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Melrose senior star Adonis Thomas.
Photo courtesy of USA Basketball/Steven Maikoski
Head coach: Jermaine Johnson
2009-2010 record: 37-4, Tennessee Class AAA state champions, No. 10 in final Xcellent 25
Key returnees: Willie Atwood (6-7, Jr., F), Markel Crawford (6-4, So., G), Davonte Hampton (6-1, Jr., G),
Cedric McAfee (6-2, Sr., G, Auburn), Darrius Moore (6-9, Jr., F),
Adonis Thomas (6-6, Sr., G/F, Memphis), Tevin Wilkerson (6-5, Sr., G/F)
Keep an eye on: Joseph Northington (6-1, Sr., G)
Scouting report: Despite the expectations that come with being Tennessee's Class AAA state champions, having one of the nation's top players in Thomas and an MTV reality series crew following the team's every move, Johnson isn't worried about a circus-type atmosphere ruining things for the Golden Wildcats this season.
"These kids are humble, hungry and thirsty," Johnson said. "It's like we were the state runners-up last year, that's how hungry we are."
Thomas, rated No. 3 overall in the 2011 class by MaxPreps.com and a recent Memphis verbal commitment, averaged 18.0 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.8 blocked shots per game during an All-American junior season at Melrose.
"He is a great human being and knows how to treat people," Johnson said of his star. "He has an insatiable desire to work. If you had a daughter you would want him to marry her. He is just an outstanding kid and really wants to make other players around him better."
McAfee, Northington, Hampton and Crawford – who has offers from Ohio State and Tennessee and Johnson calls "the best sophomore in Tennessee" – will handle things in the backcourt. Atwood and Moore will man the paint and Thomas will play wherever he needs to given the situation.
According to Johnson, the future is extremely bright for the program with as many as 10 freshmen who could eventually be Division I recruits. He expects four or five to make the varsity roster.
While national championship aspirations are high and one publication has already tabbed Melrose No. 1 nationally, just surviving December is going to be a chore. Oak Hill Academy is on the schedule Dec. 3 followed by a trip to the City of Palms Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.
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