and the next to put things away for good. He finished with 11 points.
Douglas, Austin Kirby (Hendersonville) and Marquis Davis (LaVergne) all dropped 11 each as the Panthers downed the Peoria Area Elite 67-55 advancing them into the title contest. Elder would add 10 in the win.
Gulf Coast Hoop Fest 2014
Team Nashville 17s (Gulf Coast Hoop Fest)
The boys from the Music City had a fine showing at the Gulf Coast Hoopfest behind the sterling play of Jy'Lan Washington (Stewart's Creek) and Ladarius Chester (Florida).
Both players got some serious looks from the coaches on the sidelines. Zamarius Kinnon (LaVergne) is another big kid who will get some looks as he progresses this summer.
Coaches were quick to point out the contributions of several players including Will Alexander (Maplewood), Kevonta Davis (Hillsboro) and Leon Howard (Nashville Overton).
Memphis Bulls 17s (Gulf Coast Hoop Fest)
The Bulls finished 2-3 behind an outstanding tounament from 2015 wing Tucker Campbell (Adamsville). The 6'5 Campbell had a 21 point effort in the opening game loss to Southeast Elite, added 19 and 13 in a win over the TNA Heat and closed strong with 18 markers against the Alabama Legends.
M33M Elite (Gulf Coast Hoop Fest)
The Memphis crew had a fine showing finishing the event in the final eight behind the sterling play of the states top Class of 2015 player Skal Labiessiere (ECS). The kid was everywhere knocking down shots, blocking others and proving he is raring to go after an injury kept him out of majority of the high school season.
Justin Wertner (St. George's) had a fine tournament and coaches commented on the play of Eric McGill (Bartlett) as well.
East Tennessee Pyro 15s (King James Event)
The Pyro blazed another trail this weekend at the King James event in Ohio finishing 3-1 before running out of steam with a depleted lineup.
Zy Moore (Meigs County) started strong with a cool 10 point effort in a blow-out against the Hidden Gems.
Moore followed with 19 as the Pryo ignited the Michigan Warriors to the tune of 59-56 in overtime. Trey Mitchell (Knoxville Central) had a fine game finishing with 15 while DeAndre Gibson (Oak Ridge) added 13 in the win.
Moore was up to his old tricks notching 21 as the Pyro scorched the Ohio Basketball Club 82-59. Gibson finished with 17 and Joe Pace (Lenoir City) added 13.
Hayden Bingham (Lenoir City) was the catalyst in the win knocking down deep shots and Austin Sharpe (Lenoir City) added 8 points and 12 boards in the win.
Moore and Gibson finished with 17 and 15 respectively but the Pyro simply ran out of gas dropping the game to U-Play Canada 59-57. Bingham and Pace helped out with 9 each.
