Week 5: Top Performers
There were a handful of teams this week that had at least three players perform well on the hardwood floor to help their schools secure wins.
I was on hand for two of those games.
Here’s the best from week five of the season.
Cooper Haynes, Briarcrest: The freshman shooting guard led the Saints with 35 points in their 68-59 win over Dyersburg. Freshman point guard Jaye Nash had seven points and 12 assists.
In an overtime win against Corinth, Haynes scored 19, while Nash provided 13 points and nine assists.
These two, obviously, didn’t want to wait until they were sophomores or juniors to compete and win games. The future is bright for Briarcrest with this backcourt leading the way.
Chandler Jackson, Christian Brothers: The junior point guard led the Purple Wave with 15 points, eight rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal in a convincing 79-45 victory over John Paul II on Senior Night. Senior point guard Eli Federman had 10 points, four assists, three rebounds, two blocks and one steal. Senior guard Harrison Kelly Harrison Kelly 6'0" | SG Christian Brothers | 2021 State TN had 10 points and four rebounds. Senior Sam Lakey also had 10 points to go along with three assists and two rebounds.
Christian Brothers is a balanced, unselfish group with a clear understanding of how important it is to trust one another. Everyone on the floor contributes whether it shows up in the book or not.
Phil Dotson III, Arlington: Dotson led the Tigers with 20 points in their 80-62 win over Fayette Ware. Senior point guard Madison Peaster was right behind Dotson with 19 points and went 10 for 12 from the free throw line. Isaiah Jones Isaiah Jones 6'8" | SF Arlington | 2021 State TN added 14. Both Peaster and Dotson were part of a 10-0 run in the second half that separated Arlington (7-0) from the visiting Wildcats. District play is coming up and all three players will need to play well if the Tigers want to repeat as district champions.
Kamrin Jones, Bartlett: Jones led the Panthers with 16 points in their 94-55 win over Union City. Amarr Knox had 15 points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists. Kaden Smith had 13. Terrance Jacobs Jr. (five rebounds and three steals) and Tadarius Jacobs (two assists) each finished with 12. Calvin Jennings added 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Adding the Jacobs’ brothers to play alongside Knox has given Bartlett’s offense a boost it needed. Now, head coach Dion Real has some weapons to work with. The offensive firepower gives the Panthers a fighting chance to have some postseason success.
Mason Miller, Houston: Miller had 32 points, 10 rebounds and four assists in the Mustangs’ win over Newton. Zander Yates added eight points, 15 rebounds and five blocks. Cal Green provided 20 points and seven boards.
In a one-point loss to Milton, LSU commit Jerrell Colbert had 12 points, seven rebounds and five blocks. Miller added 15 points and eight rebounds. Freshman point guard Ahmad Nowell pitched in 10 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
Houston was already the favorites going into this season to win the Class AAA state title. Now, the Mustang have added Oregon commit Johnathan Lawson, a 6-foot-8 guard/forward that will be able play multiple positions for the team. He gives the Mustangs another playmaker and ball handler.
Taki Walker, Fayette Ware: Walker had 11 points, five assists and two steals in the Wildcats’ 61-41 win over Ripley. JaSteven Walker added seven points, 12 rebounds, five blocks and two steals. It’s a plus to start district play in the win column. Fayette Ware is entering the second half of the 2020 season. It’s time for this talented group to get on a roll.
Jalen Brown, Tennessee Prep: Brown had 18 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal in a 67-65 loss to PHHoenix Prep.
Senior guard Kidtrell Blocker had 36 points, two assists, one rebound and one steal in a 90-84 loss to Dream City Christian. Brown added 19 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal on 4 of 7 shooting from 3.
Braeden Moore, CPA: Moore had 18 points and 12 rebounds in the Lions’ win over Ensworth.
Skyy Clark, Ensworth: The Kentucky commit had 20 points against CPA.
Davon Barnes, Collierville: Barnes led the Dragons with 22 points in their 68-54 win over PURE. Madison Taylor added 11, while TJ McNeal provided 10.
Barnes had 19 in a win over MAHS. Danny Perry added 11. Collierville is 7-0 to start the season.
Grant Strong, Clay County: The junior hit the 1,000-point mark this week. Through the first seven games of the season, Strong is averaging 34 points, 11.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
Zane Lawhon, Midway: The freshman point guard had 12 points, 11 assists, one steal and one rebound against Oneida.
Jacob Beasley, Rockvale: Beasley had 24 points in a loss to Baylor School in the Riverdale Christmas Classic. He connected on four 3s.