Hickory Flat Jamboree Recap
Saturday October 26, 2024
From Hickory Flat HS
Hickory Flat, MS
Two undefeated teams escaped the Hickory Flat Jamboree. The Pine Grove boys and girls teams completed the day without losses. Here is how all teams fared at the event.
Revised: The Myrtle Lady Hawks also went undefeated in the event. They won both of their games by double digits. I made a mistake in my notes and had them losing to Mantachie. That’s why we play jamboree, so we can all get back into game mode.
Boys:
Pine Grove 2-0
Marshall Academy 1-1
Holly Springs 1-1
Ashland 1-1
Potts Camp 1-1
Hickory Flat 0-2
Girls:
Pine Grove 2-0
Myrtle 2-0
Holly Springs 1-1
Hickory Flat 1-1
Potts Camp 0-2
Mantachie 0-2
Boys Notes:
Pine Grove defeated Ashland and won on a first to score wins in overtime over Holly Springs. The Grovers do not look very intimidating when they enter the court but they play with toughness and grit. They were paced by Brittan Fryar (5-8 ’25 PG Pine Grove). Fryar has that knack for getting in the lane and drawing contact from the bigger, more athletic defenders.
Marshall Academy barely escaped Hickory Flat and lost to Holly Springs. The Patriots appeared to be the best team at the event on paper but Holly came to play in that game. Kaleb Luse (6-5 ’26 G/F Marshall Academy) is a long lefty that can handle the ball and he has a soft touch around the basket. He also showed his range by knocking down some wing 3’s. Brett Hicks (6-3 ’26 SG Marshall Academy) has that college ready look to him. He is a strong bodied shooter. Carlos Young (’26 PG Marshall Academy) also showed flashes of next level potential from the guard spot.
Holly Springs beat Marshall Academy and lost to Pine Grove. Holly High has a well rounded team with good depth. The one player that stood out to me was JoJo Petty (6-2 ’26 G Holly Springs). The former Ingomar Falcon has transformed into a beast. He has hit a bit of a growth spurt and has really hit the gym hard. He has always been flashy and good but now he looks intimidating on the court. He continued with his all out hustle and looked liked a monster running around on the court.
Ashland beat Potts Camp and lost to Pine Grove. Ashland has a solid team that is anchored by big man Corderro Ayers (6-5 ’25 C Ashland). He was a target of the smaller guards going right at him drawing the fouls limiting his play. When he learns how to avoid the foul trouble he will be a real weapon for the Blue Devils.
Potts Camp lost to Ashland and beat Hickory Flat. It must’ve been a guard heavy day for me because the points really got my attention at this event. The Camp had potentially the best guard of the day and probably one of the better guards in north Mississippi. Braxton Totten (5-8 ’27 PG Potts Camp) is a true point with great ball handling skills. He has really good court vision and can get into the paint with ease. When he learns how to play with pace and figures out which gear he needs to be in he will be one of the better true points in the state.
Hickory Flat lost to Potts Camp and lost a nail biter to Marshall Academy. The Rebels missed several closing second shots against Marshall Academy to send it into overtime or win it. Kesean Walker (5-8 ’27 G Hickory Flat) is the motor for The Flat. He is very fast and is a bucket getter. He showed he can get in the paint and score around the basket.
Girls Notes:
Pine Grove beat Mantachie and Holly Springs. The Lady Grovers have the same appearance as the guys. They don’t look too intimidating when they step on the court but they just get the job done. Sara Stites (5-4 ’28 PG Pine Grove) was a very solid find for me. She is a true point that can score when needed. She is a very good shooter. She also has the ability to get in the lane and kick to the open shooter. I didn’t get a chance to see Pine Grove play last season but I’m thinking she must’ve played as an eighth grader because she looked like a composed veteran on the court. Bella Fryar (5-7 ’26 F Pine Grove) came in clutch around the paint snagging rebounds and dropping hard fought buckets.
Mantachie lost to Pine Grove and Myrtle. Coach Kuhl has a very young squad to work with and develop over the next few years for the Mustangs.
Holly Springs lost to Pine Grove and beat Hickory Flat. Holly had the best player on the court all day. Teyuana Reaves (5-8 ’29 G Holly Springs) was very impressive. I don’t know a lot about the girls rankings. I leave that up to EV, Eddie and Cordarius but I do drop them some names from time to time. I’m sure they already know about Reaves and have her very highly ranked but if they don’t, big name drop here. She is a very solid ball handler that can clear a defensive board and go coast-to-coast with it. She finishes around the rim with both hands. She showed that she can drain the mid-range jumpers. This young lady has a very bright future if she continues to develop and progress.
Myrtle beat Potts Camp and Mantachie by double digits. Coach Wilson has a very young squad to work with and develop over the next few years.
Hickory Flat beat Potts Camp and lost to Holly Springs. Georgia McCallum (5-7 ’29 F Hickory Flat) played her last junior high game on Thursday night and started her first high school contest on Saturday. Not only did she start but she might’ve been the second best player at the event behind fellow 8th grader Reaves. She is a very well rounded player that hustled. She showed that she can drain the long ball or fight for points down low. She can handle the ball when needed as she played the point at certain parts of the game and she is a really good passer on the fast breaks. She plays with a high basketball IQ for such a young player. I look forward to seeing her develop her game over the next few years.
Potts Camp lost to Hickory Flat and lost to Myrtle. Potts Camp did not have a great showing at this event but they do have some solid athletic pieces that can come together to be a solid team if they buy into Coach Ball and Coach Nichols.
Magnolia Hoops 