Season preview: MUS Owls
Memphis University School was one win away from the semifinals round of the TSSAA Division II-AA Boys’ State Tournament a season ago, losing to eventual champion Montgomery Bell Academy by a single point. Last season’s success hindered on the production…
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Continue ReadingMemphis University School was one win away from the semifinals round of the TSSAA Division II-AA Boys’ State Tournament a season ago, losing to eventual champion Montgomery Bell Academy by a single point.
Last season’s success hindered on the production of the Owls’ senior core (Henry Nickey, Gavin Murrey, Ayman McGowan, and Jack Jabbour), which blended well with the underclassmen.
In 2021, MUS will be much younger, with a talented duo of sophomore forward R’Chaun King and sophomore guard Curtis Givens III.
I was on hand for Thursday’s open gym session.
Here’s a snippet of MUS.
King can drop dimes
It was a small sample size, but the 6-foot-5 forward can make sharp passes in transition. King is ahead of the learning curve as a sophomore than a lot of players in the state. His court vision is just as good as most floor generals. As soon as King grabs the rebound, he instantly looks up the court for the wide open teammate. King’s ball handles are good enough to push the basketball up the floor, which will give him time to make the right read. In 2021, King looks to expand his game by making consistent shots from the perimeter. He’s already athletic with a college body, but with growth as a wing, King will not only make the Owls a legitimate contender in Division II-AA, but he will put many on notice as one of the best forwards in the 2024 class.
Side note: Senior power forward Kyler Herring, who’s committed to Davidson for football, will provide physicality on the defensive end. Herring will also be a plus in the rebounding category.
MUS will have proper floor spacing
For the past two seasons, the Owls have had shooters all over the floor, which made the team hard to guard. MUS will be put together the same way in 2021. Junior shooting Wes Street will be a plus in the backcourt. At 6-0, he’s an athletic sniper that can put the ball on the floor if needed. Senior point guard Coy Stiles is also athletic and will provide great minutes in the backcourt. Stiles will be able to provide scoring since he’s another solid piece on the roster that can make shots from the perimeter. Sophomore point guard Hays Prather is very crafty, quick enough to break down a defense and has a soft touch floater. Senior James Barton wasn’t at the team’s open gym session, but the 6-3 guard can knock own shots from 3-point range as well.
Joakim Dodson, an athletic shooting guard in the 2025 class, and sophomore shooting guard Brandon Nicholson, should be able to attack the basket with ease, with shooters at every angle on the court. Sophomore combo guard Jackson Ransom is another athletic guard that will provide toughness.
Overall, this team has depth, which will be beneficial late in the season.
Spotlight on: Curtis Givens III Curtis Givens III 6'3" | PG Montverde | 2024 State #76 Nation FL
Givens is carrying the upmost confidence on his shoulders heading into his sophomore season. The 6-2 guard is crafty with the basketball, can make shots from the perimeter, can get to his sweet spots on the court, and communicates well as the team’s floor general. Everyone in the rotation will have a role, but Givens will have the most important role on the roster. Consistent productivity from him will be pivotal if the Owls want to go on a deep postseason run. If Givens can average 18 points and 9.0 assists plus limit turnovers, then MUS should be in position for a trip up east.