Whether we want to admit it or not, we are less than a month away from knowing who will be playing for state titles from Memphis. What teams have a realistic shot at competing for a state championship in their respective classes? Let’s look at a few teams starting with 1A all the way up to 4A. First up, 1A
MASE, Middle College Or…
A lot of you all are too young to remember but there was a song many years ago by a group that featured a young Tupac Shakur. It was called “Same Song” and that’s pretty much this year for 1A basketball. It runs through MASE, who is sitting at 17-1 on the year, and Middle College in the same district. Their only loss in district came to, drum roll please, MASE. I think the job that Marcus Moody does at MASE has gone really underappreciated for years. Once again, he has his group with a chance to do something special with a possible trip to Murfreesboro in sight.
MASE beat Middle College, who made their first state appearance in school history last year, 57-44 in their first meeting. They will play again February 11th at MASE in the last game of regular season play. That game could be big in determining the league outcome. Right now, MASE is favored to win that side. Objectively though, looking at the other side of 1A, I might have to think about it a little more because Westwood and Hillcrest both are good teams in 1A.
In 1A District 16, that side features a much-improved Westwood team and a scrappy Hillcrest Vikings program that has a new program and a new leading scorer after losing a sensational senior to graduation. Westwood and Hillcrest hold the 1 and 2 spots. The 4 teams I’ve mentioned thus far are closer than they have been in a few years.
Some years, there are 2 good teams, some years, there are 3 but this year, all could have legitimate shots at beating anyone in 1A to get out of Memphis. What will happen? I can’t say with certainty… but maybe, just maybe, anything is possible especially during playoff time which is coming up fast for all these teams. Hakim Logan, Cayden Black and 6’6 Laparriz Dyson have all been good for the Longhorns this year and they are a big reason why Westwood sits atop the league. They are undefeated in district play but Hillcrest is still on the board with one game left between the 2 on February 11th. Jacoby Lewis and Jerrell Miller have been catalyst for the Vikings this season, but Coach Terrell will lean on them even more so now that we are close to the end of the season. Neither team can afford to slip with a week remaining.
I think MASE is the most balanced of the 3 other teams I’ve talked about. Their core carries them: Jaylen Goodwin, Trey Leigh, Alex Gibbs and Terry Mitchell. They have been good all year long at various junctures of the season. They have had some key new contributors this year as well. I think they win their side and go into post season play after the city title game in a great position for a post season run on their way to state.
Middle College is as good as anyone in 1A. They just so happen to be in a league with the best team in 1A. They need their seniors to step up. Samarion Irving, Kerry Parnell and Rahn Evans have to be huge for them and I expect them to understand the gravity of the game since this their final year of high school basketball. Last year, they did something special and I’m sure, they want to go back. It’s just something about the state tournament. Once you go, you always want to get back but it’s hard and that’s why it’s so special.
I like these teams to navigate their way to the Boro, but anything is possible. This is Memphis basketball.
Update! Hillcrest defeated Westwood on Monday which will put them in the city title game against the Middle College/MASE winner on tonight…..
