In my humble opinion,
By Darron Thomas
Now that only two days of the 2008/09 basketball season are remaining it’s not hard to look forward to next season and which teams will contend for post season glory. While Brookhaven will be going for an unprecedented sixth straight state championship in boy’s basketball, Leake’s girls will be gunning for their fifth consecutive.
But just which teams stand a chance in dethroning these two powerhouses? With the new alignment kicking in next season the hotbed for boy’s basketball in AA has to be the new district 4AA. With Brookhaven, Bowling Green, and Columbia in the same district there will be some great basketball and an even better district tournament. If I’m ASC or Central Hinds, I would order Tums in bulk.
Brookhaven will lose three seniors, Blaine Roberts, Josh Winborne, and Jeremy Foster. But make no mistake, there are some underclassmen waiting to step in. While the Cougars lose three integral components of their championship squad, they do have Jamison Powell returning to run the point. One of the most complete basketball players in AA returns in Jake Reed. Reed can nail 3-pointers, drive to the basket, solid ball handler, and has one of the sweetest jump hooks you’ll ever see, and plays with tenacity. The remaining key player returning is Sidney Chaffin. The 6’5 sophomore had a solid season and will undoubtedly be a player to watch over the next two seasons.
Bowling Green loses four seniors, two of which are starters. Andrew Wood ran the point at times, he was a solid 3-point shooter, and was reliable at the 2-guard position. Blake McGehee’s game improved as the season progressed and the senior guard had some clutch baskets and steals down the stretch for the Buccaneers. The nucleus of the team returns with Jaron Edwards and Shod Fortenberry. Edwards made a loud splash at the guard spot and led the team in scoring in his first season at Bowling Green. The 6’2 guard is one of the best all around players in AA and possesses the ability to drive, nail 3-pointers, excellent ball handler, and as some noticed, plays well above the rim. Fortenberry was probably one of the most improved players in AA South as the 6’6 junior exhibited solid post play, a soft touch from 12-15 feet, and he led the team in blocked shots. With the loss of two guards look for sophomore Buster Brown to step in next season and help fill the void. The sophomore can nail the 3-pointers and is a solid ball handler.
The Columbia Cougars had a disappointing end to their season as they lost in the first round of the south state tournament. The loss of senior Ryan Williams will hurt but with the return of Drew Broome, Jas Stringer, Brett Ricks, and one of the better guards in AA basketball, Tanner Pace, the Cougars should be in a position to take that next step.
These three teams will contend for a boy’s state championship next season.
On the girls side it will be a three team race also. Brookhaven, Columbia, and Prairie View will be in the lead to try and dethrone the Leake Lady Rebels. Two dark horses could be Silliman and Bowling Green.
Brookhaven is loaded with young players. The Lady Cougars started one senior, two sophomores, and two freshmen. Nicole Smith will be lost to graduation but two of the better guards in South AA, Terah Winborne and Laura Beth Wright, will return and compliment one of the best centers in AA basketball in Anna Mangold. Brookhaven will be favored to reach the state title game next season.
Prairie View finished another quality season of basketball as the Lady Spartans cruised through district 3AA a perfect 10-0. While the early departure at the state tournament at the hands of Marshall Academy was disappointing the Lady Spartans will return one of the best point guards in AA basketball. Caroline Oliphant will return for her senior season and will look to get Prairie View farther into the post season. Forward Logan Tubbs will also be returning for her senior season.
Columbia Academy took the court each night this past season with a roster full of underclassmen. Sophomore Ashton Scarborough emerged as one of the better players in district 4AA. Hannah Martin had a solid sophomore season as well and another starter, Olivia Ryals, returns for her senior season. The Lady Cougars only lose one senior, Anna Marie Smith, and will be in the thick of things next season.
In the north I have to give the edge to Marshall’s boys who had no seniors and only three juniors on their roster. The Patriots qualified for the state tournament this season and should be much improved come next season. I’d have to pencil Simpson in as a sleeper team. The Cougars will lose Jordan Ainsworth but return four starters from a squad that many thought was one of the most talented around.
As for the north girls……Leake graduates two seniors but returns all five starters from this year’s state championship team. Marshall had a great year but will have trouble filling the void left by the graduation of Traci Rodgers. Advantage Leake.
see ya…………
By Darron Thomas
Now that only two days of the 2008/09 basketball season are remaining it’s not hard to look forward to next season and which teams will contend for post season glory. While Brookhaven will be going for an unprecedented sixth straight state championship in boy’s basketball, Leake’s girls will be gunning for their fifth consecutive.
But just which teams stand a chance in dethroning these two powerhouses? With the new alignment kicking in next season the hotbed for boy’s basketball in AA has to be the new district 4AA. With Brookhaven, Bowling Green, and Columbia in the same district there will be some great basketball and an even better district tournament. If I’m ASC or Central Hinds, I would order Tums in bulk.
Brookhaven will lose three seniors, Blaine Roberts, Josh Winborne, and Jeremy Foster. But make no mistake, there are some underclassmen waiting to step in. While the Cougars lose three integral components of their championship squad, they do have Jamison Powell returning to run the point. One of the most complete basketball players in AA returns in Jake Reed. Reed can nail 3-pointers, drive to the basket, solid ball handler, and has one of the sweetest jump hooks you’ll ever see, and plays with tenacity. The remaining key player returning is Sidney Chaffin. The 6’5 sophomore had a solid season and will undoubtedly be a player to watch over the next two seasons.
Bowling Green loses four seniors, two of which are starters. Andrew Wood ran the point at times, he was a solid 3-point shooter, and was reliable at the 2-guard position. Blake McGehee’s game improved as the season progressed and the senior guard had some clutch baskets and steals down the stretch for the Buccaneers. The nucleus of the team returns with Jaron Edwards and Shod Fortenberry. Edwards made a loud splash at the guard spot and led the team in scoring in his first season at Bowling Green. The 6’2 guard is one of the best all around players in AA and possesses the ability to drive, nail 3-pointers, excellent ball handler, and as some noticed, plays well above the rim. Fortenberry was probably one of the most improved players in AA South as the 6’6 junior exhibited solid post play, a soft touch from 12-15 feet, and he led the team in blocked shots. With the loss of two guards look for sophomore Buster Brown to step in next season and help fill the void. The sophomore can nail the 3-pointers and is a solid ball handler.
The Columbia Cougars had a disappointing end to their season as they lost in the first round of the south state tournament. The loss of senior Ryan Williams will hurt but with the return of Drew Broome, Jas Stringer, Brett Ricks, and one of the better guards in AA basketball, Tanner Pace, the Cougars should be in a position to take that next step.
These three teams will contend for a boy’s state championship next season.
On the girls side it will be a three team race also. Brookhaven, Columbia, and Prairie View will be in the lead to try and dethrone the Leake Lady Rebels. Two dark horses could be Silliman and Bowling Green.
Brookhaven is loaded with young players. The Lady Cougars started one senior, two sophomores, and two freshmen. Nicole Smith will be lost to graduation but two of the better guards in South AA, Terah Winborne and Laura Beth Wright, will return and compliment one of the best centers in AA basketball in Anna Mangold. Brookhaven will be favored to reach the state title game next season.
Prairie View finished another quality season of basketball as the Lady Spartans cruised through district 3AA a perfect 10-0. While the early departure at the state tournament at the hands of Marshall Academy was disappointing the Lady Spartans will return one of the best point guards in AA basketball. Caroline Oliphant will return for her senior season and will look to get Prairie View farther into the post season. Forward Logan Tubbs will also be returning for her senior season.
Columbia Academy took the court each night this past season with a roster full of underclassmen. Sophomore Ashton Scarborough emerged as one of the better players in district 4AA. Hannah Martin had a solid sophomore season as well and another starter, Olivia Ryals, returns for her senior season. The Lady Cougars only lose one senior, Anna Marie Smith, and will be in the thick of things next season.
In the north I have to give the edge to Marshall’s boys who had no seniors and only three juniors on their roster. The Patriots qualified for the state tournament this season and should be much improved come next season. I’d have to pencil Simpson in as a sleeper team. The Cougars will lose Jordan Ainsworth but return four starters from a squad that many thought was one of the most talented around.
As for the north girls……Leake graduates two seniors but returns all five starters from this year’s state championship team. Marshall had a great year but will have trouble filling the void left by the graduation of Traci Rodgers. Advantage Leake.
see ya…………
