The pre-season national rankings have hit most of the
popular news outlets and we in the state of Tennessee are well represented.
#11 Melrose (Memphis, TN)
Coming in at #11 the Golden Wildcats of Melrose are putting
the pieces in place to make a serious run at bringing one of those gold balls
to their trophy case. Melrose
has not won a state title since 1983.
Coach Jermaine Johnson has assembled a dynamic crew led by
one of the nation's top juniors Adonis
Thomas (Melrose).
Thomas has secured offers from Tennessee, Memphis, Florida
and a slew of big time programs.
"Mighty" Chris Jones
(Melrose) is
another dynamic scorer in the summer that plays with much more control for
Coach Johnson. He has a bright future and is on of the toughest players of any
size in the state.
Melrose welcomes last season's
DII-A Mr. Basketball winner Bobby Parks
Jr. (Melrose) into
the fold this season. His presence gives Melrose
another scoring option to go along with Thomas and Jones.
Melrose
features a very deep roster and will rely on a host of other players to pick up
the scoring and defensive slack. Northern Illinois signee Nate Rucker (Melrose), senior Jermaine Holliman (Melrose),
sophomore big man Darius Moore (Melrose) and rising sophomore wing Willie Atwood (Melrose) give the Golden Wildcats size
and depth inside.
The backcourt is deep as well joining Jones are junior Telvin Wilkerson (Melrose), sophomore
point guard Davonte Hampton (Melrose) and
talented incoming freshman Markel
Crawford (Melrose).
Their potential battles with district foe and defending AAA
state champion White Station will be two of the best games in the state this
season.
#13 White Station (Memphis, TN)
If you have followed Tennessee
high school hoops the past three seasons you know this is Joe's world and we
are just fortunate to live in it. I am speaking of course of Joe Jackson (White Station). The Memphis signee and
pre-season favorite for the coveted Mr. Basketball award will be looking to
bring his Spartans their sixth state title in the last 15 years.
Coach Jesus Pitino has another solid group on his hands,
joining Jackson in the backcourt will be gridiron star Julian Burton (White Station), senior Brandon Bullock (White Station), incoming freshman Dreshaun Looney (White Station) and the
next Spartan hotshot in junior shooting guard Andre Hollins (White Station).
Hollins had a fantastic summer and is becoming a more confident
and consistent offensive force.
Inside the Spartans are not blessed with an overabundance of
height but make up for that with quality. Senior Jordan Miles (White Station) gives Coach Pitino minutes and
rebounds, while rising juniors Nino
Johnson (White Station) and Marvin Williams (White Station) provide quality
scoring, board work and defensive abilities.
There will be some legendary battles as the Spartans and
Golden Wildcats tangle for district/region/state superiority this season.
Should be an extremely satisfying ride.
