Davis Warner

The time of year for our seniors to reap the rewards of hours of sweat equity, commitments galore in this story.

Davis Warner (Smyrna) and Ike Weaver (Unicoi County) will make their pledge to play for Coach Tony Wallingfords Milligan Buffaloes later this week. Warner is a jem for the Appalachian Athletic Conference riser with his combination of above average athleticism and wonderful passing skills. The 6-5 Smyrna product can be used anywhere from the 2 thru the 4 spots, using a better than advertised outside marksmanship and his forte the wing entry pass or the slashing dump to the cutter for an easy bucket.

Weaver is a low post dream with advanced footwork and scoring ability to 10 feet out. His best asset is his size and he plays hard. He will make a nice complement to All-Conference and former Tennessee prep star Jeff Barnes and his quest for player of the year honors next season.

Staying in the eastern part of the state, Carson Newman has signed Austin East wingman Justin Walker. The 6-4 Walker came on very strong at the end of the season playing with hustle and enthusiasm during the regional tourney and continued that effort into the state. Where he solidified his offer from the Eagles. Justin will love the new uptempo style that Coach Dale Clayton has implemented and will be a strong player in the South Atlantic Conference for years to come. He joins fellow Knoxville senior Cameron Sharp (Knoxville Halls) on next seasons roster.

Moving up the interstate and over the state line into Virginia, the Wasps of Emory and Henry College go to Music City to pick up a commitment. Cory Payne (Mt. Juliet) will bring his power and hustle to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The DIII school plays a very uptempo style and Payne will have ample opportunity for putbacks and short jumpers off the secondary break.

Staying in halls of Mt. Juliet, Jeremy Dixon will play his college ball closer to home and attend Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. The serene campus is getting a very good player who fielded some DI offers late last summer but will be a all-conference type of athlete in the TransSouth. Coach Sam Harris and his Trojans welcome the slender slasher to the campus.

Moving over to the JUCO ranks, Darrin Hines and the Senators of Jackson State will ink two West Tennessee prospects this week. Ralph Strayhorn (Jackson Southside) and Hakeem Brice (Liberty Tech) will make the short jaunt to the Jackson campus. Strayhorn is a bull inside and will bring some much needed toughness to the TJCCAA group. His relentless pursuit of the rebound and his ability to guard players much larger than himself will bode well in the juco ranks. Brice, who was the sixth man on one of the nation's top squads, gets a chnace to show he could have been a star elsewhere. Brice is sound in most aspects of the game and can shoot the outside shot a bit. He will bring a winner's mentality to the Jackson campus.