Last but not least is the 1A Classification. There are a few teams that I considered. MASE is the first. I like this team especially because their league is competitive but isn’t a huge challenge for them. Jordyin Buckley is their leader and best player. The class of 2024 hooper hardly has any athlete in the city who plays with the effort he gives in every game. They have a 6’8 in Julius Sisk who gives them length and some size. Eltra Leigh, a 6’1 2026, shows flashes of what’s to come in the future. The biggest wildcard for them is literally their biggest player, Sisk. If he can increase his production scoring around the basket and be a rim protector and interior presence, it could make it easier for them. They are currently 4-0 in league play with games against rival Middle College coming up.
I will go out on the limb here and say that MASE can make it out of 1A but the favorite to me in this classification has to be Hillcrest. It’s funny to see teams with a 10-8 record be ahead of them in state rankings but that’s neither here or there… but it makes you wonder what criteria is considered. They have the best player in 1A in Memphis, averaging over 35 a game. Last year he was a Mr.Basketball candidate (an award for the best player in the state in each division) and I’m sure this year, he will be there again among the final 3 to be picked. Jordan Allen is the Big Ticket. It’s his show. Most people think that’s all Hillcrest has, but not so fast. Another Viking, riding in like Ragnar in a raid is Xavier Herron. Herron is a physical guard who is averaging over 19 points this year and had a game recently were he had over 35 points. He’s a no nonsense off ball scorer whose is extremely effective. Him and Allen are easily 2 of the top 3 scoring tandems in Memphis. They don’t stop attacking. Allen brings defensive pressure on ball and has a knack for playing the passing lanes like a bandit in a Viking raid. That 1-2 punch with Mario Morgan and 6’4 Rodney Mitchell will make them dangerous as things get more serious down the stretch.
Do I think Hillcrest’s one-time rival Whitehaven could make a run? Most definitely, but they are a bigger school than Hillcrest and they are on the 4A side which means those two powerhouse teams are there waiting. They have talent in their starting lineup, and you have to at least think of them in 4A but as of now Bartlett and Cordova get the nods.
Is anything a guarantee in Memphis? I’d be crazy to say yes given the history of postseason games over the last few years. I’ve seen David knock off Goliath at the end of the season. I’ve seen teams who have no business of hanging within 10 points be within 3 points with under 2 minutes when it’s hang up the jersey season if you lose. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say there might be an upset or two… but as of now, I think I’ve figured out who I like to capture each division this year.
