Memphis Central at Tournament of Champions

[MTOWN21]

ESPN Hoopgurlz.com analysis of

Memphis Central (Memphis, Tenn.)

 

Current Record (as of 12/12/10): 7-2

2009 Record: 27-4

2009 TOC: 2-2 (Smith Division)

Impact Player(s): G Danielle Ballard, Jr., 5-9; W Aaliyah Whiteside, Jr., 5-11; G Nina Davis, Soph., 5-10

Key Losses: G Malaika Moore

X-Factor: F Jalen O'Bannon, Jr., 6-0; W Tia Wooten, Fr., 5-9 Odds to win it all: 5:1 Synopsis: Just about everyone is back for Niki Bray's team. For two years now Memphis Central has believed it could compete nationally, and has, but slipped up in the state playoffs. This year a brutal schedule is expected to lead to the Lady Warriors being prepared for the top teams in Tennessee. The trio of Danielle Ballard, Aaliyah Whiteside and Nina Davis gives Bray plenty of quickness and explosiveness on the perimeter. If the team can get contributions from freshman wing Tia Wooten, it may be as deep as any in the country on the perimeter. The team also needs Jalen O'Bannon to play out of position in the post if it wants to hang with the top teams in the country.

 

First Game

Joe Smith Division

Memphis Central vs Bishop O’Dowd (CA) 2:00pm Sat.

 

Also

Harpeth Hall is participating in the T.O.C.

Mike Desper Division

Harpeth Hall vs Mountain Vista (CO) 11:00am Sat.

[MTOWN21]

Day 1 results

DESPER Division -Harpeth Hall beat Mountain Vista 53-34

SMITH Division -Memphis Central beat Bishop O'Dowd 67-53

 

Bishop O’Dowd (53) — Bostick 11, Huntington 5, Powell 10, Chidom 7, Branschum 2, White 5, Waters 13.

 

Central (67) — Darianne Butler 2, Nina Davis 2, Marisa Knox 1, Jalen O’Bannon 10, Aaliyah Whiteside 37, Danielle Ballard 15.

 

Bishop O’Dowd / 10 / 20 / 10 / 13 / — / 53

 

Central / 12 / 19 / 17 / 19 / — / 67

 

Next games

Harpeth Hall vs TBD (Mon. 2:00pm)

 

#10 Memphis Central will face #9 Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) Mon. 3:30pm

[GCPioneer]

Good luck to memphis central. Mtown, what kind of looks is ballard and whiteside getting from colleges? Major, midmajor, naia? I only saw them play twice and that was last year in the state tournaments. I know they're getting exposure from all over the country playing in these tournaments which is good for them. I've also heard that coach bray has connections all over to get her kids into the best college possible for them. She's got a great program going at central.

[HoopMD]

Have not seen any updates on Mem. Central. How are they doing at the Nike T.O.C.?

[GCPioneer]

I read on the commercial appeal where they lost their final 2 games to Long Beach Poly and I forget who else they played. I believe they finished up 1-2 in the tournament.

[PHargis]

Have not seen any updates on Mem. Central. How are they doing at the Nike T.O.C.?

TOC?? Exposure. Looking at all of the signees in Tennessee, they have already been exposed. Memphis Central just needed some more.

[HoopMD]

I've just been introduced to HoopGurlz. After doing some reading there it seems that all the big time players there were known. Seems it was all about who would step up for their respective teams. Interesting to to note that the concensus was that the team that prevailed at the T.O.C. would have a leg up on the HS National Champ. If they can withstand their homestates league play. California seems to dominate that tourney.

[PHargis]

Those tournaments sell newspapers and shoes and the only ones making money are the promoters. And what does the HS national champions mean. Those who have paid the money to go to the events. There are 30 schools within 40 miles on Nashville who have competitive players. Its true California has been a hotbed but not as much now as before but if you look at the census, states around California are going to be stronger. People are moving out of California. Only the tournaments are left. Fussell is legitimate at Baylor but a little short. Advante will only be a role player at UT, a good player but small. Martin did get some good players but time will tell on how they develop. There are 30 schools with 40 players or more within 40 miles of Nashville that can play. The difference in Tennessee is coaching. Memphis is beginning to catch up with coaching but just placing a lot of good players at the same schools. So all of this hype only means some schools don't want to compete in state, they just want to travel out of state, get some promoter hoopguru to promote a tournament, and take the emphasis off of the good schools in the States. What a scheme and it won't work. they are trying to sell newspapers, shoes, athletic apparel and your tourist $$$$$$. And when you hear that the ticket price from TSSAA is going up, just remember that spending money out of state to attend those events, takes away money from the state and promoting Basketball here.

[EastTNFan7]

Those tournaments sell newspapers and shoes and the only ones making money are the promoters. And what does the HS national champions mean. Those who have paid the money to go to the events. There are 30 schools within 40 miles on Nashville who have competitive players. Its true California has been a hotbed but not as much now as before but if you look at the census, states around California are going to be stronger. People are moving out of California. Only the tournaments are left. Fussell is legitimate at Baylor but a little short. Advante will only be a role player at UT, a good player but small. Martin did get some good players but time will tell on how they develop. There are 30 schools with 40 players or more within 40 miles of Nashville that can play. The difference in Tennessee is coaching. Memphis is beginning to catch up with coaching but just placing a lot of good players at the same schools. So all of this hype only means some schools don't want to compete in state, they just want to travel out of state, get some promoter hoopguru to promote a tournament, and take the emphasis off of the good schools in the States. What a scheme and it won't work. they are trying to sell newspapers, shoes, athletic apparel and your tourist $$$$$$. And when you hear that the ticket price from TSSAA is going up, just remember that spending money out of state to attend those events, takes away money from the state and promoting Basketball here.

 

Dude...I don't know if you're just obsessed with this topic or jealous. I've read your previous posts on teams playing out of state, and I'm beginning to wonder... Just let it go man. Teams play out of state. There's nothing wrong with that. Several teams in East TN either play out of state, or host tournaments that bring teams in from outside the borders. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. If Memphis Central wants to travel to Phoenix, great for them...same for Oak Ridge or Morristown West or anyone else who wants to go.

 

The GreenBank Classic in Greeneville, TN, is one of the best holiday girls tournaments in the state. Many great teams have won that, and went on to win state (South Greene, Wilson Central, Oak Ridge). Mount Juliet is defending champion. But oh! They are bringing in teams from Alabama, Florida and Kentucky! What a shame!

 

Teams in Morristown, Jefferson County, Sevier County and others in East Tennessee and across the state are playing in tournaments in Kentucky, South Carolina, Georgia and Missouri. Memphis Central isn't the only one doing it, so stop attacking them on their threads. Just take a breath. Accept that teams like to go to new places and reward their student athletes with trips to Hilton Head or Phoenix or wherever. But for the good of everyone on CoachT, stop with your personal crusade against playing out-of-state competition. Let it go!

[icecold06]

Those tournaments sell newspapers and shoes and the only ones making money are the promoters. And what does the HS national champions mean. Those who have paid the money to go to the events. There are 30 schools within 40 miles on Nashville who have competitive players. Its true California has been a hotbed but not as much now as before but if you look at the census, states around California are going to be stronger. People are moving out of California. Only the tournaments are left. Fussell is legitimate at Baylor but a little short. Advante will only be a role player at UT, a good player but small. Martin did get some good players but time will tell on how they develop. There are 30 schools with 40 players or more within 40 miles of Nashville that can play. The difference in Tennessee is coaching. Memphis is beginning to catch up with coaching but just placing a lot of good players at the same schools. So all of this hype only means some schools don't want to compete in state, they just want to travel out of state, get some promoter hoopguru to promote a tournament, and take the emphasis off of the good schools in the States. What a scheme and it won't work. they are trying to sell newspapers, shoes, athletic apparel and your tourist $$$$$$. And when you hear that the ticket price from TSSAA is going up, just remember that spending money out of state to attend those events, takes away money from the state and promoting Basketball here.

So do you have a problem with Riverdale going out of state to play next week?

[BBallExtreme]

Those tournaments sell newspapers and shoes and the only ones making money are the promoters. And what does the HS national champions mean. Those who have paid the money to go to the events. There are 30 schools within 40 miles on Nashville who have competitive players. Its true California has been a hotbed but not as much now as before but if you look at the census, states around California are going to be stronger. People are moving out of California. Only the tournaments are left. Fussell is legitimate at Baylor but a little short. Advante will only be a role player at UT, a good player but small. Martin did get some good players but time will tell on how they develop. There are 30 schools with 40 players or more within 40 miles of Nashville that can play. The difference in Tennessee is coaching. Memphis is beginning to catch up with coaching but just placing a lot of good players at the same schools. So all of this hype only means some schools don't want to compete in state, they just want to travel out of state, get some promoter hoopguru to promote a tournament, and take the emphasis off of the good schools in the States. What a scheme and it won't work. they are trying to sell newspapers, shoes, athletic apparel and your tourist $$$$$$. And when you hear that the ticket price from TSSAA is going up, just remember that spending money out of state to attend those events, takes away money from the state and promoting Basketball here.

OMG! Before you get personal with specific girls at least know what school ther're playing for--Fussell is at TEXAS having a breakout freshman year, not Baylor...and know their NAME--Avant is coming off an injury at UT, if she's just a role player, why not play your role at one of the best programs in the country? What exactly do these specific players have to do with out of state tournaments anyway? Are you sober? I can't make heads or tails of half of the things you post, and what I can understand is absolutely incorrect!

[PHargis]

So do you have a problem with Riverdale going out of state to play next week?

Really not. nor do I have a problem with MC or anyone else going out of State but under the auspices of trying to contend for a mythical national championship is pushing it a little. If any of these schools had taken the position of establishing themselves in-state before having someone self proclaim their right to a position that goes out a little far. In MC's defense, they did come to Riverdale pre season and they will be in the Boro 1-22-11. If MD is correct in his conversation with whoever started those rankings, it is again being misrepresented. Some of these events are for exposure. The players are for real, I'm sure. But so are some of the other great players in this state also. You don't see them proclaiming anything for the betterment of their player or players. This likely cannot be settled until like it was last year at State. But maybe not then. The records are the records and who they have played are the same. Wilson and Mt Juliet alsong with Riverdale and Clarksville along with Jackson County, Tennessee and

Science Hill and numerous other schools will just wait around to see what will happen. MC is a great school but so are others.

Edited December 25, 2010 by PHargis