Jumpshot

Great post, OCRebel! There are many coaches that try to bend and skirt the rules for an advantage. Memphis is full of them!!! Coaches that blatantly lie, cheat, steal and defy the TSSAA to do something about it. When these coaches are forced to resign, I'll be a believer in the fairness of the TSSAA's decisions. As long as these coaches are allowed to remain "above the law", the rest of the state should cry out for justice.

Ego, I can use your help and expertise to bring me up to date on the private schools in Memphis and how each is doing this year. Also, can you put together a top players list from the private schools by rank, class, height and position? Maybe the top fifteen or so? I don't get to see the private schools play as much, and I am curious about where the power is. Thanks a lot [Edited by Jumpshot on 12-27-02 11:15A]

The behavior of the Mitchell coach is VERY typical of him as a whole. After winning the state championship at Kingsbury, he was asked to resign, (or got fired!) by the principal because the parents complained so much about his behavior and his treatment of their kids. When approached by the principal about those concerns, He responded that "no one is going to tell me how to coach!" That's why he is at Mitchell to start with. All you single A schools need to beware. Not all things at Mitchell are as they seem. Those kids come from all over the city and some have questionable eligibility.

Sorry Guys, I didn't mean to come across angry on my other posts. I always enjoy the exchange of information on players and I realize that no one has or can for that matter see every player in the state. We just have to trust each other's opinions and evaluations when that happens. I do however get the opportunity to see nearly every player in Memphis on numerous occasions, and enjoy getting the chance to put my two cents worth in every once in a while. I do know that players all develop at different rates, and if we are not constantly reevaluating our opinions, our lists become skewed and outdated. There is potential and there's performance. Some players have potential but it doesn't translate into performance. I wish there was a fair way to compare all players because I like to see deserving players that work hard get their due. Hope we can continue to exchange on this subject so that by the end of the season we can get a true and fair list of good players.

By the way, Ego, when did Colin Cunningham become a guard? He is a #4 man AT BEST and an average one at that! Since Jordan Mincy and Michael Rice are sitting this year out, they hardly qualify as "BEST guards" this year! Where are their numbers to prove that? Sheffield is languishing at 3-3 vs average opponents so how does that qualify Josh Stafford and Henderson as Great guards? Please keep up with what is going on before you publish some list and authenticate it. Just say it is your personal opinion, based on ???.

If Stiggers is legal at BTW, I'll eat my hat. He wasn't even legal at Hillcrest and left there under a cloud of controversy. Went to Calif. and enrolled in a prep school for more "pub" and because of his grades. (Has a tremendous ego problem!!) Left in the middle of the year and left his team and coach high and dry. Now he all of a sudden decides he wants to bless Memphis with his presence once again and then has the gall to say in the paper that he gets to simply select which school he wants to go to now. Claims that "no one can hold him in Tennessee." If the TSSAA is not all over this...then it is a sham and should be disbanded. Let's go to open season, no holds barred, recruiting and let the chips fall where they may!!!

RICO SEAY...Raleigh Egypt! Quit dissing him Ego, he put 17 on Fayette Ware, 11 on White Station and 22 on Germantown. By the way, JP Prince scored 2. [Edited by Jumpshot on 12-18-02 10:22P]

Opp Every school in 16AAA has won a state championship at some point except Craigmont. Pretty tough I'd say! I agree that it has to be the most talented and balanced district in AAA in the state.

It will be tough for Raleigh Egypt to go undefeated in Memphis this year given the strength of their schedule. But, fortunately for them, you don't have to be undefeated to get to the state. All you have to do is get hot in the tournaments and everyone has the chance to do that. But given their young talent and the fact that the 8AA Regional Tournament is on their home floor, I like their chances. White Station and Ridgeway will be a tall order for anyone to beat on their home floors, but, since they are both the defending State Champions, everyone is shooting for them and they have to play good every night.

GoMab Raleigh Egypt went back to the Sportsmed Shootout this year in Huntsville and that's where the two losses came from. The first game was against Montgomery Carver with three highly recruited DI prospects, and the Pharaohs lost, having led at half and then shooting 12.5% the second half to lose. The next two games were against Brewer and Birmingham Southside which were good teams but were blow outs for the Pharaohs. In the Southside game, THREE Raleigh Egypt players sustained injuries: Carlton Peete (turf toe), Barry Dickerson (groin pull) and Bryant Williams (bruised side). The Pharaohs played in the consolation bracket championship but with out these three, lost to Sparkman. Michael Joyner was named to the all tournament team. Since returning, the Pharaohs have reeled off three blow outs vs. Cordova, Kirby and Fayette Ware and are still nursing the injured back to life. This Friday's upcoming game with White Station at White Station will be tough without everyone at 100%, but should be a good game regardless.

GoMab The Pharaohs are the real deal!! Went to the Ware house and came away with a convincing 63-37 win. For Raleigh Egypt, the front line dominated the game. Lawrence Kinnard had 12 pts, 10 rbs. and 7 blocked shots; Michael Joyner had 12 pts., 12 rbs, 5 blocked shots, and 6 steals; Vashon Ingram had 10 pts., 9 rbs.; Larricus Brown chipped in 8 pts and 6 rbs. off the bench. The Pharaohs were without the services of starter, Carlton Peete (turf toe injury) but Rico Seay lead all scorers with 17pts. and added 8 assists. For Fayette Ware, Frank Holmes had 14 pts. and 5 rbs. while Des Yates added 15 pts. and 4 rbs.

GoMab Trying to keep you updated on The Pharaohs. Scrimmaged at BTW today without the services of starting point guard Rico Seay. Final score was Ral-Egypt 82- BTW 60. Don't know if BTW had a bad day or if just overrated, but they were only a shell of last year's team. Course the aggressive teamplay of the Pharaohs had something to do with it too. Peete, Joyner, Kinnard and Ingram were outstanding.

GoMab I agree that Sean cromwell has loads of potential, but it has not materialized into productive performance yet. He is tall and raw and can, with some work, develop into a solid low post player. Kinnard on the other hand is 6'7" and can play 3 positions. He is far more skilled, has outstanding athletic ability and plays much harder than Sean. He is a productive player RIGHT NOW. This was obvious yesterday. Thought you were supposed to rank players on what they were doing, not what they MIGHT do! Peete was the sixth man last year behind all-stater Chris McFadgon. He is the complete package and will emerge as "The Sleeper of the Year". Can do it all; score, shoot the three, rebound, defend on the ball and off the ball, and is really athletic at 6'1" and 175. Hope you'll follow him early this year. Other players that played well for Raleigh Egypt yesterday were Vashon Ingram, Rico Seay, Larricus Brown and Michael Joyner. When you get the chance, come on down to Memphis. Would love to meet you and talk hoops.

GoMab Hate you missed the game. Raleigh Egypt won by score of 53-39. Lawrence Kinnard dominated Sean Cromwell and Michael Joyner dominated Reginald Owens. Carlton Peete, the Raleigh junior was the best player for either team on the floor. By the way, he was named to the first team all-tournament team at the YBOA National tournament this summer and his team won it. Why isn't he even mentioned on your list of juniors? Fairley has a good young team, but no sophomore on that team should be ranked ahead of any of the four Raleigh Egypt sophomores. Oh well, guess you had to have been there to see for yourself. Hope you can see the Pharaohs play this year. I think you will be duly impressed.

Today, Raleigh Egypt beat Fairley in a game scrimmage 53-39. Raleigh starts 3 sophomores and 2 juniors with a junior and two sophomores coming off the bench. Who's the up and coming team?

Who did you say won the scrimmage game between Bolivar and White Station? What was the score? Is Fairley that good?

GoMab Raleigh Egypt and Fairley will be scrimmaging Tuesday at 4:30 at Raleigh Egypt. Since 8 of the top 70 Sophomores on your list will be going headup, thought you might like to see it. Might open your eyes a little bit.

The ZONE that is referred to is the Memphis City School zone. There is nowhere they can run and hide. The rule is specific and applies to everybody. It's a shame they couldn't be happy where they were. It will cost them a year now. Young people beware; know the rules and be VERY careful who you listen to.

OK Everybody, The TSSAA rule that applies to Jordan and all other athletes that transfer from a private to a public school... "A student who attends a member private, parochial, or public school other than the school to which he or she is zoned and participates in athletics cannot transfer to another school within the territory served by these schools without losing his or her eligibility FOR A PERIOD OF TWELVE MONTHS-even though there is a change of residence." Sounds pretty plain to me...Jordan WILL NOT PLAY this year!!!

GoMab2 Where did you get the idea that Jordan Mincy would be eligible at Mid-term at Ridgeway. Since he transferred to Ridgeway at the beginning of the school year from a private TSSAA school, he MUST sit out for 12 calendar months. This is clearly and plainly spelled out in the TSSAA rules under Section 13 of transfer situations. Ridgeway has been the beneficiary of a number of transfers from all over the city this summer, but according to TSSAA rules, none are eligible with the exception of Rory Lawrence. Believe me, all of the schools that lost players to Ridgeway are monitoring these kids eligibility like a hawk. Don't expect to see Jordan play this yea

I am also curious about this recent development between Ben and Coach Smith. Must have been something serious for Hubie to take the kid's senior year away. Hope they can work things out for both of their sakes. Alot of time has been invested by both Ben and Hubie; it would be a shame for it to go to waste.

Ego Obviously you have not seen Rico play lately!!! He's taller, 15 lbs heavier and can score with ANYBODY. Why do you think he was invited to the NIKE camp? He is always in control, has a coach's mentality (3.8 GPA), can go right or left, can score the three, the pull up jumper, and go to the hole. You need to see him before putting him down. J.P. is a good 10th grade player...but FAR from the best in the city, much less the state. He's a great kid and will do well but you are not evaluating him objectively at this point. Sorry about the mix-up on Stafford. Thought he was the #2 guard at Sheffield. What is his name? Stocky shooter...maybe lefthanded. Since you mentioned Ron Huery, I remember seeing Stafford play and he was a quick little player. Need to see him lately to see if he's improved just like you need to see Rico.

Rico Seay will grade out as the best sophomore point guard by season's end! Mincy is not eligible at Ridgeway and will have to sit this season. He should not even be considered a factor since he will NOT be playing. J.P. is a #3 man trying to play point. He cannot go to his right, has a linedrive knuckleball shot and does not pass well enough to cover up these weaknesses. Maybe he'll get better, but I doubt Terry Tippett is going to base his season on J.P.'s ability to play point. Stafford is a #2 guard. He likes to score first and pass second. He does not have the traditional point guard mentality. Good athlete and can score, but not a point guard.

There was no put-down intended Ego, I always enjoy your posts and think you are pretty perceptive to be a young guy. If it wasn't for your description of the private school players, many of them WOULD go unnoticed and that certainly isn't fair to them or the private schools in Memphis. Many of the private schools have excellent programs, coaches and players, and should do well in the State every year. Many were highly competitive with the public schools until the split, and I think that competition level drove them to a higher level than they seem to have against each other. Would like to see the private division abolished and bring everyone back together again. I also would like to see Cocky play sometime. Bet he is a good one!

Opinions are a dime a dozen about who the best sophs in Memphis will be this year. Coach 1999 seems to be stuck on Fairley and Sheffield players, but he seems to know the Memphis area players. Just wonder what his bias is? Egohaslanded usually writes that White Station, Ridgeway, and private schools have the top players. They do have some, but don't have a corner on the market. Opp, you and TJ are always touting Bartlett and Coach Smith, but otherwise, you are pretty realistic about the Memphis scene. Haven't read enough posts by Cocky to know if he's seen everybody yet, but he also seems knowledgeable. Hoopscoopdre, how are you so in touch with "the Memphis scene" when you don't even live in Memphis? My take on Memphis is that it is too early to predict much about this sophomore class until they are truly tested against each other and proven to be #1, #2, #3 etc. There are several excellent players in this class FOR THEIR AGE. It has been my experience that players develop at different ages and in different ways, and the process is ever ongoing. Its seems that once a player gets a label as "the best" or "#1", he can do no wrong and no one can catch up or surpass him. We ALL know this is wrong. Andre is a perfect example of that. His reputation far exceeds his performances. Many of these sophs are overrated, and several are definitely underrated. Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. If you're interested in watching some of the head to head competition in this class, come to Raleigh Egypt's gym on Nov. 5, to see the scrimmage between Fairley and the Pharaohs, or to BTW on the 7th to see BTW and Ral-Egypt. Bartlett will also be scrimmaging Ral-Egypt on Nov. 9th. As I previously stated, you can tell more from head to head competition than mere guessing so some of these games should be interesting. I sincerely hope all of you "predictors" and "gurus" will remember that these are kids that we are talking about, and they are going to constantly be changing and in different stages of development. Please don't lock someone "in" and someone else "out" until they've had their chance to fully develop.