Head coach: Paul Edwards
2011-12 record: 27-4
After an unsatisfying finish to the 2011-12 season, hungry Southwind seniors (from left to right) Payton Hulsey, JaJuan Johnson, Johnathan Williams III and Deckie Johnson will try and bring head coach Paul Edwards (middle) a state title.
Photo by Fred Brooks
(6-8, Sr., F, Missouri verbal commit),
JaJuan Johnson (6-4, Sr., G),
Payton Hulsey (6-4, Sr., G, Lipscomb verbal commit),
Deckie Johnson (6-4, Sr., G/F)
Strengths: The Jaguars are led by four talented seniors who should be hungry following an abrupt ending to their season a year ago. Williams helped USA Basketball's U17 team win a world championship in Lithuania over the summer and was one of the most coveted forward prospects in the country before committing to Missouri. JaJuan Johnson led Southwind in scoring a year ago, then blew up nationally over the summer playing on the Nike EYBL circuit with the Bluff City Legends. He's a long, lean shooting guard that can flat-out fill it up.
Question marks: Can the Jaguars get out of Memphis this year? The city's high school hoops scene is loaded and a year ago Southwind was knocked out of the running by rival Memphis East before the state playoffs even got underway.
