Playing together
Why Thedford decided to be part of Cordova basketball
on Friday night in the Battle in the Bluff at Bartlett High School's Mcdonald's Insurance Arena.
It was the perfect example of why Thedford's timely arrival to Cordova was more than just two friends playing together one final time.
“It's not about scoring,” Tenner said. “We all can score 30, but it's about winning at the end of the day and we're just trying to do anything to win.”
Thedford scored 30 points for the Wolves in the win and needed to be the primary scorer for Cordova after star guard and Drake signee KJ Tenner fouled out in the second half.
Last season, Cordova might not have had a chance to build a 10-point lead in the second half and hold on for the win. But with Thedford's scoring ability around the rim, Jaylyn Tyler's addition, who transferred from Olive Branch, and his ability to score from the perimeter, the Wolves are in good hands. Tyler finished with 18 points.
“It's a blessing in disguise,” said Tenner, who had 11 points. “I'm thankful for my guys to be over here and I trust them. Regardless, if I'm on the floor I'm cheering for them and even off the floor when I can't play.”
And they're confident they now have all the pieces to represent Memphis in the state tournament.
But Cordova coach Terrance Scales isn't cashing in on his team being in Murfreesboro just yet. It's still early in the season and there's still a lot of work for his team if they want to make it to the state tournament.
“We have as good a chance as anybody to represent Memphis in the state (tournament),” Scales said. “Right now, I can't even see that far because I'm trying to get better.”
But he also recognizes with the pieces he has, it's a very real possibility.
And it's why Tenner wanted to play with Thedford one final time.
“Everybody loves to win,” Thedford said. “I knew once I got with him, he loves to win.”
Reach Wynston Wilcox at wwilcox@gannett.com and on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @wynstonw__.