Memphis YOMCA

Memphis uses late run to slip by Travelers in championship game.

Nick Mason (Fairley) came up with two very opportunistic steals and conversions during an intense 11-0 Memphis comeback to lift the YOMCA to a 73-71 victory over the Tennessee Travelers in the championship game of the 15 and under state tournament.

Mason led a very balanced attack with 16 points for the game including eight in the final stanza, his three pointer off a Julian Burton (White Station) steal closed out the third quarter and cut a hefty Traveler lead to 10. Mardrakus Wade (Mitchell) chipped in with 14, Burton added 12 and Travis Stone (Memphis Central) and Marquis Wilson (Wooddale) added 10 each.

This was the second time in two day the two teams battled to a hard fought, tight victory. The Friday night pool play contest also won by the YOMCA on a last second shot from Mardrakus Wade finished at 71-70. The Travelers played extremely well and were led in scoring by Ish Sanders (Cleveland) with 16. Emmanuel Andrews (Shelbyville) scored 14, Jalen Steele (Fulton) dropped 12 and Arthur McMillen (Hillsboro) pitched in 10.

In the third place game the Nashville Celtics got 19 points from Meiko Lyles (NCA) and 11 each from Casey Prather (Jackson Northside) and Levon Tate (Cookeville) to get by the Tennessee Flames. The Flames made big news winning their pool before falling to the Travlelers in semi-final action.

Demarius Smith (Kenwood) snapped 28 and Tarius Johnson (Liberty Tech) popped 26 as the Mid-State Ballerz overcame a huge lead to get by the Tennessee Thunder 79-73 in the 5th place game. Johnson and Smith accounted for the majority of the Ballerz buckets. Cody Clarke (Antioch) led the Thunder with 28, Tyler Hood (Lenoir City) chipped in 23.

Other top scoring games for the 15 and under state tourney include:

Julian Burton (White Station) 21pts. vs. Mid-State Ballerz

Arthur McMillen (Hillsboro) 24pts. vs. Memphis YOMCA

Jalen Steele (Fulton) 21pts. vs. Mid-State Ballerz

Brandon Herman (Grace Baptist) 19pts. . Mid-State Ballerz

Ish Sanders (Cleveland) 18pts. vs. Tennessee Tar-Heels

Kerry Hammonds (Seigel) 21pts. vs. Tennessee Thunder

Tarius Johnson (Liberty Tech) 20pts. vs. Tennessee Tarheels

Keneal Windon (Jackson Central-Merry) 22pts. vs. Memphis YOMCA

Tarius Johnson (Liberty Tech) 23pts. vs. Travelers

Levon Tate (Cookeville) 19pts. vs. Tennessee Thunder

Kerry Hammonds (Seigel) 18pts. vs. Nashville Celtics

Casey Prather (Jackson Northside) 18pts. vs. CDF Thrashers

Cody Clarke (Antioch) 18ptsvs. CDF Thrashers

Tyler Hood (Lenoir City) 24pts. vs. Tennessee Flames

Casey Prather (Jackson Northside) 22pts. vs. Memphis YOMCA

Tyler Hood (Lenoir City) 31pts. vs. Nashville Celtics

Meiko Lyles (NCA) 18pts. vs. CDF Thrashers

Casey Prather (Jakcson Northside) 30pts. vs. Tennessee Flames