Things get back up and running tomorrow with the 16 and under Super Showcase ready to tip in Orlando.

Only two squads represent from Tennessee, but we feel confident these two can bring home some hardware.

Team Nashville is ready to play after a long break and will be lead by Tereas Clemmons (Mt. Juliet). The talented rising junior will be looking to establish himself nationally in this event playing with boththe 16's and 17's.

Team Nashville has a solid backcourt with Freddie Lee (McGavock) and Hollis Edwards (McGavock). Both small but active the McGavock ballers should have a big impact on the success of the TN.

Inside the squad will turn to Daniel McFadden (Ensworth) and Hodlen Mobley (MBA). Not possessed with superior size for the rigors of inside battling these two crafty players will carve out space, give maximum effort on the glass and can step out and shoot from mid-range.

The Travelers are on quite the run so far having won the Hoosier Shootout and placing well in West Virginia. They bring balance and heart to the table led by Brandon Herman (Grace Baptist), DeAngelo Williams (Spring Hill) and Fred Sturdivant (Brainerd).

Intensity and effort are a staple of this squad since Shane Williams has taken over the reigns and with staunch defenders like Linwood Holloway (Knoxville Central) and Robert Boyd (Fulton), the scorers like Tyler Hood (Lenoir City), Dwight Tarwater (Knoxville Webb) and Devin Jackson (Knoxville West) have avenues and arenas for opportunities. 

 

 

Finally.....

All-Ohio seemed to be the nemesis that the Memphis Stallions just could'nt seem to conquer.

Second place at the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions, the winner All-Ohio, then before that the 14 and under nationals final.

75-66. Stallions.

Adonis Thomas (Melrose) scored 17 points and proved to be a man among boys leading the Stallions over their albatross in their home state of Ohio.

Darious Paige (Southwind), the hero of the semi-final win with 8 straight points down the stretch, finished the game with 9 along with Marcus Crawford (Sheffield), who also scored 9.

Marvin Williams (White Station) and Tony Seals (Craigmont) also had solid games for the Stallions.

Ray Parks (St. George's) played despite being hampered by injury but his leadership helped the Stallions grab the 'ship.

The summer is rolling right along and Memphis is the place to be right now with the Battle of the Bluff in full effect.

The Nashville Celtics, Tennessee YOMCA Tigers and Memphis Magic are rushing through pool play getting hyped for bracketology today.

The Celtics cruised through pool play 3-0 behind the skills of Jon Hood (Kentucky), Casey Prather (Jackson Northside) and Drew Barham (CBHS).

Prather has continued to impress with his physical attributes while Barham has been consistent in his stoke.

Chris Reaves (Bolivar Central) showed out the first couple of days knocking down threes and proving his mid-major status among coaches in attendance.

Ricky Williams (Liberty Tech) has also played well scoring and leading the team.

The Tigers are more than happy with the return of John "Silk" Jenkins (Station Camp). The Vandy commit has energized the troops and they seem to be playing at another level. Jenkins has been the consistent scorer during their 2-1 pool play run scoring 27, 25 and 16. Gary Pope (Ensworth) helped the damage scoring 17 in the first contest while Zaccheus Mason (CPA) dropped 14 and 16 in the second and third contests.

Taverres Jefferson (Ensworth) and Hunter Miller (CPA) have been consistent scorers in the double digit range.

The Memphis Magic (Pacers) made some very interesting additions to their squad and are one of the top teams at the event. Joe Jackson (White Station) leads the Magic along with fellow Class of 2010 backcourt mates Tim Peete (Memphis Central) and Mardracus Wade (Mitchell). The name that keeps coming up among coaches in attendance is Tarik Black (Ridgeway). The young man has went from gangly prospect with limited skills to one of the more intruiging big men in the Class of 2010. A rising star in the rising junior class.

Over in the 16 and under division the Nashville Celtics welcome back "King" Arthur McMillan (Hillsboro). The rising junior is more than anxious to get back in the flow of the game and has played well thus far according to coaches and onlookers. Also playing well for the Celtics the usual suspects Ish Sanders (Cleveland), Mitchell Hill (Cookeville), Meiko Lyles (NCA) and Jay Murphy (Bolivar Central).

The Memphis YOMCA Bulldogs finished pool play at the Peach Jam with a 2-1 record but were more than ready for their bracket encounter later that evening.

Antwon Cathey (Trezevant) was outstanding for the Bulldogs in defeat scoring 13 points on tough inside post moves and offensive putbacks in the paint. The Bulldogs balance on offense serves them well as each game someone else seems to step up and they play serious team defense.

Robert Schaeffer (Sheffield), Darrian Gray (Southwind), Nick Mason (Fairley) and Julian Burton (White Station) all had scoring episodes but all made consistent effort on the defensive side of the floor.

Inside the combination of Ronald Brown (Raleigh-Egypt), Montez Pfieffer (Southwind), Travai Pryor (Austin East) and Cathey gave the Bulldogs balance and tough competitiveness.

Another player who showed a penchant for the defensive side of the ball was Marterrance Brock (Ridgeway). His long arms and effort make him extremely dangerous on the front of press.

 

Over in 17 and under land the YOMCA finished 2-3 despite playing relatively shorthanded without Leslie McDonald (Braircrest Christian).

Ian Clark (Germantown) was dangerous from deep scoring 18 points in two consecutive games including six three in yesterday morning game. Clark is establishing himself as a must have mid-major recruit for the Class of 2009.

Ferrakohn Hall (White Station), Johnnie Williams (Braircrest Christian) and Cadarrio Macklin (Ridgeway) gave effort inside. Macklin was especially proficient on the glass continuously grabbing offensive boards and defensive caroms.

Everick Morris (Mississippi) did a nice job running the show for the YOMCA proving his worth for the next level.

The biggest surprise for my eyes was the emergence and confidence of Class of 2011 rising star Chris Jones (Melrose). 

Who? (I know it's Mike but it's still funny)

Chris Jones was simply unimpressed by the internet attention of his opponents and proceeded to show he belonged here. He scored double digits in four of the games, including 19 in the victory over the Miami Tropics. He will learn whats a good/bad shot as he grows up but his confidence and all out effort on the defensive side of the ball is very encouraging.

Marlon Brown (Harding Academy) was another player who had a solid event. He was top scorer in the opening round victory against Team Melo with 21, but seemed to be laden with foul trouble in a couple of the other games. His athletic skills and quickness sure made coaches wondering if he would like to play both sports on the next level.

The Memphis Stallions picked up steam after finishing their pool play 2-1 by advancing to the championship bracket then defeating Team Stat and the Charlotte Royals to make a trip to the final four of the 15 and under nationals in Cincinnati.

Adonis Thomas (Melrose) is making himself a regular on the national lists with his play in this tourney. Thomas is strong and athletic, can score off the bounce or in transition and finishes at the rim. His stock is certainly on the upswing.

Ray Parks (St. George's) is another making his quest for national recognition. Parks has slimmed down and is becoming the prospect all thought he could be.

More production for the Stallions comes from Marvin Williams (White Station), Darious Paige (Southwind) and Chris Crawford (Sheffield).

The Stallions resume play in the final four tomorrow morning.

Two down with many more to go.

July is now in full effect with the conclusion of the Kentucky Hoopfest.

Turning in worthy performances the Tennessee Travelers 15 and under squad and the Tennessee Tigers 16 and under.

The Tigers finished second in their pool advancing to the silver bracket where they moved on the elite 8 before falling to the host team Eddie Ford.

The Tigers got outstanding scoring from Justin Claybrook (Hume Fogg) and Carter Sanderson (Lipscomb). Scoring and yeoman boardwork from Reginald Gilmore (Tyner Academy) and Dezmond Johnson (Nashville Overton).

Defensively David Sanders (MLK) made big plays all week long and solid effort from Blake Bell (Lipscomb) and Michael Bradley (Tyner Academy) helped ocntribute to the Tigers success.

Meanwhile down in the 15's the Tennessee Travelers ocntinue their fine summer dominating their pool and advancing to the final four. Brandon Lopez (Austin East) led the scoring in the final four loss with 16. Tres Palmer (Powell) finished with 13. In the semi-final victory Galen Campbell (Bearden) knocked the nets for 27 while his mates Jordan Cross (Sullivan East) and Lester Wilson (Knoxville Carter) finished with 14 and 12 respectively.