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AAU: 13 & Under Sub -State
Bishop Byrne was the place and on hand was some of the best talent in Memphis as many of the areas best 7th graders showed their game. The best team of the entire tournament was the Memphis Wareagles with Laron Black, Tony Becton, Tim Shaw and Jerry Johnson Jr. They won every game by double digits showing many consider them to have the best 13 yr old group in the state. They are balanced with 6’4 Black on the inside who is as good a young player as anyone in the state and his teammate James Prather is a tough physical rebounder who has a nice touch out to the free throw line. Nick Smith and Cody Hailstock give them good minutes at the point with Hailstock sometimes playing the 2 as well.
The Memphis Bulls have nice talent as well with Keion Starnes and a player who could be a sleeper in the class in Mike Madlock. Madlock was at American Way Middle but he transferred to Havenview this past year. At about 6’0 maybe 6’1, he has a chance to be a really good guard but he will have to play with the ball in his hand more to make him a better ball handler. He was the best passer in the tournament as he impressed me with his ability to find an open man with a couple of no look passes.
The New Life All-Stars, coached by Cedrick Anderson are another team full of potential. Cedric Anderson Jr is a long pg who can score in bunches with the 3 ball or the floater. Douwante Thomas is a 6’2 extremely and I mean extremely athletic post who could be a small forward type once he becomes comfortable handling the ball a little more. There were times where his hand seemed to be at the rim and he was around every rebound but he’s sometimes a little over aggressive and it gets him in foul trouble. Marcus Deanes out of Southwind is really starting to turn some heads including mine. He showed he can run the show and knock the trey but once he has a tendency to become a little erratic at times. He has the ingredients to become a really good young point guard. Kelvin Bates is another guard who give s them good minutes and he can score the ball and defend both guard positions.
The Tarheels featured little Tyrone Banks who I really came to respect over the weekend. Small in stature but don’t let that fool you, he can make you pay offensively shooting 3 as he hit 3 in a row in the game Saturday coming back and beating the Bulls who had a double digit lead. Malik Sanders a likely starter for Ridgeway Middle is another guard who can slash to the basket and help rebound from the guard position. He and Banks have to play big for them in order for them to make some noise in the state tournament in May. Next up at Bishop Byrne, the 15’s and it should be fun to watch. See you there.
Bishop Byrne was the place and on hand was some of the best talent in Memphis as many of the areas best 7th graders showed their game. The best team of the entire tournament was the Memphis Wareagles with Laron Black, Tony Becton, Tim Shaw and Jerry Johnson Jr. They won every game by double digits showing many consider them to have the best 13 yr old group in the state. They are balanced with 6’4 Black on the inside who is as good a young player as anyone in the state and his teammate James Prather is a tough physical rebounder who has a nice touch out to the free throw line. Nick Smith and Cody Hailstock give them good minutes at the point with Hailstock sometimes playing the 2 as well.
The Memphis Bulls have nice talent as well with Keion Starnes and a player who could be a sleeper in the class in Mike Madlock. Madlock was at American Way Middle but he transferred to Havenview this past year. At about 6’0 maybe 6’1, he has a chance to be a really good guard but he will have to play with the ball in his hand more to make him a better ball handler. He was the best passer in the tournament as he impressed me with his ability to find an open man with a couple of no look passes.
The New Life All-Stars, coached by Cedrick Anderson are another team full of potential. Cedric Anderson Jr is a long pg who can score in bunches with the 3 ball or the floater. Douwante Thomas is a 6’2 extremely and I mean extremely athletic post who could be a small forward type once he becomes comfortable handling the ball a little more. There were times where his hand seemed to be at the rim and he was around every rebound but he’s sometimes a little over aggressive and it gets him in foul trouble. Marcus Deanes out of Southwind is really starting to turn some heads including mine. He showed he can run the show and knock the trey but once he has a tendency to become a little erratic at times. He has the ingredients to become a really good young point guard. Kelvin Bates is another guard who give s them good minutes and he can score the ball and defend both guard positions.
The Tarheels featured little Tyrone Banks who I really came to respect over the weekend. Small in stature but don’t let that fool you, he can make you pay offensively shooting 3 as he hit 3 in a row in the game Saturday coming back and beating the Bulls who had a double digit lead. Malik Sanders a likely starter for Ridgeway Middle is another guard who can slash to the basket and help rebound from the guard position. He and Banks have to play big for them in order for them to make some noise in the state tournament in May. Next up at Bishop Byrne, the 15’s and it should be fun to watch. See you there.
AAU Preview: Memphis Storm
There is something brewing on the East side of Memphis, a Storm that consists of 12, 13 and 14 year olds. Coached by Tony Nicholson and assisted by Chris Adams. The Memphis Storm is an organization on the rise. Why you ask? Try the Storm winning the Memphis Magic Invitational this past weekend beating an always very talented Memphis Wareagles squad to capture the 12&under championship. With a team that consists of 4 of the top 15 players in this class in Kylan Phillips, Dennis Price Jr, Khalil Spencer and Jeremiah Martin, the talent is there to compete for years to come. Spencer is a versatile 3, 4, 5 player who can post and rebound with the best players in the class but he has the ability to put it on the floor. Price adds and offensive presence and Martin is lefty who can play both the 1 and the 2 spots but will probably be a point guard as he matures. He can shoot it a little but he’s more of a threat as get to the rack guard.
There is something brewing on the East side of Memphis, a Storm that consists of 12, 13 and 14 year olds. Coached by Tony Nicholson and assisted by Chris Adams. The Memphis Storm is an organization on the rise. Why you ask? Try the Storm winning the Memphis Magic Invitational this past weekend beating an always very talented Memphis Wareagles squad to capture the 12&under championship. With a team that consists of 4 of the top 15 players in this class in Kylan Phillips, Dennis Price Jr, Khalil Spencer and Jeremiah Martin, the talent is there to compete for years to come. Spencer is a versatile 3, 4, 5 player who can post and rebound with the best players in the class but he has the ability to put it on the floor. Price adds and offensive presence and Martin is lefty who can play both the 1 and the 2 spots but will probably be a point guard as he matures. He can shoot it a little but he’s more of a threat as get to the rack guard.
They also feature Shunterrio Alexander. He has made tremendous strides as a player over the last year and should get better as he plays more this summer. The 14’s have a nice group as well that features, Keydrian Moore of Southwind, his school teammate Darren Shabazz, Germantown’s Peyton Hulsey, twins Broderick and Toderick Davis (above) and Deshawn Dockery of Ridgeway Middle. The 13’s feature Josh Davis (left) of Shadownlawn and 901Prep number two ranked 7th grader, Joseph Williams. Ben Davis is also a player that Coach Adams tells me is on the rise.
The 12’s also have 5th grader Javion Hamlet (left) who is in my opinion in the mix as one of the best players in his class. He is a definite top 5 player who gives them a pg option off the bench who can score and play with enthusiasm. With another challenge ahead as they get ready to head to Conway next week for a tournament, this is another opportunity to truly see if the Storm are among the elite but judging by last weekend, the Storm is here to stay.