December 10-15 Report
The stats listed are unofficial but are close to what the players accomplished on the court (mostly because I run my mouth too much and don’t pay the closest attention the entire game).
Tuesday December 11, 2018
Tunica Academy vs Calhoun Academy
From Calhoun Academy
Pittsboro, MS
(B) Tunica Academy Blue Devils 1-0 (A Tunica, MS) 58
Calhoun Academy Cougars 3-4 (A Pittsboro, MS) 28
MS #209 A #7
Notes: Calhoun Academy had a good start but then turned ice cold in the third and fourth quarters. Rashad Ladd (’22 G Tunica Academy) had a nice game and nearly notched a triple-double in the win. Levi Gosa (6-6 ’20 C Calhoun Academy) is a big dominant force inside for the Cougars. He will be one to see how he develops for next level Coaches. Drew Enochs (6-3 ’19 F Calhoun Academy) is also a solid force around the paint.
Calhoun Academy (home team)
19’s
Andrew Haas 5-10 G 10 pts
’20’s
Levi Gosa 6-6 C 7 pts 16 reb 1 ast 3 st 2 blk
Tunica Academy (traveled 110 miles)
Ethan Houston 17 pts 3 3’s 5 reb 1 ast 4 st
’19’s
Bailey Melton 6-1 8 pts 8 reb 2 st
Elijah McGee 5-11 8 pts 9 reb 1 ast 3 st 1 blk
John Dalton “JD” Wheeler 6-1 F 2 pts 7 reb 1 ast
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Rashad Ladd
Tunica Academy
’22 G
11 pts 8 reb 7 ast 3 st
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Drew Enochs
Calhoun Academy
6-3 ’19 F
3 pts 1 st
Friday December 14, 2018
Oxford vs Lafayette
From Lafayette HS
Oxford, MS
(B) Oxford Chargers 10-2 (6A Oxford, MS) 67
MS #72 6A #21
Lafayette Commodores 2-9 (5A Oxford, MS) 45
MS #206 5A #31
Notes: Oxford delivered a healthy dose of Tykel Owens (6-1 ’20 G Oxford), Byron Pearson (5-9 ’20 G Oxford), JJ Pegues (6-3 ’20 F Oxford) and Kylan Blackmon (6-3 ’20 G/F Oxford). They were too much for Lafayette to overcome. Stephon Isom (6-7 ’19 G/F Lafayette) is a good outside shooter that had trouble getting good looks with the fast defense that Oxford applies. Tylen Kinds (6-4 ’21 F Lafayette) has a good size frame and is very active on the court. He was really impressive in the losing effort.
Lafayette (home team)
’19’s
Stephon Isom 6-7 G/F 3 pts 1 reb 2 st 1 blk
Dorian Webb 6-1 8 pts 3 reb 2 ast 1 st
’20’s
Kylen Gilliom 5-7 G 10 pts 1 st
’21’s
Tylen Kinds 6-4 F 9 pts 1 reb 2 blk 2 st
Oxford (traveled 3 miles)
’20’s
Tykel Owens 6-1 G 17 pts 5 reb 5 ast 2 st
Byron Pearson 5-9 G 15 pts 3 reb 4 ast 4 st 1 blk
JJ Pegues 6-3 F 11 pts 2 reb 2 ast 3 st 2 charges taken
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Kylan Blackmon
Oxford
6-3 ’20 G/F
13 pts 4 reb 3 ast 2 st
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Khy Woodall
Lafayette
5-7 ’19 G
6 pts 2 reb 1 ast 2 st
Saturday December 15, 2018
BIGG Christmas Classic
From Biggersville HS
Corinth, MS
Notes: Today is the day of “better than’s”. Their is a recurring theme with several teams today.
(B) Corinth Warriors 6-3 (4A Corinth, MS) 71
MS #63 4A #13
Shannon Red Raiders 4-6 (4A Shannon, MS) 65
MS #106 4A #21
Notes: Shannon is one of the “better than” teams. They didn’t walk away with the win but they put up a big fight. They are better than I thought they were. Will Thompson (6-6 ’19 C Shannon) is a big lefty that anchors the post and passes very well for a big around the high post. Ty Ward (6-2 ’19 G/F Shannon) is a strong guard/forward combo that scores and rebounds. Kentorius Pulliam (5-9 ’20 PG Shannon) and Jeremiah Turner (’20 PG Shannon) are two very solid guards that help run the show. Tameron Patterson (5-9 ’20 G Corinth) just does everything and earned another Player of the Game honor. Kito Windom (6-3 ’21 G/F Corinth) had a very good game. He passed the ball really well. Will Crawford (6-0 ’21 G Corinth) is a shooter and plays solid defense. Corinth is still so young but they have a really bright future. What could’ve been with Corinth this year if they still had Michael White (6-3 ’19 G McNairy Central), Cole McGrath (6-1 ’19 SG Booneville) and Mikey McIntosh (6-6 ’19 G/F). All three are next level players.
Corinth (traveled 9 miles)
’20’s
Calvin Jones 6-4 F/C 10 pts 2 reb 2 st
DK Gaines 6-2 F 10 pts 1 reb 2 st
DT Sheffield 5-9 G 8 pts 4 reb 1 ast 1 st
’21’s
Kito Windom 6-3 G/F 10 pts 3 reb 4 ast 1 st
Q Wimsatt 6-3 F 9 pts 3 reb 1 ast
Will Crawford 6-0 G 17 pts 4-4 ft 3 3’s 3 reb 3 ast 2 st
Shannon (traveled 55 miles)
’19’s
Ty Ward 6-2 G/F 20 pts 7 reb
’20’s
Kentorius Pulliam 5-9 PG 11 pts 2 reb 2 ast 2 st
Jeremiah Turner PG 5 pts 7 reb 3 ast 1 st
Kobe George 5 pts 5 ast 4 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Tameron Patterson
Corinth
5-9 ’20 G
9 pts 2 reb 5 ast 4 st
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Will Thompson
Shannon
6-6 ’19 C
13 pts 7 reb 3 ast
(B) McNairy Central Bobcats 7-2 (AA Selmer, TN) 62
TN #65 AA #18
Ripley Tigers 9-1 (4A Ripley, MS) 61
MS #23 4A #3
Notes: The aforementioned former Corinth Warrior, Michael White (6-3 ’19 G McNairy Central), looked like he was playing on his own home court. It took him a little while to get going but he really hit a spurt when he did. He nailed several big-time clutch shots down the stretch to help get the win. In fact, there were a lot of clutch shots from both teams as the game was winding down. None bigger than the game winning three by T.J. Robinson (5-6 ’20 G McNairy Central). Omari Robinson (5-10 ’20 G McNairy Central) is another very good player for the Bobcats. He will be a good look next year in Tennessee for next level Coaches. Jesus Ruedas (5-8 ’20 PG Ripley) amazes me every time I see him with what he does with the ball. He is so masterful with the way he plays. Cam Rucker (5-9 ’20 G Ripley) had a very good game. His clutch three was almost the game winner if not topped by Robinson.
McNairy Central (traveled 25 miles)
’20’s
Omari Robinson 5-10 G 9 pts 6 reb 2 ast 4 st
T.J. Robinson 5-6 G 11 pts 3 3’s
Ripley (traveled 30 miles)
’19’s
Kyston Dillard 6-1 F 7 pts 3 reb 1 ast
’20’s
Jesus Ruedas 5-8 PG 19 pts 1 reb 4 ast 3 st
Cam Rucker 5-9 G 18 pts 3 3’s 3 ast 1 st
’21’s
Alex Prather 6-2 F 6 pts 3 reb 1 ast 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Michael White
McNairy Central
6-3 ’19 G
28 pts 5 3’s 5 reb 1 ast 1 st
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Montrae Mason
Ripley
6-1 ’19 F
9 pts 6 reb
(B) Baldwyn Bearcats 11-0 (2A Baldwyn, MS) 67
MS #32 2A #2
Wheeler Eagles 9-4 (1A Wheeler, MS) 54
MS #102 1A #7
Notes: One of the oldest and best rivalries in the state here. Baldwyn is one of the ‘better thans” too. They are much better than I thought they were. I was expecting good but not this good. Senior trio of Cam Wicks (5-11 ’19 G Baldwyn), Ethan Carmichael (5-10 ’19 G Baldwyn) and Josh Hester (5-11 ’19 G/F Baldwyn) lead the charge. Hester has improved a lot from last season. He was a garbage man last year and a very good garbage man. He is now a garbage man that can does a lot more. The best is yet to come for the Bearcats too. Kobe Williams (6-2 ’20 G Baldwyn) and Riley Hoard (6-4 ’20 F/C Baldwyn) can both play and should be good targets for next level Coaches next year. Jaden Ward (5-10 ’20 G Baldwyn) is a solid guard that adds extra depth. Preston Ward (6-4 ’22 C Baldwyn) is one to keep an eye on down the road. I know this is about to sound crazy but Baldwyn actually shut down Jalon Beene (5-11 ’19 G Wheeler) as best as they could. Shutting him down still means he is dropping 43 on you. That is still better than the 49 he dropped Thursday night. He just scores….. and rebounds……. and plays defense. Right now his 32.2 points per game average is leading Mississippi and he is only holding one JUCO offer. Next level Coaches need to see him ASAP. With his 2 assists, that had him having a hand in 47 of their 54 points.
Baldwyn (traveled 25 miles)
’19’s
Cam Wicks 5-11 G 12 pts 1 reb 4 ast 1 st
Ethan Carmichael 5-10 G 2 pts 4 reb 3 ast 1 st
’20’s
Kobe Williams 6-2 G 17 pts 6 reb 1 ast 3 st
Riley Hoard 6-4 F/C 16 pts 6 reb 1 ast 1 st 1 blk
Jaden Ward 5-10 G 5 pts 1 reb
’22’s
Preston Ward 6-4 C 6 pts 2 reb
Wheeler (traveled 21 miles)
’19’s
Cade Franks 5-10 SG 4 pts 3 reb 2 ast 1 st
’22’s
Alex Bryan 6-1 F/C 4 pts 7 reb 2 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Josh Hester
Baldwyn
5-11 ’19 G/F
6 pts 5 reb 1 ast 4 st
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Jalon Beene
Wheeler
5-11 ’19 G
43 pts 3 3’s 8-8 ft 12 reb 2 ast 2 st 2 blk
(B) Biggersville Lions 7-1 (1A Corinth, MS) 64 OT
MS #69 1A #2
Desoto Central Jaguars 0-9 (6A Southaven, MS) 61
MS #261 6A #32
Notes: I felt like I needed a trainer after this game was over with. When you play Biggersville, you better bring your physicality. They are a strong team and they love to bump and bang. Te’Lick Barnett (5-11 ’20 G Biggersville) had a very good game for Player of the Game honors. LaQuonn Crump-Mayes (6-2 ’19 G Biggersville) was right there with him in the running for POTG. Gabe Moore (6-5 ’19 G/F Desoto Central) showed that he is not just a shooter. He was off from the outside but turned his attention at getting to the rack and getting jumpers. He showed his toughness by being taken out of the game several times due to injuries but then coming back in. He ended up bandaged and bruised but still got some quality minutes in. I continue to be impressed with Matthew Smith (6-1 ’21 G Desoto Central). He doesn’t play like a sophomore at all.
Biggersville (home team)
’19’s
LaQuonn Crump-Mayes 6-2 G 19 pts 8 reb 1 ast 3 st
Qua Davis 6-2 F 14 pts 4 reb 3 st
’20’s
Hunter Stacy 6-3 G 12 pts 2 reb 1 ast 1 st
Desoto Central (traveled 88 miles)
’19’s
Michael Skinner 6-2 F 10 pts 4 reb 3 st
Jiovonni “Jio” Harris 6-1 G/F 14 pts 5 reb 3 st
’20’s
Jason Bobo 5-10 G 8 pts 2 ast 1 st
’21’s
Matthew Smith 6-1 G 13 pts 5 reb 2 ast 2 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Te’Lick Barnett
Biggersville
5-11 ’20 G
16 pts 11 reb 3 ast 2 st 1 blk
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Gabe Moore
Desoto Central
6-5 ’19 G/F
14 pts 6 reb 1 st
(B) Booneville Blue Devils 5-6 (3A Booneville, MS) 83
MS #122 3A #16
Tishomingo County Braves 11-3 (4A Iuka, MS) 74
MS #29 4A #4
Notes: Booneville is taking their lumps early but watch out when they get going. They were missing 3 players in this game and still managed to get 10 guys quality minutes on the court. Booneville is going to be dominant in the future. Kaleb Guy (’21 G Booneville) played very hard and had a very big game. He was getting close to triple-double territory. Trey McKinney (5-10 ’21 PG Booneville) scored easily from all three levels. Cole McGrath (6-1 ’19 SG Booneville) didn’t have the best night but he is one that can drop 30 any given night. John Adam White (6-0 ’21 SG Booneville) makes the net sing when he shoots. Then you have the freshman class. Mac Shinault (6-3 ’22 F/C Booneville) didn’t play due to injury but three others did and they did well. Josh Dukes (6-2 ’22 SG Booneville) is a shooter with a high basketball IQ. LJ Shumpert (5-11 ’22 PG Booneville) provided big-time quality play on the court. Caleb Gaston (6-4 ’22 G/F Booneville) showed how easily he can score. Some of the best games in northeast MS probably happen every day in Booneville practice. Wow, Coach Michael Smith has so many weapons in his arsenal. Braxton Pritchard (6-0 ’19 PG Tishomingo County) didn’t have an issue getting baskets. Tayvius Duckett (6-0 ’19 F Tishomingo County) smashed another double-double. Tucker Hill (6-7 ’19 G/F Tishomingo County) was connecting from extended range on his three’s and was a shot altering machine on the defensive end.
Booneville (traveled 13 miles)
’19’s
Cole McGrath 6-1 SG 5 pts 2 reb 1 ast
’21’s
Trey McKinney 5-10 PG 19 pts 2 reb 3 ast 1 st
John Adam White 6-0 SG 9 pts 3 3’s 1 reb
’22’s
Josh Dukes 6-2 SG 5 pts 2 reb
LJ Shumpert 5-11 PG 11 pts 7 reb 5 ast 2 st
Caleb Gaston 6-4 G/F 16 pts 2 reb 1 ast
Tishomingo County (traveled 23 miles)
’19’s
Tayvius Duckett 6-0 F 13 pts 13 reb 1 ast 2 st
Tucker Hill 6-7 G/F 16 pts 4 3’s 2 reb 1 ast 1 st 5 blk
Cameron Cummings 6-1 PF 9 pts 5 reb 1 ast 1 st
’20’s
Connor Bonds 6-2 G/F 9 pts 3 reb 6 ast 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Kaleb Guy
Booneville
’21 G
16 pts 8 reb 6 ast 4 st
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Braxton Pritchard
Tishomingo County
6-0 ’19 PG
25 pts 5-5 ft 3 reb
S.O.G. Shootout
Presented by Specialty Orthopedic Group
From Tupelo HS
Tupelo, MS
(B) Tupelo Golden Wave 6-4 (6A Tupelo, MS) 57 OT
MS #38 6A #14
Starkville Yellowjackets 6-1 (6A Starkville, MS) 55
MS #8 6A #4
Notes: Keondre Hampton (5-9 ’21 PG Tupelo) nailed the game winning three in overtime for Tupelo to get the big upset win. Tupelo is another one of the “better thans”. They have several very talented players. When they get their chemistry down they will be a solid team to deal with. Mason Gary (5-11 ’20 G Tupelo) has some bounce and plays with high energy. Josh Mitchell (6-7 ’20 F/C Tupelo) is a developing big that has a chance to be really good. Braxton Bishop (5-9 ’22 G Tupelo) has unlimited potential. Jamarvis Phillips (’22 F Starkville) had an impressive showing in the losing effort.
Tupelo (home team)
’19’s
Anthony Nichols 6-2 F 10 pts 4 reb 2 ast 1 st
London Coleman 5-11 G 9 pts 2 reb
’20’s
Mason Gary 5-11 G 14 pts 4 reb 3 ast 5 st
Josh Mitchell 6-7 F/C 4 pts 11 reb 1 ast 1 st 4 blk
’22’s
Braxton Bishop 5-9 G 4 pts 1 ast 1 st
Starkville (traveled 67 miles)
’19’s
Atavius Jones 6-4 F/C 5 pts 8 reb 1 ast 1 st
Jamarrion Brown 6-0 G 9 pts 2 reb 1 st
’20’s
Zeke Cook 6 pts 5 reb
’21’s
Jamarvis Phillips F 12 pts 5 reb 2 st
S.O.G. Shootout Player of the Game
Keondre Hampton
Tupelo
5-9 ’21 PG
9 pts 3 3’s including game winner 3 reb 3 ast
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Keondre Hampton
Tupelo
5-9 ’21 PG
9 pts 3 3’s including game winner 3 reb 3 ast
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Tyler Talley
Starkville
5-9 ’19 G
11 pts 3 3’s 3 reb 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Fantasy Head of the Class
The best players in their respective classes that I saw during this time period based on stats.
2019: Jalon Beene
5-11 G Wheeler
2020: Te’Lick Barnett
5-11 G Biggersville
2021: Kaleb Guy
G Booneville
2022: LJ Shumpert
5-11 PG Booneville
Magnolia Hoops Fantasy 5
The top five players that I saw during this time period based on stats.
Jalon Beene
5-11 ’19 G Wheeler
Michael White
6-3 ’19 G McNairy Central
Kaleb Guy
’21 G Booneville
Te’Lick Barnett
5-11 ’20 G Biggersville
LaQuonn Crump-Mayes
6-2 ’19 G Biggersville
Magnolia Hoops Head of the Class
The best players in their respective classes that I saw during this time period based on performance.
2019: Tucker Hill
6-7 G/F Tishomingo County
2020: Riley Hoard
6-4 F/C Baldwyn
2021: Matthew Smith
6-1 G Desoto Central
2022: Jamarvis Phillips
F Starkville
Magnolia Hoops Starting 5
The top five players that I saw during this time period based on performance.
Magnolia Hoops 