Jordan Damron

Ballerz and Tigers compete in Sweet 16 action in silver bracket.

Yes the name of the sight is Tennessee Prep Hoops and yes I always try to promote the Tennessee players as much as I can: however, a special case can be made for Mid-State Ballerz superstar Scotty Hopson (UHA/Kentucky). The Mississippi State signee has defied his natinal critics and is playing as well as any player on the circuit this summer. His performance at the USA Festival was outstanding and he elevated that with his effort at the LeBron camp in Akron. Now Scotty is back with the Ballerz and his game has not let up at all. I will always consider Scotty an honorable member of the Tennessee Prep family and have enjoyed watching him play his way into McDonalds All-American consideration.

Thus far Hopson has dropped 30+ three times in the Ballerz run into the Sweet Sixteen of the 17 and under Super Showcase with a big game against Spiece Select scheduled for this morning. Hopson is the focal point but he is certainly not alone. Who has made more of his summer this year than Jon Primm (Dickson County). Known previously as a good defender and great teammate, JP has made himself a high priority for mid-major coaches all across the Southeast. His defensive effort and ability to stop the teams best scorer continues to impress but his offensive game has been his biggest advancement. Primm is dropping the 3 with consistency and playing like a leader from the point.

The road has brought them from Augusta to Orlando and the level of play has not dropped one iota. The Tennessee YOMCA Tigers finished as the top seed from their pool at the Super Showcase and defeated Metro Boston to stake their claim as one of the 16 finalists for the silver bracket title. As is usually the case Taverrus Jefferson (Ensworth) leads the Tigers from out front.

The other Tennessee hoop squads made a very nice showing for themselves at the Showcase. The Music City Jags had a great tourney finishing 2-2 but winning their pool. They fell in silver bracket action to the always tough Kentucky Hoopstars 90-73. The Jags were led be Don Woods (McGavock) and Julian Haile (Shelbyville).

The Tennessee Mavericks also finished their run 2-2 getting second in their pool before falling in bracket action to the Kappa Magic 91-66.

The Tennessee Thunder finished the event 0-4 but had some very close calls calls in a very good pool.

In the gold pool the Tennessee Travelers finished 0-3 but played very well losing to the vaunted Georgia Stars by 1 and then falling to the always tough St. Louis Eagles by 2. AAA state tourney MVP Jordan Damron (Maryville) had a nice outing against the Eagles and has remained consitent throughout the tourney. Another player worthy of mention has been the hustle and effort of Josh Henley (Hunter's Lane). He goes tough and hard all the time and despite being an undersized inside player makes up for it with relentless competitive spirit.  

The Memphis YOMCA finished Gold pool action 1-2 getting a big win over a very good Rising Stars-Gold team.