MISSISSIPPI REPORT

by Lavel Johnson, Mississippi Editor of the HOOP SCOOP, Basketball Correspondent for Magnolia Preps.Com, & Editor of the Mississippi Hoop Report

Published on March 5, 2008

MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL  REPORT

by Lavel Johnson, Mississippi Editor of the HOOP SCOOP

                        With the opening of a second prep school in Mississippi, the combination of prep schools and traditional high schools have created a deep pool of quality Division I prospects in the Class of 2008.  At the top of the class are a pair of big men - 6'9 Rashanti Harris from Columbus (New Hope) MS and 6'11 Melvin Oliver from Jackson (Mississippi Elite) MS - with the size, talent, athleticism, and potential to have a chance to someday to play at the highest level and three power forwards - 6'9 Isaiah Rusher from Jackson (Mississippi Elite) MS, 6'8 Romero Osby from Meridian (Northeast Lauderdale) MS, and 6'8 Latavious Williams from Starkville (H.S.) MS - who are good enough to play at the high Division I level. 
                        Rusher and Osby are already heading to New Mexico and Mississippi State, but Williams will first likely have to go the prep school or junior college route.  Harris is a powerfully built athletic big man who is a great shot blocker and rebounder.  But it is his improved offensive skills that have positioned Harris for a big rise in the nation rankings.  Harris put on those skills on display in December at the City of Palms Classic in Ft. Myers, FL, where he left a lasting impression with 32-points and 25 rebounds when matched up against 6'10 Eloy Vargas from Plantation (American Heritage) FL, who currently is ranked #13 nationally in the senior class by the HOOP SCOOP, and 28 points and 12 rebounds when matched up against 6'10 Greg Monroe from Gretna (Helen Cox) LA, who is ranked as high as #1 in the senior class in some national rankings.  At 6'11, 290-pounds, the value of Oliver's stock has risen dramatically since arriving in prep school last fall. 
                        Blessed with nimble feet, Oliver is excellent at scoring in the low post, is an outstanding passer, and is an force on the boards, as he takes up a lot of space in the lane and plays extended minutes on a team that often goes to war with limited bodies.  And, unlike Harris, who has to go the junior college route, Oliver is still available and, as a result, schools like Memphis, Connecticut, Cincinnati, Kansas State, Baylor, Kentucky, Mississippi, Southern Miss, and Seton Hall are all turning up the heat. 
                        The three power forwards are all outstanding talents, but each brings a different strength to the table.  Rusher is another guy who has been transformed in prep school this year from being a potential guy into one of the best power forward prospects in the nation, as he's become a physical presence inside who blocks shots, rebounds, and defends with a passion.  Osby is a versatile face-up four man who can shoot the three or put the ball on the floor and drive for a basket or dish to an open teammate.  Williams is an athletic slashing scorer who loves to attack the rim, but can also hit the mid-range jumper.             
                        Another high major prospect is 6'4 Scottie Haralson from Jackson (Provine) MS and this rangy long range shooter with a quick release and unlimited range is exactly what the doctor ordered for the University of Connecticut.   There also is 6'3 Lavance Pennington from Mendenhall (Genesis One) MS, who is a quick attacking wing with a solid jumper, good handling skills, and a knack for finding ways to score. 
                        Behind this group of elite players is are a bunch of mid-to-low players, like 6'6 Markieth Cummings from Mendenhall (Genesis One) MS, 6'5 Nathaniel Butler from Jackson (Mississippi Elite) MS, 6'7 Tyrell Chandler from Jackson (Mississippi Elite) MS, 6'1 Jonathan Phelps from Vicksburg (H.S.) MS, and 6'6 Jeremy Newsome from Okolona (H.S.) MS.  And, with the exception of Cummings, who has signed with Kennesaw State, they're all still available.  Cummings has a nice jumper, finishes strong at the rim, is an excellent rebounder and defender, and has a good nose for the ball.  Butler is a long rangy jump shooter who can really defend.  Chandler is an athletic four-man with quick hops and a nice jumper.  Phelps is an explosive scoring guard with 3-point range and shifty moves to the hoop.  Newsome is a strong athletic power forward who finishes strong around the basket, has a nice face-up jumper, and is a strong rebounder. 
                        The brightest star in the junior class belongs to 6'6 Jr Shaunessy Smith from Macon (Noxubee County) MS and this athletic wing forward has a nice jumper with range out to 3-point land, knows how to get into the mid-range for easy shots, has solid handles, and can flush it in traffic at the rim.  Other underclassmen prospects with high major outlooks:  6'3 Jr Carl Blair from Jackson (Provine) MS, 6'9 Jr Chris Brand from Starkville (H.S.) MS, and 5'10 Soph Dundrecous Nelson from Jackson (Murrah) MS.  Blair is a quick bodied point guard who can get to the rim, has a nice mid-range jumper, and is steadily improving as a floor leader.  Brand is a strong athletic post defender and rebounder who has limited offensive skills, but is really a presence on the defensive end and can really move up and down the floor.  Nelson lacks size, but is an athletic scorer with a strong frame and an extremely quick first step.  He also is explosive getting to the rim and has a solid jumper that's good out to 3-point range. 
                        No report on Mississippi would be complete without mentioning the great Class of 2011, which promises to be the next great class in the state.  Everybody already knows about 6'8 Frosh LaQuinton Ross from Jackson (Callaway) MS, who is ranked #3 nationally in the freshman class by the HOOP SCOOP.  However, other names to remember for the future are 6'5 Frosh Mychal Ammons from Vicksburg (H.S.) MS, 5'10 Frosh Marquis Smith from Jackson (Callaway) MS, 6'8 Frosh Johnny O'Bryant from Cleveland (East Side) MS, 6'5 Frosh Rodney Hood from Meridian (H.S.) MS, and 6'8 Frosh 6'8 Frosh Tyler Adams from Brandon (H.S.) MS