Top Prospects at West Tenn Showcase (Afternoon)
JACKSON–
Coach Josh Weeden put together a West Tenn Showcase Saturday June 30th in Jackson, Tennessee. Saturday afternoon showcased the speed and power of West Tennessee hoopers. Team Tae 16u proved to be the class of the event and Team Thad 15u stamped their isignia on the event.
Below you will find some of the top performers from the evening session.
Catterious Moore | 5’8” PG | Memphis Showtime 2020
Head Coach Shelvie Rose brought a band of battling brothers. The Showtime team is a team in the truest sense. They have played together for years and understand teammate strengths and weaknesses. Catterious Moore provides complete grit. At 5-foot-8, Moore routinely rattled big, tough Team Tae attackers. Moore can create his shot or finish in traffic…sometimes.
Trashun Marion | 6’6” PF | Memphis Showtime 2020
Marion might be 6-foot-7. He was the most imposing true big at the event. Marion’s gifts are role understanding and post defense. He doesn’t like to drift from the basket and typically lacks the footspeed to defend away from the paint. Still Marion reacts quickly to penetration and helps well off the block. Marion doesn’t have many post moves just yet.
Tahj Patterson | 6’1” G | Team Tae 2020
Playing with Team Tae this weekend, Tahj Patterson (MO) did his thing. What a wonderful scorer off the dribble. Tahj demonstrated a smooth stroke. @tpxpg
— PrepHoopsTennessee (@PrepHoopsTN) June 30, 2018
Marlon Yarbro| 6’0” WG | West TN Flames 2022
This is the second weekend I have seen West TN Flames. The other event they won. West TN battled a 15u team to conclusion and also showcased some nice, young players like Marlon Yarbro. Marlon does most of his damage 12′ and in with dribbling penetration.
Ray Tyler| 5’9” PG | Team Tae 2020
Facing a frenetic defense, Ray Tyler steadied a late-assembled team of friends. Team Tae drew several players together from the Nashville/Murfreesboro area. Ray Tyler didn’t score gobs and gobs, but he did fend off great defenders well enough. Tyler’s handle is special. He doesn’t rattle easily, which is another redeemable trait.
Michael Wallace| 6’5” F | Team Tae 2020
When Michael Wallace (PrepHoopsTN #12) walked into the gym it was clear Team Thad 16u was getting more than a lazy Saturday. Wallace is among the most gifted rebounders in the state. Nobody works harder on the offensive glass than Wallace and facing a bouncy Team Thad team Wallace consistently secured pivotal loose rebounds. Wallace is trying to become the wing his coaches want him to be. Defensively he is ready and the feet are moving. The outside shot still needs a lot of work.
When it comes to dunking Michael Wallace doesn’t care about your feelings. Like he usually does Wallace smashed on an opponent Saturday early evening. Realizing the looseness of the event and his team’s dominance Wallace gave a Superman pose after the poke. Wallace’s day could hardly have gone better. He still needs a jumper though.
Kendall Martin | 5’8” PG | DemBoyz 2021
A sophomore-to-be for Oakland High, Kendall Martin is very disruptive defensively. Saturday, Martin chased down very quick dribblers from behind. When he sets his mind on a ball-handler, Martin locks in like a starved bulldog. Martin’s current weakness is shot selection and leadership. There were tough moments for TeamTae/DemBoyz 15u Saturday night that lacked on-court leadership. Being the starting point guard Martin has to both recognize and resolve through those rudderless moments.
Sabino Otira | 6’4” WG | DemBoyz 2021
Tallish wing Sabino Otira moved to Team Tae/Flightboyz 15u from EAB 15u earlier this spring. Otira is a lean, long-legged athlete. While he excels at basketball at a young age it is easy to imagine Otira thriving at multiple sports. The body control and speed are impressive. Otira needs to develop his shooting touch to round out his game. The open court handle makes him a dynamic and versatile weapon. Rebounding tends to be a strength for Sabino.