Key additions help Hamilton boys basketball make state semifinals
MURFREESBORO — With the final moments ticking down on Hamilton's 84-67 victory over Whites Creek in the quarterfinals of the Class AA state tournament at Murphy Center, James DeJesus decided to try for a little "Showtime."
With the Wildcats on a three-onone break, the senior attempted a behind-the-back pass to the trailer, only to turn the ball over. His momentum carried him part way down the tunnel, and in order to get back to the court, he had to walk past Wildcats coach Will Smith.
"I didn't have to say anything," Smith said. "We looked at each other and know what the words are through the eyes. But I will tell you this about James DeJesus; the things that make him make mistakes like that are the same reasons he does a great job.
"He's willing to take a chance. I don't care when it is, how late it is, how tight the game is, that guy is willing to take a chance. Another time, he'll be able to make (that pass) happen and it will look great."
Two additions have helped the Wildcats (34-2) look great this season. One is DeJesus, who was a deep reserve on East's state championship team last year before transferring to Hamilton and making an instant impact. He finished with 21 points on 8of-12 shooting.
"When I was at East, I didn't really get a lot of playing time," he said. "Now with these guys ... the chemistry we have is something I've never experienced before."
The other key piece to Hamilton's puzzle is Jordan Johnson, who played at Central last season. On Thursday, the senior was virtually unstoppable driving to the bucket and ended up with 27 points as his team won its 20th consecutive game.
"The coaches say we play too much but that's just really how we bond," said Johnson. "Sometimes they have to understand ... if we're not playing with each other then we're not going to have a good time (on the floor).
"Before every game, we just say, 'Go out and have fun.' If we do that, we'll be OK."
Johnson pointed to fellow seniors Martrell Brooks and Kevon McMahon as the main instigators in the Hamilton hijinks.
"They'll do anything," he said. "They'll always be on your neck."
Brooks certainly had a good time against the Cobras, rounding out his team's three-pronged attack with 19 points. His total included four emphatic dunks, including a sensational one in the first quarter on an alley-oop from that old risk-taker himself DeJesus.
"Get out and push the ball," said Brooks of his team's style. "Off makes and misses. Get it out quick and just push the ball hard and play off their momentum."
If they continue to do that, they have a great shot a winning the school's second title in four seasons. In 2015, a team led by K.J. and Dedric Lawson and coached by Todd Day captured the AAA championship.
"We feel like if we play our game, can't nobody in the world beat us," said Johnson.
Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas