The 3rd annual Wallace Prather Memorial Classic gets underway this weekend and honors one of the pioneers of summer basketball. Wallace Prather was the patriarch of one of the most successful summer basketball dynastys of all time, the Atlanta Celtics.
It is only fitting he be honored with this competitive basketball classic. He was a friend and is still very much missed.
The 17 and under division is rich with Tennessee talent in the various pools.
In Pool B the Memphis Pacers led by Joe Jackson (White Station) do battle with among other Team Breakdown for bracket positioning.
Over in Pool C The Tennessee YOMCA Tigers battle the Worldwide Renegades and Birmingham Blaze. The Tigers are led by John Jenkins (Station Camp), Taverres Jefferson (Ensworth), Demonte Simpson (Bearden) and Zaccheus Mason (CPA).
Team Nashville participates in Pool F with the Smyrna Stars and Arkansas Hawks. TN top hoopers include Adrian Williamson (Hume Fogg), Jonathan Williams (Rossview) and Marquis Rudolph (Clarksville Northwest).
Moving on to Pool H the Nashville Celtics-Tidwell will participate with the Georgia Blazers and Birmingham Ice.
Pool I gives us a double dose of Tennessee flavor with the Memphis Hoopers and Tennessee Bearcats. Hoopers will have Reginald Buckner (Manassas) for this event. Buckner recently was offered by Missouri and adds the Tigers to his ever growing list which includes Ole Miss, SEMO, UTEP, MTSU, Bradley and North Texas.
Pool J brings the Tennessee Thunder against the juggernaut Atlanta Celtics and Birmingham Storm.
Finally in Pool K, the Nashville Celtics battle the likes of Hoop Plant and Smyrna Stars Gold. Celtics are led by Drew Kelly (Centennial), Casey Prather (Jackson Northside), Patrick Shaughnessy (Grace Baptist) and newly added Gregg Wooten (Briarcrest Christian).
In the 16 and under division the lone Tennessee rep Nashville Celtics are led to the court by Meiko Lyles (NCA) and Jay Murphy (Bolivar Central).
The 15 and under division will feature the Nashville Celtics, Memphis Select and Memphis Select Black.
