Top Players of the Week (Week 6)
The top talent in the state of Tennessee didn’t have to worry about going to class this week as they are enjoying Christmas break.
But, every player still had responsibility on the basketball court.
I witnessed a great accomplishment by Fayette Academy’s senior forward Ryan Parks in the Vikings’ 63-62 win over Freedom Prep.
There were other top performers this week.
Here are this week’s top performers:
Ryan Parks, Fayette Academy: The senior forward led the Vikings with 32 points in their one-point win over Freedom Prep. Parks scored the game-winning basket with 6.3 seconds left in the game. In the third quarter, Parks reached the 1,000-point mark and received a standing ovation from the home crowd. He went 10 of 14 from the free throw line. Brett Culver added 11.
Luke Moore had 24 points in Fayette Academy’s 78-64 win over Grace Christian Academy. Parks added 18. Austin Abernathy had 16 and Culver pitched in 14.
Jordan Carter, Grace Christian Academy: Carter led the Lions with 20 points. Mason McKnatt added 15.
Kennedy Chandler, Briarcrest: The junior point guard had 20 points in the Saints’ 78-76 win over Pace Academy in the Next Level Up Tournament in Nashville, Tennessee. Senior Rodney Newsom and eighth grader Cooper Haynes each had 14 points. Senior forward Omari Thomas pitched in 12.
Alden Applewhite, Houston: The junior combo guard had 16 points in the Mustangs’ 68-41 win over Yankton in the Hoop City Classic. Senior forward Faizon Fields had 12 points, and junior point guard T.J. Madlock added 10 points and six assists.
Jonathan Burns, Overton: Burns had 29 points in the Wolverines’ win over Southland. Jordan Frison had 13 and Jakel Williams added 11. Senior guard Jason Coleman had 21 points in the team’s 56-52 double overtime loss to Jacksonville Illinois.
Decorian Payton, Center Hill: The senior forward had 19 points and 12 rebounds in the Mustangs’ 57-54 win over Oak Ridge. Kaeden Laws had 10 points.
Kobe Wilkes, FACS: Wilkes had 15 points in the Crusaders’ 43-27 win over Demopolis. Daniel Egbuniwe added 12.
Bwerani Johnson Jr., Freedom Prep: Johnson Jr. had 21 points in the War Eagles’ 59-43 win over Brighton. Bakari Johnson had 15 points.
Kejaun Dyson, Brighton: Dyson had 19 points against Freedom Prep.
Reese McMullen, Christian Brothers: The junior guard had 26 points and four assists to help the Purple Wave win the Hoover Big Orange Classic Championship. Sophomore point guard Chandler Jackson had 18 points and eight rebounds. Junior guard Eli Federman pitched in nine points.
Jackson had 24 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in the semifinals round. McMullen had 13 points and five rebounds.
In the opening round, Jackson had 20 points and six rebounds. Harrison Kelly added 13. Federman provided 11 and McMullen added nine points and six rebounds.
Jordan Hamilton, Cordova: The junior wing had 19 points in the Wolfpack’s 68-44 win over Lewisburg. Calvin Jennings and Markelrion Hines each had 15.
Phillip Horton, Fayette Ware: Horton had 17 points and three rebounds in the Wildcats’ 67-58 win over Humboldt. Harmonta Griggs had 14 points and five rebounds. Taki Walker added 10 points and five assists.