Class AAA State Tournament: @PrepHoopsTN Elite First Team
Memphis East High School ended the #TeamPenny Anferneee Hardaway dynasty with a blowout win over Whitehaven, 72-50. Attending media distributed their own All-Tournament team featuring Alex Lomax as the Tournament MVP.
A little food for thought-only one member of the PrepHoopsTN First Team All-Tournament is an outgoing senior. Four of the following players could be dominating TSSAA basketball for another full year.
If you are interested in the PrepHoopsTN Second Team, check it out.
PrepHoopsTN also begins with the rightful owner of yet another trophy…Alex “The Champ” Lomax.
Alex Lomax 6’1″ PG (Memphis East)
15.3 PPG, 5.3 APG, 4.3 RPG, 4.0 ToPG, 2.3 SPG
Penny’s chosen leader, Alex Lomax missed out his third Mr. Basketball Award to Tyler Harris, but judging by his postgame glee that award pales in comparison to this third and, for him, final AAA Title. On top of his team’s third consecutive crowning, Lomax walked away both with All-Tournament MVP and PrepHoopsTN All-Tournament MVP.
How did he earn the honor after fouling out in the finale?
Despite fouling out in just 19 minutes of action, Lomax still lead the Mustangs in assists (3), made free throws (6), and leadership Saturday.
James Wiseman, 6’11” PF (Memphis East)
16.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.7 BPG
It was glaringly obvious that James Wiseman was the most physically gifted player in the entire event. At 6-foot-11 and a smidgen over 16 years of age, Big Game James is already offering a peep of pro skills. The lefty missed eight minutes of Class AAA Championship Game basketball with foul trouble after treating the first quarter like recess with his little brother’s friends. Of the first 29 total points (both teams) scored in the first 8:10 minutes Wiseman stuffed in 14 by himself. The soft, velvety touch of Wiseman’s long fingers established the speedy scoring tempo needed to bury WHS if continued. Wiseman finished with 19 points and his offensive influence tapered off.
Chandler Lawson, 6’8″ WG (Memphis East)
8.3 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.0 APG
In 2017, as a sophomore, Chandler Lawson earned Tournament MVP on the same Murfreesboro floor. His East Mustangs won their second straight state title during that push and their third this March. While Chandler did not dominate the scoring column his rebounding prowess kept Whitehaven at arm’s length. Somehow Chandler Lawson plays perimeter defense adequately against 6-foot-0 players. He keeps his long limbs extended to deny post feeds. Of all the wonderful Mustangs, Lawson walks onto the court with the most imposing wingspan and positional height.
Alec Kegler, 6’4″ WG (Clarksville Northeast)
20.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 2.0 APG
With Kegler’s gigantic opening day, Northeast advanced easily over a staunchly defensive Riverdale Warrior team, 56-36. In that win, which would turn out to be Northeast’s 29th and final win of the season, Kegler mustered 46.4% of the Eagle points by his lonesome. The greatest physical achievement of Alec Kegler’s 2017-2018 season was proving he is a potential college wing. At 6-foot-4 he simply can’t be a D1 forward in the lane alone. Kegler’s foot speed and handle really improved in the last seven months.
Drew Pember, 6’8″ WG (Knoxville Bearden)
15.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.0 BPG, 1.0 SPG
Coming off a minor injury, Drew Pember seamlessly slipped back in to the starting lineup. Throughout the tournament Pember lit up bigs by stepping out of the lane. Bearden must appreciate what Pember gave them this year because there are certain to be poachers in the coming months. High school programs (private) and prep schools will want to get a skilled forward like Pember under their umbrella. Currently a junior, the lanky 6-foot-8 forward splashed onto the regional recruiting scene with his wonderful weekend.