Memphis Hoopers Game Recap By Harold Rivera

Mitchell High School coming off it's very first TSSAA Gold Ball in 2014 with 6 silver balls in their highly decorated trophy case at the iconic Southwest Memphis High School. The Tigers will be tagged favorites in all major state polls from jump to finish to repeat as Division A champions respectively with the hands down toughest basketball schedule in the entire state of Tennessee. For the record from the Hoopers staff, "I know we are in a transition period with charter schools having to participate in Division A, especially with all these new charter schools actually creating a budget and supporting competitive high school basketball that has essentially diluted the talent pool tremendously on the inner city level with schools accustomed to high enrollments but now tinker with low enrollment numbers", - Definitely have to adapt and adjust accordingly. Coach Fajari Phillips in a short period of time while at Mitchell has compiled a 78-24 overall three year record going into his fourth year with high expectations on the horizon again. A very talented senior laden team with the best three guard set in the state are very well coached and will bolster a solid bench at the same time. A TSSAA State Tournament appearance will not be enough for the Tigers in Division A but bringing the gold ball for the second year in a row should be in accordance or the season will be unsuccessfully incomplete.

Senior Jeremiah Martin (6'2 - 175 lbs., future150 - #) had a great summer circuit season with Team Thad 17's. Martin possesses all the tools to be a very exceptional guard on the next level with his extremely great ball handling skills with good full court vision. His long build makes him a tough opponent to defend on both sides of the ball with other ball clubs guards receiving havoc all season long. His left hand jump shot also makes it another tough factor to defend with strong slashes to the rim and quick jump shots in his rotation of offensive repertoire.

Another solid senior is Kylan Phillips (5'10 - 175 lbs., future150 - #) who also had an extremely great summer circuit season running the point guard position in strong fashion with MemphisHoopers.com. Phillips who demonstrates some of the toughest defense on opponents on every play he is involved with a high motor the entire basketball game. He has a very high basketball IQ and can shoot the ball from any where on the court with good precision and his ball handling is solid as anyone is in the city with little turnovers committed.

Another senior Naba Echols (5'10 - 160 lbs., future150 - #) and the last part of the best three guard set in the state had an extremely great summer circuit season being very productive and probably the most consistent player this summer for Team Thad 17's Echols is a stat stuffer who does a little bit of everything on both sides of the ball with a high basketball IQ of the game who knows how to win with his intensity and tough play at all times in game time situations. Echols is very crafty and wiry at the guard spot position respectively.

No. 2 in MemphisHoopers.com preseason poll Mitchell will start the high school basketball season defending their Division A State with their first Hall of Fame game against ranked No. 3 Ridgeway. Their last Hall of Fame game will be at Raleigh Egypt to face the Pharaohs to benefit the late Coach Dwayne Stokes Nov. 13, 2014. November 22, 2014 they travel south to play nationally ranked Jackson Calloway who feature top ranked Malik Newman (6'3 - 175 lbs., espn - #3) at Jackson State University campus. The Tigers of Mitchell & Hamilton face off in a home and away affair with Mitchell hosting the first meeting November 22, 2014 and everyone back at Hamilton on January 21, 2014 between the No.1 & No.2 teams of MemphisHoopers.com Top Ten as both ball clubs gear up for important district action.

A neighborhood rivalry between two Shelby County High School within 4 miles apart. Over 40 years of history with Mitchell not traveling but going around the corner to play Division AA favorite Westwood on December 19, 2014. December 6, 2014 they participate in The Battle on the Borders in Little Rock, Arkansas against state champions Parkview High School featuring Florida commit Kevaughn Allen. Christmas Tournament this year will be Next Level Hoopfest hosted by state powerhouse CPA in Nashville, Tennessee. They finish one of on toughest schedules in the state that will pay off ten-fold by staying home to play in the Penny Hardaway Classic vs. Velma, Texas opponent that features Quadarius Witherspoon.

Junior Mike Fofana (6'6 - 190 lbs., future150 - #) will provide valuable minutes off the bench with his long reach and better rebounding with his stronger build over the summer. Another junior Tevin Olison (6'2 - 170 lbs., future150 - #) will bring instant offense off the bench with his extreme jumping ability and midrange game. Senior Vintavious Coppage (6"7 - 195 lbs., future150 - #) will be asked to come off the bench in certain big ball games and add strong play.