Montgomery Central 8th-grade star J.J. Wheat compared to Clarksville city basketball greats

What does an eighth-grade basketball player do when his game is compared to some of the greatest basketball players to come out of Clarksville?

Montgomery Central's J.J. Wheat has had one great season with the middle school team, but coach Jim Phillips is convinced he has the potential to follow in the same footsteps as city greats like Trenton Hassell (Clarksville High), Marques Maybin (Northwest), Shawn Marion (CHS) and Alex Poythress (Northeast).

"Jerry (Allbert) and I coached Trenton, Marques and Shawn in AAU ball in the early 1990s and I'm telling you J.J. is in that mold," Phillips said. "J.J. still has a ways to go, but right now he's as good, if not better, at his age than all of those guys."

The 5-foot-10 guard guided Central to a 16-3 record, but the season ended when Dickson County hit a last-second shot to eliminate the Indians in the district middle school tournament semifinals on Tuesday. It's the first winning season Wheat and Central have enjoyed in the past three years. 

"We keep some stats but not all," Phillips said. "If we were keeping all stats, J.J. would be the all-time leading scorer, all-time leading rebounder, all-time leading assist man and all-time leader in steals in school history."

Wheat is averaging 22.5 points in six-minute quarters without playing the fourth quarter of most games. As a sixth- and seventh-grader, Wheat's teams won only one game.

As for Wheat, he's trying to maintain a sense of balance as his name gains attention.

"I try not to think too much about that stuff," he said. "I just want to do what's best for my team. I try to model my game after (the Cleveland Cavaliers') Isaiah Thomas. He plays under control but can dominate a game."

First-timer for Rossview wrestling

After a come-from-behind win against West Creek in the District 12 dual tournament semifinal, Rossview knocked off Clarksville High 39-31 to capture the program's first  district championship.

The Hawks face Beech in Thursday's region semifinal, at Wilson Central High School, with their first state dual appearance on the line.

Clarksville High, which will take on Wilson Central on Thursday, will be looking for its first state dual appearance in more than five years.

Rossview needed a last-match victory to stave off an upset bid by West Creek in the district semifinal match. The Hawks beat West Creek 33-31

Clarksville High dominated its semifinal match against Northwest 56-21.

CHS backfield in motion

Bobby Jackson signed with Murray State last month but is expected to participate with his teammates in a larger team-oriented ceremony on National Signing Day, Feb. 7.

Meanwhile, Josh Watch has  been offered by Austin Peay. The junior has taken some unofficial visits to other schools including Cincinnati. Air Force and Buffalo have also expressed interest.

Teammates Malik Santiago, Caden Patterson, Scott Mayes and Jaden Ramos are all expected to sign on National Signing Day.

State bowling

Clarksville Academy's Leah Hayes finished third overall in the Division II State Bowling Tournament last week.

Hayes won her first match of the day 151-119 over St. Benedict's Alexa Pangonas. In her next match, she claimed a 178-151 victory over St. Mary's Lauren Davis. But Hayes lost her third match to Friendship Christian's Kennedy West, 181-148.  

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.