Can Memphis boys high school basketball teams win all five state championships?
That is the question and it will be answered next week at the boys state tournament in Murfreesboro (March 12-15).
Memphis area boys prep basketball has always been good — producing state champions, McDonald’s All-Americans, numerous college players — but this year could be a record-setting year for the number of teams winning state championships.
Memphis teams have already extended their string to 11 consecutive years with at least one state championship trophy, but is this the year Memphis takes home all the hardware? The only time that has ever happened was in 1979 when Bolton (A), East (AA) and Northside (AAA) swept the titles.
Last week in Nashville at the Division 2 state tournament at Lipscomb University, local teams won both trophies (Gold Balls).
In Division 2 Class A, Harding Academy needed overtime and the play of Marlon Brown to wrestle the state title away from Tipton-Rosemark Academy and Briarcrest’s Elgin Lee was on fire as Briarcrest Christian defeated Christian Brothers for the Division 2 Class AA championship.
Memphis is sending a strong group of teams to next weeks Division 1 tournament.
In Class AAA, Ridgeway (31-3) and White Station (23-12) are both capable of winning the eight-team tournament. Ridgeway, led by senior (6-foot-4) Jason Jones a UTEP signee, is loaded with talent and Coach Wes Henning has won state titles. Chris Downey (6-0) and Sampson Carter (6-7) are two other seniors that can help lead the Roadrunners.
White Station, coached by Jesus Patino, picked up 6-8 junior Ferrakohn Hall for its sectional game and that may be the addition that gives the Spartans the Gold Ball. Hall transferred to White Station at the beginning of the school year, but by TSSAA rules was ineligible for one year from the last game he played at MUS in 2006-07. Hall joins sophomore sensation (6-0) Joe Jackson, but like Ridgeway, White Station is not a one or two-man team. Senior (6-3) Kaylon Durham has played well lately and other Spartans are capable and willing to take over.
Both the Roadrunners and Spartans will represent District 15-AAA, the toughest district in the state.
In AA, Mitchell (23-8) has been the state runnerup the past two seasons, but Coach Jerry Johnson’s Tigers have been rolling in post season play. This could be the year they exchange the Silver Ball (for state runnerup) for the Gold Ball if seniors like (6-2) Ken Torry, (6-5) Lewis McCarter and (6-6) Armonti Burditt continue to play well.
In Class A, watch out for Coach Gerald Harris’ Manassas squad. With 6-foot-8 Reginald Buckner roaming the paint opponents struggle to score. Buckner and (6-0) Derrick Richard rarely have any problems scoring, giving Manassas (32-4) a good opportunity to win its first state title.
Speaking of state titles, here is a list of state titles Memphis boys teams have won in basketball the past 10 years:
2008 — Briarcrest (D2AA), Harding (D2A)
2007 — MUS (D2)
2006 — Hamilton (AAA)
2005 — Ridgeway (AAA)
2004 — White Station (AAA)
2003 — White Station (AAA)
2002 — White Station (AAA), Ridgeway (AA)
2001 — Bartlett (AAA), BTW (AA)
2000 — White Station (AAA), Ridgeway (AA)
1999 — Carver (AA)
1998 — Kingsbury (AA)
But, don’t forget the girls. Today the girls Division 1 tournament begins in Murfreesboro.
Only two area teams are competing, and both are in Class AAA. Millington (34-1) opens quarterfinal action Thursday at 2 p.m. vs. Greeneville and Bartlett (19-7) has the late game at 8:30 p.m. against Wilson Central. The Lady Trojans coached by Stan Gatlin have turned it up a notch during postseason play, winning district, region and sectional titles. Sophomore Jasmine Newsome has really been playing well. Bartlett, coached by Lynn Whitefield, has only lost to Millington since star junior Jasmine James returned after the Christmas break. Either team is capable of winning the title in a wide-open field of eight teams.
Also, last week at the Division 2 tournament, Lausanne defeated SBEC for the D2-A state championship.
Girls state champions over the years include:
2008 — Lausanne (D2A)
2006 — Hillcrest (AA)
2004 — Briarcrest (D2)
2001 — Briarcrest (D2)
1998 — Briarcrest (D2)
1985 — Melrose (AAA)
1981 — BTW (AA)
1928 — Millington
1922 — Central
in The Preps World
Responses to “Memphis boys basketball - Best in the state”
March 5th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
As I’m sure you are aware, the history of prep basketball in Memphis extends well beyond the 10 years you noted.
Back in my day of the 70’s, MUS, Harding, East, Hamilton and several others were always competing for a state title.
The re-classification has watered down the competition somewhat, where winning a state title is a little easier than it was back then. But Memphis area teams have always been in the forefront of prep basketball in this state.
Nice scribble.
March 5th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
MoonDog
Very true, the history runs far deeper than the past 10 years. Memphis has been a dominate player in the state for a long time.
In the 90s alone, Kingsbury (1991, AA), Hamilton (1991, AAA), Fairley (1993, AAA), East (1996, AAA) also won titles and Memphis won 16 titles in the 80s and 10 more in the 70s..
March 5th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
My nephew plays for Harding Academy and I’ve seen Marlon Brown play football and basketball. He’s a naturally gifted athlete and he should garner a lot of attention from area schools.
If I remember correctly, MUS and Harding each won a AA title in 77 and 78. That was a long time ago, as much as I hate to admit my advancing years. I believe there was one year in the 70’s where Memphis area teams swept all three titles.
Thanks for letting me walk down memory lane with you.
March 5th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
As a Harding grad and former player, I was that I could say that we’ve won a state title before, but we have not until this year. The team in ‘78 that you are referring to, led by Hubie Smith, lost in the sub-state round, I believe. I do agree that it is alot easier to win state these days. I believe that Harding had not made it to state until the public/private split, however, we were always one of the best private schools most years.
March 5th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Moondog and Tigerfan
In 1979 Memphis won all the state titles. Hopefully we can do that again this year.
I believe the 1978 Harding team won the sub-state, but lost the first round in the state tourney. MUS also did not win a state title until last year in D2. But, both MUS and Harding had excellent teams that could compete with the best in the state back when everyone was in the same class.
March 5th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I played for Bishop Byrne between 77-80. MUS and Harding routinely thumped us in basketball. We beat them in football with regularity though. I remember playing against Hubie my Sophomore year at Bishop Byrne. Did he graduate in 78 or 79?
MUS was always good - that 1-3-1 zone coach Peters employed was very effective. I recall a game we played against them in 79, maybe 80. MUS had a point guard named Rose. I was a football player first, and was 6′4″ and 225 at the time. Rose was maybe 5′6″ and 130. During that game he was a on breakaway for an easy two. I tried chasing him down but he was too quick. After the game coach Peters told me I looked like a giant rat chasing a piece of cheese. I always liked coach Peters and had a great deal of respect for him.
See what I meant by that being a long time ago? I’m glad you cleared everything up David because I obviously didn’t remember correctly.
This has been a fun post.
March 5th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Scott Rose was very, very quick. He could get to the basket against anyone. He graduated from MUS in 82. Scott went on to play at the University of Arkansas.
Yes, MUS always ran a great 1-3-1 defense that was difficult on opponents and you’ll not find a coach better than Jerry Peters. But, the Briarcrest team in 1982-83 with John Wilfong at the point played the best 1-3-1 I’ve seen..
Loading ...
7 comment.