Zaccheus Mason

Nashville group made huge headlines all over America.

The recipe is simple.

Take 1/2 dedicated, unselfish players.

Sprinkle in a highly motivated, experienced mentor.

Add a smidge of support from all those involved in the program.

And what you have is the recipe for success.

This in a nutshell could be the mantra for the Tennessee YOMCA Tigers 2007 summer run that culminated with a championship run through the 17 and under Super Showcase event in Orlando.

Winning almost 100 games in the past two seasons this group of striped cats proved to be no picnic for opposing squads who relish in their perceived lack of so many things, but hang their collective heads when the scoreboard reads victory for the Tigers.

Their run through Orlando was nothing short of amazing with constant foul trouble on their big men and roster depeletion it took a solid group of players to overocme these obstacles.

The heart and soul of this squad is in the insanely quick hands of Tavarres Jefferson (Ensworth). The mighty mite put himself on the national scope with his performances at the prestigious Peach Jam and then only increased the exposure with his play at the Showcase. Jefferson is a consumate team general always looking to pass first and able to score off the dribble if pressed to hard. His outside has become a weapon but his defensive presence is what sets him apart. I can only imagine the horror of his opponent as the devilishly quick Jefferson pursues him down the floor and forces him into situations he would rather not be in, must be brutal.

One of the beneficiaries of the Jefferson penetration is quick trigger shooter and deadeye John Jenkins (Station Camp). The 6-3 wing was special this summer knocking down huge shots with big time athletic defenders draped all over him. Jenkins proved to everyone he belongs among the state's elite with his extraordinarily productive July. Named one of the top five players in the 16 and under division of the Peach Jam, Jenkins never let up knocking down his jumper and making his name. Fully recovered from his late high school injury look for huge events in the junior season of Mr. Jenkins.

The other benefactor of the Jefferson unselfishness is emerging shooter Hunter Miller (CPA). Miller has made mega-strides since his freshman season from a skinny kid to a capable shooting guard who not only knocks down the three but can take one dribble inside the arc and knock down the mid-range. His strength issues have not been totally absolved but he is much more capable of the physical pounding and will continue to get stronger if his high school coach has anything to say about it.

Lack of inside size made for some tough times but other backcourt players made the most of their court time. Miles Asafo-Adjei (Ensworth) could be the best ball defender in this entire class and has improved his offense. Many a mid-major coach had nothing but praise for his efforts over the summer. Markus Cantrell (Maplewood) is another of the tough minded players that dominate this roster. Undersized but extremely tough this young man makes sure his lack of vertical size does not come into play as he uses his physical strength and timing to score inside or out.

In the course of winning a title at the Super Showcase the Tigers also managed to finish strong at the Peach Jam, finished 5-1 at the 16 and under Super Showcase, placed 5th in the nationals and finished winning over 40 games for the second consecutive summer.

Despite being physically and vertically outmanned in most events the toughness and skill of the limited inside crew made it possible for all these victories to take place. Zaccheus Mason (CPA) was the unofficial leader of the inside boys scoring on short jumpers and put backs. His physical abilities kept him right on par with some of the more dominant players in the entire country. Mason has terrific timing on his shot blocking and a knack for grabbing the tough board. He was close to triple double status many times over the course of the summer.

A real bright spot for the Tigers was the sudden emergence of Joshua Lee (Maplewood). The 6-5 youngster showed great improvement throughout the summer giving the Tigers great minutes when they needed it most and proving to be a ligitimate college prospect in the coming years. He needs to add some strength, as most inside guys do, and get some skill work with many a night in the gym. His improvement from last season was dramatic and another leap as such will put him in position to get his education paid for.

Arguably the hardest working of the Tigers had to be the incomperable Gary Pope (Ensowrth). Relentless in his pursuit of the rebound, the undersized power man makes up for his lack of height with sheer will and determination. Pope is an incredible athlete and the kind of kid that personifies the Tigers. He is willing to put personal stats behind him for the victories and for the team.

This quality is what made this Tigers team who they are and what they accomplished. Just one of the many big time 16 and under squads who will make the landscape for The Class of 2009 one of the best Tennessee has ever seen.