February 11-16 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).
Monday February 11, 2019
MAIS Division A North State Tournament
From Delta Academy
Marks, MS
(B) Desoto School Thunderbirds (A West Helena, MS) 61
District 1 #2
Sharkey Issaquena Academy Confederates 19-8 (A Rolling Fork, MS) 52
MS #186 A #4 District 2 #3
Notes: Joseph Jaco (’19 G Desoto School) stepped up big in the fourth quarter to help his team get the victory. He went 8 of 10 from the charity stripe in the final frame to lock in the victory. Alex Anthony (’20 G Sharkey Issaquena) is a scorer. He scores easily at the basket around contact. Hunter Weed (’21 G/F Sharkey Issaquena) is a intriguing player to keep an eye on. He is around 6-4 with a big, strong post player body with guard skills. He has some handles and is a good passer.
Desoto School (traveled 37 miles) 61
’20’s
John Parker Ruth 12 pts 2 st 1 blk
’21’s
Garrett Green 8 pts 4 reb 2 st
Matt Dunigan 6 pts 4 reb 1 ast
Will Whaley 5 pts 5 reb 3 ast
’22’s
Nash Vonkanel 5 pts 2 reb 3 ast 2 st
Sharkey Issaquena (traveled 115 miles) 52
’20’s
Alex Anthony G 23 pts 11-11 ft 6 reb 1 st
’21’s
Hunter Weed G/F 9 pts 3 reb 5 ast 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Joseph Jaco
Desoto School
’19 G
25 pts 8-10 ft (all in 4th qtr) 7 reb 2 ast 4 st
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Harris Nicholson
Sharkey Issaquena
’19 C
6 pts 7 reb 2 st
(B) Marvell Academy Eagles (A Marvell, AR) 49
District 3 #4
Kemper Academy Rams (A DeKalb, MS) 37
MS #323 A #17 District 3 #4
Notes: Owen Bartlett (’20 PG Marvell Academy) wasn’t sure if he could even play in the game and only played very limited minutes due to an ankle injury suffered in walk thru. He was noticeably limping when he did get on the court but he made the difference when he did. He showed that he is a guard with high potential, even when hobbled and in limited minutes. Samuel Hall (’22 G/F Marvell Academy) killed it with the baseline drive. He was unstoppable as a primary scoring option. Kix Wilson (’22 G Kemper Academy) has potential and is a player to keep an eye on at Kemper Academy. The guard played very hard and is a full effort player.
Marvell Academy (traveled 52 miles) 49
’20’s
Gage Guest 4 pts 10 reb 1 st
Jaden Patterson 11 pts 2 reb 2 ast 1 st 1 blk
’22’s
Samuel Hall G/F 16 pts (8 in 4th qtr) 4 reb 2 ast 2 st
Kemper Academy (traveled 175 miles) 37
’19’s
Trey Waddell 5-11 G 4 pts 2 reb 1 ast 1 st
Austin Castleberry 5-11 G 2 reb 1 ast 2 st
’20’s
River Keaton 6-0 G 7 pts 3 reb 3 ast 2 st
’21’s
Cash Wilson 5-10 G 9 pts 6 reb 1 st
Dalton McFarland 6-1 G/F 4 pts 4 reb 1 ast 1 blk
Dylan Williamson 6-0 G/F 6 pts 4 reb
’22’s
Kix Wilson G 7 pts 7 reb 2 ast
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Owen Bartlett
Marvell Academy (AR)
’20 PG
4 pts 8 reb 3 ast
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Matthew Hall
Marvell Academy (AR)
6-0 ’19
15 pts 8 reb 2 st
Tuesday February 12, 2019
MHSAA Division 2-2A Tournament
From Bruce HS
Bruce, MS
(B) Bruce Trojans 12-15 (2A Bruce, MS) 85
MS #191 2A #22
Eupora Eagles 3-19 (2A Eupora, MS) 64
MS #282 2A #40
Notes: Who needs a long, 6-4, athletic, high motor forward at the next level? Bruce has one in Ty Miles (6-4 ’19 F Bruce). He had a big game to help keep Bruce alive in the playoffs. Hayden McCostlin (’20 G/F Bruce), Deshontin Malone (’20 G/F Bruce) and Quavon Marion (’20 G Bruce) are three good pieces coming back for Bruce next year. Jarren Patterson (’19 SG Eupora), Camron Culpepper (6-1 ’19 G/F Eupora) and DJ Patterson (’19 F Eupora) all had solid games for Eupora.
Bruce (home team) 85
’19’s
JD Jennings 5-9 G 11 pts 2 reb 1 ast 1 st
’20’s
Hayden McCostlin G/F 19 pts 9-11 fg 5 reb 3 ast 3 st
Deshontin Malone G/F 13 pts 3 3’s 10 reb 4 ast 1 st 2 blk
Quavon Marion G 3 pts 4 reb 7 ast 3 st
’22’s
Mari Armstrong 6 pts 4 reb 1 st
Eupora (traveled 36 miles) 64
’19’s
Jarren Patterson SG 12 pts (7 in 4th qtr) 3 reb 4 ast
DJ Patterson F 13 pts 9 reb 1 st
’20’s
Zack Morris 8 pts 4 reb 2 ast 2 st
’21’s
Caleb Rush G 16 pts 1 reb 5 ast
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Ty Miles
Bruce
6-4 ’19 F
25 pts 12-18 fg 6 reb 1 ast 1 st
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Camron Culpepper
Eupora
6-1 ’19 G/F
15 pts 12 reb 1 ast 1 st
(B) Northside Gators 9-13 (2A Shelby, MS) 42 Overtime
MS #171 2A #18
Leflore County Tigers 3-19 (2A Itta Bena, MS) 39
MS #242 2A #31
Notes: What a game with two teams that refused to lose. Kamiryn Wright (6-5 ’22 F Northside) grabbed a Derrick Singleton (6-2 ’20 F Leflore County) blocked shot and put it in at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. The game also had a feel of one’s. Number one for each team that is. Karltavius Burrage (5-10 ’20 PG Northside) and Kentavious Dixon (6-2 ’21 G Leflore County) are very similar players and they both led their teams. The lefty guard, Dixon and Cameron Williams (6-5 ’21 F Leflore County) have bright futures with Leflore County. Williams is listed at 6-5 but looks more like 6-6 or 6-7. He is super long and has wing skills. He has really high potential.
Northside (traveled 109 miles) 42
’20’s
Karltavius Burrage 5-10 PG 17 pts 4 reb 1 ast 2 st
Laterrence Moore 6-4 F 6 pts 3 reb 1 blk
Leflore County (traveled 84 miles) 39
’20’s
Derrick Singleton 6-2 F 11 pts 8 reb 1 ast 1 st 1 blk
’21’s
Cameron Williams 6-5 F 2 pts 2 reb 2 ast 3 blk
Kentavious Dixon 6-2 G 12 pts 2 reb 4 ast
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Kamiryn Wright
Northside
6-5 ’22 F
6 pts 4 reb 2 st
Buzzer beater to force OT
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Dravon “Shoes” Williams
Northside
6-2 ’19 G/F
9 pts 5 reb 2 ast 3 st
Wednesday February 13, 2019
MHSAA Division 3-5A Tournament
From Cleveland Central HS
Cleveland, MS
(B) Holmes County Central Jaguars 19-9 (5A Lexington, MS) 67
MS #21 5A #8
Canton Tigers 12-14 (5A Canton, MS) 53
MS #48 5A #15
Notes: Holmes County Central has a squad. It seems like guard play is controlling the state this year and Coach Antwayn Patrick has plenty of guards to rip and run with. Jartavia Greer (5-11 ’19 G Holmes County Central) brings electricity and energy to the squad and is an all-around player. Ralph Tyes (6-0 ’20 PG Holmes County Central) is a great passer that helps facilitate the past paced team. Reggie Clark (5-9 ’21 G Holmes County Central) is very solid and has a really bright future. Jaylen Washington (6-0 ’19 PG Holmes County Central) can score whenever he needs to. James Bankhead (6-3 ’19 G/F Holmes County Central) is another high energy hustle player. Next level Coaches need to check out Holmes County Central in the next few weeks. Kelbrico Ratliff (6-2 ’19 SG Canton) did everything he could to keep Canton in the game. He was bombing from long range and is a great shooter for next level Coaches looking.
Holmes County Central (traveled 80 miles) 67
’19’s
Jaylen Washington 6-0 PG 11 pts 6 reb 1 ast
James Bankhead 6-3 G/F 20 pts 5 reb 1 ast 1 blk
Matthew Williams 5-11 SG 10 pts 4 reb 1 ast
’20’s
Ralph Tyes 6-0 PG 2 pts 4 reb 5 ast 1 st
’21’s
Reggie Clark 5-9 G 6 pts 1 reb 1 ast 2 st
Canton (traveled 108 miles) 53
’19’s
Demorcquize Washington 6-3 SG 7 pts 3 reb 1 st
Cedricus Caldwell 5-10 G 9 pts 3 3’s 1 reb 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Jartavia Greer
Holmes County Central
5-11 ’19 G
22 pts 3 3’s 7 reb 3 ast 3 st
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Kelbrico Ratliff
Canton
6-2 ’19 SG
21 pts 6 3’s 4 reb 2 st
(B) Neshoba Central Rockets 18-4 (5A Philadelphia, MS) 51
MS #20 5A #7
Cleveland Central Wolves 16-12 (5A Cleveland, MS) 49
MS #62 5A #19
Notes: I never give Player of the Game to two players but when you have brothers that play at an equally high level, you might have to. Jacob McMillan (6-2 ’20 G Neshoba Central) and Coby McMillan (6-2 ’20 G Neshoba Central) both do so much and are way overlooked. Their skill level is really good. I even heard a Cleveland Central fan say, “Why can’t we stop them?” Well, because they are very good and hard to stop. Fellow junior, Zane Lilly (6-0 ’20 G Neshoba Central), was also hard to stop too. He scored from outside and inside. Leroy Cotton III (6-4 ’19 PG Cleveland Central) scored from inside and out also for Cleveland Central. Jamal Anderson (6-4 ’21 G/F Cleveland Central) had his long-range game on.
Neshoba Central (traveled 140 miles) 51
’19’s
Joshua Isaac G/F 8 pts 5 reb
’20’s
Zane Lilly 6-0 G 15 pts 4 reb 1 st
’22’s
Bryceton Spencer 5-11 G 4 pts 1 ast
Cleveland Central (home team) 49
’20’s
Marcus Franklin Jr 6-2 SF 7 reb 4 ast 2 blk
’21’s
Jamal Anderson 6-4 G/F 16 pts 4 3’s 4 reb 2 ast 1 st
Josh Kirkham 5-8 G 9 pts 2 reb 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Co-Players of the Game
Jacob McMillan
Neshoba Central
6-2 ’20 G
14 pts 9 reb 3 ast 1 st
Coby McMillan
Neshoba Central
6-2 ’20 G
10 pts 1 reb 5 ast 1 st
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Leroy Cotton III
Cleveland Central
6-4 ’19 PG
18 pts 3 reb 3 ast
Thursday February 14, 2019
MHSAA Division 1-2A Tournament
From New Site HS
New Site, MS
(B) Ingomar Falcons 29-4 (2A New Albany, MS) 77
MS #43 2A #3
Strayhorn Mustangs 7-17 (2A Sarah, MS) 59
MS #233 2A #29
Notes: Zach Shugars (6-4 ’21 G/F Ingomar) was steady throughout the game and inserted himself when he needed to. Strayhorn got a heavy dose of Clayton Stanford (6-3 ’20 F/C Ingomar) down low in the second half. Coaches, how in the world does Deonta Jones (5-9 ’19 PG Strayhorn) not have tons of offers on the table. He scores on all levels and has one of the nicest pull up jumpers. He rebounds and runs his team very well.
Ingomar (traveled 51 miles) 77
’19’s
Trent Bradley 5-5 PG 3 pts 4 reb 3 ast 3 st
’20’s
Hunter Bynum G 5 pts 1 reb 4 ast 3 st
Clayton Stanford 6-3 F/C 21 pts (17 in 2nd half) 6 reb 1 st
’21’s
Tyson Smithey 6-2 G/F 8 pts 6 reb
Strayhorn (traveled 122 miles) 59
’19’s
Ladarious Payne F 4 pts 3 reb 1 blk 2 st
’20’s
Zedrick Johnson 6-0 G 7 pts (all in 2nd half) 4 reb
Cedrick Johnson 6-0 G 4 pts 6 reb
’21’s
Corey Ward 5-10 G 9 pts 2 reb 3 ast 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Zach Shugars
Ingomar
6-4 ’21 G/F
24 pts 5 reb 2 ast
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Deonta Jones
Strayhorn
5-9 ’19 PG
27 pts (19 in 2nd half) 9-16 fg 8-9 ft 6 reb 4 ast
(B) New Site Royals 24-9 (2A New Site, MS) 62
MS #99 2A #12
Baldwyn Bearcats 23-5 (2A Baldwyn, MS) 58
MS #77 2A #6
Notes: What in the Magnolia Hoops are you thinking giving a Player of the Game to a player with 1 point, 1 assist and 1 rebound? It has to do with heart and toughness. Colby Lindsey (5-8 ’19 G New Site) had to leave the game due to an pretty nice size cut above his eye. It took forever to get sealed up over in the corner. It almost looked like he was going thru surgery over there. New Site was just kinda there until he came back into the game and then it all changed. He brought heart and toughness back in with him and it was as Wesley Odle stated, “Contagious.” The rest of the Royal team picked their energy level up and was able to come back for the big win. Everyone talks about the best three-point shooter in the state, Walker Moreland (5-11 ’20 SG New Site), when talking about New Site and rightfully so. He did step up in the fourth quarter and get some baskets but the toughness of this team mostly goes unnoticed. I recently heard another scout say that this team couldn’t win because they wasn’t tough. Most people get mesmerized by the glamour of the quick-release bomber and can’t see the grit. Lindsey, Chandler Johnson (6-2 ’20 G New Site), Carson Fitzsimmons (5-11 ’20 G New Site) and Ethan Eaton (5-11 ’21 G New Site) bring true grit to the team. Dalton Pounds (6-4 ’21 F/C New Site) looked good with a variety of post moves. Riley Hoard (6-4 ’20 F/C Baldwyn) had the play of the game with a straight up one-handed slam catching a body. Ethan Carmichael (5-10 ’19 PG Baldwyn) and Gabe Richardson (5-10 ’20 G Baldwyn) tried to get the win in the fourth for Baldwyn. Kobe Williams (6-2 ’20 G Baldwyn) is just so smooth. He effortlessly gets so much done.
New Site (home team) 62
’20’s
Walker Moreland 5-11 SG 15 pts (8 in 4th qtr) 3 reb
Bryton Smith 5-10 G 14 pts 2 reb 1 ast 1 st
Chandler Johnson 6-2 G 5 pts (all in 4th qtr) 5 reb 1 st
Carson Fitzsimmons 5-11 G 13 pts 7 reb 1 ast 1 blk
’21’s
Ethan Eaton 5-11 G 3 pts 4 reb 1 ast 4 st
Dalton Pounds 6-4 F/C 11 pts (5 in 4th qtr) 6 reb 1 st 2 blk
Baldwyn (traveled 19 miles) 58
’19’s
Ethan Carmichael 5-10 PG 6 pts (all in 4th qtr) 4 reb 4 ast
Josh Hester 5-11 G/F 5 pts 3 reb 2 ast 1 st
’20’s
Riley Hoard 6-4 F/C 7 pts 7 reb
Kobe Williams 6-2 G 14 pts 8 reb 1 ast 1 st 4 blk
Gabe Richardson 5-10 G 9 pts (5 in 4th qtr) 7-7 ft 7 reb 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Colby Lindsey
New Site
5-8 ’19 G
1 pts 1 reb 1 ast 3 st
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Cam Wicks
Baldwyn
5-11 ’19 G
14 pts (10 in 2nd half) 6 reb 1 ast 2 st
Friday February 15, 2019
MHSAA Division 1-5A Tournament
Hosted by Lewisburg HS
From Northwest Community College
Senatobia, MS
Championship Game
(B) Center Hill Mustangs 27-3 (5A Olive Branch, MS) 49
MS #5 5A #2
Olive Branch Conquistadors 21-7 (5A Olive Branch, MS) 48
MS #4 5A #1
Notes: Big thanks to Lewisburg High School for moving this game to an arena that would hold everyone that wanted to attend. Another big thanks to Northwest Community College for providing that arena. I tabbed this as one of the biggest games of the year if not one of the biggest in the last ten years. It didn’t disappoint with controversy and intensity. Kaeden Laws (6-4 ’21 G/F Center Hill) connected on the three at the buzzer for the win. Calvin Temple (6-1 ’19 PG Center Hill) chased down the loose ball to get the timeout before the clock ran out to put them in the winning opportunity. Decorian Payton (6-5 ’20 C Center Hill) controlled the boards for Center Hill. The monster in the game was Cameron “Mook” Matthews (6-6 ’20 F Olive Branch). Mook was a beast on the defensive end.
Click here to see the game winning three.
Center Hill (traveled 40 miles) 49
’19’s
Kenneth Lewis 9 pts 3 reb 3 ast 2 st
’20’s
Decorian Payton 6-5 C 6 pts 11 reb 1 st 2 blk
Olive Branch (traveled 34 miles) 48
’19’s
DJ Jeffries 6-8 G 14 pts 5 reb 2 ast 3 st
Josh Stevenson 6-3 G 8 pts 7 reb
Joee Cooper 6-0 PG 10 pts 3 reb 3 ast
’20’s
Cameron “Mook” Matthews 6-6 F 8 pts 10 reb 1 ast 2 st 3 blk
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Kaeden Laws
Center Hill
6-4 ’21 G/F
16 pts (13 in 2nd half) 3 3’s 3 reb 1 blk
Game winning three at the buzzer.
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Calvin Temple
Center Hill
6-1 ’19 PG
15 pts 7 reb 1 ast 1 st
Saturday February 16, 2019
MAIS AA North State Tournament
From Marshall Academy
Holly Springs, MS
Consolation Game
(B) Marshall Academy Patriots (AA Holly Springs, MS) 41
District 1 #1 MS #115 AA #3
Greenville Christian Saints (AA Greenville, MS) 35
District 2 #3 MS #222 AA #8
Notes: Zach Sorrell (6-2 ’20 F/C Marshall Academy) played hard in the paint to earn Player of the Game honors.
Marshall Academy (home team) 41
’19’s
Drayton Potts 5-8 SG 9 pts 3 3’s 2 reb
Everette Jones 6-2 G 9 pts 6 reb 3 st
’20’s
Jeremiah Jones 5-11 PG 3 pts 3 reb 2 ast 2 blk
Greenville Christian (traveled 180 miles) 35
’19’s
Cornelius Louis 9 pts 4 reb
’22’s
Will Riley 3 pts 7 reb 1 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Zach Sorrell
Marshall Academy
6-2 ’20 F/C
14 pts 5 reb 1 st
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Marquell Eichelberger
Greenville Christian
’19 G
18 pts 6-6 ft 6 reb 1 ast 2 st
Championship Game
(B) St. Joseph Catholic School Fighting Irish 16-7 (AA Greenville, MS) 63
District 2 #1 MS #136 AA #4
Manchester Academy Mavericks (AA Yazoo City, MS) 54
District 2 #2 MS #195 AA #6
Notes: It was a pleasure seeing how Dillon Johnson (6-0 ’20 G St. Joseph) has come along. At the half he had 21 of the St. Joseph 28 points. At that point he had outscored Manchester Academy by 2. He dropped 40 total while still having a bad shooting night from behind the arc. He easily got into the lane to score around the basket and got to the free-throw line. I know that he will most likely end up playing football at an SEC school but he can hoop at the next level too if he wants to hang the pads up. Speaking of a football looking beast, Trey Benson (6-1 ’20 G/F St. Joseph) is a physical specimen. He is a beastly guard that plays above the rim. Cedric “CJ” Moore (5-10 ’23 G St. Joseph) stepped up in the fourth quarter when Johnson started running out of gas. He is going to be a very good player to watch in the next several years. Another common theme this week has been watching twins. Manchester Academy has a very solid pair of their own. Jon Riley Poe (5-9 ’21 G Manchester Academy) and Parks Poe (5-9 ’21 G Manchester Academy) are two very talented guards. They play smart basketball and both do a little bit of everything for Manchester Academy. Dylan Dendy (5-10 ’21 G Manchester Academy) added a double-double with his hustle around the paint.
St. Joseph (traveled 171 miles) 63
’20’s
Trey Benson 6-1 G/F 13 pts 13 reb 2 ast 3 st
’23’s
Cedric “CJ” Moore 5-10 G 7 pts (5 in 4th qtr) 5 reb (4 in 4th qtr) 2 ast 1 st
Manchester Academy (traveled 174 miles) 54
’21’s
Jon Riley Poe 5-9 G 22 pts (12 in 4th qtr) 3 3’s 6 reb (5 in 4th qtr) 1 ast 3 st
Parks Poe 5-9 G 13 pts 5 reb 3 ast 1 st
Dylan Dendy 5-10 G 10 pts 11 reb 3 ast 2 st
Magnolia Hoops Player of the Game
Dillon Johnson
St. Joseph
6-0 ’20 G
40 pts 3 3’s 11 ft made 9 reb 1 ast 4 st
Katie Roberts Photography
Senior Snapshot
Hayes Bardwell
Manchester Academy
6-3 ’19 C
6 pts 4 reb
MAIS AA North State
Boys All Tournament Team
Dillon Johnson
6-0 ’20 G St. Joseph
Trey Benson
6-1 ’20 G/F St. Joseph
Herman Brown
5-9 ’19 SG St. Joseph
Cedric “CJ” Moore
5-10 ’23 G St. Joseph
Jon Riley Poe
5-9 ’21 G Manchester Academy
Parks Poe
5-9 ’21 G Manchester Academy
Dylan Dendy
5-10 ’21 G Manchester Academy
Philip Parks
5-10 ’20 SG Marshall Academy
Zach Sorrell
6-2 ’20 PF Marshall Academy
Marquell Eichelberger
’19 G Greenville Christian
Magnolia Hoops Best Game
The best game that I saw during this time period.
Center Hill 49
Olive Branch 48
Magnolia Hoops Head of the Class
The best players in their respective classes that I saw during this time period based on stats.
2019: Joseph Jaco
G Desoto School (AR)
2020: Dillon Johnson
6-0 G St. Joseph
2021: Jon Riley Poe
5-9 G Manchester Academy
2022: Samuel Hall
G/F Marvell Academy (AR)
2023: Cedric “CJ” Moore
5-10 G St. Joseph
Magnolia Hoops Starting 5
The top five players that I saw during this time period based on stats.
Magnolia Hoops 