Martrell Brooks carries Hamilton to Class AA title
MURFREESBORO — In addition to being a terrific basketball player, Martrell Brooks is also plays third base on Hamilton's baseball team. So he's pretty used to manning the hot corner.
And when things got hot against Knoxville Fulton Saturday at the Murphy Center, he delivered.
Playing in his last high school game, Brooks scored 21 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in a warrior-like effort as Hamilton capped off a stellar season in Class AA with a 60-58 victory over the Falcons at the Murphy Center. It's the second championship since 2015 for the school, which won it that year in AAA with a squad led by K.J. and Dedric Lawson.
Hamilton finishes the year 36-2 and will take a 22-game winning streak into next season. And while these Wildcats don't have any nationallyranked recruits like the Lawsons, they do have a team with a tremendous amount of heart and character, best exemplified in Brooks.
"He's a calming (influence)," said coach Will Smith, himself a former star player at Hamilton.
"Most times, he doesn't come out and I judge my team by his demeanor. When I understand where his mind is, I know where my team is. You know I love my team but I'll put it out there ... any basketball team in America — and I'm including the Dukes, the North Carolinas, if they have a player like Martrell Brooks on the floor, there's nothing he can't do.
"You see it in the stats; you see it in how he plays. I'll go to bat with him any day of the week."
The stats did indeed tell the tale. Brooks grabbed six offense rebounds, including three in a row on one possession late in the game that resulted in him drawing a foul with 30 seconds left
Saturday as all three backs impressed Norvell with how they showed they were to take an even bigger step forward
"You can see the confidence they have beyond where they've been and that should be a strength for our team," Norvell said.
The Liberty Bowl loss still stings
Taylor said he watched the tape of the Liberty Bowl against Iowa State at least three or four times just for motivation this spring. Senior offensive lineman Drew Kyser noted that the loss meant he still has yet to win a bowl game during his Memphis career
"I'm tired of coming up short every time," Kyser said. "This is my last year I got - probably the last year I'm playing football - so I'm trying to give everything I can so we can win one."
It won't be a surprise to hear players say that they have moved on but considering the turnover of five new assistants, it's good to see that they still use that game as fuel. The Tigers have high expectations to meet and remembering the past will keep them hungry this spring.
Thomas making early adjustments at safety
For the second time in under a year, sophomore La'Andre Thomas has changed positions, sliding over from cornerback to safety. Defensive coordinator Chris Ball hinted at the move on Friday but Norvell elaborated more about it after practice.
"I love his communication and his leadership," Norvell said of Thomas.
Norvell said Thomas' past as a quarterback in high school will him transition to help fill the void of Jonathan Cook, who graduated after last season. Look for sophomores Carlito Gonzalez and Tyrez Lindsey to also help fill that role, which Norvell said will be key to watch this spring.
"You look at the safety position, it's just like the quarterback on offense. You've got to be able to communicate, you've got to be able to make 10 guys out there better and that's what we're looking for."