By Donovan Stewart
Maxpreps.com
The focus on high school basketball intensifies after the New Year, so it's time to see who had the best first half and who could spoil come tournament time.
First we'll breakdown the four boys classifications, then dissect the girls.
Class AAA
Early Leader- Ridgeway. The Roadrunners are undefeated at 13-0, which is impressive especially when you play in the basketball hotbed of Memphis
Here's Why-Under the tutelage of veteran coach Wesley Henning, Ridgeway plays a chaotic style that runs teams ragged. The three-headed scoring monster of Jason Jones, Samson Carter and Dominique Shellman has been unstoppable so far.
Body Of Work- Already in the first half of the season, the Roadrunners have defeated Memphis preseason favorite Raleigh Egypt, class A contender in Manassas and won the Larry Finch classic by defeating Briarcrest, a Division II contender.
Don't Forget About Us- Although Ridgeway has been great so far, Knoxville Bearden (14-1), Oak Ridge (15-1), Murfreesboro Oakland (13-1), Lavergne (14-2) and Raleigh Egypt (10-3) are primed to make a run at the gold ball come March.
Class AA
Early Leader- Booker T. Washington. The Warriors, no strangers to winning a Class AA state title, are back in the saddle again under coach Fred Horton.
Here's Why- BTW (12-0) has so far been led by the outside game of senior guards Patrick Lee and Tim Ware, while the inside game of Larry McGaughey and Aubrey Phillips haven't been to shabby either.
Body Of Work- BTW's resume isn't as impressive as some other teams but they have defeated 2005 Class AAA state champion Memphis Hamilton.
Don't Forget About Us- Other teams to consider in AA are Chattanooga Howard (10-0), Dyer County (17-2) and Brainerd (9-2).
Class A
Early Leader- Union City. The Golden Tornadoes have been a force to be reckoned with this season, beating quality teams in several different classifications.
Here's Why- Reigning Mr. Basketball finalist M.J. Brown is the straw that stirs the Tornado drink as he is averaging 21.7 points per game, 6.1 assists and 3.3 steals.
Body Of Work- The Tornadoes (17-0) won two tournaments in December - the Battle of the State tournament in Nashville and the First Midwest Bank Shootout in Missouri - beating 5A teams in Missouri, Arkansas and Georgia.
Don't Forget About Us- Although the Tornadoes look tough, look for Grace Academy, Chattanooga Arts and Sciences, Tennessee Temple or South Pittsburg to contend for a state crown.
Division II
Early Leader- St. George's. The Gryphons (9-0) are the best in Division II because of super recruits Eliott Williams and Lawrence Bowers.
Here's Why- Silky smooth lefty Williams (Duke) and Bowers (Missouri) are Top 20 recruits.
Body Of Work- The Gryphons are a bit untested, but with Williams and Bowers, unquestionably talented.
Don't Forget About Us- Ensworth (10-3) and Brentwood Academy (7-3) are the two best teams in Division II-Middle and will fight for region supremacy come Tuesday night. Briarcrest (10-3), led by super junior Leslie McDonald, recently became the first Memphis team ever to win the Arby's Classic in Bristol.
Girls
Class AAA
Early Leader- Wilson Central. The Wildcats (15-1) have played an absolutely brutal schedule and surviving with just one loss is an impressive feat.
Here's Why- Wilson Central is led by junior post Jasmine Hassell.
Body Of Work- Wilson Central has already beaten Shelbyville, Briarcrest, Mt. Juliet and handed Smyrna its only loss of the season. The Wildcats defeated Briarcrest, Mt. Juliet and Smyrna back-to-back-to-back - talk about running the gauntlet.
Don't Forget About Us- Look out for Mt. Juliet (14-3), Smyrna (11-1), Oak Ridge (13-1), Shelbyville (10-4), Hillsboro (14-0) and Millington (18-0) to contend for the state title.
Class AA
Early Leader- Gibson County. The Pioneers (14-1) have been hammering everyone that they come across this year.
Here's Why- Gibson County is led by the Heathers - Griffin and Butler - in the post and so far nobody has figured out how to stop that combination.
Body Of Work- The Pioneers handed Obion County (14-1) its only loss of the season.
Don't Forget About Us- Just because Gibson County beat them earlier in the year don't expect Obion County to roll over. Also don't forget about perennial power Livingston Academy (14-2), who recently gave Jackson County its first loss of the season.
Class A
Early Leader- Jackson County. The Blue Devilettes won their first 17 games of the season before dropping a tough one to Class AA power Livingston Academy.
Here's Why- Led by the three-point shooting of Misti Maxwell and the post play of Red Boling Springs transfer Laken Leonard, a sophomore, Jackson County are going to be tough to beat.
Body Of Work- Jackson County plays in a tough district and always plays a tough schedule that includes teams in higher classifications; they have already beaten teams from Florida, Alabama and Louisiana.
Don't Forget About Us- Fellow district power Clarkrange (16-3) will be formidable to beat as well as powers Bradford (12-4) and Gleason (11-4).
Division II
Early Leader- Ensworth. The Tigers (12-2), under the leadership of David Pack, have grown up from infancy and are showing the rest of Division II what they have learned the last three years.
Here's Why- Point guard Anna Bowers conducts the Ensworth offense like her own personal orchestra, while Emily Perkins and Marie Carpenter are big time offensive threats.
Body Of Work- The Tigers have already beaten Webb and are undefeated in the region.
Don't Forget About Us- Defending champ Knoxville Webb (8-3), and west powers Briarcrest (13-3) and Lausanne (13-3) will also be in the mix for a state title.
