Chandler plays last high school game in Memphis
Kennedy Chandler’s teammates could sense his excitement all week as he prepared for his final high school basketball game in Memphis.
“Ever since he found out we would be here, that was pretty much all he talked about,” said Sunrise forward Kendall Brown. “It was a great opportunity for him to come back and show out in front of friends and family.
The five-star point guard arrived from Wichita, Kansas, on Wednesday
night, had one last practice at Briarcrest where he attended school from second grade up until last year, and was honored for his Mcdonald’s All-american selection at a local Mcdonalds’ on Thursday.
Then came the main event, the showdown with top-ranked Montverde Academy in front of a sell-out crowd and TV cameras from ESPN. The game featured three Mcdonald’s All-americans and nine players ranked in the
top-40 of their respective classes, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Montverde beat Sunrise for the second time this season, prevailing 61-57.
“It felt good to be back in my city. We didn’t get the win but we’ll see them in two weeks,” said Chandler, who has signed to play at Tennessee. “We got our revenge first and then they just got their revenge. But we’ll come back and learn from our mistakes”
The rapper NLE Choppa was there and stayed to take photos with Chandler after the game. Old friends and teammates from Briarcrest, including Tennessee Vols football players Omari Thomas and Jabari Small were in attendance.
Chandler made his rounds and caught up with as many people as he could after the game. He said there wasn’t much time to do so during the week.
“It was a business trip. I’ll see my friends next week,” Chandler said. “I have spring break next week from next Friday to that Wednesday. Then go back and practice for six or seven days and play at Geico for four days. Then next thing you’ll know I’ll be at UT. It doesn’t stop.”
Chandler’s dad, Kylan Chandler, said that he’s been to almost all of Sunrise’s games this season but that having one last game in Memphis was a great experience.
“It was a nice homecoming with all his family and friends being able to see him play,” said Kylan Chandler. “They probably haven’t seen him about a year.”
Kennedy Chandler finished with 13 points and threw a pair of nice alleyoops to five-star forward Gradey Dick. Both Sunrise and Montverde will advance to the Geico Nationals.
“Obviously it didn’t go the way we wanted it but honestly I feel like Kennedy did his thing and we’ll see them again at Geico. So we’re not going to trip over it,” said Sunrise forward Jaylon Mcdaniel.