3 takeaways from Memphis East’s district title win over Whitehaven
Memphis East defeated Whitehaven, 73-53, Wednesday night to capture this season’s TSSAA District 16 Class 4A Tournament Championship. Here are 3 takeaways from the Mustangs’ win over the Tigers. Memphis East can turn it on The Mustangs got off to…
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Continue ReadingMemphis East defeated Whitehaven, 73-53, Wednesday night to capture this season’s TSSAA District 16 Class 4A Tournament Championship.
Here are 3 takeaways from the Mustangs’ win over the Tigers.
Memphis East can turn it on
The Mustangs got off to a slow start, in part to bad passes and four traveling calls in the first quarter. Whitehaven took advantage of the early mishaps and went on a 13-3 run to take an early 19-9 lead. During the run, the Tigers made three 3s and were getting easy scores in transition.
The 10-point lead quickly vanished as Memphis East scored the final six points of the first quarter before going on a 14-0 run early in the second quarter to build a 29-21 lead. That lead would stretch to 14 at the break.
For the entire season, the Mustangs have gotten off to slow starts before hitting the light switch, turning into a team that gets hot and stays hot for the remainder of the contest. Memphis East forced turnovers during its 14-0 run, crashed the boards, had great ball movement, and scored in transition.
Junior guard Zackery Hayslett was a huge boost for the Mustangs off the bench. He had 10 points in the first half and made a deep 3 at the end of the team’s big scoring run in the second quarter.
Smith was the best player on the floor
Junior guard E.J. Smith E.J. Smith 6'3" | PG Memphis East | 2024 TN was the best player on the floor, and it wasn’t even close. He was attacking the lane, finishing strong over defenders, and drawing fouls. Smith went 5 for 5 from the free throw line and didn’t have a defender standing in his way that he couldn’t blow by or score over.
Defensively, he did a solid job of guarding Tigers senior guard Chip Brunt, not giving him space to get great looks from 3. Brunt finished with six points.
Smith had a game-high 25 points and was crowned TSSAA District 16 Class 4A Tournament Most Valuable Player.
Memphis East’s balance is troubling for other teams
The Mustangs had five players to score in double figures, with Smith leading the way and Hayslett providing double-digit scoring during the second quarter. Junior guard Jamarion Harvey had 13. Senior forward Markese Washington finished with 12. Sophomore forward Alijah Curry added 11.
For the entire season, Memphis East has had offensive balance, and it was on display once again Wednesday night. Harvey, Washington, Curry, Smith, and sophomore combo guard Billy Richmond are all capable of having great offensive performances. All five players have done it this season. The Mustangs have the luxury of not having to rely on one player to get the job done night in and night out.
All-Tournament Team
Kyler Dandridge (White Station), Alan King (Central), Chauncey Holmes (Kingsbury), Jailen Hardaway (Memphis Overton), Kristian Spencer (Whitehaven), Julius Thedford (Whitehaven), Jamarion Harvey (Memphis East), and Alijah Curry (Memphis East) were named to the TSSAA District 16 Class 4A All-Tournament Team.
District 15 Class 4A All-Tournament Team
Christian Alston (Bartlett), Matthew Stokes (Bartlett), Jacory Dixon (Germantown), Anthony Medlock (Germantown), Phil Dotson III (Collierville), Chris Sims (Collierville), and Brock Vice (Houston) were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Senior point guard Terrance Jacobs Jr. was crowned MVP after finishing with 18 points, six rebounds, four steals, and three assists in the Bartlett Panthers’ 75-40 win over the Germantown Red Devils to win this season’s TSSAA District 15 Class 4A Tournament Championship.