Climbers in Class of 2018 Rankings
Updating the 2018 state of Tennessee rankings revealed six big climbers. July AAU events, results, and August camp showings had the deepest impact on ranking adjustments. One player that was simply spectacular in July was new PHT #4 Tyler Harris (Team Thad 17u), but he remains behind Darius Garland, Alex Lomax, and Ryan Boyce in overall basketball ceiling.
Tyler Harris could certainly prove PrepHoopsTN wrong, and it must be acknowledged has been doing that his whole career, but smaller guards tend to have a tough time after high school. Lomax is more sturdy and involves his teammates better. Also, defensive prowess gets players on the court as freshmen. PrepHoops #2 Lomax excels there too.
Take a look at who shot up the rankings and why.
#6 TyLandrius Parks, 6’3 G (Da House)
Most of Parks’ five spot ascendance can be attributed to players moving out of state (Moss, Baugh, Curry). Still nobody rates Parks as highly as PrepHoops.com, possibly because he lives in a smaller, less-visible town. Almost without fail Parks is the best player in the building every night….played wonderfully on Powerade Platform.
#7 DeMontay Dixon, 6’9 F (No AAU in 2017)
DeMontay Dixon (Spring Hill Summit HS) essentially missed his final AAU season planning for and then enduring shoulder surgery. According to he and his family though it had to be done. An assistant coach from East Tennessee State took a job with Illinois State and Dixon’s interest and offer followed him to Illinois. Last month Dixon verbally committed to Illinois State.
#8 Malik Riddle, 6’3″ G (M33M)
Though he climbed five spots from 13 to 8, Riddle had an uneven July. Unfortunately, he was hampered a touch by a minor wrist injury. He missed a vital opportunity to shine in the Bluff City LIVE. Size and agility will be his bankable assets in the recruiting months ahead.
#23 Caleb Fields, 6’0″ PG (Team Carroll Premier)
Previously No. 32 in 2018, Caleb Fields climbed nine spots with sparkling July play. The senior point guard is athletically advanced and capable on the ball. He could be a special perimeter defender, especially individually with more instruction. Becoming more vocal will help him establish better team offensive flow. With Marshall County he and 2019 G K.J. Johnson hope to have a program year.
Taelyr Gatlin visits TN Tech Saturday#24 Taelyr Gatlin, 6’3″ PG (Jackson Tigers)
Despite shuffling around with a few AAU programs this year Gatlin did pop up on scout’s radars. Blessed with good size for a lead guard, the 6-foot-3 ballhandler scored very well alongside #28 Carlos Sandifer early in July. Taelyr Gatlin took the final AAU weekend off to rest and now college coaches are dropping by to evaluate him at the Brigton gym.
#85 Chase Ridenour, 6’0 PG (EOTO)
Chase Ridenour (formerly #111) is a natural leader. Knoxville Webb has some young guards coming along (Emory Lanier, Tariq Daughton), but Ridenour and PHT #102 Myles Rasnick are expected to anchor the team as seniors. Ridenour’s comfort in the spotlight makes him a coach on the floor. Can Ridenour climb higher? Sure. But more importantly Ridenour earned his first college offer last month from Roane State.
Check out the full Class of 2018 rankings.