Ask The Expert: Clarksville Jamboree
The eyes of @PrepHoopsTN can not be everywhere. Painful as it is to admit we need help enjoying the game statewide.
Dissect Clarksville’s Jamboree with the help of @931HoopsReport Founder Jake Price.
No analyst in the state is more knowledgeable than @931HoopsReport, easily found on Twitter or Instagram @931HoopsReport.
Clarksville Northwest vs. Montgomerty Central
The athletic phenom Isaiah Farrior (PrepHoopsTN #19) spearheads the Northwest attack.
“He is athletic,” said Jake Price. “Can shoot really well. The main issue is the whole play style. New coaching. New everything. Getting their feet wet and everything.”
Northwest is replacing departing coach Vincent Turner with Aaron Wallus (@coachwallus).
Vincent Turner was 64-70 in five seasons as Northwest boys' basketball coach. The Vikings won a District 10-AAA regular season and a District 10-AAA Tournament championship under Turner. The Vikings reached the Region 5-AAA Tournament semifinals in the 2014-15 season.
— James Trodglen (@Tnsports360) March 21, 2018
Jake Price of @931HoopsReport thinks this is a move to stabilize and motivate a naturally athletic crop of players.
“Their most memorable coach Willard Ross passed away in 2007 in drive-by shooting at Walmart and he was the last coach to bring disciplinary order,” said Price. “Now, Coach Wallus will bring it together.”
To Price this transformation is a “step-by-step process” as evidenced by the uninspiring 30-30 tie to an undermanned Montgomery Central High School.
MCHS derives scoring leadership from a familiar @PrepHoopsTN name, Isaac Rankhorn (pictured above).
Tall wing Isaac debuted at #71 in the Class of 2020 rankings. Expect movement in the coming month as 2020 gets a touch up and adjustment. Remember Rankhorn also competed in the @PrepHoopsTN Fall Combine narrowly missing the All-Star Game.
“Needs to improve on post defense and trying to get more muscle on his body,” evaluated Price. “He is going to guard the biggest player from every team and he is going to get demoralized.”
The newly-built Northwest team was unable to punish Rankhorn, the natural wing. As depleted as Montgomery Central is to transfers, graduation, and evading eighth grade graduates they outperformed Northwest (5-20 in 2018) in crispness.
“If they [Vikings] don’t fix their sloppy play, then they won’t compete for a district style,” observed Price.
He was, on the other hand, impressed with a handful of Montgomery Central Indians.
“Montgomery Central executed very well,” said Price. “Lucius Brown, Isaac Rankhorn, Davontae Jolly. It is hard to see who else (aside from Rankhorn) will be a star.”
Brown, Rankhorn, and Jolly appear to be the core. While they each bring a little something the program simply lacks the young blood to sustain itself.
The Indians appear unlikely to replicate their 13-12 season, largely because two wonderful young freshmen picked different high schools.
“(They) were going to have two 2022’s,” shared Price “Rashawn Bowling and JJ Wheat (Clarksville High). MCHS already has a depth problem. I think those two leaving made it a lot worse.”
Listening to both Jake Price and supporters around the Montgomery Central program the cupboard might be uncomfortably bare.
“I don’t want to over-exaggerate it,” said Price. “They are going to execute really well and get a few wins here and there.”
The Vikings just off TN-374 will be slightly better than the terrible they were last season with an exciting trajectory to next season.
“NorthWest is going to have a chance next year. They are only losing one senior after this year.”