Big week in store for area teams?
If history is any guide, this week’s TSSAA BlueCross boys state basketball championships at Middle Tennessee State’s Murphy Center should a big one for Memphis-area teams. Here’s a closer look at Wednesday’s quarterfinals involving Southwind, East and Sheffield, and Thursday’s Mitchell quarterfinal.
Southwind
Coach: Paul Edwards (10th year, 24459) Record: 31-6 State tournament appearances, championships: One, one (2013)
Quarterfinal opponent: Murfreesboro Oakland (24-7), Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.
Key players: Mark Freeman (5-9 junior); Carlos Marshall (6-5 senior); Robert Boyd (6-5 junior); Christian Jones (5-9 junior); Quinton Williams (6-0 junior)
The lowdown: Freeman has been stellar all year but the Jaguars are a different team when Marshall plays well, as he did in a 37-point effort against Cordova in the sub-state round. All three Southwind guards can shoot the 3 and Freeman is a terrific penetrator and
passer as well. Boyd is one of the area’s better interior defenders and will block (or alter) several shots during a game. Southwind’s half of the AAA bracket is the weaker of the two and if the Jaguars play to their capabilities, they will advance to the championship.
Did you know?: Two key players from the 2013 championship team are playing in the NCAA Tournament: Johnathan Williams (Gonzaga) and Jajuan Johnson (Marquette).
On deck: A victory would send the Jaguars into a 10 a.m. semifinal against either Bearden (22-9) or Independence (22-10).
East
Coach: Penny Hardaway (second year, 65-5) Record: 33-3 State tournament appearances, championships: 14, seven (1979, 1982, 1983, 1988, 1996, 2012, 2016)
Quarterfinal opponent: East Hamilton (25-10), Wednesday at 1:15 p.m.
Key players: Alex Lomax (5-11, junior); T.J. Moss (6-4 junior); Chandler Lawson (6-9 sophomore); Malcolm Dandridge (6-8 sophomore); Radarious Washington (6-4 senior); Antavion “Dude” Collum (6-7 sophomore); Jayden Hardaway (6-3 senior)
The lowdown: Despite their relative youth, East is an experienced tournament team. It’s their third straight AAA appearance while East Hamilton will be playing its first-ever state tournament game. The Hurricanes couldn’t have asked for a tougher draw either; East — ranked third in the nation according to USA Today — has the best backcourt in the state with Mr. Basketball winner Lomax and nationally-ranked junior Moss, and the Mustangs have three supremely skilled bigs to complement them.
Did you know?: East has a 26-7 record all-time in state tournament play (78.8 percent). Their seven titles are the most of any school in the state.
On deck: Barring an upset only your 5-year-old would dare to predict, East will take on Oak Ridge (30-2) or Brentwood (26-8) in an 11:30 a.m. semifinal on Friday.
Sheffield
Coach: Clyde Delamar (11th year, 186-103) Record: 21-7 State tournament appearances: One (lost in the quarterfinals in 2009)
Quarterfinal opponent: Whites Creek (28-5), Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Key players: Kavion Hancock (5-10 senior); William Edwards (5-11 senior); Tim Williams (6-2 senior); Quarterrick Rhodes (5-7 junior)
The lowdown: On paper at least, the Knights look to be the underdogs; no other team in the eight-team AA field has fewer than 26 victories. But of course games aren’t played on paper, and on the court Sheffield is annually one of the best-coached and best-prepared in the city. Hancock (21.2 points per game) is the main scoring option but Sheffield doesn’t rely on him exclusively. Instead, look for Delamar’s team to share the ball, play smart and not do anything to beat itself.
Did you know?: Whites Creek is the alma mater of former University of Memphis star David Vaughn.
On deck: A tough 1:15 p.m. Friday semifinal awaits the Knights if they can get past Whites Creek; Knoxville Catholic (29-1) and Macon County (29-4) face off opposite them.
Mitchell
Coach: Andre Turner (second year, 60-14) Record: 27-7 State tournament appearances, championships: 11, three (2014, 2015, 2016)
Quarterfinal opponent: Harriman (30-6), Thursday at 6 p.m.
Key players: Tyran Davis (6-1 senior); Tomonique Marion (6-4 senior); Moe Sanders (6-1, senior); Joe Johnson (6-2 senior)
The lowdown: The Tigers have had plenty of talented offensive players during their run of three straight titles but the key has always been defense. Turner was an assistant under Faragi Phillips (now at Whitehaven) and focus on stopping the opposition, forcing turnovers and limiting shot opportunities hasn’t changed. Davis, Sanders and Johnson can handle and score while the athletic Marion will give opposing bigs lots of trouble.
Did you know?: That happy sound is the rest of the state’s Class A teams celebrating; Mitchell will move back up to AA (where it advanced to state in 2012 and 2013) next season following TSSAA re-classification. Only one team (Goodpasture in 2014) has come within 10 points of Mitchell during its state championship run.
On deck: The Tigers would face either Van Buren County (27-6) or Columbia Academy (26-6) in a 6 p.m. semifinal on Friday.
Note: Quarterfinal and semifinal games will be streamed over the National Federation of State High School Associations network (www.nfhs.org). In addition to streaming, Saturday’s finals will be televised on WLMT-TV Channel 30. The AAA final is at 1 p.m., followed by AA at 3:30 p.m. and Class A at 6 p.m.
Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas