We all know what it is, it’s the King Kong match-up of the entire regionals so far, Bartlett vs Whitehaven Part 2 but the first game of the regionals at 6:00 pm at Bartlett High School features the surprising East Mustangs vs Southwind.
East vs Southwind (4A)
I can’t sit here with an honest face and say I thought East would be here with a shot to play in the regional championship. I would be lying if I did. I know, the tradition, I know the prestige of East, but again, no one thought East would beat Houston. If anyone had that on their vision board, give me the numbers to the lottery… but on a more serious note, East pulled off the biggest win so far of the post season. Their upset win over Houston was stunning because the Mustangs had just beat Bartlett to gain a number one seed. Remarkable… and now they are here, today again with a chance to do something special, get to the regional title game.
East accomplished this led by youth at the guard spot with sophomore Cassius Vaughn who was outstanding with 22 points, Markel Townsend (14 points) a freshman and TJ Cox, their old head as only a junior. Jacquez Suggs is only a sophomore as well at 6’4 so this is a pretty young group. 6’6 Gavin Fitzpatrick also chipped in with 12 points and he’s been big for the them since he became eligible a few games back. I think with what he brings to the table with athleticism and the ability to switch and guard from 1-4, rebound and block shots with his second jump, he’s huge for them especially in this game tonight.
The first regional game is always tough, but Southwind was able to win 57-46 over White Station. 6’4 2025 Kingston Goodwin was big for them I’m hearing and if they want to continue on to the regional title game, he will need to be big again tonight, but he isn’t the only one. Ron Towns must play well for them because I think East has a better guard group, depth wise. Vaughn, Townsend, Cox are all players Southwind must account for in this win or go home game.
Southwind must do good job of containing those 3 along with Suggs who presents a different challenge as a physical downhill 2 who can score it. I think Justin Edwards of Southwind will be asked to guard him some or maybe Vaughn on some possessions to give some different looks. I think Edwards can guard both and not be too overwhelmed by either, but it will be a task for him. Senior 6’5 forward Kris Carrol will have to make some shots in this game. He has experience though having won a state title last year at FACS. I’m sure East is going to try and run him off the line on catch and shoot opportunities so he may have to make shots on the move. That’s not really his strong suit but it’s something that will be in play. Clean looks for him would be costly for East as well as clean looks for Towns.
A wild card in this game could be Kris Smith, a 6’7 5 man for Southwind. Rebounding, second chance points for him and being a presence are vital to Southwind if they want to win. 6’7 Bryant Swing, the leading scorer for East is expected to play this game so he’s key as well averaging 15 points a game on the year. This could be the game of the night over the game that follows because it’s unexpected.
Whitehaven Vs Bartlett (4A)
We thought we would see this game again but not here, not now. It’s still win or go home and one of the state’s best teams, both top 10 teams in the state but only 1 can win. Only 1 can advance to the next game effectively ending a state title contending team’s season. Crazy right but that’s where we are and I can’t say I’m happy about but it’s basketball, we don’t always get what we want. So here we go, part 2.
The first game was a really good one that went into overtime with Whitehaven winning 58-54. Mr. Basketball candidate 6’3 Taquez Butler turned it on in the 4th and into overtime of that game. I don’t think they have lost a game since then and have been the best team in 4A since. Have they been challenged? Most definitely. They are in one of the best leagues in the state and they have risen to those challenges and found ways to win games through contributions from not just 1 guy or 2 players but their entire team. Butler has had huge moments for them, so has Dorion Bowen. Bob Dickson turned around his play from earlier on in the season where he was a little banged up. He looks like what he was last season. Cameron Brown came back from missing a few games and picked up where he left off. I think people forgot how talented this team is and how much that talent accounts for their success. 2025 Jarmon Brittman’s production has increased for them as well and even freshman Tank Winston has played some nice minutes. In this game though, I think the seniors and juniors are going to be asked to take them to the next game and on to their ultimate goal. It’s a must that the 5 B’s play well (Brown, Butler, Bowen, Brittman, Bob).
Keys For the the Game
I think Whitehaven has to speed the game up some defensively. I think they are at their best when they do that. I think playing a half-court game would feed into what Bartlett wants it to be. A slow possession by possession game. Bartlett will run if given the opportunities, but I think they want to slow it down against Whitehaven, run offense, make Whitehaven miss a defensive rotation for an easy score. I’m sure they don’t want it to be track meet because that favors a bigger more athletic Whitehaven team. Bartlett must box out, offensively and defensively. The last game, Ethan Gatewood didn’t play for them so he should help with Axton Perry as well, both guys are 6’7.
Bartlett wants to get their 2 young guys going but I think 6’6 Dylan Jones could be a factor in this game tonight as well as Perry and senior guard, KJ Neville. He was the reason it went into overtime, and he almost willed them to a win in the last game getting the lay to take it to overtime and hitting a 3 to open overtime.
In the end, this is the obvious game of the night. I’m sure there will be 10,000 what’s the score text messages between high school hoop fans tonight. 500 are going to be from me if I can’t make it over there myself. I think this game and the East vs Southwind game must see TV. Whitehaven’s goal is to not only go to the state but to win it. Without tonight, that can’t happen. Bartlett wants to go back like last season and finish what they started and while some see them as a team of the future, they want it now. Buckle up!
