Thoughts On The State Tournament

The 2024-2025 high school basketball season officially came to a close last weekend with the conclusion of the state tournament. It was a remarkable season for all the teams that made it to Murfreesboro. Although things may not have turned out as hoped for some, there is no reason for disappointment—they should hold their heads high for their incredible accomplishments.

Take East, for example. Two months ago, who would have thought they’d make it to the state tournament? I’ll admit, I didn’t think they would, and I’m sure I wasn’t alone in that belief. Yet, they defied the odds and made it happen.

And then there’s Hillcrest—a story to remember. For the first time in school history, the Vikings earned their trip to Murfreesboro. That alone is a monumental achievement. In his debut season, head coach Dee Terrell accomplished something extraordinary, proving himself as one of the most promising coaches in the area.

Similarly, Maurice Miller had an impressive first year at East. Leading a 4A school to the state tournament in your inaugural season as head coach is no small feat. It certainly highlights a future coaching star in the making.

Hats off to all the teams, coaches, and players who competed in the state tournament. Their efforts and perseverance throughout the season deserve recognition.

For the first time in school history, the Hillcrest Vikings made it to the state tournament—an incredible accomplishment. I’ll admit, I initially thought they had reached this milestone before, but after some research, I realized this was their first trip. In the past, they’ve had some great teams, but this year marked something truly special.

Their journey was extraordinary: one win on Wednesday, a second on Friday against Wayne County, and suddenly, the Vikings found themselves in the state title game. Reaching that stage was monumental. Throughout their run, players like Ja’coby Lewis, Alex Morgan, Jerrell Miller, and Cornell Watson shone at various moments. Ja’coby Lewis, in particular, showcased the potential to be an excellent college guard at the junior college level. His ability to drive, create paint touches, and score with a jumper hints at a bright future. His well-deserved All-Tournament Team recognition speaks volumes. I also thought Cornell Watson made a significant impact in the second half against Wayne County.

In the championship game against Chattanooga Prep—or “Chatt, Chatt, Chatt, Chatt” Prep, as their enthusiastic fans chanted—the challenge was steep. Prep’s length inside, spearheaded by 6’8 Joel Bullis and 6’6 Derrick Branch, was a game-changer, and their guards played exceptionally well. While Hillcrest relied heavily on 2–3 key scorers, Prep had six offensive threats. Hillcrest struggled with perimeter shooting, whereas Prep hit momentum-swinging shots. Their depth and multiple ball handlers made a significant difference. Despite trailing by just seven points at halftime, Hillcrest couldn’t withstand the 14-point lead Prep built in the second half.

Perhaps things might have been different if Jerrell Miller hadn’t picked up two fouls within the first three minutes. However, it’s hard to say if that would’ve altered the outcome. Prep’s size and skill were unlike anything Hillcrest faced all year. There’s a clear difference between height that merely occupies space and height that can play—Prep demonstrated the latter. It’s no surprise they won the title last year, and even as they move up to 2A next season, they’re poised for another championship run.

Still, Hillcrest has nothing to hang their heads about. They accomplished something historic, returning home as the second-best 1A team in the state. That’s an incredible testament to Coach Terrell, Coach Thompson, and Coach Wright. Looking ahead, Hillcrest has a strong chance to contend again next season, with key players like Jerrell Miller and Alex Morgan—both of whom earned All-Tournament honors—returning. These players now know what it takes and will undoubtedly be hungry to return.

At the start of the season, East wasn’t in the conversation when it came to 4A contenders. The focus was on teams like Whitehaven, Bartlett, and Houston. Most people, including myself, didn’t see East as part of that equation. But basketball isn’t always about how you start or perform midseason—it’s about peaking at the right time and East did just that.

They won three of their last four games, knocking off Houston and Southwind before falling to Whitehaven in the regional finals. Their victory over Dickson County secured their spot in the state tournament—a familiar stage for East, a school with the most state titles in Memphis. However, this year’s team wasn’t even projected to finish in the top 2–3 of their district. What they achieved was nothing short of impressive—a testament to the players and first-year head coach Moe Miller.

Despite their first-round exit against Bradley Central, this young team, composed mostly of sophomores and juniors with a standout freshman guard, has much to be proud of. As Coach Miller mentioned after the game, “We could’ve scheduled some easier games and gotten some wins, but I wanted to play better teams.” Looking ahead, East will drop from 4A to 2A next season, and it’s hard not to see them as favorites in Memphis. A young core that reached state in 4A now competing in 2A? They’ll be strong contenders next year.

After Whitehaven’s game on Friday night, a fellow spectator at the media table asked me, “Man, that’s a bummer. Is that a disappointing way to end the season for Whitehaven?” I paused and replied, “Yes and no.” When he asked me to elaborate, I explained: Yes, I’m sure Whitehaven wanted to win, but simply making it to the state tournament is an accomplishment in itself. That’s life—you don’t always get what you want, and winning when you’re supposed to isn’t guaranteed.

Against Oak Ridge, Whitehaven had their chances but missed opportunities late in the game. Oak Ridge seemed to leave the door open for them, but Whitehaven couldn’t capitalize. Missed shots—some open, some contested—that they typically make hurt their chances. It’s basketball; sometimes, it’s just not your night, and that was the case for Whitehaven against a strong Oak Ridge team. Oak Ridge’s lineup featured length comparable to Whitehaven’s, with all starters standing over 6’5 except the point guard. Missed free throws and other mistakes were magnified under the bright lights of the Glass House.

In the aftermath, Coach Willie Kemp took full responsibility, saying, “This is on me. I should have adjusted a few things.” Despite the disappointment, Whitehaven had a solid season, with battles down the stretch and key wins. At the state level, however, those small margins—misses here and there—made the difference.

Looking ahead, Whitehaven will face significant losses, with graduates including Mr. Basketball Taquez Butler, Bob Dickson, KJ Smith, Cam Brown, Rashad Bryant, and Jarmon Brittman. That’s a lot of production to replace. However, returning players like Dorion Bowen, promising sophomore Eric Winston, and backup point guard Jaden Thomas provide a foundation. With Whitehaven’s ability to attract talent, their rebuild may not take long.

I didn’t have the chance to see MBA play live at the state tournament, but I caught some of their action online. Down the stretch in the fourth quarter against Tyner, they were just a possession away from sealing the win. When the game went into overtime, though, I felt it favored Tyner, who utilized a deeper rotation than MBA.

MBA’s tournament appearance marked a historic first for the school. Two teams making their state debut in Murfreesboro added a special layer of significance to this year’s event. Although MBA couldn’t secure the title, their achievement will remain a proud moment in school history.

Looking ahead, MBA will lose key player Teryck White but will return Trey Benson, a potential Mr. Basketball candidate, and Ethan Caswell, both of whom will be seniors next season. With their strong backcourt, MBA has the pieces to remain a top contender. If they can bring in additional talent to complement Benson and Caswell, they should be a top-three team on their side, competing alongside East and MASE in the 2A division.