- Is This Whitehaven’s Year?
This is Coach Willie Kemp’s second year at Whitehaven. “He’s supposed to win a championship and if not, he should be let go.” Sounds pretty crazy when you see it in print right? That’s because it is; but is it crazy to say that this is the most talented Whitehaven team in the last 5 years? No, not at all. Questions still arise, is this their year to win a state title for the first time since 1985?
The expectations are there this year and with those expectations, there will be a lot of eyes on them. Last year’s season ended in one of the best high school games I’ve seen in a long time. It ended in their gym, and they have to remember that. It’s like a bad taste lingering. The Tigers aren’t necessarily strangers to the TSSAA state tournament. They went to the tournament in 2018, 2019 and 2020 and they were the state runner up in 2018 losing to East High School. They have shown as a program that they can get to the mountain, because one thing is clear, Whitehaven will always be able to get talented players, year in year out. They simply haven’t been able to place the flag on the peak.
This year, they are definitely talented enough. They have height, scoring options, perimeter shooting, iso scoring, rebounding and they showed in spurts their ability to defend in summer events this June. Summer is different. There isn’t much on the line and teams are getting a feel for what they will do. Defense is where Whitehaven will win a lot of games and have a chance at not only getting to the state but capturing a state title.
Their offense is also elite. They have weapons. 2-3 players can get 15 to 20 points any game. If one player isn’t scoring well, he won’t have to worry about trying to do it himself because his teammate/teammates might be going off themselves. That’s what happens when you have arguably the best 5 players on the floor at the same time in the state.
Bob Dickson, Cam Brown, Dorion Bowen, Taquez Butler and Jarmon Brittmon are all top 10-12 players in Memphis regardless of class. Dickson, Brown and Butler are all top 5-6 players in the class of 2025. That’s not to be dismissive of KJ Smith, their point guard who started a lot of games for them last year, or Brittman who could start at any school in Memphis. He may still start with this new group. He’s someone, along with Smith, who I think is underrated in this senior class in Memphis.
Mixing it Up
Whitehaven has a lot of interchangeable pieces, mix and match parts for any type of game. Speed the game up and they have multiple ball handlers and guys who can create offense for themselves. Slow it down and Coach Kemp could legitimately go with a mid-major level group of 6’8, 6’6, 6’6, 6’5, 6’2. There is a potential hidden gem in the mix as well. Rashad Bryant. I don’t know a lot about him. From video, he’s a 6’6 – 6’7 who should help them with his athleticism. I have heard good things about him being a possible top 10 player in the class of 25 in Memphis.
Bob Dickson will have huge games with his rebounding and shot blocking ability. I think he’s one of those players that can control a game without scoring. In some games, he will lead them in scoring but the ability to erase shots at the rim and win the interior for them will be big all year. Dorion Brown will be instant offense for them all season long along with Butler. Both are built to score; both are very capable 20-point scorers. Butler did some great things at his previous school Douglass. Now at Whitehaven for his senior year, some ask, “can he do it against 4A level competition?” I think he will prove he can this year. His biggest adjustment will be having so many options.
Brown has an old school mid-range jumper making him a more than capable player capable of carrying the load on some nights. The ability to shoot over the top and score in spurts makes him a DeRozan type of quiet asset. Class of 2026 6’5 Dorion Bowen might be their biggest wildcard if he puts it altogether consistently. He can play from the 1 to the 4 spots. He can do so many things to be impactful during games. I think his ability to pass in the mid post/free throw line area, being able to flash and catch with great hands, he’s dangerous. On the wing, he gets into his offense off the dribble with the pull up and he’s a good 3-point shooter with his feet set. He’s going to be a stat sheet stuffer for them all year long.
KJ Smith is the team’s best defender. He’s pesky and applies pressure disrupting an opposing team’s offense. He plays within himself, pushes pace and can make open jumpers or if he gets by you, finish with runners, floaters and push shots. The key thing for him is the toughness he provides.
Brittman is one of those quiet, unassuming players who you look up and he has 20 points and 12 rebounds. Like Butler, last year at Douglass, he was consistent for them. Rebounding, scoring, defending, Brittman is all over the place with his motor. Outside of Dickson, he’s probably their best rebounder, although he’s much smaller. Brittman is their glue guy. He brings a winning attitude to the Tigers program whether he comes off the bench or not.
The Bottom Line
I like Whitehaven’s group. I think they have everything but that doesn’t always equate to guaranteed success. They will have to mesh and gel with each other. Sometimes when you’re talented, you think you can just get by. Being able to defend and get stops and not worry about trying to outscore the other team will be vital for them.
When you’re good in Memphis, everyone wants to beat you so they will have to be prepared. They can’t let egos be a problem and prevent them from their ultimate goal which is to win a state title. Games are not won on paper; they are won on the court. The Tigers look like a team ready to make a run in March.
