Why LJ Hackman is key in Memphis East playoff run
After helping Memphis East get a steal during the Region 8-4A semifinals on Tuesday night, LJ Hackman led the transition offensive possession to capitalize on yet another Whitehaven turnover.
When Hackman got the ball, he went up from the lower left block, embraced the contact, drew the foul and made the shot.
He then sat on the ground smiling at the Whitehaven (20-10) defender that committed the foul.
As much swagger as Hackman has on the court, he equally is one of the hardest workers on the Memphis East boys basketball team this season. East defeated Whitehaven 76-49 to advance to the region championship game against Overton.
“He just brings toughness,” said East coach Jevonte Holmes. “He's never down mentally, he just wants to go out there and play hard and play the game.”
Hackman is part of the trio that leads the Mustangs this season. He helped them climb to the top of District 16-4A last week and now has them within reach of yet another Region 8-4A title ahead of the sectional round this weekend.
East (21-9) isn't the same team without Hackman.
“He takes a lot of pressure off me (so) I can play on and off the ball,” said senior guard Jamarion Harvey.
Hackman transferred to Memphis East this past season after playing at New Hope in Mississippi. He and the Mustangs started building their chemistry this summer. Since, it's been key in their success.
“I came in, had to step up, talked to the guys and told them that we got to go hard every day,” Hackman said.
When Billy Richmond III and E.J. Smith departed Memphis East, Harvey and Alijah Curry knew they were going to need help. What makes East dangerous is the fact that each player knows their role and doesn't try to play selfish.
“When LJ came in, he was a multiposition defender guy,” Holmes said. “He can handle the ball, makes great decisions, leads the team in assists. He can score the ball.
“Just put the ball in his hands more.” Harvey sets the tone as the guard. He can go off at any moment but defaults to getting his teammates involved. Hackman can be ball dominant, but is just as good off-ball as a three-level scorer. And Curry can score at all three levels, but typically dominates the post.
When one is on, the others let them work.
That's why East has hit its stride since the end of the regular season and district tournament, winning six of the last seven games.
Hackman became the third reliable piece for the Mustangs and he's key in East's pursuit to return to Murfreesboro for the first time since 2019.
“He's brought a lot to the team this year,” Holmes said.
Reach Wynston Wilcox at wwilcox@gannett.com and on Twitter @wynstonw__.