2019-20 preview: Top guards in TSSAA Class AAA
The TSSAA Class AAA will feature an aura of guards this upcoming season. Class AAA is the toughest public league in the state of Tennessee. If a kid thinks he can play basketball at a high level, then he should…
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Continue ReadingThe TSSAA Class AAA will feature an aura of guards this upcoming season. Class AAA is the toughest public league in the state of Tennessee. If a kid thinks he can play basketball at a high level, then he should take his talents to 3A.
There’s competition every night, especially in district play.
I have composed a list of who I think are the top guards in Class AAA. Now, my list may not be long enough, but that’s okay. Heck, a kid or two may not belong on this list at the moment. It’s only September, and I’m still making my way around to watch teams in open gym.
The team with the best guards on the floor this upcoming season will most likely win the state title.
Here are the guards who I think are the best in 3A:
T.J. Madlock, Houston (2021): Madlock made huge strides over the summer playing for Hoop City 16U. His jump shot has improved. Last season, the 6-foot-2 point guard averaged 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals per game for the Mustangs. Madlock scored a lot of his points by slashing to the basket. He also lived at the free throw line.
Jesse Payne, Whitehaven (2020): Payne will give the Tigers a chance to win any game because of his toughness. He understands what it takes to get to a state tournament. He plays hard on both ends of the floor. As a junior last season, Payne averaged 13 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.3 steals per game.
Kavion McClain, Whitehaven (2020): McClain is a small guard, but he’s tough. I guess that runs in the basketball family at Whitehaven. The Tigers are going to win a lot of games because of their backcourt. McClain can score the rock as well. He averaged 12.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3 steals per game last season.
Alvin Miles, Whitehaven (2020): Miles made his way back to Whitehaven after helping Wooddale win the TSSAA Class AA Boys State Championship in 2018. Tigers new head coach Fred Horton has three proven guards. Miles is just as tough as Payne and McClain. He knows how to run an offense. Miles is the floor general Whitehaven needs.
Phil Dotson III, Arlington (2022): Dotson III will probably lead the Tigers in scoring this upcoming season. The sophomore guard is the most experienced player coming back. New head coach Maurice Miller will have to rely on Dotson III to score in the 30s. He’s able to get his own shot off, which is a plus in 3A. Last season, Dotson III averaged 17.5 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals per game.
Davon Barnes, White Station (2021): Barnes can average a double-double this upcoming season for the Spartans. Barnes, 6-4, has weight on him, but he can move. Barnes is a physical guard that’s not afraid of contact. He averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game last season.
Tadarius Jacobs, Memphis East (2021): If healthy, Jacobs is going to be one of the best guards in 3A. He doesn’t talk a lot of trash on the court. He just goes out and play. Last season, Jacobs averaged 14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals per game.
Ricky Lofties, Bartlett (2020): Panthers head coach Dion Real needed a boost in the backcourt, and he got one in Lofties, who spent his first two years at Bartlett before going to Raleigh-Egypt. Lofties, 6-4, will give the Panthers a solid shooting threat. He will be able to space the floor and give seniors Rodney Mason II and Jaylin Lucas easy looks at the rim.
K’Juan Banks, Cordova (2020): The 6-3 guard is a big body that can score from different areas on the court. The Wolfpack already have talented guards in their junior class. Adding Banks to the mix makes Cordova dangerous in 3A.
Justin Borders, Cordova (2020): Borders knows how to control the tempo of the offense. He’s also loves to play defense. Borders is going to hassle the guard with the basketball coming up the floor.
RJ Seals, Cordova (2021): This is another tough kid. Seals is also gifted offensively. His mid-range has improved. Seal got stronger over the summer. He fits well with the rest of the Wolfpack’s guards.
Wes Maples, Sevier County (2020): I refer Maples, 6-5, to a Kyle Korver type of player. He has a quick release, which makes him a tough task to deal with. Last season, Maples averaged 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals per game.
Mason Miller, Houston (2021): Miller, 6-8 ½, is very similar to Applewhite. Both players love to shoot the 3. Also, both players have to be in rhythm. Miller can run the floor in transition. He has bounce in those skinny legs.
Jalen Page, Blackman (2020): Page, 6-4, is simply at his best when he’s attacking the basket. He’s tough to stop in transition.
Jacobi Wood, Cleveland (2020): The Belmont commit gives his team everything a point guard needs to have. He can handle the basketball. He can score, and he plays defense. Most importantly, Wood is a leader.
Grant Hurst, Cleveland (2021): As I said during the first live period back in May, Hurst can affect the game without scoring. He has great court vision and could be one of the best passers in his class. Side note: Hurst picked up his first offer this week from James Madison.
Grant Slatten, White County (2021): It can be said that Slatten, 6-5, could go down as one of the best scorers in his class. His shooting will have him in the top 15 in scoring in 3A. Last season, Slatten averaged 21 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Matthew Schneider, Siegal (2021): The 6-4 guard is another prolific scorer in his class. He loves driving to the basket. Schneider can also shoot from long range. Last season, he averaged 12.5 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal per game.
Zion Swader, Siegal (2021): Swader, 6-0, playing alongside Schneider will cause problems. Swader will help space the floor. He has good court vision going into his junior season. As a sophomore, Swader averaged 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Ray Tyler, Blackman (2020): Tyler’s court vision will help Blackman, and it relieves pressure off of Page to make plays for his teammates. Tyler plays hard defense and keeps track of his man whether or not he has the basketball.
Jaylen Pegues, Hillsboro (2020): Pegues will be a huge help for senior guard/forward Ryan Wilcox on the offensive end. At 6-2 and long, Pegues is very athletic. Last season, he averaged 11 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game.
Kendall Thomas, Ridgeway (2020): Thomas, 6-3, plays similar to Barnes at White Station. He attacks the basket more than he takes jump shots. Thomas was able to get to the free throw line a lot last season for the Roadrunners. He will, most likely, lead Ridgeway in scoring this upcoming season.
Legit scorers
Senior guard Will Pruitt had an outstanding junior season, averaging 15 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals per game for Mount Juliet. This upcoming season shouldn’t be any different for Pruitt. Senior guard Joe Anderson (Maryville) is expected to have another solid year after averaging 20.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 3.1 steals per game last season. Also, sophomore guard Brian Edwards Jr. (Knoxville Catholic) should take some steps forward after having a breakout freshman season where he averaged 17.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
New to 3A
Alden Applewhite, Houston (2021): When Applewhite is in rhythm, he can be one of the best shooters on the floor. Applewhite missed a lot of his sophomore season at Lausanne due to injuries. For the Lynx last season, he averaged 18.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals per game. Applewhite is going from Division II Class A to Class AAA. It could be a big adjustment for him as 3A is more physical and faster than what he’s accustomed to.