District 15AAAA Preseason First-Team
The regular season is upon us, and each player is ready to get going. The TSSAA District 15AAAA will feature a lot of talent from the seven programs (Cordova, Bartlett, Houston, Southwind, Germantown, Arlington and Collierville), but only five players…
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Continue ReadingThe regular season is upon us, and each player is ready to get going.
The TSSAA District 15AAAA will feature a lot of talent from the seven programs (Cordova, Bartlett, Houston, Southwind, Germantown, Arlington and Collierville), but only five players will make the first team.
Here’s my preseason District 15AAAA First-Team.
Brock Vice, Houston: The 6-foot-11 forward/center has the right attitude on the court. Each time he steps onto the floor, Vice wants to show improvement. His work ethic has shown his dedication to improve. Vice is a stretch big who can make shots from 3-point range and take his defender off the dribble. Vice should be walking double-double in 2021. He’s also my preseason pick for TSSAA District15AAA Player of the Year.
Amarr Knox, Bartlett: The 6-2 combo guard will be one of the best guards in the district in 2021. Knox is a streaky shooter, so if he’s feeling it, the net is on fire. Knox is coming off a junior season averaging 16 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. He will need to put up similar numbers to make the first team. Knox is talented to do so.
Outside of individual accolades, Knox wants to make the state tournament. He realizes how important his production and senior leadership will be for the Panthers’ chances.
“In order to get to state, we have to get better each and every day,” Knox said. “The goal is to win state.”
Emerson Tenner Jr., Cordova: The 5-10 point guard will have to grow up fast for the Wolves since they’re an inexperienced group that didn’t get to play last season due to the pandemic. Cordova head coach Terrance Scales will have to rely on Tenner’s production if the program wants to compete in the district. Up to this point, the sophomore has already shown he’s a vocal leader. Tenner has shown how solid of a shooter he can be, and how great of a passer he can be.
TJ McNeal, Collierville: During the BCAT Team Camp, the junior point guard showed how efficient he can be from the field. McNeal can make over 50 percent of shots from inside the 3-point line. He knows how to make the right reads. McNeal will probably fill up the stat sheet for the Dragons and earn a first-team nod at season’s end.
Terrence Jacobs Jr., Bartlett: Jacobs is very valuable to the Panthers’ chances of making their first-ever state tournament appearance under head coach Dion Real. The 5-11 point guard is the most polished floor general in the district. Jacobs can make the right passes. He can make shots from the perimeter. Jacobs is great at breaking down defenses. He and Knox will need combine for, at least, 35 points per game.
Dotson’s new home
Senior guard Phil Dotson Phil Dotson 5'11" | SG Collierville | 2022 State TN III will spend his final high school basketball season at Collierville, the same program that defeated his former team, Arlington, in last season sub-state game that resulted in the Dragons making their first trip to Murfreesboro, Tennessee under former head coach Scottie Robinson.
Dotson, 5-11, has had individual success, such as being an all-district player the last three seasons, but he hasn’t been to the state tournament.
And how much does Dotson thinks about it?
“It’s on my mind every day,” Dotson said at Wednesday’s District 15AAAA Media Day at Bartlett High School. “In practice, I’m on the guys. I have to make it this year since this is my last one. I have to make it count. Everything counts now. I have to make it happen.”
Dotson has not only settled in well with his new teammates and new head coach Cedric Henderson, but he’s also settled in with the responsibilities a point guard has. It’s been an uphill transition for Dotson since he has been at undersized shooting guard for the past three seasons.
The former Arlington High product is taking in his new adventure with a positive mindset.
“I’m getting used to it now,” Dotson said. “I felt like it was more difficult towards the end of last year, because I had just started running the one. Now that I’m practicing on it every day, I just feel comfortable now.”
If Dotson can continue to get comfortable at point guard and make the necessary strides he will need to make before season’s end, not only will Dotson be in position to contribute right away at the next level as a true freshman, but another productive season could have him as a first-team member in a district that’s filled with talented guards.