FirestoneTigers

Look, people. This should be common sense but, it doesn't matter how tall the guy is if he does not JUMP. Unless of course, he's over 10 feet tall.

This isn't one of those seasons. If someone outside Shelby County wants to win it, THIS is the year to do it. White Station is the only team here that is special. If they don't make it there, it's wide open. Unless, that is, the other areas of the state are down as well.

I'd have to disagree with that. First, White Station only had 3 major D1 guys on that team(Hall, Jackson, and Hollins), one of whom was a sophomore(Hollins). Williams was the only other guy on the team who was D1, and he was more of a liability that season than an asset because of his conditioning, lol, something I remember vividly. Second, Craigmont, Melrose, Raleigh-Egypt, and Central were all better than White Station, not by much, but better, with Manassas just a hair behind them. I don't know about the whole state, but Craigmont was the best team in Memphis. They had a spectacular PG that year(Terrance Durham) who could find you wherever you were on the floor, and he had plenty weapons to find at that. Unfortunately, he pulled his groin after landing from a dunk in the District Championship against Raleigh-Egypt, and they ended up losing to Liberty in the Regional. Central was probably the 2nd best team that year. They ran White Station out of the gym in the Regionals, then proceeded to stall the ball in the 2nd half, lost their nerve, and totally collapsed to blow a 22 point lead. Outstanding personnel, but the most horrible coach I've ever witnessed. So I would say: Craigmont in 2009 & 2010(both more talented than the one that actually won in 2011) Raleigh-Egypt in basically ANY year. Jimmy Adams could get you there EVERYtime, but never got the big one at that school. The best team he had was probably the 2006 team that lost to Shelbyville in the semis when Hamilton went undefeated. But also 2008 and certainly 2009 when they lost the title game to White Station when FOUR of Raleigh-Egypt's starters fouled out. Melrose in 2009 Ridgeway in 2010 & 2012 Southwind in 2010 & 2011(they were the best in Memphis that season) Central in 2009, 2010, & 2012 Manassas in 2008(I'm sure no one will disagree with that) the aforementioned Mitchell teams Kirby in 2008(state champ Ridgeway lost 3 games that season, 2 of them were to Kirby, lost to White Station in the Region semis) And we don't have "alot of teams with the talent Bearden had every year". We have several teams with comparable talent most of the time, and once in a while we have a juggernaut year like 2010 or 2012

Hamilton is clearly not on the same level with White Station and Simeon. White Station is the only team in Shelby County that has any hint of being special. And even they aren't consistent with it.

Ridgeway hasn't been in 2A since 2003, and they weren't in the same league as BTW. Nor was Melrose a real contender back then. Ridgeway was, Carver was, BTW was, Raleigh-Egypt was, even Trezevant at one point. Exactly what do you mean by "a few years ago"?

You can throw Ridgeway, East, Central, and Whitehaven in that group as well. Liberty would've had a world of a time dealing with any of them.

1. Southwind played Central at the Forum on MLK day when White Station played DC, not Germantown. 2. Liberty might have had 2 players at 6'6, but the overall size that Central and White Station had last year would've made a difference. 3. And this is the point. AAA IS indeed a whole different monster than AA. LIBERTY(ONE team) might be able to compete on that level(as they've done when they were on that level), but the CLASS is not nearly as good OVERALL. I mean, you admitted it in your own post: the same 2 schools dominate the class. Ridgeway beat Bolivar twice last season, btw.

Similar in that they use alot of inexperienced guards. But Craigmont's guards are more skilled. And their post players are most consistent and physical. Like most Memphis teams though, Craigmont's halfcourt game is extremely lacking. But the fullcourt pressure is terrible to face. White Station's guards would most likely fold up against it. But in a halfcourt game, it would be all Spartans, no question.

LOL at this being an "upset". Craigmont is a superior team: deeper, more athletic(if you actually understand the game). Melrose couldn't handle their pressure AT ALL. And this is the 2nd time Craigmont's beaten them this season. In the other win, Craigmont was up 20 at halftime. They're just a better team. And @terop, Craigmont was the one who blew the 2nd half lead, should've put the game away earlier than they did. Melrose was up at halftime, but Craigmont controlled the 2nd half.

Devonte Hampton is his name

Don't worry about free-throws. You must have forgotten what happened in the State Tourney last year. Almost ALL teams came in struggling from the line in the first round. The radio announcer made a comment about it i think during the White Station/Red Bank game.

Are they selling tickets at Melrose yet?

I'm sure he gets plenty of attention and offers. But from what I've seen this season and last, he is not a Big 6 player. Has size and strength, and will get D1 offers just from that. Most coaches do consider potential. He has no one-on-one post moves, travels or turns it over almost every time he's in that position, and only seems to be a consistent factor as a "garbage man". Physically, he has the POTENTIAL and maybe WILL be, but as of YET, he IS not a HIGH major recruit. And mark my words, unless his game changes drastically, I won't be singing his praises next season. I'm not the one to do that. Just like the young man Jalen Steele, he signed with Auburn and I still don't sing his praises. Kid couldn't dribble, though I haven't seen whether or not he can now. LOL

Memphis-Central probably had 1/6 of the gym filled. Shame, it was a nice game to see.

FYI: In 2001, BTW WON STATE, with Taurean Moy setting the all-time state tournament record for 3-pointers made, and a freshman by the name of Andre Allen winning State Tournament MVP honors. They beat Austin-East in the Final, the 3rd consecutive year Austin-East got to the State Championship game and lost to a Memphis opponent(Ridgeway in 2000 and Carver in 1999) The year DC beat BTW in sub-state was 2002, after Moy graduating. And that game was NOT at BTW. It, as well as the Ridgeway/Haywood game were BOTH at the Mid-South Coliseum. This very website even has the pictures. And, i think that in this game, considering White Station is nationally ranked in Rivals and was pre-season top 25 in USA Today, and also is led by a McDonald's All-American who'll likely be 1-and-done in college, DC is probably a bigger underdog. And trust me, White Station plays ALOT better on the road than they do at home. Oh yeah, and to yankees: Nino Johnson is FAR from a high-major talent.