3 takeaways from Memphis East’s win over Knoxville Catholic
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The Memphis East Mustangs (5-1) needed a strong second half offensive performance to defeat the Knoxville Catholic Fighting Irish (5-1), 64-59, Thursday night in Stephen Jackson’s Battle in the Bluff High School Showcase at Bartlett High School. This was a…
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Continue ReadingThe Memphis East Mustangs (5-1) needed a strong second half offensive performance to defeat the Knoxville Catholic Fighting Irish (5-1), 64-59, Thursday night in Stephen Jackson’s Battle in the Bluff High School Showcase at Bartlett High School.
This was a competitive matchup between two of the best programs in the state of Tennessee.
Here are three takeaways from the matchup.
Alijah Curry Alijah Curry 6'8" | PF Camden | 2024 State #314 Nation NJ grew up
Memphis East needed a big game from the sophomore forward Thursday night to even have a chance at defeating Knoxville Catholic. Curry was huge in the second half, as he was able to get much-needed offensive rebounds and putbacks to steer the Mustangs’ offense in the right direction. Curry helped his team erase a 35-25 halftime deficit in the third quarter by making some timely shots at the rim.
Up 62-59 in the waning seconds, the 6-foot-8 forward put the nail in the coffin with his two free throws. Curry went 4 for 5 from the charity stripe, finishing the night with a team-high 22 points.
This was, sort of, like Curry’s coming out party. Division 1 college programs were in attendance, and he played well enough on a big stage when the lights were all on him.
“I was very happy with his performance,” Memphis East head coach Javonte Holmes said. “I got on him at halftime for only having two rebounds. I could care less about points. Dominate the game by rebounding the ball. Rebounding the ball will change your life.”
Blue Cain Blue Cain 6'4" | SG IMG Academy | 2023 State #102 Nation FL and B.J. Edwards are hard to contain
Senior point B.J. Edwards and junior shooting guard Blue Cain combined to score 22 of the Fighting Irish’s 35 first-half points. Edwards, a Tennessee commit, cooled off in the second half, scoring just three points, but Cain kept a hot hand.
The 6-4 sniper made one 3 to tie the 54-all after junior guard Jamarion Harvey made one from the top of the key to give the Mustangs their first lead of the night. Then, Cain made another one to put Knoxville Catholic back up by one before Memphis East took the lead for good.
A seasoned backcourt like Edwards and Cain is hard for a lot of teams to contain. Both have played in a lot of big games and have made big shots when their team needed them. Thursday night was just another opportunity to show why they belong in the spotlight.
Holmes knew it would be difficult, but luckily, he had the guards that were up for the challenge.
“I knew we were conditioned, and I never saw anyone press them for a whole game,” Holmes said. “I knew my guys, EJ (Smith), Woodie ( Jamarion Harvey Jamarion Harvey 6'0" | SG Memphis East | 2023 State TN ), and Billy (Richmond) were conditioned enough to eventually try to wear them down.”
Cain finished the night with a game-high 26 points. Senior guard Presley Patterson was a sniper on the floor as well. He finished with nine points.
Smith started the Mustangs’ fourth quarter push
Harvey and Curry were important for Memphis East’s second half scoring surge. Harvey made big shots and was second on the team in scoring with 15, but E.J. Smith, the 6-2 junior point guard, really was the engine behind the late push. He recorded two steals, one on Edwards at mid-court, and both led to four straight points for the Mustangs. At that point, Memphis East was down 48-47 before Harvey’s 3 gave it its first lead of the night.
Smith finished the night with 10 points, six assists, five steals, two rebounds, and one block in a game the Mustangs needed a do-it-all guard on the floor.
“The one thing that I can honestly say about EJ is his scoring and defensive prowess has been crazy,” Holmes said. “EJ is going to be spectacular.”