How He Scores: Volume I
How did he do that?
Basketball is a beautiful game, filled with free-flowing motion. The freedom of the sport allows players to create their own identity. Scoring the ball continues to splash on highlight clips and spread the game.
But all scorers are not made equal. From a spot-up shooter to a gifted penetrator to everything in between hoopers learn early on how to make a basket. That addictive feeling inspires some players to voraciously hunt the repetition of that feeling, to do anything to make another basket.
Tennessee has plenty of senior scorers (Class of 2018 rankings). This feature will list some of the best scorers in the state and dissect how they go about getting their buckets.
How He Scores: Volume I
Tyler Harris (Cordova)
Memphis is renowned for great guards. Like Chicago and New York City, Memphis spawns a new batch every year. Tyler Harris is only a point guard because he is short. His remarkable ability to score makes him every bit of a scoring guard. Like a young D.J. Augustin, Harris electrifies with fearless shots and blinding quickness. Harris will never hesitate to heave, and frankly he shouldn’t for Cordova. The summer was special for Harris and he is showing no signs of slowing down. Harris scores mostly off the dribble, creating his own shots out of nothing. He has a playground flair even though he has been playing and thriving on organized teams for years. Defenders slough off Tyler Harris more than any player in the state, which “helps” keep him from darting by, but Harris is hardly one-dimensional and the three-pointer is always, always a threat from his perpetually hot hand.
Darius Garland (Brentwood Academy)
The Vanderbilt-signee, Darius Garland improved as much as any player in Tennessee in the last three years. Smallish, predominately a spot-shooter as a freshman the young man continued to pursue the promise bestowed upon him by early observers. Not everyone in the state knows how hard and how focused the work ethic of Darius Garland is. He is always improving an aspect of his game. Sometimes he completely invents a new wrinkle. Garland’s slashing and creativity with the ball in his hands has come a long, long way in the last two years. He can now break off any wing with his sizzle. The shooting will always be there, but Darius now darts and feigns really well too. He can get into the lane much better. The upper body strength took years to develop, but he is starting to fill out and the results are undeniable. The state’s best player will instantly change the image of Vanderbilt athletics.
GeAnni Bannerman (Tennessee Prep)
Formerly of New Jersey, Bannerman runs with Tennessee Prep Academy. He is a volume scorer that really works well in a system. He can utilize screens or knock down triples off the dribble. Bannerman projects as a college two-guard. He needs to add upper body strength to finish more in the lane, but his height and skill really sets him up for future success.
Coulter Dotson (Believe Prep)
Coulter has been training and camping for years. He and his family want him to develop and develop. With continued focus on his footwork and agility, Dotson is becoming a mobile scorer capable of slashing and shooting. His shooting touch became his trademark early on and the height suggested college basketball would be a real option. Now, Dotson is playing with taller, better teammates and the floor is finally opening up for him in a meaningful way. Dotson has an elite step-back jumper than can only improve with reps. He is not overly quick laterally, but can handle. For years he was resigned to knocking down open shots, or even hitting jumpers with a hand up, but as he continues to train relentlessly Dotson is expanding his game and scoring arsenal.
James Franklin (Siegel)
Just a wonderfully gifted athlete, James Franklin demonstrated a really pure outside shot during preseason exhibition games. Bouncier than most, Franklin has always been efficient around the rim. With an improved outside shot he becomes a more traditional wing prospect. Unlike Dotson, Franklin’s scoring maturation is working inside to out with the years. The Siegel Star can still dip and swirl in the paint, but continuing beyond high school will require that mid-range and outside shot that he does have. Franklin’s expertise in the open floor really shows during fast-paced games.
Trenton Gibson (Blackman)
The summer with Team Thad 17u forced Trenton Gibson to play a complimentary role off the ball. Gibson basically runs the offense for Blackman this year and has the demeanor to be whatever the coach needs. As far as scoring, Gibson leans on his strength and shooting touch. If he isn’t hitting the triple early, Gibson can get to the rim or find teammates. He is one of the most versatile offensive players on this short list. Gibson looks like a role player at the LM-LM+ level. Teams win with players like Gibson because they can score often or rarely, but most importantly they are cognizant of what the team needs and when.
Will Midlick (Rossview)
A coach’s kid, Will Midlick scores many different ways. To call Midlick (Delta State signed) a natural scorer is an insult to the time he has put in, but he appears to be able to score virtually any way conceivable. From dancing around defenders to knocking down mid-range shots, to occasionally attacking the bigs Midlick will do everything to get the ball up on the rim. The foundation of his game is shooting though, and Midlick probably will thrive at the next level because of it.
Evan Sigler (Franklin)
Many of these players can create and generate their shot off the dribble. Frankly, Franklin’s Evan Sigler cannot at the same elite level. He can make triples at an elite level, making him a potential specialist beyond his high school days. Sigler’s exploits have been known in central Tennessee for a couple years, but the secret is now out statewide. Playing on Franklin is really a blessing for Sigler because there are definitely point guards in the state worse at finding the open man than Reese Glover. Glover and the Franklin system coalesce to feed Sigler in rhythm. Sigler shows off the most consistent shooting form of all. He does most of his damage from the wings and also knows how to round the arc with eyes on the ball.
Kevaughn Ellis (Hamilton Heights Christian Academy)
Another Canadian import on Coach Zach Ferrell’s HHCA, Kevaughn Ellis springs from the floor like a bouncy ball. His entire game revolves around this very simple principle. He is more explosive than you. Ellis surrounded that core with layers and layers of skill. He turned himself into a deadly shooter. He incorporated really intricate slashing maneuvers. Kevaughn resembles Louis Williams a little bit, in that both are scorers who score really well. Neither are true point guards or necessarily slotted as point guards. They have such a keen focus on scoring and scoring and then scoring that passing just doesn’t register on the list of priorities. Ellis’ explosion gets him opportunities at the rim that defy explanation.