PREPS

Douglass star headed to UT-Martin

John Varlas
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

 

 

 

basketball

Former Melrose coach Jermaine Johnson has struck again with the announcement that Douglass standout Parrish Hewitt has committed to play his college basketball at Tennessee-Martin.

The 6-4 senior — who led the city in scoring at 25.3 points per game — said his relationship with Johnson, now a Skyhawks assistant, helped solidify his decision. Hewitt played at Melrose before transferring to the Red Devils for his senior season.

"I picked them because I think it's a perfect fit for me ... and it's not too far from home," Hewitt told OVCHoops.com. "Plus I know coach JJ's background; he's a winning coach and he loves to make young men better."

Hewitt will join East's Matthew Butler, Raleigh Egypt's Fatodd Lewis and Mike Fofana of Whitehaven next season. And he'll have a chance to make an immediate impact; the Skyhawks had four double-digit scorers en route to a 22-13 finish and only Butler (13.5 points per game) is set to return.

Hewitt was one of three finalists for the AA Mr. Basketball award and was named a TSWA all-state selection last week.

Reach John Varlas at john.varlas@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @johnvarlas