Emmanuel Andrews

Memorial Day tournaments made for great action in the 15 and under division.

Great weekend of action with one of the 15's winning the prestigous T.O.C., another sweeps pool at NIke, another wins state with two close victories. The 15 and under division of the state was hot this past couple of weeks and will be the featured age group as we post our second summer team rankings.

1. M33M Magic (NR)

Won the Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions in convincing fashion. A mixture of the former top-squad YOMCA(Peete) and the Pacers this squad enters the rankings at the top spot. Four members of the squad were selected to the all-tourney team at T.O.C., Tim Peete (Memphis Central), Alan Farmer (Cordova), Masceo Harmon (Memphis Central) and tourney MVP Tyler Stone (Memphis Central).

2. Tennessee Travelers (3)

This week we have a tie for the number two spot. The Travelers were fantastic at the Nike Memorial Day event finishing unblemished in pool play at 3-0 before slipping in playoff action. The big four Emmanuel Andrews (Shelbyville), Brandon Herman (Grace Baptist), Arthur McMillen (Hillsboro) and Jalen Steele (Fulton) led the way. They also finished second at the state falling to the Memphis YOMCA-Johnson twice, in very close games.

2. Memphis YOMCA-Johnson (2)

A deadlock with the Travelers at this point despite beating them twice. The Y battled at Nike after losing some key players. They still managed two wins against two losses.  

4. Nashville Celtics (6)

Did not compete in Memorial Day event but finished third at state. When the roster is complete they are very competitive but have rarely had that luxury. Avenged pool play loss to Flames in 3rd place game. Meiko Lyles (NCA) is the real deal and is more playing time away from being one of the best in the state at this age group.

5. Tennessee Thunder (5)

Had a great run at the TOC winning to pool games and almost getting their playoff win as well. Coty Clarke (Antioch) was named to the All-Tournament squad. Tyler Hood (Lenoir City), Tyler Vittetoe (Union County), and Micah Ballard (William Blount) all finished the event in double figures. Finished 6th at the state.

6. Mid-State Ballerz (7)

Grabbed themselves a nice victory over the Richmond Squires at the TOC. Superb additions Marc Gooch (Seigel) and Tereas Clemmons (Wilson Central) both averaged double digits for the event. DeMarius Smith (Kenwood) continued his sterling play from state finishing as one of the event tops scorers as well. Finished 5th at the state.

7. Tennessee Flames (9)

Had a great state tourney finishing fourth with a big pool play victory over the Celtics. They fell to the same Celtics in the 3rd place game but showed they had a quality squad. Christian Little (McGavock) and Kerry Hammonds (Seigel) both had sterling state tourney efforts. The Flames did not participate in a Memorial Day event.

8. CDF Thrashers (4)

9. Tennessee Tigers (8)

10. Southeast Elite-Memphis (10)

11. Chattanooga Warriors (NR)

12. Tennessee TarHeels (11)

17 AND UNDER

1. Memphis YOMCA (War Eagles) (1)

2. Southeast Elite-Memphis (2)

3. Mid-State Ballerz Blue (3)

4. Nashville Celtics (5)

5. Tennessee Travelers (8)

6. Team Chaos (7)

7. Tennessee Mavericks (4)

8. Tennessee All-Stars (13)

9. Tennessee Thunder (9)

10. Mid-State Ballerz White (11)

11. Chattanooga Warriors (10)

12. Memphis Hoopers-Gold (15)

13. Murfree-Town Hustlers (17)

14. Nashville Bearcats (12)

15. Knoxville Cagers (14)

16 AND UNDER

1. Tennessee YOMCA Tigers (1)

2. Mid-State Ballerz Blue (2)

3. Nashville Celtics (3)

4. Tennessee Travelers (4)

5. Southeast Elite-Nashville (10)

6. Franklin Rage (9)

7. Tennessee Fire (6)

8. Tennessee Flight (5)

9. Memphis YOMCA (7)

10. Mid-State Ballerz White (11)

11. Mid-South Prospects (8)

12. Chattanooga Thunder (12)

In the 17 and under division the decision was made to take the M33M out of the rankings. They have two fo the states top 5 players (Williams, Carter), however, I think at least 50% of your active roster should be made up of Tennessee players to make the Tennessee team rankings.

State tourney action in the 17 and 16's should and will shake up a few things for our next rankings in two weeks.