|
MIDDLE COLLEGE 2005-2006
Recap 10-10-2005
Middle College based at Southwest Community College and
the only school of it's kind in Memphis will definitely
make noise this year with a senior laden team that has the
experience and coach Deadric Starks at the helm by
claiming District 15 A. Playing in Division A and with
several schools playing down like Manassas and Westside
plus with Middleton being added this year to the district
it will be a interesting year in Division A. Last school
to make noise in that Division was Mitchell when this the
present Mitchell team, then was Division A and made it to
the final four before succumbing to mighty Temple who will
also be a force to reckon with this year.
Middle College will be led by senior Darren Currie (6'8,
200 lbs.)
diamond in
the rough
who has grown
over 5 inches in the last year but has adjusted well to
the sudden spurt as for agility and coordination.
Supporting cast will include former MemphisHoopers.com
player senior Chris Powell (6'1, 185 lbs.) who has one of
the deadliest jumpers in the city and if he adds jump to
his shot it will be unstoppable. Seniors Romeo Lucchesi
(6'5, 205 lbs.) and Jamelle Owens (6'2, 180 lbs.) will add
extra senior experience to a well rounded team and
probably Middle College best team since it's conception.
College
Coaches:
Diamond in the Rough Team with legitimate off the
radar prospects,
(college coaches click here).
|
MESSAGE BOARD TOPIC
OF THE DAY
Why does basketball reward being
left back in school?
|
 |
|
NJ Hoops |
 |
|
Brian
Zoubek |
|
|
|
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
|
|
