Magnolia Hoops Event of the Day
Gerald Snider Classic
Monday December 30, 2024
From Northeast MS CC
Bonner Arnold Coliseum
Booneville, MS
This was my first time attending the Gerald Snider Classic due to either working, being sick or being out of town during all of the previous events. This report will be a little different from most of my reports. I will be putting normal and frequent quotes from Gerald in this recap. The Players of the Games will also be renamed for some of his most famous sayings. Trust me on this, his sayings are known nationwide in the basketball world. Gerald was one of the three original basketball scouts in the US. The amount of Mississippi kids he has had a hand in getting to college is an unimaginable number. Thanks for being a trailblazer in this industry. Rest in peace old friend.
(B) Nettleton Tigers 4-12 #264 (#36 3A Nettleton, MS) 70
Bruce Trojans 1-12 #270 (#36 2A Bruce, MS) 45
Notes: “I don’t know why we have to get here and help them open the gym up. You know that Grant could play back in the day.” Gerald
And Grant could play back in the day and he also coached his tail off on this day. Grant, as in Coach Gardner for Nettleton, helped lead his team to the early morning victory. Tylen Morris (5-11 ’26 SG Nettleton) dropped 24 points while connecting on five 3’s for the Tigers.
Bruce (traveled 79 miles) 45
**Stats are from MaxPreps box score**
’25’s
John Shaw 6-6 F/C 9 pts 1 three 6 reb 3 ast 1 st 2 blk
Ankavious Glass 6-5 F 4 pts 2-2 ft 6 reb 1 ast 1 st
Ashton Pierce 6-3 F 7 pts 1 three 3 reb 1 st
’27’s
Cayden Jones 6-0 G/F 2 pts 9 reb
’28’s
Markeevis Gladney 6-0 G/F 5 pts 1 three 2-2 ft 6 reb
Sutton Gore 5-9 G 9 pts 1 three 3 reb 2 ast 1 st
Ayden Welch 5-7 G 5 pts 1 three
Jermaine Jackson 5-11 4 pts 5 reb 3 ast 3 st 2 bk
Nettleton (traveled 46 miles) 70
’25’s
Tahj McBride 5-10 SG 12 pts
’26’s
Cedric Ford 5-10 G 2 pts
Tylen Morris 5-11 SG 24 pts 5 3’s
Brady Williams 5-10 G/F 7 pts
Kanye’ Jones 6-2 F/C 15 pts
’27’s
Nehemiah Ford 6-1 G/F 6 pts
Doonie Moore 5-8 G/F 2 pts
’28’s
Natetron Hunt 6-0 G 2 pts
“Go Getter”
Tylen Morris
Nettleton
5-11 ’26 SG
24 pts 5 3’s
(B) Amory Panthers 7-8 #201 (#33 4A Amory, MS) 59
Belmont Cardinals 2-14 #257 (#34 3A Belmont, MS) 47
Notes: “I know of a good BBQ place we can go to when we leave here.” Gerald
Traysten Crump (5-11 ’27 G Amory) scored a game high 18 points in leading his team to the victory.
Amory (traveled 58 miles) 59
’26’s
Jake Thornton 5-9 G 2 pts
Javin Ezell 5-11 G 10 pts 1 three
’27’s
Connor Hill 5-8 G 6 pts
Traysten Crump 5-11 G 18 pts 1 three 3-4 ft
JaShawn Moore 6-2 F 11 pts 1 three
’28’s
Tyler Parks 6-1 G 2 pts
Julian Trimble 5-10 G 11 pts 1 three
Belmont (traveled 31 miles) 47
’25’s
Alex Merino 5-10 SG 4 pts
Andrew Marino 5-10 G/F 8 pts 1 three
Kamden Greene 6-1 SG 8 pts 2 3’s
’27’s
Isaiah Deatherage 5-9 PG 8 pts
Kylei Estes 5-10 SG 6 pts
Tryce Burton 6-3 F/C 13 pts 1 three
“He’s a Hoss”
Traysten Crump
Amory
5-11 ’27 G
18 pts 1 three 3-4 ft
(G) Belmont Lady Cardinals 14-2 #26 (#2 3A Belmont, MS) 60
Horn Lake Lady Eagles 4-12 #150 (#21 7A Horn Lake, MS) 52
Notes: “They put this girls game in here so I can go to the hospitality room.” Gerald
There is a lot to unpack in this game. The notebook is full. First off, welcome back Katie Jourdan (6-0 ’25 C Belmont). Jordan had decided to not play basketball this year from what I had heard and she wasn’t with the team the first couple of times I have seen them play. She scored 19 points down low helping Belmont get the win. She was a huge piece for the team last year in winning the gold ball. What was missing this time was Carlie Brock (5-3 ’25 PG Belmont) and LaMaya Southward (5-7 ’27 G/F Belmont). Hailey Ivey (5-9 ’25 G/F Belmont) didn’t have the best of games in this one but she turned it on going down the stretch for some key baskets and ball handling. Belmont will be dangerous if they get all of their pieces back on the court at the same time.
Let’s flip the page and check out the Horn Lake notes. This is absolutely the best 4-12 team I have seen all year. They actually look like a 12-4 team on the court. This is a team that better not be overlooked during the playoffs. They have two players with NBA range. Kalia Pernell (5-2 ’26 PG Horn Lake) and LaMyah Harris (5-5 ’25 G Horn Lake) connected on 5 really long 3’s in the loss.
Horn Lake (traveled 104 miles) 52
’25’s
LaMyah Harris 5-5 G 21 pts 3 3’s
Ericka Small 5-5 G 10 pts 2 3’s
’26’s
Kalia Pernell 5-2 PG 12 pts 2 3’s
’27’s
Zacoria Gates 5-8 F/C 1 pt
Kaliegh Holliday 5-6 PF 5 pts
Khamille Eskridge 5-8 PF 2 pts
Belmont (traveled 31 miles) 60
’25’s
Katie Jourdan 6-0 C 19 pts
Hailey Ivey 5-9 G/F 13 pts 3-4 free-throws
’26’s
Mckinley Bennett 5-2 G 5 pts 1 three
’27’s
Aubree Scott 5-8 PF 6 pts
Karsyn Sullivan 5-8 SG 16 pts 2 3’s 2-2 free-throws
Magnolia Hoops
Player of the Game
Katie Jourdan
Belmont
6-0 ’25 C
19 pts
(B) Coffeeville Pirates 9-6 #97 (#3 1A Coffeeville, MS) 62
Wheeler Eagles 12-6 #126 (#6 1A Wheeler, MS) 58
Notes: “Have I ever told you about how Rick (Coach Howell) used to take me to basketball practice in school.” Gerald
I had this game marked as the must watch game of the day. It was going to show me just how good Coffeeville was. Could they put away a “Wheeler” team and prove they deserve to be in the top 4 mentions in 1A. They really already proved that with the Olive Branch, Ingomar and Wheeler games but there was still some doubt. I know Stanford Spearman (6-2 ’25 G Coffeeville) can take any game over and win it but what about the rest of the team? I knew with Spearman going against the best defensive mastermind in the state the other players would have to show up. Spearman still got his 20 and Jarvis Ross (6-4 ’25 G Coffeeville) stepped up with 17 showing he can help carry the load. This Coffeeville team would have been something if it still had Quin Smith. Smith was a college level player that tragically passed away during the summer. He was a prospect that I was super high on and would’ve been a difference maker.
Coffeeville passed the test on how good they are but my thoughts changed after watching this game. They are a top 4 team in 1A and deserve to be in the championship conversations but Wheeler has now entered my radar. They are way better than what I was expecting. I knew Coach Howell would slow Spearman down and that he did with him only getting 20 which is way below his average. Preston Bishop (5-10 ’27 G Wheeler) only scored 5 points in the game and he is one of the sharp-shooters that Coach Howell relies on. There was a good reason his scoring was down and that was because this man was worn out. He spent the game chasing Spearman around in the box and one. He face guarded him and did everything he could to keep him from getting the ball. This was the best defensive performance I’ve seen on Spearman. I can bet you that Bishop slept good after this game. Case Null (6-2 ’27 G Wheeler) stepped up in the sharp-shooter role by scoring 18 points while connecting on 4 3’s. Brandon Lowery (6-7 ’26 C Wheeler) went to work down low scoring 17 points with 9 of them coming from the free-throw line. He connected on 9 of 11 free-throws with his soft touch. The most promising prospect for Wheeler is Ashton Beene (6-2 ’27 F Wheeler). He quietly scored 14 points and has very high potential to be a college level player. Wheeler will be a solid three or four round team this year and will be returning all of these guys next year. I look forward to watching them develop and grow together.
Coffeeville (traveled 98 miles) 62
’25’s
De’Lanta Tellis 6-3 C 6 pts
Jarvis Ross 6-4 G 17 pts 1 three
Stanford Spearman 6-2 G 20 pts 2 3’s
’26’s
Tacorion Reed 6-1 C 7 pts
’27’s
Justin Coffey 5-6 G 6 pts
Juelz Cooper 5-4 G 6 pts 2-2 ft
Wheeler (traveled 8 miles) 58
’26’s
Pierce Spencer 6-0 G 3 pts
Brandon Lowery 6-7 C 17 pts 9-11 ft
’27’s
Ashton Beene 6-2 F 14 pts 2-2 free-throws
Preston Bishop 5-10 G 5 pts 1 three
Case Null 6-2 G 18 pts 4 3’s
“He’s The Real Deal”
Stanford Spearman
Coffeeville
6-2 ’25 G
20 pts 2 3’s
(B) Desoto Central Jaguars 14-4 #15 (#6 7A Southaven, MS) 46
Cleveland Central Wolves 15-4 #28 (#2 5A Cleveland, MS) 40
Notes: “We need to go get us a good BBQ as soon as this is over.” Gerald
This game was everything I expected. It was a big class showdown. These two teams really get after you and are really physical on the defensive end. Josh Jackson (5-10 ’25 G Desoto Central) and Cam Champion (6-1 ’25 G Desoto Central) scored 13 points apiece to lead the Jaguars. Both of these teams could easily make deep playoff runs.
Cleveland Central (traveled 168 miles) 40
’25’s
Jayden Seaberry 6-3 F 14 pts 1 three
Jasper Lewis 5-8 G 4 pts
Jason Talbert 6-4 G/F 8 pts 2 3’s
Jeremy Boddie 6-10 C 8 pts
’26’s
Antwon Thomas 6-6 C 2 pts
’27’s
Demetrius Lucas 5-8 PG 2 pts
Desoto Central (traveled 95 miles) 46
’25’s
KJ Patrick 6-0 G 2 pts
Cam Champion 6-1 G 13 pts 1 three 2-2 free-throws
Jacob Curtis 5-10 G 10 pts 2 3’s
Josh Jackson 5-10 G 13 pts
’27’s
Blake Price 6-3 PF 7 pts 3-4 free-throws
’28’s
Hunter Avant 6-1 G/F 1 pt
“He’s a No Brainer”
Josh Jackson
Desoto Central
5-10 ’25 G
13 pts
(B) Alcorn Central Golden Bears 12-7 #124 (#12 3A Glen, MS) 58
North Panola Cougars 5-10 #159 (#18 3A Sardis, MS) 44
Notes: “These people here at Northeast, they are good people.” Gerald
Wilson McDonald (6-3 ’26 G Alcorn Central) dropped 20 points to help overcome the 20 piece of Demetric Williams (6-1 ’25 G North Panola) to get the victory for the Golden Bears.
North Panola (traveled 97 miles) 44
’25’s
Demetric Williams 6-1 G 20 pts 2 3’s
James Carr 6-3 C 2 pts
Kedarius Webb 5-8 G 10 pts 2 3’s 2-2 ft
’26’s
Marco Goings 6-1 F 2 pts 2-2 ft
Markedrick Mangum 5-8 G 3 pts 1 3three
’27’s
Qyntavius Kelly 5-10 PG 5 pts
Ryan Smith 5-8 G 2 pts
Alcorn Central (traveled 26 miles) 58
’25’s
Matt Oaks 5-8 PG 3 pts
JT Potts 6-2 G/F 10 pts 1 three
’26’s
Wilson McDonald 6-3 G 20 pts
Eli Tays 5-7 G
Jayse Johnson 6-0 G/F 2 pts
Dylan Davis 6-1 F/C 12 pts 1 three
’27’s
Ty Whitten 5-9 G 6 pts 2-2 ft
“He’s Good People”
Wilson McDonald
Alcorn Central
6-3 ’26 G
20 pts
(B) Southaven Chargers 8-7 #67 (#17 7A Southaven, MS) 60
New Albany Bulldogs 9-3 #59 (#12 4A New Albany, MS) 50
Notes: “Did I ever tell you about the state championship we won at New Albany?” Gerald
It is only fitting that New Albany finish off the Gerald Snider Classic. Gerald loved his Bulldogs. This game was everything that I expected. It was a really good game that just came down to a few missed shots. Jayven Welch (5-11 ’25 G Southaven) scored 19 points in the win for the Chargers.
Southaven (traveled 99 miles) 60
’25’s
Jayven Welch 5-11 G 19 pts 3 3’s
Cael Jones 6-2 G 9 pts 1 three
’26’s
Kaden Smith 6-2 G/F 2 pts
Cameron Hammond 5-11 G 3 pts
Marquise Rice Jr. 6-4 /C 7 pts
Caden Johnson 6-4 F/C 16 pts 1 three
’27’s
Jodari Morgan 6-0 G 4 pts
New Albany (traveled 34 miles) 50
**Stats are from MaxPreps box score**
’25’s
Avery Cathey 5-9 G 6 pts 1 three 3 reb
Amari Hubbard 6-1 G 12 pts 6 reb 1 ast 2 st
Issac Gilbert 6-7 F/C 6 pts 9 reb 2 blk
Kylan King 6-2 G/F 1 pt
’26’s
Decorion Hardin 6-0 G 13 pts 4 3’s 3 reb 1 st
Emanuel Tucker 6-6 F/C 7 pts 4 reb
’27’s
Demarion Bailey 5-10 G 5 pts 3-4 ft 1 reb 1 st
“He Can Go”
Jayven Welch
Southaven
5-11 ’25 G
19 pts 3 3’s
Boys
Head Coach-The best coaching job that I saw during this time period.
Grant Gardner Nettleton
Best Game-The best game that I saw during this time period.
Coffeeville 62 Wheeler 58
Top 5 Teams-The top five teams that I saw during this time period.
- Desoto Central Jaguars 14-4 #15 (#6 7A Southaven, MS)
- Cleveland Central Wolves 15-4 #28 (#2 5A Cleveland, MS)
- Southaven Chargers 8-7 #67 (#17 7A Southaven, MS)
- New Albany Bulldogs 9-3 #59 (#12 4A New Albany, MS)
- Coffeeville Pirates 9-6 #97 (#3 1A Coffeeville, MS)
Magnolia Hoops Head of the Class
The best players in their respective classes that I saw during this time period based on stats.
2025: Demetric Williams 6-1 ’25 G North Panola
20 pts 2 3’s
2026: Tylen Morris 5-11 ’26 SG Nettleton
24 pts 5 3’s
2027: Traysten Crump 5-11 G Amory
18 pts 1 three 3-4 ft
2028: Julian Trimble 5-10 G Amory
11 pts 1 three
Magnolia Hoops Starting 5
The top five players that I saw during this time period based on stats.
- Tylen Morris 5-11 ’26 SG Nettleton
24 pts 5 3’s - Wilson McDonald 6-3 ’26 G Alcorn Central
20 pts - Demetric Williams 6-1 ’25 G North Panola
20 pts 2 3’s - Stanford Spearman 6-2 ’25 G Coffeeville
20 pts 2 3’s - Jayven Welch 5-11 ’25 G Southaven
19 pts 3 3’s
Katie Roberts Photography Senior Squad
The top five seniors that I saw during this time period based on stats.
- Demetric Williams 6-1 ’25 G North Panola
20 pts 2 3’s - Stanford Spearman 6-2 ’25 G Coffeeville
20 pts 2 3’s - Jayven Welch 5-11 ’25 G Southaven
19 pts 3 3’s - Jarvis Ross 6-4 ’25 G Coffeeville
17 pts 1 three - Jayden Seaberry 6-3 ’25 F Cleveland Central
14 pts 1 three
Magnolia Hoops 