2019-20 preview: Which players could be the top scorers in Division II Class A?
The TSSAA Division II Class A league will be loaded with talent at almost every school this upcoming season. Each school lost some key players to either graduation or transfer, but the league will still be good enough to pay…
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Continue ReadingThe TSSAA Division II Class A league will be loaded with talent at almost every school this upcoming season. Each school lost some key players to either graduation or transfer, but the league will still be good enough to pay attention to.
The regular season is about two months away, and while people are waiting for the season to start, I’m taking a look at a lot of returning players who should make a splash on the stats sheet.
Since the end of the last season, I have seen more-than-enough talent to put together a long list of players who I think will score a lot of points.
So, who will lead the league in scoring? That’s a hard question to answer right now, but I do have a long list of players that are capable of reaching that milestone.
Alex Anderson, Tipton-Rosemark Academy: The 6-foot-6 junior averaged 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.2 steals last season for the Rebels during their magical run to the state championship game against eventual champion Knoxville Webb. I have been in contact with Anderson since last season, and he’s confident that he can led the school back to Nashville, Tennessee. His scoring will definitely be needed in order for the Rebels to get back there.
Bobby Parks, Harding Academy: The 6-4 guard was one of the Lions top scorers last season and will probably lead the team in scoring this upcoming season. New head coach Greg Eubanks will need Parks to be hot every night. He’s tough to guard since he’s left-handed. Parks ability to score from inside and outside the paint makes him a tough matchup.
Johnathan DeJurnett, Lausanne: The 6-8 senior forward had a great summer on the AAU circuit playing for Hoop City 17U. During his junior season playing for the Lynx, DeJurnett averaged 14.3 points and eight rebounds a game. With Lausanne adding 6-11 big man Moussa Cisse, DeJurnett will not have to worry about seeing a lot of double teams. In one-on-one situations, he’s going to cause damage. DeJurnett should average a double-double in 2019.
Jalen Bo Montgomery, Lausanne: The 6-5 point guard made huge strides over the summer on the offensive end. His jump shot is consistent. Montgomery has the rest of the makeup to be a floor general. He’s coming off a season where he averaged 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals. Each category should go up in 2019.
Moussa Cisse, Lausanne: With Montgomery running the offense, Cisse will catch a lot of alley-oops. He will have a lot of dunks in transition because Montgomery will find a way to get him the basketball. Like DeJurnett, Cisse should average a double-double.
Keon Johnson, Webb School: The Tennessee commit plays solid defense and is very athletic. Johnson’s athleticism alone will help him average at least 25 points a game in 2019. His knack for getting to the basket will help him reach that number with ease.
Kameron Jones, ECS: The 6-3 guard averaged 19.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.7 steals a game last season for the Eagles. Jones is very smooth with the basketball. He’s also left-handed, which is a problem for defenders. He can shoot from deep and from inside the 3-point line.
Daniel Egbuniwe, FACS: The 6-6 sophomore had a productive freshman campaign by averaging 10.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 blocks in a reserve role. Egbuniwe played behind Crusaders former point guard Koby Jeffries. This upcoming season, Egbuniwe will start for the FACS. He can easily score 25 a night.
Josh Ward, FACS: The transfer from KIPP has the potential to score in double figures this upcoming season. Ward is offensively gifted and has the height (6-0) and length to make noise in this league.
Kobe Wilkes, FACS: Like Egbuniwe, Wilkes also had to play behind upperclassmen last season. In a reserve role, Wilkes averaged 8.3 points a game. His consistent jump shot gives him the potential to be a top 15 scorer in the league.
Luke Burnett, Knoxville Webb: With Emory Lanier gone to Woodward Academy, someone has to step up and carry the offensive load. Burnett could be the answer. He averaged 14 points, three rebounds, three assists and 1.5 steals last season for the Spartans. The senior can shoot it from deep and isn’t afraid to take over a game when asked to do so.
Tariq Daughton, Knoxville Webb: Guard play will play a huge role in the Spartans making another state title run. With Daughton back to play alongside Burnett, Knoxville Webb has two guys that know how to win important games. Daughton averaged 12 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1 steal last season. The senior is at his best when he’s slashing to the basket.
Uriah Powers, Knoxville Webb: The senior forward can space the floor with his shooting. He’s coming off a junior campaign where he averaged 11.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.1 steals a game. The Spartans could possibly have three players to score in double figures, and Powers is one of them.
Cam Donegan, Tipton-Rosemark Academy: Donegan is roughly about 5-8, but he’s a tough, speedy guard. Donegan can easily average four steals a game. Alex Anderson will get a lot of attention, but teams in this league haven’t seen what Donegan is capable of doing on the offensive end. They will find out early.
JJ Platt, Webb School: The senior guard averaged 16.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals last season. Playing alongside Keon Johnson, the Feet will have one of best backcourts in the league. Platt has something that Johnson doesn’t have at the moment: a consistent jump shot.