DYER COUNTY 2011-2012                                               

     In his sixth year at the helm of Dyer County, Coach Derek McCord has the Choctaws in a great position to advance far with postseason advancement as top priority. Ever since Dyer County beat BTW powerhouse in the early 00's sub state game they have been contenders every year respectively. An overall solid group of young men with the veterans have played in major marquee matchups. Their top player is junior Robert Hubbs  (6'5 - 200 lbs., rivals #) where every SEC has offered this young man accordingly. Hubbs can do it all from all over the court from ball handling, rebounding with the best, and has a smooth jump with range unlimited. Dyer County and Brighton are favorites in District 13 and Region 7 with postseason advancement a very serious reality this basketball season for both ball clubs.

     Senior Fred Yarbrough (6'3 - 185 lbs., rivals #) has made a name for himself as one of the best defenders in his class with his strong and aggressive in your face, stop the ball lock down on the serious tip. Yarbrough also does everything else a coach could ask for with his in the right place for rebounds, bring the ball up against stingy defense, get a steal when needed, nail down an important shot in clutch action and you will hear from this young man all basketball season long. Senior counterpart John Hudson (6'4 - 190 lbs., rivals #) will provide great outside shooting and is one of the best shooters in the state hands down. His solid play will be counted on all season long. Another player that will make an impact will be senior lefty Cranston Fisk (6'3 - 185 lbs., rivals #) whose versatile play will contribute heavily during the season. Senior Cedarius Taylor (6'0 - 175 lbs., rivals #) will share valuable minutes at the guard position in a facilitation mode and should handle all pressure directed toward him respectively.

     Dyer County will participate in several high major events this season starting with the Christian County Queen City Shootout that runs the Monday right before Christmas in Kentucky. Then they are off to the prestigious Beach Bash Tournament the Beach Bash challenge some of the beat talent in the country and a great event to gauge the teams position for postseason advancement.  They will also participate in the Hardaway Classic in Memphis, Tennessee to face off against a very good team in CBHS.

      Junior Jamal Ahmad (6'3 - 180 lbs., rivals #), the little brother of Justin Blake who was a all star for the Choctaws and Lamarcus Mosley (6'2 - 180 lbs., rivals #) will round out a very nice rotation for the men in orange.  Sophomore Malik Pugh (6'0 - 180 lbs., rivals #) is one of the best sophomore ball handlers in his class and this young man knows how to create his shot.  Two other juniors that will provide valuable time on the floor are Bubba Bostic (6'0 - 180 lbs., rivals #) and Carl Jones (6'4 - 180 lbs., rivals #) who will provide some inside muscle accordingly.

College Coaches: Diamond in the Rough Team with legitimate off the radar prospects, (college coaches click here).

Recap 12-5-2011

By Staff Writer Harold Rivera

Players:

In 2007 - 2008

Recap 8-25-2005

BY : ANDRE WHITEHEAD OF TENNESSEE PREP HOOPS

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I think there is a book that starts off that way, but I digress.

The anticipation of the upcoming AAU or summer campaign was alive and kicking all over the country in May of 2005, especially in Memphis.

The expectations seemed enormous, having finished second in the 17 and under nationals last season as 16's the Memphis YOMCA seemed primed for the ultimate run.

Something happened on the way to the gym.

It was apparent the Bluff City faithful were not the only parties interested in getting a piece of the star studded squad.

Adidas wanted to get a foothold in the ever burgeoning Memphis hoop scene and this seemed to be the initial move to start this particular ball
rolling.

So the YOMCA was no longer in the loop and the Memphis Pump-N-Run were officially born.

Taking a peek at the roster one could not blame Adidas for their bold move. Thaddeus Young, Willie Kemp, Wayne Chism, Pierre Niles and Brandon Powell made up a nucleus that would surely lead Team Memphis to the promised land.

The summer campaign started with a most interesting scenario as the "PNR" lost a game to the Mid-State Ballerz, who ironically had Willie Kemp running the show. This was an illusion that would soon change, as Kemp
shortly thereafter joined the PNR.

With all their ducks in a row, the PNR set out to establish themselves and put a benchmark on the national attention that would follow.

The Real Deal on the Hill, the first major tournament of the summer that coaches could attend. The pundits pined for the impending matchup between Team Memphis and the defending mythical goliath The Indy Spiece Heat. The Heat were led by the consensus top player in the class Greg Oden and numerous other high level prospects who could actually match the
PNR with name recognition.

The reputation was established and the aura of the PNR was created as the boys from Memphis soundly defeated the Heat and made a huge cry across the land as the best summer squad in existence.

Another funny thing happened on the way to their future endeavors, nothing.

For some inexplicable reason the PNR did not suit up for any of the Memorial Day festivities and was sparsely seen until the Adidas Super 64 in Atlanta, following the shoe camps.

The aforementioned players participated in various high level exposure camps and the three major shoe camps and kept their names on the tongues of coaches nationwide.

After achieving individual success at these various camps, the boys got back together with the purpose of putting the finishing touches on a grand and final run through the top programs the country had to offer. They added Ridgeway jumping jack Ernest Fields and ECS powerhouse Tim Johnson to the fold and things looked bright.

Once again a funny thing happened on the way to the gym.

The time off and the lack of continuity played havoc on the chemistry of the PNR and they bowed out early in Atlanta.

Heading to Las Vegas for the final big time event of the summer, the PNR seemed poised and ready to achieve. After dominating pool play the lack of chemistry once again reared it's ugly head and some resentment among the players seemed to end this summer campaign on a sour note.

This team had the potential to be one of the best of all time. It is truly unclear what precipitated these events that grounded this team for much of the latter portion of May and June, but it truly had it's effect on their success.

None the less these kids are part of the best class of seniors to dot the Tennessee landscape in many years.

The decision to completely disassociate themselves with the
organization that they grew up playing for in retrospect now seems like a mistake. The YOMCA will continue on with quality younger teams and what to make of the Adidas affiliation with the Bluff City at this juncture is
unclear.
 

BY : ANDRE WHITEHEAD OF TENNESSEE PREP HOOPS