Whitehaven motivated from semifinal loss
Every day they step onto the practice field, or into the weight room at Whitehaven, Cormontae Hamilton said there’s an invisible post-it note being passed around.
“Memo says, ‘Don’t get ahead of yourself,’ ” said the Ohio State commitment. “We did that last year, and in came disappointment.”
The Tigers thought they were in position to sweep to a fourth state Class 6A final in six years. In the bag. Then they got bagged by Cane Ridge, 14-7, and Hamilton said, “that’s the motivation we come in with every day.”
That motivation excites Whitehaven coach Rodney Saulsberry. “This group competes and challenges each other every day in practice,” he said. “They want to compete, to be better every play. You get that and you give yourselves a chance.”
Hiccups aside, Saulsberry’s Tiger dynasty is alive and very well, thank you. They have won two state titles since 2010, failed to reach the semifinals once and have a record of 101-12 after logging an 11-3 mark last season.
National Signing Day will once again stretch tables across the school auditorium stage with a dozen or so seniors set to move on to the next level.
But the scary part of this Tiger team is that the junior class may be what drives it. Especially a linebacking corps led by Bryson Eason, a first-team Commercial Appeal All-Metro pick last year, and second-teamer Martavius French.
“The linebackers will stir the drink for us,” Saulsberry said of the group, which also includes seniors Tyler Hunter and Maleek Thornton.
On offense, junior Keyshawn Harris is pressing for time at the quarterback spot held last year by senior Vincent Guy. Whoever is there will have a sizeable number of athletic targets, such as Hamilton, Vanderbilt commit Devin Boddie plus transfer and South Carolina commit Keveon Mullins, an All-Metro first-teamer at East last year.
The line is anchored by senior Melvin McBride, a Top 10 prospect in the state on the 247Sports list.
“Defense wins championships, but we have the potential to score as well,” Saulsberry said. “If we can be efficient on offense and capitalize on opportunities in the red zone we can score some points, and win with the defense we have.”
The momentum never seems to stop, and Hamilton and Hunter will tell you that it’s because Saulsberry, his staff – and the school’s sizeable heritage never stops.
“You set the expectation and establish the standard for your work starting in the classroom,” Saulsberry said. “Each year is brand new but you have the same goal, the same result in mind.”