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Top Players From The 16 And Under State PDF Print E-mail
Written by Andre Whitehead   
Tuesday, 13 June 2006
Profiles of the top 20 performers at the event. A great weekend of basketball at Goodpasture culminated with a championship for the Mid-State Ballerz Elite. I will profile the top 20 performers from the weekends events. They will be listed in alphabetical order.

Brandon Allen-Chattanooga Warriors (Howard)
This youngster was a newcomer to the Tennessee landscape. The 6-1 speedster had good length and played with passion and hustle. He scored well the entire weekend on put-backs and offensive effort. He was able to knock down some outside shots but needs work in that department.

Justin Blake-Memphis YOMCA (War Eagles) (Dyersburg)
Lefty shooter was a big surprise at the event with his stroke and all around good play. At 6-2 he has good size and can really score the ball. Played solid defense but with his athletic ability could improve in that area.

Malcolm Burton-Memphis YOMCA (Ridgeway)
Quick point man showed his versatility knocking down several outside shots while dropping dimes to his teammates. Burton was quick and strong and played hard while on the floor. He will need to improve his decision making to see the floor for Ridgeway.

Tyshaun Edmondson-Mid-State Ballerz Elite (Kentucky)
Young man came to play on Sunday after a sub-par effort on Saturday. The lithe youngster has all the tools and will make D1 noise if he continues to get stronger and improve his outside shot. Reminds me of Barry Stewart, the rising star of last summer.

Farrakhan Hall-Memphis YOMCA (War Eagles) (MUS)
This 2009 future star showed a ton of potential with his efforts over the weekend. The big man should grow to 6-9 and has the skill to play the wing in the near future. He keeps the ball high on offense and uses the glass in traffic like a young Tim Duncan. His potential is limitless.

Josh Henley-Mid-State Ballerz Elite (Hunter's Lane)
Henley continues to be one of the hardest working players on the circuit. His relentless effort after the missed shot is something all offensive players should witness. Josh has improved his outside shot but seemed uncomfortable playing out front for the guard depleted Ballerz. His future will hinge on his ability to make the transition to the wing.

Gentry Hines-Memphis YOMCA (Raleigh-Egypt)
The future of the state looks very bright with this Class of 2009 stud. Hines has all the tools to be a future superstar, his outside shot is solid and his game with the ball is fantastic. Hie can change speeds and no-one and I repeat no-one can stay in front of him. He will get dangerous with strength and the future is the limit for this talented youngster.

Scotty Hopson-Mid-State Ballerz Elite (Kentucky)
The only thing that can even put a dent in stopping this talented kid is himself. Hopson barely showed up for the Saturday night contest against the Tigers but made up for it and then some on Sunday proving he is one of the best young players in the country, yes in the country. He can take over a game with his mid-range shot and he attacks the basket like a neophyte Kobe Bryant.

Marcus Jefferson-Tennessee Thunder (Lavergne)
Very few players can see the floor like Jefferson. His drives to the bucket are sweet but sometimes he tends to rely on that portion of his game to much. When Jefferson gets his outside shot to the point where it is a weapon then the sky will be the limit for this Nashville area youngster.

Taverus Jefferson-Tennessee Tigers (Ensworth)
The superlatives are not enough, this young man is the truth. He controls the tempo of the entire game whether he has the ball or is defending it. If he is guarding you it's only a matter of time before it belongs to him anyway. He has improved his outside shot and has realized how to use change of speed. Tennessee fans if you get the opportunity make the trip and watch this guy play.

Curtis Lee-Memphis YOMCA (Kirby)
Tough inside presence who used his bulk to defend and battle the boards on both ends of the floor. A tough defender who will go at you no matter how big or tough.

Zeke Mason-Tennessee Tigers (CPA)
Mason continues to get better every time he steps foot on the court. He plays hard in the post and belies his age using his bulk to position himself for putbacks and offensive opportunities. He will dunk in your face and shows aggression on the defensive end. A great prospect who will continue to thrive under the guidance of Drew Maddux.

Leslie McDonald-Memphis YOMCA (War Eagles) (Briarcrest)
Without question the top offensive player in the Class of 2009. McDonald can score in so many ways. His shot is true and he is money around the bucket. His game is smooth and he has good size. He will be an absolute beast when he realizes strength will take him right to the top oif the heap not only in the state but nationally.

Scott Newton-Tennessee Thunder (Harpeth)
Tough inside worker showed skill and patience with a great effort over the weekend. Newton was aggressive on the boards fighting for every loose ball and using his fundamentals to stay active on the defensive end. He scored 20 in the consolation game and was good around the bucket the entire time. With improved footwork and outside range could make himself into a prospect.

Gary Pope-Tennessee Tigers (Ensworth)
Athletic and gifted the Nashville Star was his usual efficeint self at Goodpasture. Pope is dynamite in the paint and is especially tough in transition as he fills the lane and finishes with a vengeance. When he develops some perimeter skills including shooting range he will transform himself into the next level of propsect.

Greg Rivers-Chattanooga Warriors (Hixson)
Sweet shooting player who gave his all at the tourney. Showed resiliance as his team struggled to win a game but he played hard the entire time. Has the athletic ability to become a solid player and improved defender.

Jonathan Sharpe-Knoxville Cagers (Anderson County)
Sharpe got his money's worth playing tough and hardnosed like he always does. Has good touch on the outside shot, but is more effective inside using his good size and relentless effort. Sharpe has good hands and uses his size to get boards and keep his defender honest.

Kyle Upton-Tennessee Tigers (Antioch)
Whats got into Upton? Kyle scored at an alarming rate the entire weekend showing a nice touch from deep or on the move. He scored most of his buckets on short pull-ups in the lane or close by. He came to score and would not be satisfied without ringing up the points.

Ryan Walden-Knoxville Cagers (Knoxville Catholic)
One of Knoxville's best baseball talents showed he is destined to be a two-sport star on the East Tennessee scene. Ryan showed the basketball world his talent dropping 23 on the Ballerz and leaving the guys asking who this kid was. He canned the outside shot and used his change of pace dribble to get the bucket for layups.

Latavious Williams-Mid-State Ballerz Elite (Mississippi)
Was the Ballerz most consistent talent the entire tourney. Showed his inside skill dominating the championship game with a flurry of dunks and tough banks off the glass. Williams has great upside and with added strength could become a big-timer.

With team camps dominating the landscape we won't have anymore events until the July period gets underway. I will have an interesting comparison on the Classes of 2005 and 2006 in the coming days.
 
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