This is the first edition of Chuck’s Power 5. The top 5 basketball programs in the city of Memphis deserve to be celebrated. They’ve earned their way to this list, so you can jump on the bandwagon now so you won’t have to fake like you were rocking with the best the entire time. Let’s get to it.
- Bartlett High School (21-3) The Panthers are 21-3 after a loss on January 30th to Cordova High School, 49-43. Considering it’s their first and only loss in district, it’s important that they are careful about their next few opponents especially their matchup with Southwind who played them close until the 4th in their first meeting of the season. Bartlett did beat the best team in Alabama on Monday night in Huntsville. That Alabama team is highly regarded with some publications listing them as a top 25 team in the country. The victory over a top-rated Alabama squad gives them a little bit of leeway, but this is Memphis. Every game is going to be like competing against nationally ranked teams. The expectations are a state appearance for this group. A loss doesn’t deter that, but they were put on notice by a really good Cordova team. A team that looks like it’s on it’s on mission as well. I do expect both teams to face each other at least once more in the district title game in a few weeks.
Key Wins: Cordova, Huntsville (Alabama), Independence (TN) FACS, Brentwood Academy
- Cordova High School (21-1) Huge win for the Wolves on the 30th avenging their only loss of the season at their gym. Southwind, Collierville and Houston remain on the schedule. I don’t think any of those teams came within 15 points of the Wolves, so their remaining games don’t look too daunting. The goal now is to finish the season strong by winning out and that includes winning the district title before beginning a new season, the postseason. It’s going to be fun seeing how this district plays out when more is at stake. I think they will need another player to step up when the time arrives. Will it be Jay Tyler who has had moments this year or maybe Dominic Jamieson or Azavier Zanders? This is a very senior oriented team with a lot of game experience. I don’t think the stage will be too big for any of them. When the lights are the brightest, I expect KJ Tenner and Julius Thedford to rise to the occasion. By the way, Coach Scales is one of the more underrated coaches in the city.
Key Wins: Whitehaven, Bartlett, Fayette Ware, Totino Grace, Ridgeway
- Douglass High School (21-0) The only undefeated team in the city and maybe the state, could Douglass run the table? It’s certainly possible. They defend with elite tenacity and hit you with 10-0 run that turn 4-point leads into 14-point leads that eventually increase even more and rise like balloons. Congratulations to Taquez Butler. He eclipsed 1,000 points on January 30th in their win over MBA. It just feels like they are destined to return to the state and finish what they started. Did I mention that they were the number one team in the state in Double A? The journey definitely begins in Memphis though and they will take every teams best shot. Next up for them, Kipp Collegiate.
Key Wins: Rockford Auburn, Morgan Park (Illinois)
- Briarcrest Christian High School (22-3) The Saints are pretty good, but what else is new. The private school is peaking at the right time of the year. Cooper Haynes is playing well and is now the all-time leading scorer in Saints history. He did that during the 901 Tournament of Champions title run. I think he wants to add state champion to his resume though and his team has a great chance to pull it off. Fred Smith Jr has stepped it up all season leveling up his scoring and rebounding numbers from last year in his freshman campaign. His emergence has been key with others like 2027 Greg Spight, a top 5 player in that class. Seniors Braden Bryan and Connor Mancel will play a part in where they want to go. They are number 1 in the state in their classification and with that, a target, a big target goes on their back. MUS awaits them twice and so does Christian Brothers, so it won’t be easy but the road to the state never is.
Key Wins: Grind Prep, Whitehaven, Christian Brothers
- FACS (19-3) Maybe the youngest starting 5 in the city and the most talented, the Crusaders look like contenders for the state. Undefeated in league play at 7-0 with St. George left and Harding Academy, they are looking to close out the regular season on a high note. They share the ball, defend as a group, and make open shots, all ingredients for a significant run. This group reminds me a little bit of the group Coach Wilkes had his first few years at FACS, but this group could be more talented than the previous. I think this group’s upside will lead to a chance to make 2 more runs at a state title with the first starting this year. Last year they were hoping to get good enough to get out of Memphis. This year, I think they know they are good enough as a team to accomplish that.
Key Wins: Whitehaven, Coronado (California), CBHS, MHEA
