Head coach Penny Hardaway won a state title in his first year on the bench and is out for more in 2016-17.
Video: Breaking down the High School Top 25Tennessee's defending AAA state champions are back nearly intact.3. Memphis East (Memphis, Tenn.)Head coach: Penny Hardaway (Second year)
2015-16 record: 32-2, Class AAA state champions, No. 21 final national ranking
PLAYERS TO WATCHEric Banks (6-5, Sr., F) … Returning starter
Chandler Lawson (6-9, So., F) … Top 25 prospect in Class of 2019
Alex Lomax (5-11, Jr., G) … Tennessee's Gatorade Player of the Year as a sophomore
Teddrick McGhee (6-3, Sr., G/F) … Key contributor off bench in 2015-16
Nik Merriweather (5-9, Sr., G) … Experienced contributor in backcourt
Terrance "T.J." Moss (6-4, Jr., G) … Top 100 prospect in Class of 2018
Radarius Washington (6-4, Jr., F) … 11 points, eight rebounds in last year's AAA title game
Junior Alex Lomax is the floor general at Memphis East.
Photo by Randy Sartin
* Yes,
that Penny Hardaway. The former NBA great has coached a local club team going back several years but added the coaching duties at Memphis East to his plate prior to last season. It was a successful debut campaign as the Mustangs captured the AAA state title and knocked off Georgia AAAAAA champ Westlake (Atlanta) at a showcase event in December.
* East opens the season Saturday against Cordova, who the Mustangs beat in the state championship game last March. Cordova went 30-4 a year ago and were led in scoring by then-sophomores Tyler Harris and Rodgerick Brown.
KEY DATESDec. 1 – vs.
Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.) @ National Hoopfest
Dec. 16-21 – City of Palms Classic
Jan. 7 – vs.
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) @ National Hoopfest
Jan. 12-14 – Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions
