Boys basketball High School Top 25 team preview: No. 3 Memphis East

Video: Memphis East photo shoot
Mustangs loaded for repeat state championship run.



Head coach: Penny Hardaway (Second year)

2015-16 record: 32-2, Class AAA state champions, No. 21 final national ranking

State Association: Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association

Enrollment: 1,305 (9-12)

There may not be another big city in the country that has had more public schools break into the national rankings over the past decade than Memphis.

Under legendary head coach Wesley Henning, Ridgeway had a Top 25 run in 2009-10 and 2011-12.

Melrose with Chris Jones and Adonis Thomas made a strong push in 2009-10, winning 36 games and a state title.

There was Southwind with Johnathan Williams and JaJuan Johnson in 2012-13.

White Station was in and out of the rankings during the Joe Jackson era from 2007-10 and once again with LeRon Black and Chris Chiozza in 2013-14.

Dedric and K.J. Lawson led Hamilton to a win over Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) and a Top 25 national ranking in 2014-15 – despite 15 forfeit losses.

Memphis Central and Mitchell have both flirted with Top 25 inclusion over the same span.

Now it's Memphis East's turn – and as long as the guy on the bench sticks around the Mustangs may have some staying power.

The 45-year old Hardaway starred at nearby University of Memphis and spent 14 years in the NBA. He led a number of club teams in the area prior to taking the East job and has built a juggernaut overnight.

The 2015-16 Mustangs captured Tennessee's AAA state title with a rotation that included two juniors, four sophomores and two freshmen.

Gallery: Memphis East preseason photo shoot

After years or Memphis prominence in the national rankings, can East become the team that breaks through and brings a national title home?

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Eric Banks (6-5, Sr., F) … Returning starter

Antavion Collum (6-7, So., F) … Transfer from Olive Branch, Miss.

Malcolm Dandridge (6-8, So., F/C) … Likely to develop into Division I recruit

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 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

KEY DATES

Dec. 1 – vs. Hamilton Heights Christian Academy (Chattanooga, Tenn.)

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