Can They Return Part II: Whites Creek and Hamilton
Preview Class AA postseason tournaments with our four part series, Can They Return?
In Part I @PrepHoopsTN looked at Tyner Academy and Stratford. In Part II we dissect Whites Creek and Hamilton.
Whites Creek
Instability does not precede greatness often. For Whites Creek (4-24) a few shimmering moments hardly brightened a deep blue night sky. A night sky that continues to this day.
Whites Creek advanced to their tenth state tournament last spring after a parent and coach fought just a week prior. Without their Head Coach Carlton Battle WCHS still benefitted from a shocking MLK upset of undefeated East Nashville Magnet. Though Whites Creek stumbled into the state tournament in 2017-2018, despite their District 10 fourth place finish and region 5 runner-up, the Cobras did make the dance.
Under new Head Coach Rodney English Whites Creek was brutally bad from the first preseason contest. Poor teams from other districts, including Independence High, upended a talented team. The talent became disillusioned and the team lost both ambition and drive.
Outside of the four wins against unremarkable teams Whites Creek finished within ten points of three opponents.
Worse than forgettable. This season for WCHS was memorably disturbing.
Chance of return: 0%
Hamilton
Hamilton suffered a mass exodus after their state title. Can they return? Unlikely.
Hamilton’s entire senior class graduated from the 34-2 State Champion team. MVP Martrell Brooks was a fantastic everything. Jordan Johnson scored as well as any guard in the state. Kevon McMahan steadied his Wildcats. All three graduated.
Kevin Brown was lured to Wooddale. Best underclassmen (Michael Malone) transferred to Briarcrest Christian.
Hamilton suffered a mass exodus after their state title. Can they return? Unlikely.
The new creation known as Wooddale and Raleigh-Egypt are probably the two best Class AA teams in the state and they are both in Hamilton’s regional event. While Hamilton did defeat Raleigh-Egypt 77-72 in early December it is difficult to envision Deovaunta Williams (PrepHoopsTN #10) sputtering to a premature HS career ending at Hamilton High Wildcat claws.
Chance of return: 30%
For the best statewide coverage follow @PrepHoopsTN.
Know you are overlooked? Underrated? Sign up for the . Tips February 24th.