TENNESSEE PREP REPORT
by Jim Rothman, Mid-South Editor of the HOOP SCOOP, &
Andre Whitehead Tennessee Correspondent for the HOOP SCOOP
Published March 22, 2005

Editor's Note:  The list of the top players in Tennessee compiled by Jim Rothman and Andre Whitehead, which includes their ranking of the top 254 seniors, 175 juniors, 109 sophomores, and 66 freshmen, three 8th Graders, three 7th Graders, three 6th Graders, one 5th Grader, and one 4th Grader, can be found by clicking below on Whitehead & Rothman Rank 'Em:  The Top High School Players in Tennessee.

RACE IS ALMOST TOO CLOSE TO CALL IN TENNESSEE
by Jim Rothman, Mid-South Editor of the HOOP SCOOP & Andre Whitehead,  HOOP SCOOP Tennessee Correspondent

                    It's all over now...including the shooting.  This time last year, our Tennessee rankings were too close to call, as it was an obvious two-horse race in each class - trickling all the way down to the freshmen.  It has been our observation that if pan long enough, the gold will finally surface.
                    The leader of the Class of 2004 emerged easily enough, not so much because he elevated his game to a new level, but rather because the stiffest competition disappeared.   Portland High's Corey Brewer, the 6'7 sliver with superior on-the-ball defensive skills opened the season with an impressive 50-point outing, but, other than that performance, did little to enhance his standing on the national level.   Although this University of Florida-signee dashes and slashers with the best in the class, Brewer lacks a physical presence and needs some work on his deep jumper.   Regardless, Brewer was voted AA Mr. Basketball in Tennessee.  And deservedly so.  Brewer's success may have been the result of attrition, perhaps.  Memphis Hamilton's Shawne Williams, a 6'8 combo forward, never got his feet off the ground, figuratively and literally, as the University of Memphis signed failed to get his academics in order and sat out the 2004 season.  Williams eventually transferred to Laurinburg (Charter) NC, in order to right the ship.  He was to battle Brewer to claim the 2004 class rankings crown. 
                    There was a changing of the guard in the junior class (2005), figuratively and literally again (wow!), as Nashville Glencliff's combo guard Jamont Gordon seems to have surpassed Giles County's 6'6 Tyler Smith, as the class' most outstanding.   It is not that Smith took a Shawn Williams-type turn South, but Gordon, at a strapping 6'4, 215, stepped up in so many areas.  We were quite impressed with his improved passing and handling prowess to go with his already established tenacity in the paint - which now makes him a true three-position player.  His ability to drain the three and defend out front also enables this ultra-athlete to be penciled in at the two-spot without second thoughts.  Meanwhile, the 6'6 Smith, the 2003 remains the top prospect at combo forward ahead of the fast-rising Reggie Delk of Jackson Northside.  Delk, one-half of the twin brother tandem (Richard Delk) is a rail-thin wing with nice hops and a deadly jumper beyond the arc.  Atlhough he might not have quite the range of his cousin, former University of Kentucky All-American Tony Delk, Reggie can really work with screens and find his shot.  Despite his lithe frame at 6'4, 170, he doesn't shy away from drawing and dishing in the lane.   (P.S. The once-wide gap between the brothers' rankings is narrowing and going to college as a package now seems likely). 
                    The noose that was once the stranglehold on the Class of 2006 may have loosened for Brentwood Academy's Brandon Wright.  No, it is not as if the super-skilled 6'9 forward has seen his skills diminish, but that fact that others in the class have elevated their respective games.  Memphis Mitchell has assembled quite an array of talent for a small neighborhood school and the best of the bunch is 6'8 wing Thaddeus Young, who was just 6'3 a couple of years ago, forcing us to recall the exploits of Todd Day and Penny Hardaway, also from urban Memphis - also late growers.  Young, a lefty, who has developed a terrific inside-outside game, has separated himself from most of the others by demonstrating extraordinary ball skills and finishing power.  However, it isn't that Wright has gone away, for he still remains among the class' handful of exceptional ballers, operating at his best from the high post, where he can dish, drive, or pop the elbow jumper. 
                    Meanwhile, four other Tennesseeans have served notice as potential Top 50 national performers in their own right.  Memphis Ridgeway's Pierre Niles possesses an advantage over the others.  While they must toil in the weight room in order to compete physically, Niles already "owns" the weight room at a chiseled 6'7, 240 lbs and can go work on his skills.  But Niles already boasts an impressive 15'-18' jumper and can slash to the rim.  He must watch out, however, for over-bulking, which might diminish his agility.  Bolivar Central's 6'2 poing guard Willie Kemp will never be accused of over-bulking, but the limber floor general will never be tagged as a "loser" either.  Kemp is what I like to call a "silent assasin."  When the game is on the line, Kemp is the guy that quietly takes charge - a steal here, a rebound there, a deep three, a drive to the hoop, and a dish to the open cutter - all in the Kemp arsenal.  And it looked like he never even broke a sweat.  What's most impressive is his unselfishness and ability to get into the lane.   A real-up-and-comer is Jackson Southside Wayne Chism, a rugged 6'8, 225 lbs. warrior who knows where he operates best and stays there - in the paint.   A relentless rebounder with excellent hands, Chism turned our heads with his ability to slide into open spots inside and repeat-jump for errant shots.  We also noticed how well he could catch while on the move.  Memphis Hamilton's Joseph "Jay" Watkins may not have some of the shooting and handling skills of the aforementioned sophs, but at 6'6, 210, his desire and hustle are attributes that would attract any college coach.  It also helps that Watkins seems to always hover around the rimb with a nose for the ball and somehow finishes in a crowd.  A lack of a true position may keep Watkins out of most of the "Bests" lists, but there's no doubting he would be an asset to most programs.
                    The 2006 class appears to be one of the best in Tennessee in recent memory and it might get even better.