SOUTHWIND 2010-2011                                                      

     The Jaguars in it's third full year of high school after an half year in varsity play during the 2007 season brings back the deepest basketball team in Division AAA in Memphis and probably the state. Coach Paul Edwards, former Southwind Middle coach who recorded 5 straight state middle championships and left with a 78 game winning streak will enter District 15 as the overall favorite and nothing else is unacceptable. A lot of people will argue but the Jaguars will be a force to seriously reckon with all season long and especially  postseason advancement with a trip to Murfreesboro a reality in the always crowded Division AAA. All four seniors from last years group are in school and excelling at the same time with Darren Gray at Navajo Community College, Nic Mason at Idaho State, Walter Davis at Mott in Flint, Michigan plus Montez Phifer at Southwest. Great job to school administration, staff and definitely the head coach.

    Memphis will boast several big men all across the city and that scenario comes in cycles with us in the middle of one as we speak. Breaking down big men Hoopers staff means 6'8 or more, at 6'7 you have to be special in a sense and at the same time Southwind bolsters one of the tallest teams in the state. Sophomore Jonathan Williams (6'9 - 210 lbs., rivals #15) versatile inside play, good outside shooting and overall knowledge of the game. Senior  Kedorian Sullivan (6'7 - 210 lbs., rivals #) will record many strong games during the season with this kid's athletic ability, long reach, jumps off the ground very quick, shoots the ball from the outside above average and will turn heads all season long. Charles Smith (6'8 - 200 lbs. diamond in the rough) will garner valuable minutes all season long as Southwind harbors all parts of a state championship team. One of the best guards and scorers in the city in senior Darius Page (6'0 - 175 lbs., rivals #) to go along with his brother one of the best defenders in the city who does not turn the ball over while running the team in strong fashion in Derious Page (5'10 - 180 lbs., rivals #) will have a solid backcourt. Southwind has some of the best seniors in the city, to start with Denzel Hardy (6'1 - 180 lbs. rivals #) is a very versatile player that can score from anywhere on the court. High flying senior Donovan Humphries (6'3 - 180 lbs. diamond in the rough), this kid can jump out the gym and will contribute handily all season long.

      Southwind will try to repeat as winners from Memphis of the prestigious Arby's Classic in Bristol, Tennessee December 27-31 with Southwind traveling to bring back the championship as Melrose were winners last year. They will also go across the bridge to the Rumble on the Ridge in Forrest City, Arkansas and boasts one of the best Thanksgiving holiday tournaments in the country as top teams not only from the region but the country as well. Also in December which will be a busy month, the Jaguars go down to Oxford, Mississippi to participate in the 3rd Annual Coach C Classic pitting them against one of the top teams from Mississippi. In January they will play at the Fed Ex Forum vs. mighty Memphis Central featuring nationally Top Ten ranked Jarnell Stokes.  The schools fourth year will be a major recognition not just locally but nationally and that is the case when you have a nationally ranked player especially in the Top 20.

     Sophomore Kedran Moore (6'1 - 175 lbs., rivals #) will be one of the top point guards in his class before he graduates, this kid has tremendous ball handles, strong drives to the goal that includes a tear drop that resembles someone I know. Watch out for this young man!

     This doesn't happen many times at all and Southwind has two other players in sophomore Jawan Johnson (6'4 - 180 lbs. diamond in the rough) and junior Ori Hall (6'4 - 190 lbs. diamond in the rough)  have uncles that play for the Philadelphia 76ers as we speak! Junior Trevor Gibson (6'4 - 225 lbs. diamond in the rough) will help anchor the middle possessing a very strong frame.

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

Recap 10-10-2010

By Staff Writer Harold Rivera

Players:

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